Aviary Attorney

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 872 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
Aviary Attorney Game Cover
More rich quail rather than plump-breasted pheasant, but still a rare and satisfying bird.
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In Aviary Attorney, players assume the role of a 19th-century anthropomorphic bird attorney. Through point-and-click gameplay, they investigate cases, question witnesses, and present evidence to solve courtroom dramas. With hand-drawn art and humor, this game offers a unique take on visual novel adventure games.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 872 reviews
story178 positive mentions
stability16 negative mentions
  • Charming art style inspired by 19th-century caricaturist J.J. Grandville, creating a unique visual experience.
  • Witty and humorous writing with plenty of puns, making for an entertaining narrative.
  • Engaging story with multiple endings that allow for replayability and different outcomes based on player choices.
  • The game is relatively short, taking around 5-8 hours to complete, which may not justify the price for some players.
  • Some gameplay mechanics can feel simplistic, with easy puzzles and trials that may not challenge experienced players.
  • Lack of a save system that allows for mid-game saves can be frustrating, requiring players to replay sections if they miss evidence.
  • story433 mentions

    The story of "Aviary Attorney" is widely praised for its engaging narrative, clever writing, and memorable characters, set against the backdrop of revolutionary France. Players appreciate the game's unique approach to storytelling, allowing for multiple endings and the ability to continue the narrative even after failing cases, which adds depth to the experience. However, some reviewers noted that the story could feel rushed or lacking in character development, particularly in the latter half, leaving certain plot points feeling unsatisfying.

    • “I bought this game thinking, 'oh haha bird lawyer game, this should be silly', and was blown away by the story created.”
    • “The story was charming, the writing was clever, the music was fantastic, and I loved every minute of it.”
    • “The story is engaging and I like how failing doesn't necessarily lead to a 'game over'.”
    • “I just can't stress enough that the story slowly but surely loses steam, and the final case and ending really left me unsatisfied.”
    • “The conclusion is also not very satisfying story-wise and the entire thing sort of fizzles.”
    • “The story seems rushed and ends in a whimper in a horrifically anticlimactic way.”
  • music262 mentions

    The music in "Aviary Attorney" is widely praised for its beautiful orchestration and fitting classical selections, primarily featuring works by Camille Saint-Saëns and other 19th-century composers. Reviewers note that the soundtrack enhances the game's charming atmosphere and complements its unique art style, although some mention inconsistencies in volume and a lack of original compositions. Overall, the music is considered a standout element that significantly contributes to the game's engaging experience.

    • “Aviary Attorney is a nice little adventure game with original artwork inspired by contemporary French caricaturist Grandville and an excellent soundtrack mixed with works of Camille Saint-Saëns.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic and perfectly captures the game's atmosphere and mood.”
    • “The music is beautiful, the art style is iconic and classy, the characters are witty and memorable, and none of them have 'NPC energy'.”
    • “The music isn't an original soundtrack, but it's very fitting for the setting and tone of the game; nevertheless, it is pleasing to the ear.”
    • “My only criticism of the music is that there wasn't any that felt catchy or memorable enough.”
    • “I'm not sure if it's a design choice, but parts of the courtroom battles are completely devoid of music, which deflates a lot of the pacing.”
  • graphics245 mentions

    The graphics of "Aviary Attorney" are widely praised for their unique and beautiful art style, heavily inspired by 19th-century caricaturist J.J. Grandville, which creates a charming and immersive atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the stunning visuals and how they complement the engaging narrative and witty humor, with many noting the exceptional soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Overall, the game's aesthetic is considered a standout feature, making it a delightful visual novel that captivates players with its artistic presentation.

    • “The art style is breathtaking, the world is deeply well thought-out, the narrative is beyond outstanding, and hilarious.”
    • “The art style gorgeously illustrates many subtle details that perfectly capture the time period in a hand-drawn sketch style.”
    • “The graphics and music are beautiful, and the humour is great.”
    • “While the art style is unique, it doesn't quite befit a game.”
    • “I liked it, but the point and click sections can be a little difficult because of the monochrome art style.”
    • “The game does not feel 100% finished and could definitely use more polish as evident from minor UI glitches, hairline borders occasionally visible around graphics assets and occasional spelling issues.”
  • humor206 mentions

    The humor in "Aviary Attorney" is widely praised for its clever writing, witty dialogue, and charming character interactions, often blending puns with more serious themes. Players appreciate the game's ability to balance lightheartedness with engaging storytelling, making it both funny and thought-provoking. Overall, the humor is described as a standout feature, appealing particularly to fans of the "Ace Attorney" series while offering its own unique comedic flair.

    • “What a fun, charming game full of humor, sass, and intrigue!”
    • “The humor is so silly and funny, with naturally a lot of bird references.”
    • “The writing is witty and made me laugh genuinely more than I think I have at any other game recently.”
    • “The two investigators you're guiding aren't well characterized -- the sidekick makes bad, not funny-bad, just bad puns, and the lead investigator is solemn and rebukes the sidekick.”
    • “The attempts at humor fall flat, leaving the dialogue feeling more awkward than amusing.”
    • “The jokes feel forced and often miss the mark, making it hard to engage with the characters.”
  • gameplay156 mentions

    The gameplay of "Aviary Attorney" is heavily inspired by the "Ace Attorney" series, featuring straightforward point-and-click mechanics, evidence gathering, and courtroom trials, but it is often described as simpler and less challenging. While the game offers a humorous narrative and engaging characters, many players feel it suffers from a lack of depth and brevity, with some mechanics underutilized and the overall experience feeling too short. Despite these criticisms, the game is praised for its charming aesthetic and the potential for more complex gameplay in future installments.

    • “Overall a very funny, likable and relaxing adventure game with different endings and 8 hours of good atmospheric gameplay.”
    • “Aviary Attorney is a fantastic game that combines classic point-and-click adventure gameplay with a unique animal-themed setting.”
    • “The gameplay is where the project really excelled for me.”
    • “The gameplay elements just repeated themselves and there was never any depth added to the characters, making the visual novel just seem a little too short to be taken seriously and too long for the light-hearted murder mystery vibe it was going for.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay can seem a bit tedious; most of the time you just have to click and read through long dialogs, making it difficult to play more than one chapter per session.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly shallow; you never have more than a couple handfuls of evidence, and the contradictions should be incredibly easy to spot for any veteran of the series.”
  • replayability25 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers multiple endings and branching paths that encourage exploration of different choices, many players feel that the overall replay value is limited due to its short length and the lack of significant variation in outcomes. Some appreciate the ability to revisit pivotal moments for alternative endings, but others express little desire to replay after experiencing all the content. Overall, it provides moderate replayability, particularly for fans of narrative-driven games.

    • “Wasn't expecting that amount of replayability.”
    • “Replayability is high as the choices that you make both in and out of the courtroom can have vastly different consequences depending on your actions.”
    • “There is a lot of replay value here, as you can imagine.”
    • “One main gripe is, like with other story-based games, the lack of replayability.”
    • “There is little replay value after completing all endings, save to make different choices for a few minor plot changes.”
    • “Would recommend if you like narrative-driven games with minor replayability.”
  • atmosphere23 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its charming combination of unique visuals, superb soundtrack, and engaging writing, creating an immersive experience that enhances the storytelling. Players appreciate how the music and art style complement each other, contributing to a relaxing and enjoyable ambiance, particularly suited for quiet moments. Overall, the atmosphere is described as enchanting and consistent, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The soundtrack is fantastic and perfectly captures the game's atmosphere and mood.”
    • “The unique visuals and the music add to the atmosphere a lot, and the characters, through broad stereotypes, are entertaining enough.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game also does not veer into the spiritual, which I always thought was a (albeit quirky) weakness of the Ace Attorney games.”
    • “It's honestly very difficult to put the atmosphere of a game into words.”
    • “The period artwork, the atmosphere, the accompanying music, and the charming characters all melt together perfectly to make a brilliant experience.”
  • stability17 mentions

    The game has been widely criticized for its instability, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and unfinished elements affecting the overall experience. While some players noted that many issues have been addressed, the consensus remains that the game feels incomplete and requires further polish. Despite these stability concerns, many users still find the game enjoyable and appreciate its unique qualities.

    • “Have you ever seen a major title come back bug-free?”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it really enhances the overall experience.”
    • “First of all, the game is somewhat buggy; the game regularly crashed either on launch or when attempting to enter full screen mode.”
    • “The game does not feel 100% finished and could definitely use more polish as evident from minor UI glitches, hairline borders occasionally visible around graphics assets, and occasional spelling issues.”
    • “Game is buggy as hell and it's directly linked to my save file so there's not a thing I can do about it, but it's still 95% functional.”
  • character development14 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews; while the character designs are praised for their artistic quality and unique style, many players feel that the actual development of the characters is lacking, with minimal plot depth and only mild surprises regarding their backgrounds. Some reviewers noted that the characters lack meaningful growth, which detracts from the overall narrative experience. Overall, while the visual presentation is strong, the character arcs leave much to be desired.

    • “This game uses character designs that were actually created around the time the game takes place in, by an infamous caricature artist named JJ Grandville, which look spectacular.”
    • “The character development is also quite nice as well, flowing naturally and without feeling forced.”
    • “The character designs were great (other than the birds' somewhat disturbing human hands), and I really liked the overall look of the game.”
    • “Not much character development.”
    • “This game has a poor plot, treacly character development, and very little dramatic tension.”
    • “If you like character development, you'll find that there isn't much - just a mild surprise about a few of the characters' pasts at the end, and some friends-after-all feelgoodery.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the charming illustrations, music, and a story that balances humor and bleakness, others feel that the short length limits emotional depth compared to similar titles. Many reviewers express a strong emotional investment in the narrative, with moments that evoke laughter and tears, though some criticize certain endings as feeling unearned or frustrating. Overall, the game successfully engages players emotionally, offering a rich experience despite its flaws.

    • “Wonderful and charming illustrations and music, writing that knows how to balance humor and bleakness very well, and a very dense and intriguing story bound together by cases that made me feel smart.”
    • “I found myself caught up in the story and way more emotionally invested than expected.”
    • “You probably won't get all the good endings on your first playthrough, and that's what makes it such an emotional time.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players noting performance issues that affect gameplay. However, the inclusion of multiple endings based on player performance adds a unique layer to the experience, making the optimization challenges more impactful on the overall outcome.

    • “There is one pretty big difference, though: there are multiple endings you can get based on your performance in one of the cases.”
    • “There are performance issues with this game.”
    • “I didn't realize this going in, but as things went a certain way during one of the trials, I got the feeling that my performance was determining my outcome (which is different for this type of game).”
    • “There is a special case that might go in three different paths depending on your performance and decisions.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, as it often involves lengthy dialogues and repetitive actions that can hinder progress. The necessity to restart chapters after mistakes adds to the frustration, making it challenging to maintain engagement over extended play sessions. However, the structured investigation mechanics, reminiscent of the Ace Attorney series, help mitigate some of the tedium by guiding players through key interactions.

    • “The only problem is that the gameplay can seem a bit tedious; most of the time you just have to click and read through long dialogs, which makes it difficult to play more than one chapter per session.”
    • “It is too easy to lose without actually making any mistakes, and once you make a mistake, your only recourse is to go back to the beginning of the chapter, which is very tedious.”
    • “It's kind of tedious if you need to go back and redo things.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game appears to be influenced by nostalgic visuals, drawing from vintage illustrations commonly seen in historical advertisements and publications. However, the reviews do not provide specific details on the monetization model itself, such as whether it includes microtransactions or a pay-to-win structure.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

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Play time

8hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
4-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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