Tyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the Arcane
- June 23, 2023
- Diamondhenge Entertainment
- 15h median play time
In "Tyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the Arcane," immerse yourself in a fantasy world and take on the role of a defense attorney fighting for justice in a corrupt system. Defend clients accused of magical crimes using your wits and knowledge of arcane law to prove their innocence. The fate of your clients and the integrity of the justice system are in your hands.
Reviews
- Great story with compelling characters and emotional depth.
- Unique integration of magic into the courtroom mechanics, enhancing the gameplay experience.
- Fantastic soundtrack that complements the game's atmosphere.
- Some cases feel too easy and predictable, lacking the challenge of the Ace Attorney series.
- Minor technical issues and typos present, indicating a need for further polish.
- The pacing in the first few cases can be slow, and the final case may feel rushed.
- story1,016 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story of "Tyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the Arcane" is widely praised for its engaging narrative, well-developed characters, and intricate plot twists that keep players invested throughout the game. While it draws clear inspiration from the Ace Attorney series, many reviewers appreciate its unique themes, particularly the incorporation of magic and political intrigue, which adds depth to the courtroom drama. However, some critiques mention pacing issues and a tendency for certain plot points to feel rushed or convoluted, particularly in the later chapters, yet overall, the storytelling is considered a standout feature that elevates the game.
“The story was very good and the characters seemed way more competent than in Ace Attorney (something that I actually disliked about Ace Attorney).”
“The story is fantastic, with interesting characters, kingdom-wide political struggles, and a pretty compelling big picture story arc.”
“The story knows what it wants to be and is doing it.”
“In fact, so much of the story feels worse for this romance: tons of backstory and moments seemed to be presented just to have Celeste and Tyrion gush over each other, and while they have a couple of admittedly cute moments, since they both have loner backgrounds it seems super weird that the story wishes to focus on the 'fuzzy feelings' that you would more commonly see in a completely different story over actually exploring how being close to someone else is affecting these characters; it feels more like the writers are just showing me this to make me feel 'aww' rather than it adding anything to the characters; I would rather have this 'romance' dropped entirely.”
“The story has a problem where things just like to happen out of nowhere, especially for the death of the victims.”
“The storyline is ok-ish for the first 2 episodes, then gets hopelessly predictable in episode #3, at which point you realize you basically have no control over what's going on, and need to keep investigating all kinds of useless clues, since otherwise you'll be stuck forever.”
- music695 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Tyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the Arcane" has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its engaging jazz and orchestral compositions by notable artists like insaneintherainmusic and shady cicada. While many players praise the soundtrack for enhancing the game's atmosphere and emotional moments, some critiques mention occasional mismatches between the music and the narrative context, leading to moments of tonal dissonance. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many players expressing a desire to purchase it separately.
“The music is fantastic and the art is pleasant to look at; some pivotal scenes wouldn't be the same without them.”
“The soundtrack is a high point, as many of the game's dramatic scenes feel significantly enhanced by the energy brought through their music.”
“Insaneintherainmusic and shady cicada have absolutely outdone themselves with the music and it really elevates the game to another level for me.”
“One song which came to mind as being a bit too dissonant would be the use of 'A Friendly Smile' throughout day one of case three-- a blaring saxophone and peppy plucked strings going off while you're pressing a friend about your defendant's relationship to organized crime is so awkward I was compelled to see what the composer's deal was.”
“The music, while nice, is badly scripted to the context and conversations happening on screen. Several times peppy and upbeat tunes will play directly after a dark and dramatic reveal, or music will cut in and out over conflicting tracks in quick succession leading to mood whiplashes and tarnished atmosphere.”
“The only point I was less than fully impressed by were the generally unexciting/repetitive background music.”
- gameplay422 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Tyrion Cuthbert* draws heavily from the *Ace Attorney* series, featuring familiar mechanics such as courtroom trials and evidence presentation, while introducing unique elements like magic-based deductions and an argument system that enhances player engagement. While some players appreciate the fresh twists and the integration of new mechanics, others feel that the game lacks originality and depth compared to its inspiration, leading to mixed feelings about its overall execution. Despite these critiques, many agree that the game successfully captures the spirit of *Ace Attorney* while offering a distinct fantasy setting and enjoyable gameplay experience.
“The game escalates beautifully, and its unique mechanics are engaging.”
“This is a very well done ace attorney-like, it captures the same level of logic and deduction you expect while also having a slew of unique mechanics to distinguish itself.”
“I'm amazed at how seamlessly the developer intertwined mechanics from every mainline ace attorney game while adding their own unique touch with the magic elements (and mind-reading mechanics)!”
“The game mechanics are directly taken from Ace Attorney, slapped together without any real thought or originality.”
“As a tribute to Ace Attorney, this game doesn’t surpass Ace Attorney in any aspect, nor does it bring any originality to the gameplay mechanics.”
“There are a lot of problems with evidence in this game that I'll detail later, but what you need to know is that the way evidence is presented in your collection is lazy, confusing, and intensely detrimental to the actual gameplay to the point of sharp frustration.”
- graphics152 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful artwork and character designs, while others note a lack of animation and personality compared to similar titles like Ace Attorney. Some players appreciate the hand-drawn style and vibrant color palette, but criticize the reuse of assets and occasional graphical glitches. Overall, while the visuals are generally well-received, they are seen as needing more variety and polish to fully engage players.
“Everything from the graphics to the music just screams quality.”
“It was so refreshing to see hand-drawn art make up almost all of the visuals for this game, and the color palette was vivid and makes the world feel alive.”
“First, the art style: it is very crisp and professionally done, just a joy for the eye.”
“The graphics, on the other hand, are decent, but compared to Ace Attorney, there is sadly a lack of personality in animation.”
“While the sprites themselves are really well-drawn, I think the overall aesthetic is a little lacking.”
“Regarding production values, the visuals are a little basic, especially the sparse backgrounds, which is especially noticeable when investigating.”
- humor107 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, engaging character interactions, and a balance between comedic and serious moments, making it both funny and emotionally impactful. While some reviewers noted that the humor is less frequent compared to its inspiration, "Ace Attorney," many found the jokes to be well-timed and genuinely hilarious, contributing to the game's charm and character development. Overall, the humor is seen as a strong aspect, enhancing the storytelling and player experience, though a few felt it could benefit from more comedic elements.
“It's goofy, hilarious, convoluted (in a good way), unpredictable and very heartfelt.”
“The writing balances investigative humor and fun character quirks that get you closely invested in them when things really hit the fan; and I'd even say it avoids some of the 'excess' humor that a certain other attorney series fell into; instead maintaining a relatively fast pace around its core serious/dramatic moments.”
“Finally, the story felt like a roller coaster of emotions from crying to making me not be able to stop laughing.”
- character development83 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the emotional arcs and depth of main characters, particularly in the latter half, while others feel that the focus on detailed character designs sometimes detracts from personality and flair. The narrative effectively integrates returning characters, allowing for growth and backstory, but some reviewers noted that side characters lack the development seen in previous titles. Overall, while the character designs are visually appealing, opinions vary on how well they contribute to the game's character development.
“I'm writing this straight after beating the game, and I have not felt this euphoria from gameplay, story depth, or character development since after Red Dead 2.”
“From the story to the cases themselves, everything was just perfect, the story and character development especially, it touched me like no other game has.”
“The story really gripped me, character development felt natural, and art and music really helped the atmosphere of the game.”
“The character development in this game is also a disaster.”
“Due to this focus on these three characters, and the overall big bad you will meet later in the game, it's clear that the side characters that sometimes outshine the main cast in AA due to the amount of character development they get in any given case, isn't present in Tyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the Arcane.”
“Cases are fairly to-the-point; the wind-up period where facts and characters are introduced tends to be brief which somewhat limits the amount of character development and sometimes makes predicting the mystery a little too easy.”
- emotional78 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its rich emotional depth, featuring a blend of humor, drama, and heartfelt moments that resonate with players. Characters are well-developed and relatable, with their emotional arcs contributing significantly to the narrative's impact, leading to moments of genuine connection and catharsis. The soundtrack enhances these emotional experiences, making the game a memorable journey that leaves a lasting impression on players.
“By the end, this game was genuinely deeply emotionally impactful to me.”
“This was an incredible game, full of emotional depth, incredible characters and character growth, interesting cases and twists, and it also gave us the one thing that Ace Attorney has denied us for so long-- an actual romance between the two leads!”
“I was taken through the emotional wringer by this game.”
- atmosphere23 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional soundtrack that complements the narrative and enhances the overall experience. The jazzy instrumentals and catchy tunes create a vibrant ambiance, although some note instances of mood inconsistency due to abrupt musical shifts. Overall, the combination of music, art, and storytelling contributes to a captivating and immersive atmosphere that resonates with players.
“The jazzy instrumentals do well to not only accompany the narrative and build atmosphere but are fantastic pieces to listen to in one's own time.”
“And this game has one of the best atmospheres I've found so far!”
“Genuinely fits the vibe of the entire game and brings together such a wonderful atmosphere, especially in the CG scenes.”
“Several times, peppy and upbeat tunes will play directly after a dark and dramatic reveal, or music will cut in and out over conflicting tracks in quick succession, leading to mood whiplashes and tarnished atmosphere.”
“The music doesn't establish the atmosphere enough.”
“The atmosphere of the game is probably the most important thing for me when I'm trying to find a new game that I'll like.”
- stability20 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The game exhibits a range of stability issues, including bugs, visual glitches, and occasional freezing during dialogues, which can disrupt gameplay. While many of these problems have reportedly been addressed through patches, some users still experience consistent graphical issues and sound problems, particularly when using specific platforms like Linux. Overall, while the game is considered buggy, it remains enjoyable and the developers are actively working to improve stability.
“Diamondhenge has been working very quickly to provide constant patches, and by the time you read this, it could very well be bug free.”
“It often freezes on dialogs, forcing a restart.”
“Finally...this game is a bit buggy.”
“For a visual novel game, it is surprisingly buggy.”
- grinding16 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that grinding in the game can often feel tedious and frustrating, particularly due to issues like evidence bloat, an unsorted inventory, and a lack of clear guidance on correct answers. While some players appreciate the depth of the cases and the engaging characters, the repetitive nature of certain mechanics and the cumbersome user interface detract from the overall experience.
“As a side effect, the 'empowered eye' ability can be really tedious and annoying if you can't find the last thing you need to project.”
“You can often make a lot of true statements out of them, and a lot are relevant, but the given clue when you are incorrect doesn't really tell you what specific answer the game wants, which can be tedious.”
“Cases and story are enjoyable, however there's the evidence bloat that makes looking for the correct option a little tedious.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game has been criticized for having zero replay value, making it difficult to justify its price. While some acknowledge that the lack of replayability aligns with the game's design, the consensus is that it significantly limits the overall experience.
“There is zero replay value, and all that you'll take away from this title is RSI.”
“Zero replay value makes the price tag extra hard to justify.”
“The game is obviously not very replayable, but I guess that's the spirit of it.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has been criticized, with reports of unusually high CPU usage and unresolved issues with the user interface despite claims of fixes from the developer. While the voice acting is noted to be performed well, the limited fully voiced lines make it difficult to fully assess this aspect.
“The developer has claimed to have fixed the problem, but as far as I can tell, the user interface during examination is still broken.”
“The game also lacks optimization, as my CPU usage is unconventionally high.”