Burden of Proof

Right, I'll give a brief breakdown of the game, with spoilers. It's been a long time since I played this, but it'll give you an idea of what to expect. Case 1: [spoiler]Really strong opening case, actually. I was able to piece together how the entire crime happened in the investigation, but I enjoyed the courtoom battle, which is what I put a lot of weight in these games.[/spoiler] Case 2: [spoiler]This was an OK case. I liked the battle, with disproving the times repeatedly, and the overall mystery was good.[/spoiler] Case 3: [spoiler]Skipping the not-really-a-case, this was OK, again (I like the one bit where the prosecutor buys time for you, that's still great). Nothing crazy for the final battle and I honestly expecetd more, but I was really looking forward to the finale based on this.[/spoiler] Case 4: [spoiler]I'm sorry, but this case really dropped the ball. The leader of the big organization comes out (I thought he'd kind of be like Lyle Hemlock from Contempt of Court), and I'm fine with the fourth wall breaking introduction, but then he gives a series of testimonies that he claims have contradictions (and they do) and then he just...randomly gets defeated? This could have been a lot better. The second half reuses all of the previous cases' gimmicks in a way, and I have to admit that pulling this off is tough, but the final battle here is once more, really underwhelming.[/spoiler] In short, there's a lot of potential here, but the game's exeuction is average and sometimes, disappointing. Still, the first case is worth playing.

Burden of Proof is a charming but often rough Ace Attorney-inspired murder mystery game. The writing is humorous, utilizing silly meta jokes and quirky character writing. Both the courtroom and investigation sections are simple but fun. The core cast is quite likeable and it's interesting to see how our protagonist Conrad changes throughout the course of the game. However, bear in mind that this is apparently the indie developer's first commercial release and it shows. Graphics are very simple. The script isn't especially polished, with some awkward phrasing and many errors. The entire 3rd chapter is a 5 minute summary due to development issues (this part of the story is apparently expanded upon in the sequel, but even so it still feels very jarring the way it is left in this game). The pacing can be uneven at times, which is especially prevalent in the ending which moves far too quickly and leaves many unanswered questions. From an objective perspective, several aspects of this game feel undercooked, but it still won me over with its earnestness and soul. This isn't an uninspired clone of its inspiration, it's a homage with its own ideas and style from someone who clearly loves Ace Attorney. Overall a good time, and I look forward to playing the sequel sometime soon.

This game has some rough aspects like the expression of the modeling and animations but if you overlook that and a slight dip in quality in chapter 4, the experience will be rewarding BoP does away with a lot of the clutter and filler we're accostumed to in Ace Attorney games, this means that almost no time spent in the game is wasted, as progress is constant The soundtrack is really good, I was surprised by how much I liked quite a few of the tunes, specially in the courtroom! The puzzles themselves are, on the whole, much easier than a regular AA game. There's also a couple of times where cases seem to unroll on their own, with characters making deductions and sounding them without the player needing to figure anything out necessarily. Another negative is that the overarching story is sometimes written a little bit poorly, especially as it's introduced, but it definitely picks up and makes up for it later! It was refreshing to try a game that did something different with this formula, and I feel like it really went the extra mile in that regard. A few new mechanics and changes make the overall experience much smoother and less frustrating, while also piquing interest in the player Not only that, but the story and characters in this game definitely go in a direction that no AA game ever has. I don't want to spoil too much but, even if it wasn't executed perfectly, it was really cool to see how this game tackled what it wanted to address. To sum it up: If you love AA, play this darn game. Suspend your disbelief a little, overlook the surface flaws, and you'll be enjoying a truly special piece of art I really hope the devs tackle this genre again, especially since their latest game seems to have improved on models quite a bit! If this game had expressive, well defined faces and animations it would have been sooo much better, and it's already pretty great. HD Remake some day? hehe

I feel bad for not recommending this game, but there are issues that showed up in case 1 that make me want to not give the rest of the game a shot. The first reason is the graphics. I don’t need 4K super polished models. I like N64-looking games, but they have an appealing factor. This game just looks bad and doesn’t do anything to hide it. There’s a wide shot early in the game where you see so much of the city, but it looks bland, empty, and lifeless. Character poses look awkward and unfinished, with very little style to them. Characters have the most uninspired designs I’ve seen in an Ace Attorney-like game, with gray muted colors everywhere. I’m fine with low budget games, but low budget doesn’t mean it should be boring to look at. That said, I could overlook it if the writing was amazing. I only played Case 1, but the writing was at best fine, but at worst, bland and disappointing. This is because the characters are bland or annoying. The first witness, Rebecca, just keeps saying she’s late for everything, but no reason is given. She just says it all the time, and it wasn’t funny the first time, and stops making sense. The culprit is just a cocky jerk, which is fine, but lacks anything else. I can’t even remember their reason for the murder, and I’m writing this review after finishing the case. And finally, the protagonist is just bland without any of the charm or wit to carry the case. I know it’s only case 1, but it left me unimpressed. I did like the mystery on paper, but a mystery needs characters you enjoy watching to be enjoyable, and Case 1 didn’t provide them. Credit where it’s due, the gameplay is fine. It’s basically Ace Attorney without pressing witnesses. Nothing to complain about. I think the puzzles were fine. But gameplay only works if the rest of the game works, which, for me, doesn’t. I don’t need case 1 to be perfect, I need it to make me want to keep playing the rest of the game, and it didn’t.

So Burden of Potato Despite pacing issues, plot losing its mind during last two cases and looking like, well, ummmm just check screenshots I do actually recommend it, I can see that a lot of love got put into this and it tends to be rather funny and interesting. Also I cannot just ignore a game where a prosecutor is a robot

Great game, sadly got a game breaking bug that unabled me from advancing past chapter 2 (it didn't let me interact with the bulletin board, even after restarting the chapter twice, so I could never advance the case) which was enough of a push for me to attempt to refund the game (if it goes through great, if it doesn't I guess I'll just keep it in my library until a fix is found) I'd normally not refund a game like this, but the rough edges are something you already have to push yourself through (things like not having a skip button, can't change the text speed, the animations looking pretty rough) so a game breaking bug is my breaking point There is a ton of good in this game tho, and I genuinely believe you should play it, because it's fun because it's cases are interesting because it just satisfies the ace attorney itch, but I do believe it's an overall rough product I think a big miss for me (keep in mind I was only able to play up to halfway to chapter 2) is that it's all cases and investigation, some will say "Great I really hated when ace attorney spent so much time fluffing around until the murder happens" but imo that's a reductive point of view, letting you explore the world before a case happens gives time for the character interactions to shine through, for them to be characters not functions, and most importantly for making the world feel alive and you a part of it I dunno the game almost feels insecure about it's world, like it doesn't want you to remember it exists unless a case is directly happening, which sucks because as of now characters don't really get a chance to BE characters, sure they have gags, but they don't exist outside of them The first case villain is a perfect example, why did they do what they do? well because they had a debt that they didn't want to pay, why did he get that money? Well he is a complete moron so perhaps he gambled it all away, or maybe he had to pay for a surgery and this is a commentary on the world of the game? You never find out, so there's no reason, he exists only to be a villain in the game, he is not a character he is a function

It's an ace attorney rip-off, but it's well done. The devs lnow what males ace attorney fun and charming, and the cases are so good it seems like it's from an ace attorney game

[h1]Ryan George Style Pitch Meeting: [/h1] Setting: The meeting is in a stark, 3D digital courtroom. "OBJECTION!" and "TAKE THAT!" pixel text float in the air. The Publisher is sitting at the Judge's bench, tapping a gavel that makes a "cha-ching" sound. The Game Designer is standing at the prosecutor’s podium, smiling intensely. The Jury Box is already dangerously overcrowded and appears to be clipping through the wall. The Jury Box is overflowing with the entire cast: Phoenix, Miles, Maya, Gumshoe, Franziska, Godot, Apollo, Trucy, Athena, Sissel, Lynne, Cabannella, Detective Jowd, and Missile. Publisher: So, you have a courtroom drama for me? A game where we shout at people for profit? Game Designer: Yes, sir, I do! This is Burden of Proof, and it’s going to take finding contradictions and shouting in a courtroom and make it 3D! Publisher: Wow wow wow. Wow. 3D, you say? So, now we have to actually navigate a physical space? Game Designer: Super easy, barely an inconvenience! You explore the crime scene in the third person! Our legendary prosecutor, Conrad Cross, walks around like a very earnest filing cabinet on wheels! That’s what we’re going with! And it was all created by one very nice, humble developer! Publisher: Oh my god. A massive, multi-case conspiracy built by a single person? Game Designer: Super easy, barely an inconvenience! Publisher: A very committed developer! Oooooh, the solo effort is tight! Franziska von Karma: (Whip crack) This level of foolish ambition is unworthy of my presence! Game Designer: Hey, shut up! Publisher: Fair enough. So, the player has to win over a panel of three Counselors plus the Judge to get a verdict? Game Designer: Oh my god, yes! And they grow weary of bad evidence! It’s all so the puzzle can happen! Phoenix Wright: (Jumping up) But the only way a jury works is if I desperately shout the name of an unrelated object at them until they break! Godot: (Takes a slow sip from his invisible mug) The bitter taste of compromise. I prefer coffee. Blacker than a sudden plot twist. Game Designer: Whoops! Publisher: Whoopsie! Game Designer: Now, the story is a multi-case conspiracy involving a piece of ominous computer hardware. Conrad has to face the ultimate villain, Hendrick Tray, a charismatic terrorist who wants to improve the law through immoral means. Publisher: A very ominous charismatic terrorist! But why does a legendary prosecutor get involved in the one single massive conspiracy in the entire city? Game Designer: Because! Publisher: Well, okay then. Game Designer: And here’s the twist: Conrad has to break the law and pin the crime on someone else to bring down the whole organization! Detective Jowd: (Somberly) The line between justice and crime is thinner than we admit. Apollo Justice: (Yelling) I object to the protagonist's moral ambiguity! Gumshoe: (Leaping out of his seat) Wait, Pal! A prosecutor breaking the law? I'm a detective! I'm required to... uh... deduct my own salary! Larry Butz: (Wailing dramatically) When something smells like a crime, it's usually the case! Or, you know, the main character! Game Designer: Well, the villain takes a very long time to take action against Conrad, even when he gets close to exposing them. Publisher: Very considerate! Publisher: So, in the end, we're left with a grand, multi-case conspiracy that is filled with twists, a legendary prosecutor with questionable ethics, and more guest stars than a Hollywood action movie. Game Designer: Yes! And the whole time, the player has to remember that the burden of proof is on you to unravel the truth! Publisher: That is just... a very apt title! It just works! Game Designer: It does! Publisher: Wait, so we have a lawbreaker as a protagonist? Game Designer: Yes. Publisher: What? Game Designer: What? Publisher: Well, okay then! Game Designer: Great! This entire grand legal saga, with all the moral ambiguity and unexpected twists, is ready to go! Publisher: Oooooh, the morally ambiguous profit potential is tight! Excellent! Game Designer: Super easy, barely an inconvenience! Publisher: Well, okay then!

Gra lepsza niż się spodziewałem. Dobra historia, zaskakująco dobra grafika, soundtrack pasujacy do klimatu gry oraz przyjemne postacie. Ogólne dość dobra gra.

I have played plenty of fan-made games which were okay at best but I still appreciate the effort of people following their passions. This game didn't try to create something new by improving upon the original game mechanics from the original AA series. This game was an attempt to mimic the thing that Capcom created but without understanding what it takes to get a player to suspend their disbelief or be charmed by a character. This game is obviously a fan-made game so graphics and sound aside, the writing was poor and full of holes, the logic was not logical and many drastic elements of plot are dropped casually and never really explored or fully explained. I would let all of this go except that most fan games are free. I trusted the positive reviews and spent money on this game and gave it the benefit of the doubt right to the end but I ended up walking away from my computer so many times from either boredom or just because I was flustered with how non nonsensical the 'correct' answers were. I imagine this project is considered complete and will never be revisited by the developer but if you are interest there is a great fan game on steam called Occult Crime Police. It's not a perfect game but it is well done. It has a good story, logical deductions, engaging dialogue and characters. This game is free to download but I was so impressed that I purchased the cosmetic DLC just to show my support. This is what I expect from a fan game which is supposed to be made out of love for the source material. I resent being sold a copy of the original.