Odd Girl
I spent the last two nights playing (and completing!) Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective for the DS. I've had a couple of false starts with this game previously, but this time around I was completely hooked right from the get go.
It's a point and click adventure game of sorts. Heavy on puzzles with a sprinkle of timed platform elements, all wrapped up in an incredibly engaging story.
The unique gameplay is definitely the game's strong point. You have to manipulate objects to solve puzzles or open paths to where you need to go. There's an element of trial and error, but you have fun even when failing.
The visuals are a mix of Another World, Phoenix Wright and other classic adventure games. The music (and particularly the sound effects) are so reminiscent of Phoenix Wright that it sometimes makes you wonder of Phoenix is about to walk on screen.
In the game you wake up as a ghost on a mission to figure out who you are (... were?). The plot is exhilarating, I got hand cramps tapping my stylus through all the dialogue, I blazed through everything eager to know what happened next. I thought the game had a good pace, there are a lot of dialogue and several cut scenes, but they are evenly spaced out ... and in any case, if you aren't playing this game for the story, you are playing it wrong.
I was certainly not left disappointed by the plot. The twists are many and in many cases surprising. Never boring or annoying (at least I didn't think so). The characters are really awesome as well (though I really, really hate Sissel's sunglasses ughhhh so ugly).
The game is available on iOS devices too in case you don't have a DS. It comes warmly recommended, well worth your time! It's a game I am sure I will revisit at some point. It has the same sort of replay value as the Phoenix Wright games, I guess. Fully enjoyable even though you know what happens next. The unforgettable characters add to the replay value.
What have you guys been playing lately?