By far the most noteworthy mystery game I have ever played. A complete and utter masterpiece in every sense of the word. It flawlessly balances a gripping mystery with fresh and exciting gameplay.

The puzzle-solving is definitely unique in its own way. Instead of investigating for clues to solve murders, like Ace Attorney or Danganronpa, your goal is to stop the murder itself from happening in the first place. Or, in other words, to change the fate of the deceased. This can be done with your Ghost Tricks, allowing you to interact with intimate objects around you. Moving from item to item, using various unique tricks in each chapter to change fate, felt satisfying and rewarding.

This reward comes from impeccable writing and how it makes you care about every character. Extensive effort was put into the dialogue and interactions to make each one feel distinct and likable in their own way. My favorite character was the brave little dog, Missile!

In tandem with this, the simplified yet unique way Koki Kinoshita goes about character design made me fall in love with the world and its inhabitants even more than just the excellent writing. The uniquely designed silhouettes, outfits, and faces of the characters helped each one stand out. Not only this, but the scope of over-exaggerated animations for each character also breathed even more life into them. I loved watching Detective Cabanela waltz across crime scenes and the crazy way the guardian of the park shuffles across the ground.

The background music suited every moment perfectly, too. Masakazu Sugimori's electronic, synth-heavy style blends seamlessly with the game, accentuating Ghost Trick's sleek and simplified noir style. The rearranged tracks in this game pay great homage to the original, using some of the same instrumentals used for the DS but with more modern accompaniments.

There is a reason why this game has been a cult classic for years now, with an incredibly passionate and dedicated fandom. Please give it a chance!

10/10