Another adventure game made by the developers of Hotel Dusk: Room 215, Cing. You are in the role of FBI Agent Jonathan Weaver, and you have the ability to see into the past. Nineteen years ago, a string of murders named the "Providence murders" occurred, and the killer was never caught. Now, it would seem the killer has resurfaced and is back to murdering once again. Partly fueled by personal motivation, Jonathan Weaver vows to finally catch the culprit.
Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors
Chunsoft
2010
Developed by Chunsoft, written by one of the writers of Ever 17 (which if you don't know, is excellent), and brought over by Aksys. That's a triple threat of serious business, which is what this game is. You wake up on a cruise liner with eight other people, and all of you have entered a game where you will put your life on the line. Combines visual novel interaction between characters and puzzle solving. IF YOU FUCK UP, PEOPLE WILL DIE. That said, it's worth it for all of the multiple endings.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Capcom
2005
The first in the series. Take control of Phoenix Wright while you object like the motherfucking fist of the north star. Has an extra case exclusive to the DS version, which is great. Probably the best game of them all.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Justice For All
Capcom
2006
Second in the series, and while considered the weakest (along with Apollo Justice), the fuckwin final case makes up for it. The thing with this game is: its weakest case is the worst case in the series, but its best case is the best in the series, so it really pays off. Plus Franziska.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations
Capcom
2007
Phoenix's final game before he steps down, and it is one hell of a ride. The final case is mind blowing.
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth / Gyakuten Kenji 2
Capcom
2010
You know what this game has? Franziska. You know what this game doesn't have? Magic. Any questions? Of course not. While this is a very nice game on itself, it really shines with it's meta-humor so be sure to play the other games first (aka all THREE Phoenix Wright titles, and Apollo Justice). Step back, I'm gonna try LOGIC!
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
Capcom
2008
A revamp of the series, with a new protagonist. While considered one of the weakest in the series, it's still pretty rockin' (literally). Includes DS exclusive features from PW1's extra case.
Trace Memory (US) / Another Code: Two Memories (EU)
CING
2005
Another short, but fun adventure game. Usual point and click designs are present throwing in some puzzles to make use of the DS's features. Sequel is on Wii as Another Code: R – A Journey into Lost Memories
A port of the PC version. Features extra puzzles and some other gameplay changes. Story has been updated but there are some odditys in the programming. Has also been censored and you can no longer die at certain points of the game, removing all of the OH FUCK OH SHIT WHAT tension of the original. Does not have voice acting (unlike the iOS port) which is a shame, because a lot of the game's charm is in its unashamed stereotyping of foreigners.
Probably one of the most original adventures ever made. Written by the writer of the Phoenix Wright series, and set in the same universe to boot, at least according to him. You wouldn't know because there are no proper cameos, just teases.
You have been killed and became a ghost with amnesia and the ability to possess objects. You have 'til dawn to discover your identity and why you where killed using your powers to set ridiculous Rude Goldberg machines in order to save people from dying (oh, right, you can timetravel four minutes before someone's recent death). It has great characters (Missile ftw) and solid writing (Shu Takumi ftw). Sadly, it's a tad too short (5-6 hours if you don't get stuck), but mostly because the story has close to no padding.
Hotel Dusk: Room 215
CING
2007
Same creators as Trace Memory, this one is a little refined. Explore the eerie Hotel Dusk while unraveling the mystery behind it. Fantastic atmosphere, great characters and a nice art style make this a must play. Not much replay value though.
Last Window: The Secret of Cape West
CING
2010
Sequel to Hotel Dusk. Japanese and European release only. However the DS is region-free so importing is no problem. CING's last game because they recently went bankrupt. ;_;
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Level-5
2008
Lots of brain teasers and logic puzzles to wrap your head around, plus an enjoyable storyline and quirky characters. This reminds me of a puzzle...
Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
Level-5
2009
Continues the story after the first Layton. Still awesome and look, professor! I found a puzzle!
Only one puzzle requires the mic, and it's the last one!
Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
Level-5
2010
The conclusion to the Professor Layton trilogy (but not the end of the series). The best Professor Layton so far with an awesome story and its ridiculous spoiler with some cooler mind-fucking puzzles.
Theresia
AKSYS
2008
A first person survival horror game full of tons of traps and puzzles. The puzzles tend to be on the easy side, but the amount of traps, some obvious and some subtle, that are placed just about everywhere levels it out. The way the game lays out the plot makes it very unpredictable, and the visuals are beautiful.
Time Hollow
Konami
2008
You receive a pen that lets you fuck with the past, including preventing accidents. However, just like every other "tamper with the past" plot, everything starts going haywire. A great game, but fairly short.
Witch's Wish
Natsume
2010
Anon wants to be the little girl, and the little girl wants to be a witch in a town where only the rich can afford to. Not only is it cute, the music is charming and you can use "the story showcases certain social issues in a way that children can understand" as a flimsy excuse. Downsides are limited save points and the American release stripping out nearly all voice acting. Other than that, it's probably the cutest game you'll ever play.
