Modernist figurehead and dystopian mastermind T. S. Eliot once asserted, "bad poets borrow, good poets steal." Assuming the same is true for video games, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law should be a great game. Based on the now defunct Cartoon Network show of the same name, Attorney at Law adopts the trademark animation and writing of the show, which is the game's biggest strength - fans of the television series will love what essentially boils down to five new episodes. However, all in all, the experience is not innovative enough to convert skeptics or casual gamers.

While Attorney at Law feels like an interactive show with its many cutscenes and laugh-out-loud moments, there are other times when it seems like too much control is left out of the player's hands. The game is presented as a traditional point-and-click adventure, though searching and piecing together evidence are thrown out the window in favor of simplicity, which helps to usher each story forward. The fact of the matter is, this game could have been released as a DVD bonus for a Harvey Birdman DVD box set; interactivity is really at a bare minimum. The point and click portions of the game are overly simplified, and the rest of the experience consists of watching video clips. While this isn't necessarily a negative aspect of Harvey Birdman, it's worth noting, as those expecting more control over the gameplay are in for a disappointment.

If you've seen the show, you'll feel right at home with the game.

Additionally, Attorney at Law is an extremely easy game to complete. While doing research and collecting clues, the right piece of evidence will dramatically help your case. Characters often tell you outright what piece of evidence to select, which takes any detective work out of the equation. Once this tendency is picked up on, you can really fly through the each of the cases without much incentive to slow down and enjoy the experience. However, a nice touch the developers added are secret videos for each case, unlockable only if the right clues are presented to certain characters. You can also earn extra life points in the same manner, but the game is so easy that you probably won't need the additional help.

Nonetheless, the major strike against Attorney at Law is not its low difficulty but the fact that many of the jokes just fall flat. Considering comedy is the game's major selling point, the inconsistency is detrimental. Furthermore, anything that isn't animated (mainly, events that take place outside the courtroom) is portrayed in text rather than the voice work of the Harvey Birdman cast. It's disappointing to see lines of dialog, which might have been funny given the right inflection, as lifeless blurbs of text. These missed opportunities really add up, especially in a game with such an unimpressive lifespan.

If you watch the television show, then you pretty much know what's in store in terms of the graphics. The cutscenes are animated in the same style of the show, giving fans something to enjoy while playing it. Nothing in the game is particularly mind-blowing, but one has to believe that was intentional, given the subject matter. As far as drawing the player into the world of Harvey Birdman, the graphics prove sufficient.

The sound is also spot-on in relation to the show. Most of the voice acting cast reprise their roles for the video game (sans Stephen Colbert), and their acting and delivery are on par with any episode of the show. For fans, the voice work is a definite strong point. Aside from the acting and various sound effects associated with the TV series, the requisite sound effects for menus and the like get the job done just fine.

Attorney at Law is a budget-priced title, so there really isn't much to the game once the five short cases are finished. While you could play it again to explore the dialog trees, the outcomes are generally the same, no matter what. Also, many of the lines fall flat upon a second play through, effectively destroying the game's replay value. If a title ever called out to be a rental instead of a full-fledged purchase, this is it.

The gameplay itself isn't very deep and probably won't keep you engaged for long.

The only noticeable difference between the Wii version of Attorney at Law and its PlayStation 2 and PSP counterparts (aside from the difference in pricing and load times) is the point and click functionality that the Wii-mote allows for; otherwise, the three titles play virtually identically. The fact that you must guide a cursor around the screen as opposed to a pointer really doesn't add to or detract from the experience whatsoever, so if you have the choice, it's probably best to save yourself the cash and go with the PS2 or PSP versions.

Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law will appeal to fans of the Cartoon Network show, but those not enamored of the humor and art style will probably end up bored. The simplistic controls and short playtime make the game feel like an interactive episode, and, as with most TV shows, only serious fans will find reason to revisit the material once it's been viewed. With Attorney at Law, only gamers looking to get a quick fix of Harvey Birdman need apply.