renpy make a move button like phoenix wright

3 min read 11-03-2025

renpy make a move button like phoenix wright

Ren'Py, a visual novel engine, offers immense flexibility. However, replicating the iconic "Make a Move" button from the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney series requires a bit of custom scripting. This article details how to achieve this effect, enhancing your game's visual appeal and user experience.

Understanding the Goal

The Phoenix Wright "Make a Move" button isn't just a simple button; it's a dynamic element that appears only when the player has a valid action to perform (e.g., presenting evidence, making an objection). We'll create a similar system in Ren'Py, ensuring the button only appears when appropriate.

Implementing the "Make a Move" Functionality

This requires a combination of Ren'Py's built-in features and custom code. Here's a breakdown:

1. Defining a Variable to Track Availability

First, we need a variable to track whether a "Make a Move" action is available. We'll use a boolean (true/false) variable:

define make_move_available = False

2. Triggering the Variable

We’ll modify your game's logic to set make_move_available to True when a relevant action becomes possible. For example:

label start:
    "The case begins..."

    # ... some dialogue and scene setup ...

    $ make_move_available = True #  Set to True when evidence is found, for example.


    # ... more game logic ...

    if make_move_available:
        "You have a hunch!  It's time to make a move!"
    else:
        "You wait for the right moment..."

3. Creating the Custom Button

This button won't be a standard Ren'Py button; instead, we'll use a custom screen to manage its visibility and functionality:

screen make_move_button:
    if make_move_available:
        button:
            text "Make a Move!"
            action Jump("make_a_move")

screen make_a_move_screen:
    #Place your actual "Make a Move" logic here.  This could be a menu, a choice, etc.
    menu:
        "Present Evidence A":
            Jump("evidence_a")
        "Present Evidence B":
            Jump("evidence_b")
        "Object!":
            Jump("objection")


        #Reset available variable after action is chosen
        $ make_move_available = False

4. Integrating into Your Game

Remember to call the make_move_button screen at appropriate points in your game script where you want it to appear. For example, you can add it to your main game screen:

screen main_game_screen:
    # ... other screen elements ...
    add make_move_button

5. Advanced Features (Optional)

Animations: Enhance the button's visual impact by using Ren'Py's animation features to make it appear or highlight when make_move_available becomes true.
Styling: Customize the button's appearance (text, color, size) to match the Phoenix Wright aesthetic. Refer to Ren'Py's documentation on screen language and styles.
Sound Effects: Add a satisfying sound effect when the button is clicked, further enhancing the immersion.

Example with a Choice

Let's expand the example with a simple choice:

define make_move_available = False

label start:
    "The case begins..."
    "You find a key piece of evidence!"
    $ make_move_available = True

    call screen main_game_screen

label evidence_a:
    "You presented Evidence A.  What happens next?"
    return

label evidence_b:
    "You presented Evidence B.  What happens next?"
    return


screen make_move_button:
    if make_move_available:
        button:
            text "Make a Move!"
            action Jump("make_a_move")

screen make_a_move_screen:
    menu:
        "Present Evidence A":
            Jump("evidence_a")
            $ make_move_available = False # Reset availability after choice
        "Present Evidence B":
            Jump("evidence_b")
            $ make_move_available = False # Reset availability after choice


screen main_game_screen:
    add make_move_button

Remember to replace placeholders like "evidence_a", "evidence_b" etc with your actual label names. This comprehensive approach provides a solid foundation for creating a dynamic "Make a Move" system within your Ren'Py visual novel. Remember to consult the official Ren'Py documentation for further details and advanced techniques.