January 23rd 2024.
The beloved attorney, Apollo Justice, is back in the gaming world with a fresh remaster of the Ace Attorney sequel trilogy. Alongside his protégé and a cast of eccentric characters, Apollo is ready to take on new cases and defend the innocent.
For many years, Nintendo has followed a dual strategy of supporting both handheld and home consoles, ensuring that if one fails to make an impact, the other can pick up the slack. However, with the success of the Switch, Nintendo has focused all their efforts on one format. This shift has also brought changes in the gaming landscape, with a decline in experimental, low-budget titles like Ace Attorney.
Although we recently got a compilation of the two older 3DS games in The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, there hasn't been a new entry in the series this generation. While Capcom has hinted at future games, the details remain vague, leaving fans wondering when and in what form they can expect a new installment.
In the meantime, we have another remaster to enjoy. This one includes the newer trilogy of mainline titles, although the term "new" is relative as the most recent game is seven years old. However, don't let the age fool you because Apollo Justice still manages to surprise with its updated graphics and gameplay.
The trilogy consists of Apollo Justice, a 3DS game from 2007 that introduced the titular attorney as a replacement for Phoenix Wright, and two more 3DS titles - Dual Destinies from 2013 and Spirit of Justice from 2016. While Phoenix Wright appears in all three games, it's clear that Capcom realized they may have sidelined him too much in the first game, and gradually brought him back into the spotlight in the sequels.
The original Apollo Justice, being a DS game, used 2D pixel graphics with the occasional 3D object for evidence examination. This remaster follows a similar path as the original trilogy remaster released in 2019. However, since the original trilogy was remastered from Game Boy Advance games, Apollo Justice is the only game made exclusively for the DS.
But don't worry, the updated graphics retain the charm of the original sprites, and the game continues in the same vein as its predecessors - a mix of Japanese visual novel and Western-style graphic adventure. The game is divided into investigating and defending cases, with the former involving interviewing suspects and using forensic tools. While the legal realism may not be on par with a martial arts simulation, it's still a fun and enjoyable experience. Plus, the game's love for puns and ridiculous characters adds to its charm, even with the changes made in localization.
In the courtroom, players cross-examine witnesses and present evidence, with each game introducing a new gimmick to aid in the process. In Apollo Justice, it's a magic bracelet that reveals when someone is lying through a nervous twitch. Each game follows a similar formula, with new characters and examination gimmicks, but the Ace Attorney series is not one of constant reinvention.
The primary appeal of these games lies in their comedic writing and absurd situations, and all three games excel in this aspect. Fans can never agree on which game is the best, a testament to their quality. While some may argue that Dual Destinies has the most consistently funny script, others may prefer Spirit of Justice or Apollo Justice.
This remaster also includes a wealth of new features and quality-of-life improvements, making it more than just a cash grab. Players can now choose from a new auto-advance option for text, a history button to review previous dialogue, and a feature to play the game as a straight visual novel without any interactivity. The Accolades system, which acts as an achievement system, adds another layer of fun, along with behind-the-scenes features, concept art, and a music player.
There's also all the original DLC, some of which are substantial with entirely new trials to experience. While there isn't a continuous story throughout the six mainline games, there is character progression that may be missed if you start with the second trilogy. However, Apollo Justice was designed as a jumping-on point, so this shouldn't be a significant issue for new players.
The Ace Attorney games are the most successful visual novels in the West for two reasons - the unusual amount of interactivity and the humor. The games are charming, with likable characters and lovable villains. This remaster trilogy stays true to that charm, making it a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.
In summary, the Ace Attorney Trilogy remaster is an excellent collection that brings the remaining three mainline games to modern formats, along with a host of extras and visual updates. With varying levels of greatness, the games are sure to provide hours of entertainment, and the quality-of-life improvements make the experience even more enjoyable. While there may not be any significant gameplay changes between the games, the trilogy still holds up as a solid and entertaining series.
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