The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles Review

Since the Japanese release the first chapter of the Phoenix Wright saga, 20 years have passed. It was only a few years later that we in the West got to see it on Nintendo DS. The first chapter was originally released on GBA. The success of this unique adventure has earned it a lot of fans around the globe, and even inspired 2 anime series. Capcom's Phoenix Wright series owes its outstanding success to a mix that combines engaging stories with excellent character writing. You play as a lawyer trying to prove the truth by analysing evidence and witness statements. The chronicles are finally here. Here's my review of The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles on Nintendo Switch.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles actually consists of two games. These are The Great Ace Attorney Adventures and The Great Ace Attorney II: Resolve. They were released on Nintendo 3DS in Japan in 2015 and 2017. The two spin-off titles were also available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PC for West. Fans were eagerly anticipating The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, especially for those who have never lived outside Japan. Fans of the series are now able to enjoy it!

One plot, two games

Capcom set the story of The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles in the late 1800s, at the height of the Meiji era in Japan. The Meiji era marks a new era in the land of the Rising Sun. It sees the return to power of the Emperor, who was the Shogun's effective head of state. Japan has been trying to reform its administrative and political bodies, as well as those linked to the law system. Ryunosuke Narutodo, a young attorney, travels to England to learn about the system of laws.

The excellent story in 10 cases, divided into two titles, will satisfy fans of the older games in the series. The plot is basically the same, but it's divided into two games. In fact, the first title ends without any real conclusion, and delays the continuation to the next chapter. This irritated the Japanese fans at the time. They had to wait for the ending of the adventure for two years. In this case, the whole storyline can be enjoyed from beginning to end.

The title's heart remains the characters. You will be able to feel attached to Ryunosuke and his talented assistant Susato Mikotoba, even though the cast is completely new. Outside and inside the courtroom, she is a new protagonist. Herlock Sholmes is one of the antagonists and supporting actors. Barok Van Zieks, a famous English prosecutor, is another antagonist.

There are also the over-the-top witnesses that have become the hallmark of the entire story. These witnesses are full of strangeities and you will need to sweat seven shirts just to give a useful testimony. This is what makes The Great Ace Attorney so special. It's a captivating story with surreal characters. Also, the Escapades were a delight to the game. These stories are not playable and will give you more details about some characters.

Nintendo Switch

PLAYING DETECTIVE

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles' gameplay broadly maintains the same formula seen in previous titles in the saga. The adventure is divided into two parts by the developers. The investigation phase is the first. This is where you will need to interview witnesses and gather the evidence needed to win at court. The court phase is the second. This is where your client will be found innocent.

Although this is not new, it is still a fun gameplay formula that is unique to Capcom. Herlock Sholmes is the big news in the investigation phase. His presence will trigger a mode called Dance of Deductions where you can analyze the crime scene and reconstruct the events. Of course, the brilliant detective may not be so brilliant.

Because of the bizarre reconstructions you will need to fix them to be used in court, Except for fingerprints, the second title of this collection doesn't add much. This isn't a new chapter, as it was already in previous chapters. This phase is fun and always entertaining, even though sometimes the investigations can be a little too lengthy and not as stimulating.

Phoenix Wright

YOU VS. THE JURY

They split the core gameplay into investigations and court challenges, as I mentioned in my The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles review. The latter, however, have not changed from the past. You will need to put in the effort to overcome challenges that may seem difficult at first. But, as you go through test after test, and testimony after testimony, your eyes will start to see the truth until you achieve the ultimate victory that no one can imagine. You will need to analyse every sentence that is being questioned by witnesses.

It is crucial to show the right evidence at just the right moment. There are often minor issues, even with Capcom titles. Sometimes, you can understand the situation but not be able to provide proof of its truth until the request is made. Sometimes cases are a bit too broad without any valid reason. You should also be aware that six members of the jury have a tremendous weight on the final verdict.

You will need at least half the jury to support you throughout the trial. You will need to convince the jury that your client is guilty by providing evidence or by demonstrating inconsistencies in testimonies. The mechanics of the game are novel and fascinating, but the ways they are used are old. The jury's presence is an intriguing novelty that will add a lot of spice to the story.

ART AND ANIMATIONS

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a port of two titles released on Nintendo 3DS, as I said at the beginning of this review. Capcom hasn't made much of the original titles graphically. We are actually presented with a version that is almost identical to the 3DS's. They focused on making characters more detailed to ensure that they don't look disfigured.

This is a great feature for those who want to play on larger screens than the Nintendo Switch. The Capcom series of games is not very demanding in this regard, as it's an adventure with few moving images and little movement. They do an excellent job animating the characters and creating the overall art design.