How does Lamiroir know that there were bullet holes on the wall? We know that she is >!blind and "witnessing" the crime on the air duct vent!<. How does she know the bullet would create a hole in the walls?
By way of background, I am a non-native English speaker. I played the original DS games 20 years ago to learn English in high school. Since then, I have played all the games on and off. So I have some idea of the story, who the killer is, and so on. A month ago, I decided to play through the entire series for Steam achievements. With my English comprehension at its best and my brain as mature as it's ever been, I think I'm finally able to give the original trilogy a fair ranking/tier list. I will do the same with other games. The next game is the AJ trilogy.
From worst to best
Not for me:
2-3: The entire chain of events is ridiculous; the "hook" of the case, its biggest mystery, is just a random event. The killer got lucky that the case was as hard to solve as it was. He has no plan to frame the defendant at all. It seems like an insult to the player.
3-3: The new characters are unlikable. The recurring cast's IQ took a nosedive. How can they be deceived by the killer? The saving grace for this case is the good mystery, and at least the killer has a plan. But since the killing was a spur-of-the-moment killing, it's hard to believe the killer, given his or her profession, could come up with the plan on the spot. And why did the killer carry the killing instrument/weapon with him or her on the day of the murder?
Mediocre:
3-2: It's fine. The initial non-murder trial was a breeze of fresh air at first. The cast of new characters is too shallow, so the killer is too easy to deduce. Of course, the two fan-favorite returning characters are not the killer. And the game actually shows the killer's silhouette during the flashback. So the second half of the game is just a howcatchem cat and mouse game.
1-1: Good introduction to the series. The contradictions are not as blatant, but they are not as difficult to see. Introduced us to four main and regular characters.
2-1: I think it is a little bit better than 1-1. The comedy is on point and ridiculous in a good way, especially regarding a certain yellow item. Seeing how Phoenix regains his attorney's instinct during the case is great.
1-3: This case would be so good if it were one day shorter. It has no reason to be a three-day trial. As such, it becomes a bit of a drag. As with other AA1 cases, it also sometimes suffered from unclear direction. But overall, the story is good. However, a certain recurring character is so annoying with his or her constant yapping. But I understand that your mileage might vary with him or her. It also introduces the main attorney-assistant dynamic of the original games, which is great.
Good:
3-1: Uncontroversially, the best introduction case in the original series. The killer is also a recurring character in the game. Playing as someone other than Phoenix, a breeze of fresh air. I like how it hinted that Mia knew something about the case and the killer that we don't know. This is different from most of Phoenix's cases (except in the first game, where Phoenix knew Edgeworth before the player). Overall, a solid first case.
1-2: I think I place this case higher than most people would. But it is a daring case, killing off a main character in your first ever full case, your second case overall is a bold move. I give the developer so much credit for that. It also introduces the main attorney-assistant relationship of the original games. Albeit the assistant was not able to join the investigation until the next case. However, the worst thing about this case is the killer. The killer is so one-dimensional. In the grand scheme of things, he or she should play a bigger role in the story, seeing how he or she killed off a main character.
2-2: Perfectly acceptable case. Good mystery. However, the prosecutor introduced in this case is unbearable. It is a good thing that he or she became a better character as the series progresses. Likewise, all the new characters introduced in this case are unlikable except for one, but she gets by for her adorableness rather than her overall character. However, it at least introduces the Fey family dynamic, and the side villain in this case became a much later threat, which is great. Playing this case after knowing what happened in T&T enhanced the experience.
Great:
3-4: Short, simple, to the point. It is also tied to the overall plot of the third game. It is an instrumental case that cannot be skipped. However, one drawback is that the mystery is too simple. Plus, younger Edgeworth was portrayed differently than he was even in AA1. It's like the developer not only took away all of his development (which makes sense) but also what made him likable, even in the first game before his development. However, that is more like nitpicking than criticism. Also, a lot of people rang a pedo alarm for a character in this case, but I don't think it was portrayed that way; but that is just me. Obviously, we should not condone pedophilia, but slamming a character because you think the game portrayed him as a pedo when it's actually much more complicated than that is unfair. But this is not the place to discuss said character. Overall, great case to play if you have 1.5 to kill.
1-5: A lot of people place this higher than I do. However, the fact that it was so disconnected from the overall story of the original trilogy is a big strike against it. I understand why it is the way it is, but that does not make it any better. I actually think that it takes away from 1-4 and 2-4, two masterpieces of the cases. I understand that there are mental gymnastics you can do to make the whole thing make sense. But I don't like doing so. Overall, the villain is great, the new cast are charming. Too bad they are not returning in later games, except for one. And how did Gumshoe manage not to get fired after what he pulled in this case?
Outstanding:
1-4: If you are a fan of the defendant in this case, you would place this at the top. However, I think it suffered from a lack of a clear direction and a confusing way to progress in the investigation and trial, similar to other cases in the first game. The villain is unexpected. The mystery is great, the story is great. The setting can be better. But overall, a masterpiece of a case.
2-4: The sole reason why this case is not at the top is that the mystery is not very good. Take away the character dynamic and the huddle that Phoenix has to jump through; if the side plot had not happened, this case would be very simple and only a mediocre case. However, the side plot was great and mitigated many of this case's shortcomings. Overall, I placed it higher than 1-4 because at least the logical flow works better there than in 1-4.
3-5: Verbum Sap.
Maya does not know what is a psyche-lock. While Maya may not be the most knowledgable spirit medium and psyche-lock was introduced only in 2-2 when Maya is detained, should she saw it in action during 2-3? I understand she was not with Phoenix during 2-4 but she was definitely with Phoenix during 2-3 when he broke the lock of Ben, Moe, or Acro.