From Spirit of Justice (2016)

Hello, I’m back! It’s been soooo long! Mostly because I was trying to decide if I should go to Ace Attorney Investigations first or Apollo Justice first. I decided on this. So just like last time, comment down below whose backstory you would like to see the most! Not the best lineup maybe but still their stories are bound to be interesting! Also I have a new idea: rank them from how much you would like to see their backstory with the first being the most and the last being the least!

Why do you think these people are the way they are? An demented veteran who lacks ethics, an agent with a creepy laugh who changes her identity, a rich person? Let’s chat down below!!!

As always, childhood is anything below 18 years of year!

Finished the Great Ace Attorney Chronicles with my friend recently and yeah, we loved it! Now on our way to finish Investigation games

On a side note, I think it's cool seeing a younger Diego Armando. He was probably 15 or 16 around this time.

Again, anime hair and their intersections strike again and make my life harder! She ended up better rhan Edgeworth though

https://www.instagram.com/spikermonster/p/CNx2NPgjjSU/

i don't know why, i just want to squeeze her, especially with this animation. she's so cute and irritating at the same time. I've never had cuteness aggression this intense and that's so funny to me.

does she grow up in the trilogy or make any appearance in the following games? she seems like she has the talent for being a medium for their clan. this is my second game aside from the great ace attorney chronicles (so good btw)

For example Iris (the great ace attorney chronicles) is only I think 10 years old but acts like she is very self sufficient though there are moments where she is caught being a child (time to time for storyline stuff). But in the perspective overall, she often makes tea for everyone, cooks for everyone (everyone is a damn adult) and often takes the liberties of being a mom for the group. I haven’t finished the second game (so please no spoilers on this character development and storyline)

Even in the original Phoenix wright ace attorney series, even 16 year old maya acts like an whole adult, and even pearl fey who is much younger is very mature for her age. I understand this is an eastern setting so some of cultural things are very different and they often make note of that in the jokes and so on.

I don’t think it irks me truly but it does make me wonder why the writers write the minor characters like grown adults with issues they have usually fully healed from or so on. Idk if I’m making any sense of this, but I have noticed this being a common theme of the games. Just wondering if it ever pulls you out of immersion or you just deal with it? I mean I love all the games so I will never stop loving them but I wonder your guys opinions?

I love Franziska so much I must give her a gf🔥

This is one of my favorite cases in the series; top 10 but probably also top 5. But I admit the logic is a bit shaky in places and I was wondering about a few things.

1. The first contradiction is pretty good, but the following arguments are contingent on the idea that Tahrust would run unarmed to fight someone with a knife. This one is understandable because he still might be physically stronger than Maya, but...

2. Nahyuta later destroys your reasoning by saying that Maya chased Tahrust to the statue from behind. But wouldn't that require there to be two sets of footsteps then? Unless she took off her shoes, which I wish they'd at least addressed.

3. I agree with the common complaint the game should have highlighted more the possibility that Tahrust was misguided, but also what about Datz? He also only briefly apologized for falsifying testimony against Maya. I get that he's an impulsive guy who prioritized his own survival, but the game should have still done more to call him out.

4. What if Rheel Nehmu's seance was any longer? It would have shown more than just the slab. It was only about 10 seconds, while Inga's was at least 30. And likewise if Inga's had only been 10 seconds, we wouldn't have heard the Man's Voice and couldn't have made the deductions we made.

5. If Behle'eb was present in the court the whole time, why didn't she initially confess, and then why did she later? Was it because the twist about the suicide made her realize she didn't want anyone else to get hurt? This also seems a little contrived.

I like the case but the answers to these things, especially number 2, just weren't always obvious.

Apollo Justice: so much to love, yet much to yearn.

Even from before I knew much about Ace Attorney, many years ago I saw Ace Attorney 4 as "the one people don't like". Now I never searched the reason, but looking at the covers I had inferred that it was because the main character was different. That it was the odd game out.

Now that isn't too far from the reason people didnt like this game, as the aesthetic and feeling of this game is very different. Almost everything is different which is definitely jarring from moving from the OG trilogy. But I absolutely LOVE more cynical vibes of AA4. The music, defendants all have committing a crime, the subjection of expectations with your teacher being the villain and your rival actually being a decent guy, the court system not being able to capture culprits and ensure justice alone. AA4 THRIVES ON BEING DIFFERENT and I love it for that.

I was honestly scared of disliking an Ace Attorney game (or maybe it's jus youre more likely to see people who hate something strongly on reddit), but my experience with this game was quite solid.

Turnabout Trump (A tier) - This is the case I heard all too much about. Now it's only a tutorial case and because of the first half being normal, I don't really think its "Top 10 Cases" of all time, but it sure is the best tutorial case next to trigger. Now I hear people have conflicting feelings about Apollo: mainly that "the game isn't really about him", or "he gets overshadowed by Phoenix", or "he isn't truly a character until Spirit of Justice". While he isn't my favorite character, I resonated with him as a rookie Attorney more than Phoenix because he's shown to be unbelievably nervous when defending his clients. There's still some snark in him that reminds me of Phoenix, but him getting guidance from multiple people (including Klavier), shouting out his words-thinking it'll make seem convincing when he's actually not confident at times, and him being shy when getting complimented makes me love him more than Phoenix. He doesn’t need a super big backstory to why hes a lawyer in this game because hes just....a regular guy!

Speaking of, Phoenix or BEANIX is my 2nd favorite character is this game. I've already been spoiled at his bum appearance, but even though he looks different- he's the one trying to control the case, getting his revenge for something the audience doesn't know. He gets to show off more than Apollo but I didn't mind since I love that the old protagonist is teaching our new protagonist. The banter between him and Kristoph is great, but only makes me wish we got to see more of Kristoph. Theres only so much you can show in the first case (unless if you're GAA😭). Revisiting the case makes things much better when I realized...Kristoph was actually going to FRAME Olga Orly this whole time! I thought she was a usual guilty suspect when I saw some YouTube videos but no.

And the reveal at the end that Phoenix used forged evidence brings back that question of if this Phoenix is truly the same.

Trump is just lacking more of a dynamic use of the bracelet, screentime for Kristoph, and a relationship between him and Apollo. It could've used more dialogue of Kristoph loving his reputation and Apollo feeling uncomfortable. I also feel like Apollos resolve to find the truth was too simple? Like I know I said he's a regular lawyer but there could've been something to give it nuance. Amazing Case

Turnabout Corner(B Tier) - I hear too much hate for this case and I'm just like...its just fine? The idea of their being 3 different you have to solve is a great way to do investigating but I only feel like the panty snatching and noodle stand mystery intertwine solidly. Trucy Wright is truly an amazing assistant. Even though she reminds me of Maya, I can give more leeway with her being 15 and its more suitable for her to ba her with Apollo. It's nothing too different from Phoenix and Maya imo. However her Gramayre Power makes her such a helpful assistant to Apollo and I kinda felt like she overshadowed him in this case😭.

Ema Skye getting a different job than she hoped for is sad but realistic and I really love the tools she gives us in this case to investigate. This game just like AAI has the best investigation mechanics that make searching for clues fun. Whether it be fingerprints or the whole mail thing in case 4. I wanted to see more of her and Klavier bicker.

Speaking of, once again KLAVIER GAVIN IS THE BEST FUCKING CHARACTER IN THIS GAME AND CLOSE TO BEING THE BEST PROSECUTOR IN THE SERIES SO FAR HOLY SHIT🔥🔥🔥. THIS MAN IS SO CHILL. He's still antagonist to Apollo, but finds him charming because both are trying to find the truth. He doesn't throw coffee or whip anyone, he just namecalls your forehead💀. And in Case 3 you find out that he's been through many struggles yet tries to stay kind because that's the right thing to do. And when he shuts down Alita because Apollo found out the correct truth 💋 chefs kiss.

This case is only B tier because of missed opportunities with the noodle guy being a doctor and how HE could've been the one to save Wocky. He just kind of disappeared near the end of the case. Wocky is just an alright guy- he doesn't annoy me like he does most people. Alita was a nice red herring. It was 50/50 for me on whether she was the culprit so this was nice to see that she never trusted Apollo and she was his first "client". And dammit I thought the Stickler panty thing was funny, he's a sicko but I think they did the humor well.

The bracelet mechanic is also my favorite in the franchise since I love trying to find the nervous tendencies of witnesses.

Will all that being said...WHY TF DID THEY BRING BACK THAT DOCTOR OF ALL CHARACTERS. AND HES STILL A CREEP IN THE LOCALIZED VERSION.

Turnabout Serenade (C tier)- Yeah this is my least favorite case. And its such a shame because there's a lot to be loved, mainly the music parts where you have to find the contradictions, gun shots, or missing notes and what not. They did that part well. The whole part with Klavier trying to keep a cool head like I mentioned before and more insight into his character was great. And the court system not being able to catch Daryan is a nice setup for case 4.

Everything else sucks. When I got to trial 2, I was wondering why people were complaining about the video because it had showed up like 3 times before that. Then it kept playing again...and again...and again..🫩🫩🫩. Daryan being the only suspicious suspect kind ruined the mystery for me since I wasn't too attached to him. I liked his snarky remarks I guess? I dont remember him well besides him pinning the blame on Thalassa. The whole child shooting a gun thing being mentioned but disregarded is SUCH A HUGE PLOT HOLE and I agree with with everyone else on that. The setting is also kind of visually bland to me besides the stage.

This case has good things, but I'm not eager to replay it. Especially those music video bits.

Also Thalassa a baddie.

Turnabout Succession (S TIER) - HOLY FUCK. THIS CASE. THIS CASE. THIS CASE MAN. I can't believe I'm saying this but

Succession is a Top 3 Case for me.

I cant even delve into how many times the mysteries and reveals surprised me in this case or this post will be way longer, but damn this case is on par with Turnabout Goodbyes for me. Starting as a regular investigation in an art studio thats actually the center of the whole 7 years ago scandal, learning about Vera Misham and the forgery plot gets things going. I found brushel so weird and hilarious that I think hes the character than encompasses AA4's cynical nature. And then the poisoning of Vera that leads us to the 7 years ago trial with Phoenix!

While this trial is simple, I absolutely love how confident Phoenix is here. This is like the 5th oddball prosecutor he has to face and he shows that he has this case in the bag. And it's been so long where I played a case where I felt distraught the whole time. I didn't want to continue and was brought to tears knowing that Phoenix was going to lose his badge.

But surprisingly, what I loved about Phoenix here is that he tried to go out with dignity and take responsibility for his actions- trying to protect Zak Gramarye from being guilty. AND THEN THE DUDE JUST DIPS LIKE WHAT?

Only thing I didnt like was Gumshoe. He looked weird and acted weird too, like what's with this banter after 4 games with Phoenix. It felt like an odd cameo.

Now the Mason system I have mixed feelings on. On one hand, I love trying to put the pieces together and finding out where to go for the past and future parts. This is a great way to do a mystery. In execution, it isn't all the best because some future evidence doesn't really affect the past parts (example: finding the nail polish in Kristophs jail, but using it in the past when you could've just found it in Drew Studio in the past. Like Phoenix literally says its on Veras Desk).

And theres some continuinity issues like presenting a picture of Thalassa to Zak when Phoenix gets it from Brushel 6 months later. I liked the idea of the system, but it just feels weird with the errors and not necessary to do it out of order.

I like how this is how we find out that Phoenix is still the same because he looks at us with his cool demeanor (or mainly to Apollo and Trucy), but in his head and to others, he's a bit nervous, dorky, and snarky like hes always been.

The final trial day could've been much longer but I was still very much satisfied with the reveals of Kristoph and Klavier. Again there should've been much more screentime between them, but I heard this game was rushed. Having all your evidence be null truly shows how flawed the court system is and Kristoph seemingly be unstoppable only for the jurist system, the hope for future of justice- to be the thing that brings him down is so poetic.

⚖️Apollo Justice leaves many things desired despite having a concise story throughout. There's many unanswered questions that don't ruin the story but makes the player seem skeptical and think plot points will lead somewhere, like the black locks, or Kristophs scar, or Apollos dad(Ik he shows up in 6).

Still it told a story it wanted to tell. A beginning middle and end.

Apollo has my FAVORITE music, favorite mechanics, favorite vibes, favorite characters, but it still need much more time to flesh out characters, relationships,and give screentime to them.

I love Apollo Justice 💗 8/10

RANKING: T&T,AAI2, Phoenix Wright, Layton V Wright, GAA2, JFA, Apollo, GAA1, AAI

ONTO DUAL DESTINIES🗣🔥