The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is finally getting released outside of Japan. Fans of the Ace Attorney series will be able to experience the new take on the long-lasting series without having to learn Japanese.
Double the fun
When Capcom decided to make changes to the classic Ace Attorney formula they came up with The Great Ace Attorney Adventures. The game came out in 2015 and is a whole new spin on the series. In 2017 Japan got treated to yet another installation in the Great Ace Attorney Adventures series with the follow-up called resolve. The games weren’t intended for audiences outside of Japan because they were deemed hard to translate to a western audience. Fans of the games with knowledge of Japanese decided to translate the game and put their work on video platforms forcing Capcom to intervene. Now 6 years after the first game, Capcom found a way to get these games out worldwide in the form of The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles compiled of the two games and with some bonuses in the form of extra escapades, artwork, audio snippets, and much more.
No Phoenix Wright
The game takes place during the Meiji period. The Meiji period in Japan marks the time more western influences manifested in Japan. Certainly a time of change. At the turn of the 19th century, Japan was slowly embarking on the path of becoming more internationally involved. As such, the law system changed based on what was happening elsewhere. Mainly the interactions with England invoked some changes to the courtroom proceedings. As you might have figured out by now, Phoenix Wright is not in this game since he wasn’t around at that time. Instead, we get an ancestor of him in the form of Ryunosuke Naruhodo to be the star lawyer in this game. While the game takes a new path with this new protagonist and its different surroundings, the main staples of the series are all here making this a true Ace Attorney game.
Herlock Sholmes
The game sticks to its roots as being a visual novel with some extra puzzle elements. The story-telling is the main appeal of The Great Attorney Chronicles. Having both games in one gives a whopping 40 hours of story to tell. 40 hours of text to read might seem daunting. Despite this, the game keeps you interested with many fun twists and the addition of many quirky characters. One of the most appealing will surely be Herlock Sholmes. This famous detective will “help” you more than once in cracking the case. His excellent skills of deduction will add new game elements mixing things up from classic courtroom drama to a more investigating approach. Finding clues and interpret them along the great mind of Herlock Sholmes keeps things fresh throughout the story.
Every detail counts
Seeking out the flaws in the testimonies or linking evidence to contradict certain statements won’t be easy. After indulging in the story elements, Ace Attorney asks you to actually crack the case to reach a favorable verdict. These moments of interaction will surely put you on the spot. Presenting the wrong evidence or pointing out the wrong detail could lead you to lose the case. Cross-check every detail before you attempt to plead your case because almost no one in the courtroom will feel sorry for you if you fail. Looking at the reactions of the jurors and seeing that one odd emotion could make all the difference. Pressing witnesses when you sense nervousness might muster up more information. Every chance to be laughed at will be taken by your opponents so make sure to be at your best. You might be a young inexperienced lawyer but that doesn’t change people’s lives are at stake.
Upscaled
The original games were intended for the Nintendo 3DS and mobile market. This version will be available on Nintendo Switch, Playstation, and Windows, making the transition to bigger screens. Despite the upscaling, the game looks amazing. The artwork during the cutscenes is classic anime done really well. The courtroom scenes are basic but use very detailed character models. The graphics add flavor to the story without taking anything away from it. The focus is on the text as it should be. The music in the game is very recognizable and pleasant to listen to. The extras give a glimpse at extended versions of the music and even some unused ideas.
Conclusion
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a great deal for anyone wanting to play these two games. The amount of gameplay you get out of this compilation is great. For fans of the genre, I can’t see any reason why not to buy this game. Newbies also get a great pack of value and a great introduction to the series.
