So what happens when you put someone else in the spotlight?
Below lies the court record of the game's evaluation and verdict.
AJ:AA is the fourth game in this series, and Phoenix Wright is no longer the star. In fact, the game is basically the tale of how Phoenix fell from his status of 'Ace Attorney'. The first case has Apollo defending Phoenix himself in a murder trial, under the watchful eye of his mentor. Though, Apollo is just a newbie, just like Phoenix was in his first game. Perhaps this could be a fatal mistake for the game?
OBJECTION!
Apollo may be a new attorney like Phoenix was, but Apollo has a slightly different feel to his approaches than Phoenix. For example, while in the past Phoenix seemed to panic in times when things are darkest, Apollo doesn't despair that much. He has his 'WTF?!' moments, but he has a bit more confidence in his abilities. Ironically, some of this confidence may have come from his talks with Phoenix throughout the game.HOLD IT!
A question about Phoenix. While he does make a showing in the other cases, albeit not so much the third case, what's exactly the deal with Phoenix? Why aren't we controlling him? I mean, we spent the last three games as him, why stick us with some new guy and have Phoenix lose everything?!OBJECTION!
Lose everything? I'm not sure that's what happens. Without give away too much, we do know this much from the first case. Seven years ago, by the way that's one year after PW:T&T, Phoenix is stripped of his attorney badge. Rumours has it that he used forged evidence in a case, but was found out. Phoenix suspiciously neither denies or confirms this. Sounds pretty bad. But what's Phoenix up to nowadays?Well, he has a rather decent job as a professional poker player, he still has his office, though it's been converted into a talent agency, thanks to encouragement from his daughter.
HOLD IT!
Daughter? What the? PHOENIX has a DAUGHTER? But... this... this 'Trucy Wright' that now accompanies Apollo can't possibly be Phoenix's daughter! Look at the ages! He's 33, and she's 15! That would mean she was born when Phoenix was 18, a full six years before the first game! Where was she then?OBJECTION!
There's a perfectly logical explanation for all this, but it has to be revealed in it's own time. Look, even Apollo has a hard time buying it, and it's not like Phoenix is very forthcoming with answers either. He always gives you the feeling he knows more than he's letting on, like with Apollo's power.Oh yes, Apollo has a power. But this isn't another Magatama, like what Phoenix obtained in PW:JFA, the second game. Apollo's power is much more hidden, evidently something to do with his bracelet. Unlike the Magatama which is used during investigations to reveal people's secrets, Apollo's power is used where everyone felt the Magatama would've been more useful - the courtroom.
At times, when the witnesses are nervous about giving their testimonies, Apollo can 'perceive' the witnesses, scrutinising them closely and slowly as they speak. Should the witness say something only they know is a blatant lie, they will subconsciously twitch somehow, ever so slightly that no-one can pick up on it, except for Apollo.
HOLD IT!
That's a bit far-fetched, isn't it? I mean, a bracelet giving someone the power to scrutinise? At least the Magatama made some sense.GOTCHA!
Hmm, were you aware that when you said 'Magatama', your eyes looked away for a bit? See, I don't think you believe what you're saying. The Magatama causes chains and locks to surround the person in question, symbolising the secret locked away, yet the person has no idea about these! How does that make sense? It doesn't, but it makes the game fun.OBJECTION!
Oh yes, and pray tell, what else makes this game fun? Is it the lacking of main characters we've grown attached to?OBJECTION!
Admittedly, setting the game eight years after the last game limits the ability to reuse the characters, but perhaps it's time to move on with a new crowd? Why risk ruining the characters we've adored? They can't keep going forever. Though, it isn't to say it's all new faces. Remember the extra case at the end of the first Phoenix game? The girl that followed you around?HOLD IT!
You don't mean... Ema Skye? But that case wasn't part of the PW continuity! She shouldn't be...OBJECTION!
Regardless of personal opinion, that's the way the AJ:AA game seems to go. And Ema brought back with her all of her lovely scientific methods. Remember fingerprinting? Spraying for blood wiped away? Rotating evidence 360 degrees to cover every inch of it? It's all back, and then some. Is this a good thing? Depends on if that annoyed you or not back then. I personally enjoyed a few of the evidence analysing techniques myself.OBJECTION!
Bah! Your personal opinions don't matter here! Hmm... tell me, what of Apollo's rival? How does he hold up against the mighty Edgeworth, determined Franziska, or mysterious Godot? I'm sure he not as engaging as they are.HOLD IT!
Prosecutor Gavin? I find him to be quite a refreshing change. It's so good to finally have a rival who's not all "RARGH! MUST DESTROY THE NOVICE ATTORNEY! HE IS A THREAT TO EVERYTHING I STAND FOR!" Though, this doesn't mean he's not good at what he does. He's tough to crack.*thud*
That's enough. I believe that's all to say about this. So, in summary, the game Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney ushers in a new attorney with new skills and a new cast, while finishing up the story of Phoenix Wright. Will we see him again? That is uncertain. But even if we don't, this game is worth a chance. It tells a good story while introducing both new and old elements to the gameplay.This court finds the game, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney...
OBJECTION!
Heh heh, I do apologise. I nearly forgot. Tell me, why does the game have even more glaring plotholes than the last three?OBJECTION!
I... that is...{Dammit! It's true though. Why, the third case confused me greatly as I played through it. And let's not mention the WTF factor from the fourth case, cool as it may have been...}
HOLD IT!
And wasn't the finale a tad anti-climatical?HOLD IT!
It true I was expecting something... more, after everything... It felt more like I was watching a movie than playing a game. But I still don't regret buying it! The game may not have been as strong as the others, but it's still worth a shot!*thud*
Agreed. Let's deliver the final verdict.This court finds the game, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney...
7/10
TAKE THAT!!