#the first 2 cases priming you for how the gameplay works + introducing Edgeworth

[aro-attorneys]

thinking about Ace Attorney: Phoenix Wright and feeling a normal amount of emotions about it

[mingu-baristagamer]

Ranking the Ace Attorney games

I believe it is time we went ahead and ranked another game series here, since I had a good time ranking the Uncharted and Metroid Prime games, and deciding what deserved to be called the best. This time, I thought I’d go for a little lesser known series, but still a stellar series that has had standout games. And that is Capcom’s Ace Attorney series, released for GBA first, before finding rerelease for the DS.

To put a bit of a perspective on the series, it follows the defense attorney Phoenix Wright through his career and trials, right from the start. He plays along with a ragtag group of standout characters such as Maya, Edgeworth, Gumshoe and more, even Apollo. NOw, this list I will be ranking not only on the overall game, but also on the impact each case has had. Now, to make it easier, I will only be considering the official trilogy, and not the spinoff Investigations series (but I will give a quick mention).

Let’s get started.

6. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney

Of course the game at the bottom of the list has to be a game where Phoenix wasn’t the main focus, but rather a side character. And he isn’t very likeable here, because Phoenix just has an air of smugness around him. I get that they were trying to reboot the series with a new instalment, but you’d think they get the previous main character right? But really, this game is about Apollo and Trucy, who honestly aren’t really given their time to shine. You are introduced to each through a first case similar to Phoenix’s first game, and a surprising twist later on. With how uninteresting the entire game is, however, Turnabout Trump is the real standout case here, and it’s a shame that the game isn’t as interesting.

5. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Yep, the first ever game is here, and it’s right at the bottom end, but there’s a reason for that. This is the game that sets up the rest of the trilogy, the game that sets up the main characters and gives you reasons to care for each of them. Phoenix is given a truly awesome arc of rising through the ranks, and his rival Edgeworth is given a great redemption arc when Phoenix defends him in the game standout Turnabout Goodbyes. Maya, Gumshoe, Lotta Hart all make great side characters to an enjoyable visual novel. The reason this game is at the bottom, though, is because the game is really just finding its feet with the characters, the true awesomeness really came much later. The DS exclusive case Rise from the Ashes gave a bonus case, new characters, and some of the game’s best twists.

4. Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies

The series went to some truly dark territory for its first 3DS outing which bought along some great 3D graphics, and 2D animated cutscenes. In a stark contrast to his first game, Apollo does get his time to shine with his own storyline, that ties nicely with the main plot. And yes, Phoenix is back! Also in a stark contrast with his past game, he is written much better and still given ample development. However, the biggest newcomer is Athena Cykes, who is the newest member to Phoenix’s law agency, and whom takes up the bulk of the story. And by god, her story is tragic. She is a funny character whose Mood Matrix gives the game some much needed fresh air, though the game’s uneven investigation and lack of subtitling for the cutscenes hamper it a bit.

3. Justice for All

Now the next three are a bit of a weird one for me, because I can’t really rank each game for their overall storyline or gameplay, rather I could only come back to the fact that each game has had a stellar case that bumps it over the line for me. So this will not only be a ranking of the games, but a ranking of certain cases. And for me, Farewell, My Turnabout is what stands out the most in this game. With some incredible writing and heart stopping twists, this lengthy case is what makes Justice for All the better case. The game’s usage of profiles as evidence does make it more challenging, but there was another game that outshone this.

2. Trials and Tribulations

No, it’s not the fact that this entry lets you play as Mia in her glory days, or that it serves a whopper of a final case, because YOU PLAY AS EDGEWORTH! No, it’s the fact that the whole game has a story line tied throughout all five cases, and it all leads up to Bridge to a Turnabout, which is possibly the best and most cathartic case of the original trilogy. This was a brilliant ending to the original trilogy, and a capstone for the series, because the main character that’s been a constant was Mia and Maya’s mother, Misty - who was finally given an ending. But oh no, this was topped by the number one game and case overall.

Honourable Mentions: Ace Attorney Investigations 2

Sure, we had Investigations which gave us a brand new storyline, a chance to play as Edgeworth and a great introduction to Kay Farady, but the series didn’t hit the highs that Prosecutor’s Path did. Originally, the game never got a western release, but I was able to play a translation, and cripes, The Inherited Turnabout was a shocker. Not only did you get to play as Mils’s father Gregory, but you got to truly see the reason he was a attorney, and the reason Miles considered becoming a defence attorney. Yes, that is the story for Prosecutor’s Path, Miles coming to terms with his father’s role and considering giving up being a prosecutor for this. And really, the final two cases, The Forgotten Turnabout and The Grand Turnabout, come together to form the longest, and best, case of the series. Almost.

And no, I did not get to play either the crossover with Professor Layton, or the Great Ace Attorney, because really, they are also spin offs.

1. Spirit of Justice

Now, this is where Apollo truly shines with his own cases, and his biggest development in the series ever. Not only do we learn of his parentage, but we watch as he develops from the protege of Phoenix, to becoming his own attorney, truly. Sure, having to play a case against Phoenix was great - hey wait, it was in this case as well! - but it’s really Turnabout Revolution that stands head and shoulders above the rest, as the longest and most expansive case of the series. You thought the twists of Farewell, My Turnabout and Bridge to the Turnabout were full of plot twists and great writing? Look no further than the final case here which is a complete thrill ride of twists and turns from start to end. This case reminds you that not only is this Phoenix’s story, but it’s also Apollo’s as the two have to work together to pull down a corrupt judical system together. This case acts not only sa a cornerstone for how great the series’s writing is, but it’s also the ending (again) and I think the series could not have asked for a better outing.

Thanks for reading!