When the Apollo Justice compilation was released earlier this year, I recall wondering if the developer had finally fulfilled their promise to re-release the entire series on modern platforms. Is the long-awaited Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spiritfarer a game-changer for the franchise at this level? Since it appears that no, the developer had one last bullet remaining in the chamber to stall the inevitable. The Ace Attorney Investigations compilation marks the final chapter in the saga, reuniting fans with the recurring rivalries between Phoenix Wright’s arch-nemesis, Miles Edgeworth, across both games featuring this iconic adversary. This assortment holds a special significance for longtime series enthusiasts and collectors, marking the inaugural global release of the second Investigations game in the series since its inception. Beforehand, while the initial game’s western release marked a milestone, its sequel never received localization, making it inaccessible to fans worldwide. This collection now presents a significant portion of the series’ dedicated fanbase with their first opportunity to experience the complete game in all its glory.
The introduction of a completely new recreational activity significantly alters the mathematical calculations for this particular collection. Unlike most other Ace Attorney compilation releases from the developer, this collection eschews straightforward re-releases in favor of something more substantial. You might receive a game or experience that, in a functional sense, exceeds your initial expectations, potentially offering a new opportunity for entertainment or engagement that wasn’t previously accessible. Assuming you’re a collector at heart, that passion alone warrants a special recommendation for this collection. We’re embarking on a fresh adventure within the esteemed intellectual property. That’s a pretty decent start! And it’s indeed an exceptionally impressive effort. In the event that you’ve ever played the unique Investigations games, these titles stand out from the mainline games by flipping your role on its head – you’re now a prosecutor, which fundamentally changes how you approach the case’s evidence and data. In this investigative pursuit, the key lies not only in gathering information through meticulous inquiries and interviews, but also in meticulously applying Edgeworth’s signature logical framework to assemble the evidence and uncover new insights that shed light on the circumstances of a case.
Unlike many other Ace Attorney collections released by the developer, this iteration eschews straightforward re-releases in favor of something more substantial. While implying a technical sense, one could potentially receive a game they’ve never played before as part of the overall package. Assuming you’re a collector at heart, that inherent curiosity virtually guarantees a recommendation from us for this unique selection.
This innovative mechanic is undeniably captivating, allowing for a thrilling departure from traditional gameplay dynamics while staying remarkably faithful to Edgeworth’s persona. While it’s beneficial that video games often feature engaging storytelling, the phrase “or, nicely, the second is” seems redundant and can be rephased to improve clarity and flow. While Ace Attorney games typically excel in both storytelling and character development, this installment falls short of those standards, with a narrative that lacks the usual sharpness and emotional resonance. The introduction of the Logic mechanic also feels underwhelming, failing to fully capitalise on its potential for innovative gameplay. The sequel boasts a significantly more robust narrative, allowing fans worldwide to finally immerse themselves in this compelling storyline beyond Japan’s borders – a vast improvement over the original, eclipsing both it and other titles in the series. It’s undeniable that the true value lies in the secondary aspect, which serves as a necessary foil to fully appreciate its inherent brilliance. While I won’t delve into specific plot details, it’s worth noting that many events in the sequel do build upon those in the original game.
“This is undoubtedly the go-to choice for playing both titles, but it’s hard to ignore the nostalgia for the dual screens and tactile interface of the original DS iteration.”
These collections of video games boast a full suite of features that fans have grown accustomed to, including all the expected bells and whistles. The idea artwork set is accompanied by promotional artwork, an OST that comprises orchestral preparations from celebratory live shows featuring tracks not exclusive to video games, a Story Mode added, where puzzles are largely solved for you, and a Chapter Choose feature allowing you to soar into any chapter of the story – a helpful addition for replays. You also gain the ability to seamlessly toggle between the original pixelated graphics and high-definition, meticulously remastered versions of those iconic sprites. With support for numerous languages beyond what was initially available at the launch of the first game on the DS, and a range of cool in-game achievements, this is the definitive way to play both games – unless you specifically miss the DS’s touchscreen/twinscreen setup for these titles.
With the discharge of Investigations 1 and 2, we can now finally enjoy every Ace Attorney game on modern platforms. Although there might exist a Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright, it’s worth noting that this spin-off title was revealed by Level-5, which could also fall outside the scope (and truthfully, this one is considered a relatively weak outing that fails to realize the potential of its alluring crossover from the start). The entire selection of games is now available to play on at least PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch platforms. Having exhausted our library of classic titles, we and the development team must now consider alternative projects to revive. Hopefully, this signals the long-awaited arrival of Ace Attorney 7, a release that’s been eagerly anticipated for quite some time now. And if not that, then certainly not less than a fresh start of considerable magnitude. With classic video games now easily accessible through modern platforms, it’s remarkable to consider how many newcomers to the series have been drawn in by these re-releases. Re-experiencing this franchise’s offerings has only reinforced my admiration for its exceptional quality, and I’m struck by the fact that there simply isn’t anything comparable to it in the market. Here’s an improved version:
I’m eagerly anticipating the release of another Ace Lawyer game soon; until then, I’m grateful that we’ve finally been able to play Investigations 2 and enjoy the best titles in the series as a result.
