Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy

Developer: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
Release: Jan 24th 2024
Platforms:
Adventure
Engaging
Innovative
Stylized
Buggy
Inconsistent
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy Poster

" Engaging adventure with clever courtroom drama and innovative mechanics but occasional pacing issues "

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy Review

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is a highly praised remastered collection that brings together three games—Apollo Justice, Dual Destinies, and Spirit of Justice—offering players a rich courtroom drama experience filled with clever storytelling, memorable characters, and engaging puzzle-solving mechanics. The trilogy introduces innovative gameplay elements like the Perceive system, Mood Matrix, and Divine Seance, which add depth and freshness to investigations and trials. Its narrative balances humor, emotional depth, and suspense, with strong character development and connections to previous series entries. Visually, the games feature stylized anime-inspired graphics enhanced for modern systems, though some 3D models in Dual Destinies received criticism. The soundtrack and voice acting complement the immersive experience, while the localization is well-executed. Though the trilogy is accessible to newcomers and longtime fans alike, some players found certain puzzles frustrating or cases drawn out. Overall, the compilation delivers dozens of hours of content and replayability, making it a must-play for fans of visual novels and mystery games.

While the first game in the trilogy received mixed feelings, the latter two are often regarded as strong entries. The inclusion of new characters and fresh story arcs has been welcomed, though some players expressed a desire for deeper exploration of side characters and lore. Technical issues are rare but were noted by a few, especially regarding the Perceive mechanic. Despite minor flaws, the trilogy stands out for its passion, unique style, and engaging courtroom battles, solidifying its place in the Ace Attorney legacy.

Highlights

Players especially praise the trilogy's engaging storytelling and strong character development, with Apollo Justice's fresh cast and emotional arcs standing out.

The introduction of new gameplay mechanics like the Perceive system and Divine Seance adds innovative layers to the investigation process.

Visually, the remaster offers crisp, stylized anime-inspired graphics and smooth animations, enhancing the original art style.

The soundtrack receives high acclaim for its memorable themes that heighten courtroom drama tension.

Localization and voice acting are well-executed, contributing to the game's witty dialogue and immersive atmosphere.

Criticisms

Some players found the Perceive mechanic gimmicky and occasionally buggy, causing frustration during cases.

The 3D models and anime cutscenes in Dual Destinies were criticized for being visually jarring and poorly executed compared to other entries.

Certain cases, especially early ones in Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice, were described as drawn out or boring.

New characters like Prosecutor Nahyuta received mixed reactions due to repetitive dialogue and unlikable traits.

A few players wished for more exploration of side characters and the series' lore beyond main cases.

Pros

  • Engaging courtroom drama with clever storytelling and memorable characters.
  • Innovative gameplay mechanics like Perceive and Divine Seance enhance investigations.
  • Stylized anime-inspired graphics with enhanced resolution and smooth animations.
  • Outstanding soundtrack that complements the mood and tension perfectly.
  • Well-executed localization and charismatic voice acting performances.
  • Rich narrative balancing humor, suspense, and emotional depth.
  • Includes three full games offering substantial content and replayability.

Cons

  • Perceive mechanic can feel gimmicky and occasionally malfunctions.
  • 3D models and anime cutscenes in Dual Destinies are poorly received.
  • Some cases feel drawn out or less engaging, especially early ones.
  • Certain new characters have repetitive dialogue and less appealing traits.
  • Minor technical issues affecting gameplay completion in rare cases.
  • Occasional pacing issues with reading-heavy segments requiring patience.
  • Visual inconsistency between 2D art and 3D models in some entries.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Join rookie attorney Apollo Justice and his mentor, the legendary Phoenix Wright, in this collection of 3 games! This title features 16 episodes (including previously DLC-only episodes) and supports English, French, German, Japanese Korean, and Traditional and Simplified Chinese.

Release Date Jan 24th 2024
Publisher CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
Developer CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
Platforms

User Reviews

Overwhelmingly Positive (746)
98% Positive 2% Negative

Online Reviews

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Metacritic
75