Five years after its worldwide debut, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles continues to hold its ground as the pinnacle of the Ace Attorney series. This spin-off duology, released internationally in 2021, transports players to Victorian London with protagonist Ryunosuke Naruhodo, an ancestor of Phoenix Wright. As a Japanese university student on an academic journey, Ryunosuke finds himself thrust into defending a wealthy philanthropist accused of murder, facing off against the formidable prosecutor Barok van Zieks, infamously known as the "Reaper of the Bailey" for the grim fate of those he prosecutes.
The compilation includes two games: The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures and its sequel, The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve. Set in the Meiji era, the narrative follows Ryunosuke, a character who, much like his descendant Phoenix, constantly faces challenging circumstances. Unlike previous Ace Attorney titles that focused on Japanese courtrooms, Ryunosuke must navigate the English jury system, where defendants are often presumed guilty from the outset. Early in the game, a seemingly lost cause is revived when Ryunosuke's friend and judicial assistant, Susato Mikotoba, discovers a legal loophole. Ryunosuke then invokes the "summation examination," an obscure legal mechanism that grants him a final opportunity to sway the jury, much to the surprise of the court.
This theme of reviving long-forgotten mechanics and ideas is central to The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles. A notable addition is the "Dance of Deduction," where players correct the spectacularly incorrect conclusions drawn by detective Herlock Sholmes, a character legally distinct from Sherlock Holmes. Series creator Shu Takumi originally conceived this gameplay loop in 2000 and saw the opportunity to explore it in this Victorian-era setting. The "Jurist System," which had a brief trial run in Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, also finds a more robust application in The Great Ace Attorney's jury trials.
Unburdened by the narrative complexities of the mainline Ace Attorney games, The Great Ace Attorney feels like a singular passion project. It offers a unique experience within the series, blending its signature gimmicks with a more cohesive narrative. While previous titles relied on mechanics like spirit channeling and "Mind Chess," this prequel incorporates steampunk gadgets and embarks on a grander conspiracy. Each Dance of Deduction and Summation Examination contributes to unraveling a larger plot, moving beyond the episodic nature of earlier games.
The duology also tackles heavier themes, including discrimination based on class and race, as English characters often exhibit prejudice toward Ryunosuke and Susato due to their Japanese heritage. While the extent to which these themes are explored is debatable, they lend a more grounded and mature narrative than previous installments. The interconnectedness of cases, featuring recurring characters like pickpocket Gina Lestrade and author Soseki Natsume, fosters a stronger attachment to the cast as they navigate an unjust legal system.
Looking ahead, the future of the Ace Attorney series remains a topic of discussion. Series creator Shu Takumi previously expressed that Phoenix Wright's story felt complete after the original trilogy, leading to the introduction of Apollo Justice as a new protagonist. However, The Great Ace Attorney demonstrates that compelling narratives can be crafted without the constant presence of Phoenix Wright.
While the most recent mainline Ace Attorney game, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice, was released a decade ago, and The Great Ace Attorney 2 launched in Japan shortly after, the series has primarily seen compilations and remasters since. Capcom has indicated its ambition to elevate the Ace Attorney franchise to the level of its major IPs like Resident Evil and Monster Hunter, aiming for growth through new releases, remakes, and ports. With most existing titles already available on modern platforms, the path forward likely necessitates entirely new entries to capitalize on the IP's potential.
For those anticipating the next installment in the Ace Attorney saga, whether it features familiar faces or introduces new ones, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is currently accessible on Nintendo Switch, PC, and PlayStation.