Capcom are having a really good time of it these days, releasing banger after banger. And from the looks of it, that doesn’t look set to change as we move into 2024. However, it’s also great to see the firm isn’t getting carried away with new and shiny IPs or sequels. The arcade-born Japanese giant is also bringing some of their elder classics back into the dock. Namely, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy, which serves as the second part to 2019’s Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy.
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Apollo Justice Ace Attorney Trilogy puts the three mainline games in the series, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, Dual Destinies, and Spirit of Justice into one nice complete package, while making them the most accessible they have been to date.
A Walk Through the Halls of Justice
These three titles of Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy mostly follow Apollo Justice in his battle to uphold the law. Although you’ll jump between characters, Apollo is the main back bone of this trilogy.
Apollo Justice Ace Attorney Trilogy kicks off seven years after the events of the last Phoenix Wright title, Trials and Tribulations.
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Like previous Ace Attorney titles, each of the three consists of several different cases. In each, Apollo must prove the innocence of a client accused of murder using evidence and testimony.
During the course of the games at hand, you’re hired to work in the offices of now-disbarred attorney Phoenix Wright. Pheonix Wright has been forced to turn to professional gambling to support his daughter, Trucy Wright. Trucy then becomes Apollo’s trusted assistant and fellow investigator through this second trilogy.
Guiding the Investigation
The gameplay of Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy sticks mostly to the original formula of on-site investigations and court room proceedings.
However, there are some fun and interesting twists that help to enrich the overall gameplay. For example, Athena’s mood matrix or Apollo’s bracelet that can ‘perceive’ subtle hints of tension in a witness.
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Each case is handled as an episode, across the three titles and you can see how things evolve in terms of tone and mood, with some being very much darker affairs. Though it also doesn’t shy away from tackling themes like self-doubt and isolation, which Apollo is facing.
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney and Spirit of Justice are often held as the best in the series as a whole. These are where the best cases reside, thanks to clever writing and character development. Dual Destinies is a worthy entry, but just not in the league of the other two.
Ace Additions
The Trilogy also comes loaded with goodies like an art, music and movie gallery. Plus, some DLC cases and costumes, though fans may spot some DLC cases are missing oddly, but overall, it’s a very nicely rounded out package that is full of content.
Graphically, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy presents three stunning titles with a real anime core.
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And, all three have been upscaled to full HD from their 3DS roots. The art is packed with character and detail, and shows that even technically limited games can look amazing.
There is also quality of life improvements with there being UI back ports to the earlier titles, a new story focused mode and even a chapter/case select to let you jump right into the bit you want.
Courting Classics
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is a comprehensive collection that is a must for fans or those who really enjoyed Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy. That completes the series and brings a once niche series to modern consoles.
An anime-based court room drama sim may be a bit ‘out there’, but there’s a reason why there are six games in the series. Anyone who gave the games a fair shake wanted more. And, hopefully, a new round of fans wanting more will trigger the long awaited seventh entry.