The Great Ace Attorney (Smartphone Version) Review and Impressions: Satisfactory System and Unresolved Plot Points

This article is about "The Great Ace Attorney," the latest installment in the "Ace Attorney" series.
I didn't buy it when it was first released on the 3DS, but since a smartphone app version was released, I decided to give it a try.

For adventure games like this, I prefer the smartphone version, which I can play anytime, anywhere, like reading a book, rather than the physical game software that requires a console.

When the smartphone app version of "Ace Attorney Investigations" was released previously, I played it on my smartphone, and I didn't feel any dissatisfaction due to the difference in hardware.
That's one of the reasons why I decided to buy it this time as well.

Reasons why I recommend the smartphone version of "Ace Attorney Investigations"

Activedia / Pixabay

Advanced graphics and system

The most noticeable improvement I noticed while playing was the graphics.
The characters have become more three-dimensional, giving them a much stronger presence.
While previous works already featured a cast of unique characters, the addition of movement to the characters' gestures gave the game's setting a sense of depth.

In terms of the system, it's based on previous series, but new patterns have been added to prevent it from becoming repetitive.
In the detective part, I found the "experimental theater of logic and deduction," where you work with the new character Sherlock Holmes to unravel the mystery of the suspect, to be quite interesting.
The 3D graphics are effectively used in solving the puzzles, with Naruhodo correcting the detective's deductions and guiding them to the correct conclusion.

Several new patterns have been added to the courtroom scenes.
Of course, the basis remains the same as before: "shake" → "confront".
In addition, there has been an increase in systems where other witnesses react during questioning, and then those witnesses are interrogated to elicit testimony.
There's also a mode where you can pit contradictory statements from jurors against each other to change the verdict.

That said, the fundamental principle of "presenting evidence that contradicts the testimony" remains unchanged.
Whether you're a long-time fan of the series or a complete newcomer, this system is designed to be enjoyable and easy to use.
The way the story unfolds by pointing out contradictions provides a consistently satisfying feeling, no matter how many installments you read.

Personally, I'm the type of person who likes to read through texts quickly, but I found the fixed display speed of unread messages a little stressful.
However, since the message content and the character's motion are synchronized in the presentation, I suppose it can't be helped.

An intriguing storyline

As usual, these cases all begin with the defendant in a situation that is extremely unfavorable to him.
The way the story unfolds, showing how they overcome such a desperate situation and forge their own path, is genuinely fascinating to read.

Since it's a new series, there's no previous installment, which allowed me to focus solely on this work.
In sequels to series, there are often parts that are incomprehensible unless you've played the previous installments, but that wasn't the case with this game.
While references to older games are appreciated by fans of the series, new players may feel left out, so I don't particularly like games that include too many of them.

It was quite lengthy, and I think it took me about 20 hours in total to complete it.

Disappointments and impressions (contains spoilers)

Now, I've written about the things I recommend, but there were also some things I was dissatisfied with.

in particular,Many plot points were introduced, but many of them were left unresolved in this work.is.
For example, the motive of the culprit in the first episode, Iris's father, and the four names in the confidential communication are all hinted at but never revealed in this work.
It seems the answer will be revealed in "The Great Ace Attorney 2," but I'm a little disappointed that it wasn't resolved in this game.

Also, the truth behind episodes 2 and 3 was that it was an accident caused by a series of coincidences, which was quite anticlimactic.
Not all accidents are bad, but having two of them in a row is a bit of a letdown.

Furthermore, the fact that all the jurors were familiar faces, and many of them were even involved in the case, felt a little too convenient.
However, I think this is acceptable from a game perspective because it allows players to develop an attachment to the characters rather than treating them as disposable.

Also, the reason why Gina was holding the pawn shop's gun and fainted in the final episode was left rather vague and unsatisfying.
I thought the real culprit had given it to Gina, but given the key, that seems unlikely now.
Is there a clever interpretation of this?

It wasn't all complaints; there were also moments that brought tears to my eyes.
The flashback in the final episode, where Crogray goes to ask his father for a job, was a memorable scene for me.
I'm assuming that the reason Krogray's father offered to help with the work was because he wanted to tell Megundal not to involve his son in dangerous business.

summary

That concludes my review and impressions of playing the mobile version of "The Great Ace Attorney."
I think it's definitely worth trying out.
If you've been curious about it for a while, I hope you'll take this opportunity to give it a try.