Ace Attorney Investigations Collection review

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection review

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that Miles Edgeworth from the Ace Attorney series is one of the most captivating characters I’ve ever encountered. His journey from prosecutor to truth-seeker has been nothing short of mesmerizing, and the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection has finally given us a chance to experience his story in its entirety.


Among countless popular video game characters spread across numerous games within this medium, Miles Edgeworth from the Ace Attorney series stands out as one of my favorites. Initially appearing as Phoenix Wright’s slick prosecutor adversary in the first Ace Attorney game, Edgeworth eventually developed a friendship with the spiky-haired defense attorney. As the series advanced, Edgeworth shifted his focus from winning cases to uncovering the truth in court, making him more of an ally than a foe. One of the most enjoyable aspects of being an Ace Attorney fan was watching his index finger waggle as he championed justice. Regrettably, many of us in the west were deprived of experiencing Edgeworth’s full story due to untranslated games, but that changed with the release of the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection.

Although they belong to the Ace Attorney series, the two games titled Ace Attorney Investigations significantly deviate from the usual courtroom setting. Instead, these games resemble traditional adventure titles more closely. In this gameplay, you’ll explore various environments in search of evidence, and use your analytical skills to prove people innocent and solve mysteries.

In the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection games, each of the ten Turnabouts (or cases) is divided into distinct chapters. These chapters can be quite diverse. During investigation scenes, our disheveled protagonist is usually confined to a relatively small area and must uncover all the crucial details related to the case. This entails typical tasks found in adventure games such as scrutinizing objects for clues, questioning witnesses, and employing plenty of reasoning skills.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection review

Logic, being Edgeworth’s primary tool, serves as his weapon in the battle against crime. As a mechanic, it’s relatively simple to grasp. By examining objects and questioning diverse personalities, you collect facts. In the logic section, you link these facts together to reveal the truth. Although some connections can be quite straightforward (like linking a fact about a cause of death with a recently discovered gun), the sense of accomplishment from piecing it all together and acquiring new insights is always rewarding.

For folks fretting over the absence of the traditional Ace Attorney gameplay style where you scrutinize testimonies during investigations, fear not. Although there’s no courtroom, when confronting suspicious individuals, you’ll still be required to present evidence and probe statements to uncover new information. This aspect remains as engaging as ever, perhaps even more so due to playing a character with an increased arsenal of witty comebacks at his disposal.

Initially, this method of examining and challenging proves effective for the first few instances in our legal drama game. However, as with any series within this genre, there are certain twists to keep things interesting. One character you encounter possesses a tool that replicates crime scenes based on your findings, allowing for visual detection of discrepancies and adding an enjoyable element to the process.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection review

In the second installment of this game, I encountered an intriguing new challenge called Mind Chess. Unlike traditional battles, these showdowns demand quick wit and strategic conversation instead of brute force. With no solid evidence to support my doubts, I must rely on my words to throw opponents off balance, coaxing them into revealing vital information. The clock is always ticking, so I need to ask the right questions, remain silent at crucial moments, and ultimately outsmart my adversaries in a verbal game of cat and mouse. It’s an exhilarating new aspect to the gameplay that tests both my thinking speed and understanding of each character’s personality to overcome.

The Ace Attorney series is famed for its quirky and captivating characters, and the Investigations spin-offs follow suit. From conversing with a sleepy flight attendant to bantering with a tenacious reporter, you’ll always find someone oddly endearing to engage with. Plus, many familiar faces from previous games make an appearance, which series veterans will undoubtedly appreciate.

Upon finishing all the games in the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring the entire Ace Attorney series. Among the series, the Investigations games stand out as particularly captivating, with their intricate narratives. Themes such as flawed legal systems, master thieves, and Edgeworth’s past kept me hooked from beginning to end, making this less-known part of the series a must-play due to its depth and complexity.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection review

Just like other contemporary Ace Attorney compilations, Investigations offers an array of delightful extras for its dedicated fanbase. The game includes a gallery filled with stunning art and music, plus new artwork that boasts impressive animations. Notably, it also comes with the traditional “Story Mode”. With a simple click, this mode takes over the game, guiding you swiftly to the correct response during confrontations and providing valuable assistance when you’re stuck.

In contrast to previous collections, activating Story Mode doesn’t automatically control gameplay at any given time. Instead, investigation scenes must be restarted from the beginning to transition into Story Mode, ensuring they play out exactly as intended by the developers. Consequently, if you encounter difficulties towards the end of a specific scene, you may find yourself rewatching content already experienced, leading to potential frustration and confusion about the next steps, especially when Story Mode previously offered a more seamless solution without requiring scene restarts.

The Ace Attorney Investigations Collection comprises two standout games from the entire Ace Attorney series, offering a mix of tension, lovable characters, and an intriguing narrative that will keep you hooked. Despite its adventure game structure, it doesn’t diminish the series in any way; instead, the unique elements make these titles easy to immerse yourself in. With Edgeworth leading the charge and countless hours of captivating courtroom drama at your disposal, I strongly advise any Ace Attorney enthusiast not to miss out on this collection.

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2024-09-03 18:36