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[Joqu]

How do people generally rank the games? For me the third game is the best in the series followed by 1, 4, then 2. However the last case in 2 is one of the best cases. Have not played the spinoffs or the 5th game. I burn out on the games easily despite liking them.

Out of the mainline games I'd rank them 1 > 3 >> 6 >>>> 5 >>>>>> 2 = 4. I really love 3 as this epic conclusion of the original trilogy, but I feel like 1 is the stronger game if only due to being standalone. It tells a really nice story on its own, I love the 5th case that was added after the fact and out of all the goofy standalone cases this series has had Turnabout Samurai has got to be my favourite, that Steel Samurai stuff was so memorable.

Anyway I think people usually rank 3 first, and 1 second, like you. Investigations 2 tends to rank highly as well if we're talking spinoffs, I'd rank it highly too.

So yeah, you've got Investigations 1 and 2, you mention you haven't played those. I1 is a lower tier Ace Attorney games, though I find all of them to be enjoyable. I'd still rank it higher than 2 and 4 because of how it shakes up the formula though. But Investigations 2 is an amazing game (with an amazing fan translation might I add. That one is top tier AA, though it's definitely dependent on the first investigations game. So those are worth playing.

Anyway, those two are neat especially because you can take Ace Attorney 1, Investigations 1 and Investigations 2 and you've got yourself a pretty damn compelling Miles Edgeworth trilogy

(And then you've got Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright... now I enjoy this game, but I also like Layton games to begin with, though I definitely prefer Ace Attorney. It's definitely more of a Layton game in its overarching story, but it does have some very nice in the moment character writing. There's this Maya and Phoenix scene that's as memorable as any top tier moment in the main series. But I really have trouble ranking that one as an Ace Attorney game.)

Should I finally jump into this series on the 3ds?

I'm very bad at visual novels - and actual novels. However, I love reading non-fiction.

Should I give it a go? Or is it only for those who really like vn's?

(I haven't played VLR/999/etc...)

Ace Attorney can get obtuse in its puzzle solving mind you, but that doesn't seem to be your issue and it's still as accessible as vn's get. You won't be going through huge walls of monologue or anything, these games tend to read pretty well, it's snappy. The Trilogy release on 3DS would be mighty fine buy.

 

[paolo11]

Best franchise on handheld ever IMO. I plan to replay the trilogy after Spirit Justice.

 

[Skiptastic]

What a great franchise. What great characters. So much fun.

<3 AA

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

Absolutely adore the series; it's easily one of my all-time favourites.

Though I'm currently on Case 5 of Spirit of Justice, and I think it's in the running with AA2 for weakest game in the series. I'm not keen on the over-emphasis on the spiritual stuff, I don't care for many of the new characters, and it frequently drags needlessly.

I far preferred DD. Though the pinnacles of the series are T&T and AAI2. Anybody who hasn't played AAI2 needs to download the fan translation immediately. It's outstanding. Even the first case feels quite grand in scope.

 

[mrmickfran]

How do people generally rank the games? For me the third game is the best in the series followed by 1, 4, then 2. However the last case in 2 is one of the best cases. Have not played the spinoffs or the 5th game. I burn out on the games easily despite liking them.

3 > 6 > 5 > 1 > 2 > 4

Crazy how AA4 had the best opening in the series, but it was never able to keep it's momentum, having the most anticlimactic ending in a VN until Zero Escape 3.

As for AA2, Farewell my Turnabout was fantastic, but, Goddamn Turnabout Big Top.

 

[Sammy Samusu]

happy my # wheres dgs

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

I'm honestly surprised to see AA6 ranking so high on people's lists. I really wish I liked it as much as you guys did. I'm enjoying it, but nowhere near as much as most other AA games.

 

[Jamix012]

How do people generally rank the games? For me the third game is the best in the series followed by 1, 4, then 2. However the last case in 2 is one of the best cases. Have not played the spinoffs or the 5th game. I burn out on the games easily despite liking them.

3 > 1 > PL v AA > 6 > 5 > 4 > 2 > AAI

A fantastic series and even AAI is worth playing for the OST and is still a good game in it's own right.

 

[mrmickfran]

I'm honestly surprised to see AA6 ranking so high on people's lists. I really wish I liked it as much as you guys did. I'm enjoying it, but nowhere near as much as most other AA games.

"enjoying"

Enjoying means present tense, as in, you're still in the middle of your playthrough. Finish it.

 

[FluxWaveZ]

"enjoying"

Enjoying means present tense, as in, you're still in the middle of your playthrough. Finish it.

I do think I realized how much I was loving AA6 early on. But, sure, it does have a great finale.

I guess if I were to rank the mainline ones right now, it'd be: 1 > 3 > 6 > 5 > 2 = 4

 

[XxSlasherMcGirkxX]

Picked the game blind as the first title for my NDS (along with Trauma Center)

Blew my goddamn mind.

This is me exactly. I bought a DS for these two games. I wanted to try something really different and unique and boy did this game deliver.

If we are ranking the series I think I'll go

AA1>AA3>AA2>AAI2>AA6>AA4>PLvsAA>AA5>AAI1

I love all of them though

 

[NipplesAndToes23]

Is the guy with the sword on the left and Apollo Justice twins? Also, why does he have a sword?

 

[Linkstrikesback]

Is the guy with the sword on the left and Apollo Justice twins? Also, why does he have a sword?

He's from past Japan. Of course he has a sword! (?). It's the Great Ace Attorney defense attorney.

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

"enjoying"

Enjoying means present tense, as in, you're still in the middle of your playthrough. Finish it.

I had already heard the last case is great, but that doesn't overwrite the rest of the game. AA2 had a fantastic final case, but is still considered one of the weakest games in the series due to the prior cases.

Some of the AA games are consistently good from beginning to end, so I don't see a problem with calling out one that I believe isn't.

 

[toneroni]

I played the 1st one when it launched but never finished any others.
Any order I should play em in? Should I skip any of them?

 

[FluxWaveZ]

I played the 1st one when it launched but never finished any others.
Any order I should play em in? Should I skip any of them?

No reason to skip any, or play any order other than release order.

 

[Linkstrikesback]

I played the 1st one when it launched but never finished any others.
Any order I should play em in? Should I skip any of them?

You can either play them in release order but you can still jump in whereever. They're all connected by shared characters (especially the protagonists), but for the most part very few of the stories are resolved over multiple games.

I'd say just start with 1 and work on from there.

You can technically skip Ace Attorney Investigations and Ace Attorney X Professor Layton, but if you like the gameplay, you might as well do those too.

 

[KNT-Zero]

Kind of crazy that the game is somehow based on real facts:

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/art...ues/issue_253/7530-Phoenix-Wright-s-Objection

Can't help but think how the series has stayed stagnant now that the main storyline is no longer directed by Shu Takumi.

Apollo Justice was his last main entry, and it introduced the jury system at the very end, something that was implemented in DGS. And that game also introduced Joint Reasoning. Then Layton VS AA implemented multiple witnesses at once.

Meanwhile, AA5&6 also introduce more gimmicks (Mood Matrix and Séances) but stray waaaaay farther from reality that Takumi's works.

I don't mind getting more AA games in the main series, as long as they don't feel like expansions with the same formula and just a few tweaks.

 

[Joqu]

I had already heard the last case is great, but that doesn't overwrite the rest of the game. AA2 had a fantastic final case, but is still considered one of the weakest games in the series due to the prior cases.

Some of the AA games are consistently good from beginning to end, so I don't see a problem with calling out one that isn't.


Personally, my ranking right now is:

AAI2 = AA3 > AA1 > AA5 > AA4 > AAI >>> AA2 = AA6

Well, I don't think anyone who ranks 6 highly feels like the rest of the game has been particularly weak.

I thought 6 had good cases consistently. 1 is one of the better opening cases the series has had IMO, but I almost never like any of those, 3 I'd rank very highly and I'd consider 5 to be one of the best final cases in the series, which does bump up its ranking. 4 is probably the weakest case, but it still doesn't come anywhere close to 2's weak cases to me. So that's why I rank it highly.

 

[Linkstrikesback]

Well, I don't think anyone who ranks 6 highly feels like the rest of the game has been particularly weak.

I thought 6 had good cases consistently. 1 is one of the better opening cases the series has had IMO, but I almost never like any of those, 3 I'd rank very highly and I'd consider 5 to be one of the best final cases in the series, which does bump up its ranking. 4 is probably the weakest case, but it still doesn't come anywhere close to 2's weak cases to me. So that's why I rank it highly.

I agree with this. I don't understand why Case 4 is in the game other than to break up case 3 and 5, but it's absolutely not a bad case, it just doesn't belong in AA6, at least, not where they put it.

 

[Dark_3nergy]

The series that just keeps on giving. Case 5 from the AA6 was freaking fantastic. I need more, I want more.

Spoiler

Also give us English Great Ace Attorney

I played the 1st one when it launched but never finished any others.
Any order I should play em in? Should I skip any of them?

It is most unwise to skip any of them. If you're a busy body with no time to lug around a 3DS, then there is the phone version you can play. Apollo Justice is going to be released for iOS/Andriod hopefully later this year.

 

[DrArchon]

I agree with this. I don't understand why Case 4 is in the game other than to break up case 3 and 5, but it's absolutely not a bad case, it just doesn't belong in AA6, at least, not where they put it.

Well, having not beating case 5 or the DLC case yet, it seems like case 4 is there to give Athena some time to shine on her own. All of the other cases are so focused on Phoenix and Apollo that without case 4 Athena wouldn't have anything to do in the game at all, much like Trucy in AA5, which would suck as she's a core protagonist now.

They certainly could've done a better job of it, like having actual investigation parts to it, but I get why they did it.

 

[MrBadger]

Well, I don't think anyone who ranks 6 highly feels like the rest of the game has been particularly weak.

I thought 6 had good cases consistently. 1 is one of the better opening cases the series has had IMO, but I almost never like any of those, 3 I'd rank very highly and I'd consider 5 to be one of the best final cases in the series, which does bump up its ranking. 4 is probably the weakest case, but it still doesn't come anywhere close to 2's weak cases to me. So that's why I rank it highly.

I'll second this. The only cases in AA6 that I didn't really like were case 1 and the DLC case. Every other case had something I really enjoyed about it. Case 2 had

Spoiler

an incredibly entertaining culprit, and was a much-needed followup to the events of Apollo Justice

, case 4 had

Spoiler

a great dynamic between Simon and Athena and some very entertaining witnesses

and cases 3 and 5 speak for themselves. Past its overly drawn out introduction, I found AA6 to be one of the more consistently good Ace Attorney games. Despite the criticism that case 4 breaks the pacing, I definitely wouldn't call it bad.

 

[RionaaM]

One of my favorite franchises ever. I'm currently going through Layton x Wright (which I'm enjoying a lot), and will play AA5 and 6 afterwards (already own all of them on my 3DS). I never imagined that a game about attorneys could be so good, but it was. And the sequels were great too!

Hoping to see Investigations 2 and Great Ace Attorney released in the West someday.

 

[Hexagon!]

Ace Attorney brought me Adrian Andrews, so this series will always be in my good books.

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

Well, I don't think anyone who ranks 6 highly feels like the rest of the game has been particularly weak.

I thought 6 had good cases consistently. 1 is one of the better opening cases the series has had IMO, but I almost never like any of those, 3 I'd rank very highly and I'd consider 5 to be one of the best final cases in the series, which does bump up its ranking. 4 is probably the weakest case, but it still doesn't come anywhere close to 2's weak cases to me. So that's why I rank it highly.

I thought the first case in AA6 dragged way too much. It was around 30 minutes before you actually started challenging testimony. And the length of the case was far too long considering how few interesting twists it had.

I liked case 2; it was nothing mind-blowing, but a second case never is.

Case 3 was pretty damn good in regards to the plot and the twists it presented, but since I don't care much for the extreme emphasis on the spiritual stuff in AA6, that soured it a little in my opinion.

Case 4 was also fine, but was the definition of filler. And it also lacked any especially interesting twists. I expect far better from a penultimate case.

I can't say much about case 5 yet as I only just finished the Investigation phase of Day 1. I found it strange how long that phase was, but I'm guessing it's setup that hopefully pays off.

 

[Joqu]

I'll second this. The only cases in AA6 that I didn't really like were case 1 and the DLC case. Every other case had something I really enjoyed about it. Case 2 had

Spoiler

an incredibly entertaining culprit, and was a much-needed followup to the events of Apollo Justice

, case 4 had

Spoiler

a great dynamic between Simon and Athena and some very entertaining witnesses

and cases 3 and 5 speak for themselves. Past its overly drawn out introduction, I found AA6 to be one of the more consistently good Ace Attorney games. Despite the criticism that case 4 breaks the pacing, I definitely wouldn't call it bad.

I just realized I forgot to mention case 2, whoops! But yeah, I really liked that one for the same reasons you wrote down. Same with why I like case 4, although it also helps that I really admire how the localization handled the Japanese elements

So yeah, 6 is consistently good with an great 3rd and amazing 5th case.

 

[Joqu]

I thought the first case in AA6 dragged way too much. It was around 30 minutes before you actually started challenging testimony. And the length of the case was far too long considering how few interesting twists it had.

I liked case 2; it was nothing mind-blowing, but a second case never is.

Case 3 was fine, but since I don't care much for the extreme emphasis on the spiritual stuff in AA6, it was too much for me.

Case 4 was also fine, but was the definition of filler. And it also lacked any especially interesting twists. I expect far better from a penultimate case.

I can't say much about case 5 yet as I only just finished the Investigation phase of Day 1. I found it strange how long that phase was, but I'm guessing it's setup that hopefully pays off.

To be fair I think I'm in the minority when it comes to the 1st case. I appreciated the lengthy introduction but that's a probably uncommon personal preference of mine, and I loved the culprit is all, but like I said, my standards for a 1st case in Ace Attorney aren't very high. I don't love that case or anything.

I guess it's the spiritual stuff that's not doing it for you. I felt the same way before release, I don't like that stuff either, but in the end the game's writing won me over. But I really do think you're underselling case 3 here.

 

[mrmickfran]

I do think I realized how much I was loving AA6 early on. But, sure, it does have a great finale.

I guess if I were to rank the mainline ones right now, it'd be: 1 > 3 > 6 > 5 > 2 = 4

My phrasing wasn't very good. AA6 is a very solid entry throughout.

For me it's:

3 > 6 > 5 > 1 > 2 > 4

I had already heard the last case is great, but that doesn't overwrite the rest of the game. AA2 had a fantastic final case, but is still considered one of the weakest games in the series due to the prior cases.

Some of the AA games are consistently good from beginning to end, so I don't see a problem with calling out one that I believe isn't.

YES IT DOES

Hell, the rest of the game is fantastic. AA6's only weak point is Case 4 and the ending of Case 1 (it fuckin dragged).

 

[MrBadger]

I seriously find it impossible to rank the games. All of them have at least one amazing case and a few meh ones. I'd say Dual Destinies is definitely my least favourite but the aquarium case is great

To be fair I think I'm in the minority when it comes to the 1st case. I appreciated the lengthy introduction but that's a probably uncommon personal preference of mine, and I loved the culprit is all, but like I said, my standards for a 1st case in Ace Attorney aren't very high. I don't love that case or anything.

I guess it's the spiritual stuff that's not doing it for you. I felt the same way before release, I don't like that stuff either, but in the end the game's writing won me over. But I really do think you're underselling case 3 here.

Maybe I was biased against case 1 after playing Dual Destinies. After seeing how heavy-handed and forced the lawyer hate was, I was worried I was in for another "dark age of the law". But the rest of SoJ did have a much better payoff that didn't just rely on endlessly repeating catchphrases like that game did. The culprit's gimmick was at least entertaining so I can give the case that.

 

[zigg]

Dual Destinies being rated M probably did it no favors.

My daughter's still furious about this because we gave Nintendo her real age when we originally set up her NNID, which has permanently blocked her from downloading the game. I literally had to loan her my 3DS to let her play my copy.

 

[SinCityAssassin]

Pour yourself a glass of grape juice.

 

[Matt Attack]

My favorite series of all time, and certainly the one that's enriched my life the most. First learned about it in the 6th grade, when a friend and I saw a trailer for the first game on a DVD from a Nintendo Power issue I had picked up. We thought that the concept was really bizarre, but we both had a lawyer parent, so we ended up getting copies, thinking that maybe they could help us (Oh how naive we were). Here's hoping for many more years of Ace Attorney fun!

 

[Lumination]

AA has had incredible highs and some crappy lows, but what a ride.

It introduced me to VNs way back in the day, but most importantly, it scratches an itch that no one else can scratch.

Spoiler

No, not even Danganronpa.

I love the world, I love the characters, and I love the zany situations that pop up in the murder investigations. The game is definitely greater than the sum of its many great parts.

I suppose my only real complaint is Capcom's management of the series by not releasing physical editions and withholding the spinoffs.

 

[Hazu]

An Ace Attorney VR game would be awesome. Please do it!

 

[Sammy Samusu]

I just bought AA6 because of this thread. Is it really that good?

I'll probably start playing it after I beat DQ7, the plan was to start FExSMT but two JRPGs in a row is too much.

 

[NipplesAndToes23]

I got to play one of these games one of these days.

 

[Professor Beef]

<3 the series, even with AA4 and Layton stinking up the joint

 

[Magnet_Man]

I just bought AA6 because of this thread. Is it really that good?

It's pretty good but for such a story-centric series like Ace Attorney, you should try to play these in order if possible. The first trilogy is available in a single title for the 3DS / mobile, 4 is coming to mobile soon, and 5/6 are on the eShop already.

 

[Raxus]

I got to play one of these games one of these days.

Trilogy is available on the phone. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

One of my favorite series of all time. Last game was brilliant. Now if I could only play AAI2 and the Great Ace Attorney games

 

[Sammy Samusu]

It's pretty good but for such a story-centric series like Ace Attorney, you should try to play these in order if possible. The first trilogy is available in a single title for the 3DS / mobile, 4 is coming to mobile soon, and 5/6 are on the eShop already.

Oh I have already played all the localized AA games.

 

[Firebrand]

Ranking is difficult for sure... 1, 3, 4 and 6 are my favorites, but unsure in which order. 3 > 1 > 4 > 6 probably. I should really replay the original trilogy!

There's this odd design decision of making the recent games way too easy, which is kinda odd considering how many sequels we're into now. AA6 was only slightly better in this regard.