“Revival’s Small Base Evaluation” The Great Ace Attorney!

Preface: For a long time, I, Xiao Ji, have wanted to write a review post for the GBA & NDS courtroom AVG masterpiece "Ace Attorney" that includes my personal understanding and experiences. However, due to reasons such as emulation issues, spending a long time tinkering with my old 5233 handheld console, a busy academic schedule, and lack of inspiration, the writing of this review was constantly postponed. But I can say this: when it comes to reviewing the "Ace Attorney" series (even just one game), I definitely feel it must be done; otherwise, there will always be a regret in the 7723 "Xiao Ji Reviews" section. Writing a review for a masterpiece carries the duality of both attracting attention and risking reputation damage, but I firmly believe that the positive impact will outweigh the negative. Now, the new Ace Attorney title, which the legendary Shu Takumi (the "Father of Ace Attorney") is once again overseeing, is confirmed to be in production, and the new title matches the main title I have used: "The Great Ace Attorney." Fellow Ace Attorney fans can look forward to the revival of Ace Attorney under Shu's genius! The series is always tightly and clearly structured, and my review will also adopt a concise structure.
bNew Chapter: Trial Begins/b
(July 21, 2014)\(In the court's second lounge)\Xiao Ji: As a rookie lawyer, this is your first defense and also your first time in court. Feeling nervous? Haha.\You: Yes… (It's impossible not to be nervous, right?) Although this case might be a bit tricky, I think I can handle it. (Probably…)\Xiao Ji: As a newcomer, it's truly surprising that you dare to take on a murder case right from the start! (Teacher, your choice of words is really…) Well, "a young calf is not afraid of the tiger," very bold. Hopefully, you can really show that in court. By the way, this case seems rather complicated. I heard it's a shooting incident at a landfill. You have the files, right? Take a closer look.\You: I have the files. (Better review them carefully. The key to solving this case must be in this evidence.) Um, under the victim column it says… a man named "Ymir"… was he shot directly in the heart and died on the spot? The culprit is… a woman named "Rinne"… Ah! Her identity is actually a "detective"!This… what on earth is going on! (Looks like I really need to meet my so-called 'detective' defendant.)
Xiao Ji: Hehe, it seems to be getting interesting. I guess you're prepared now, right? Why do you have that expression like you just realized someone else has read your private diary when looking at case-related materials? (Don't use such a weird metaphor! But that 'private diary' thing is actually intriguing.) It's just very similar to how I experienced it before, that feeling of writing a private diary for the first time is really nostalgic. (No way I'm like you, a 'diary fanatic'!)
You: Big boobs moe! I've already read the 'strategy guide.' Although I can't say I'm guaranteed to win, I still have the confidence not to make a fool of myself in my first trial!
Xiao Ji: Heh, 'strategy guides' are quite intriguing. Hmm, if you have confidence going to court, then the big boobs moe feeling is there.
You: The 'strategy guide' is this—'Introduction to Court Rules'! (What are you still worried about?) I always carry it with me! With it, this trial will be even more big boobs moe!
Xiao Ji: Is that so? The trial's starting, and you think you've prepared everything, but I feel like you might not be fully ready. What exactly is your attitude toward the defendant?
You: Uh… attitude? I-I haven't even met her, how could I have any 'attitude'?
Xiao Ji: No. You don't need to have met the defendant. Being a lawyer doesn't require knowing every detail about the client, only maintaining a professional belief—that since you've chosen to defend the defendant, you must absolutely trust them. So, just to confirm, do you believe the defendant is innocent?
You: Without a doubt, I trust my client completely, and I believe she is innocent!
Xiao Ji: Then use the power of your confidence to prove her innocence.
……
I remember Xiao Ji came into contact with 'Ace Attorney' two years ago. In the beginning, it was always this similar, familiar kind of dialogue. Right from the start, the game straightforwardly tells the player that the role to take on is that of a rookie lawyer. Professionally a rookie, but that doesn't mean other aspects are the same. From a lawyer's perspective, encountering various characters, witnessing, analyzing, and understanding numerous intertwined events.Qiao Zhou's outstanding plot setup features seemingly independent chapter stories that ultimately converge into a larger whole, with hidden elements that only become clear upon deeper exploration. It evokes the experience of groping in the dark, searching for glimmers of light, and finally turning the gathered 'sparks' into a light that illuminates everything with your own hands; of using evidence as a weapon to uncover the truth amidst tense strategic plays. These are exactly the things that the "Ace Attorney" (series) offers to players, and also the key reason why the series has attracted so many fans. It is precisely because "Ace Attorney" (series) not only elevates wordplay to a new level but also features highly meaningful and excellent plots that it has been hailed as a masterpiece by players since the GBA era. Playing handheld games without experiencing "Ace Attorney" is not truly having played handheld games. If you are interested in "Ace Attorney," go ahead and try it—you will definitely have no regrets.
Using details to shout 'Wait a minute!'
(July 21, 2014)\(Inside the Courtroom No. 1)\ The trial has been going on for some time. The situation now seems deadlocked, and I have a premonition that things are going very badly for me... I never expected to face a series of 'firsts' and unusual individuals—from the undefeated 'First Prosecutor' who, never having been in court before, has a habit of patting heads, to the witness ‘Dancing Life,' the 'First Criminal Division Chief' in a white trench coat, and finally the court's top judge who always arrives at the correct decision in the end, handles unappealed cases responsibly, yet seems somewhat susceptible to provocation. These three have now become my troubles. The rookie prosecutor is aggressively intimidating, the dancing witness's testimony seems flawless, and the judge strongly acknowledges the plaintiff's presented evidence. What troubles me even more is that decisive videotape. It is footage from the junkyard security camera showing her shooting the man in the red suit. Presenting this evidence essentially proves that 'the victim was shot by the defendant.' I feel powerless to refute this because 'words are powerless in the face of facts.' At this moment, I clearly feel that I am about to lose this lawsuit.But Master Xiao Ji beside him still seemed very calm.
Xiao Ji: That video is really something. Sure enough, the most private diary is the closest to the heart. What, do you feel discouraged? After all your efforts before, are you giving up now? Losing the first court appearance and you're just willing to accept it? But it's really not a big deal for a rookie lawyer to lose the case.
You: Of course I don't want to lose like that! But what can I do now, and what should I do? She fired the gun—that's a fact anyone with eyes can see! Damn it! Xiao Ji: That video really proves this fact: "She really fired the gun that night." But that doesn't mean "she really did kill someone."
You: Ah! It really seems like that's true! Maybe we ...... No, she fired a shot, and at the scene, it was just her and the victim. She fired at the victim. Sure enough, it still didn't work...... Xiao Ji: Actually, many things that seem obvious might turn around if they were reversed. That private diary is the key to this case. On the surface, it seems like one situation, but from another perspective, it's a different situation. Recall the detective's testimony and review the court records—maybe you'll discover something interesting. Detective's testimony: "The video I submitted clearly shows the real situation at the time of the incident." "That was recorded by cameras installed at the landfill." "That night, only the victim and the defendant were at the junkyard. The victim carried a leather bag to a corner of the barbed fence, and the defendant followed him. "The victim and the defendant had a conversation for a while, seemingly discussing a deal. But afterwards, the negotiation seemed to break down. The victim leaned against the wire fence, hands tied, and fell silent. At that moment, the defendant pulled out a pistol. "The defendant aimed the pistol at the victim, fired the first shot, then fired a second. The bullet struck the victim's heart, and the victim died instantly." "You: (Just from the detective's testimony, I really can't see anything wrong...... But there are definitely some things I'm concerned about. )If there's anything noteworthy about the testimony, there is indeed one point. Xiao Ji: Oh, since you think the testimony has something worth noting, just use 'deterrent' for specific content. It must have some wonderful effect.
You: (Hmm, this should be the place!))Wait! Detective: Huh? You: Detective, that's what you just testified, right? "First shot, then the second." Detective: That's true, Rinon did fire twice. The first shot was fired without holding it firmly, hitting the victim's thigh, and the second shot hit the victim's heart. Judge: Defense lawyer, notice you care a lot about this testimony. Would you like to have the witness correct it? You: Yes. (Finally, if this continues, maybe the opportunity really comes!) Detective: This really lacks rhythm! Lawyer Daimao!
Detective: The defendant fired two shots at the time, one missed the victim's thigh, and then she fired a second shot that hit the victim's heart.
You: (Now!) )Wait!
Detective: What the heck~ what! You: The detective said the defendant fired two shots that night; the first shot missed, hitting the victim's leg. That's impossible! Let's look at the footage. After the defendant fired the first shot, the bullet did miss, but the victim was still standing with her back against the barbed wire! There's no way the leg didn't hit at all! That means the bullet didn't hit the victim's thigh but hit somewhere!
Detective: Ah, what! Doremi?! Prosecutor: Heh, the defense lawyer is just doing nothing. "Hitting the leg" is just the detective's subjective speculation; the prosecution has no intention of agreeing, so his testimony is considered "invalid." That detective's salary evaluation next month will be quite good. Also, the defense lawyer's low-level methods of stubbornness are useless because they cannot change the fact that the defendant shot the dead! You: What, what! Damn it! (That's true, there's no way to refute it! )
Xiao Ji: Wait! Paying attention to details is the first step in discovering a contradiction, and the prosecutor needs to understand this. And the only useful weapon for us lawyers is "contradiction." You can't just strip away the lawyer's "weapon." This video is the key. Now the defense is about to point out the contradiction, and the prosecution is eager to interrupt. Isn't that like taking away the pen when writing a diary? Isn't that too rude? Come on, continue, our defense lawyer.
You: Uh...... (Whispering) I really don't know where the "contradiction" is...... (Huh, the victim's autopsy record?)
"Victim's Autopsy Record" (Summary)
*Deceased: Ymir
*Cause of death: Heart suffered a massive shock, muscle tear, resulting in massive bleeding. Died from shock from excessive blood loss.
*Other notes: CT scans found a bullet in the chest cavity. Additionally, there were no bullets left elsewhere inside the deceased's body. There were no wounds or scars on the front of the deceased's body, but there was a charred mark on the skin on the back.
You: This ...... Ah, maybe we can ...... Change the current situation!
Xiao Ji: Did you find anything? Now you need to fully and fully express your thoughts! Of course, before that—there's a "reminder"! That is, shout out "objections"!
......\In Ace Attorney, you must face the above situations. As a lawyer, the courtroom is your battlefield, and the evidence is your weapon, and the choice of weapon is the key to victory. As for the use of weapons, it requires "timing," which is "testimony." The testimony of witnesses contains contradictions, and to make your weapon effective, you must use "threats" and "objections." "Threats" are a form of interrogation designed to create the best "timing" to use weapons. "Dissent" means swinging the weapon in your hand to cut through conflicts and reveal the truth. Of course, weapons don't come from the start; they need to be "collected," meaning they play the role of "detective" to investigate the inside story from a broad perspective and obtain weapons. This is the basic game setting of "Ace Attorney." Having such a distinctive setting makes the chapters of the story more layered and full. At the same time, the complete "courtroom system" design makes the in-game battles very tight. The perfectly timed and rhythmically distinct background music runs throughout the entire trial, creating a deep, intense atmosphere of intellectual clashes that strongly stirs players' emotions as the story moves. It is precisely because of the perfect assembly of settings that reveal the development team's dedication that "Ace Attorney" has become a classic.

Raising a "Objection!" "Then the reversal!"
\ Now is the critical moment!

You: Objection! (Only after becoming a lawyer did I realize how satisfying and cool it is to point at someone with your index finger!) )
You: Please take a look at this autopsy record of the deceased.\Prosecutor: Ha, it clearly states the cause of death above. What exactly is the defense lawyer trying to point out? Oh, in 'Other Matters,' it does mention that 'there was only one bullet in the victim's body.' But we've already discussed this earlier; it's irrelevant.\You: Of course, if you look at that information individually, it does seem irrelevant. But combined with certain other details, it's a different story. In the 'Other Matters' section of the report, besides mentioning 'only one bullet,' there are some noteworthy points: 'no wounds or scars on the front of the body,' and 'a burnt area on the skin of the back.' What does this imply, Prosecutor?\Prosecutor: Well… what… (shocked) Could it be… N-no, it can't be that! That's completely illogical!\You: Then, Detective?\Detective: My love for music will never change! (If you don't understand, just say so!)\Judge: Defense lawyer! What is going on here? The prosecutor looks quite upset.\You: It's simple. Since the prosecution claims that 'the defendant shot and killed the victim,' let's carefully examine the footage. When the video reaches the moment the defendant draws the gun and shoots, I believe everyone can see clearly and very obviously that the defendant is shooting at the victim from the 'front.' The first shot missed, but the second shot seems from the footage to hit the victim. After the second shot, the victim bends forward and falls in a cramped posture. Now, when we combine this with the autopsy report, there's an obvious contradiction! The defendant shot the victim from the 'front,' yet why 'are there no wounds on the front of the victim'? And if there are no wounds on the front, how did the bullet get inside the victim's body?\Judge: Oh! Oh! It seems the defense lawyer knows what's going on. Please enlighten us.\You: Looking at the autopsy report again, the only possibility is—‘the burnt area on the back'! Yes, the 'burnt' spot marks where the bullet entered. The reason the bullet is in the victim's body but there's no wound in the front is because 'the bullet didn't enter from the front at all; it entered from the back!' The defendant did fire, but she is not the actual killer of the victim!\Judge: Oh, oh, oh! It does seem to be like that!\Prosecutor: Uh… (Ha, I love seeing him keep scratching his head like that.) Hmph, so close, Ace Attorney.\You: What!? (Could my assumption still be lacking in some way?)\Prosecutor: You said another person was present. An assumption made in court requires evidence to be effective. Do you have decisive proof that someone else was there?\Judge: Defense attorney, do you?\You: Ah… I don't have such evidence at the moment. (I was just stating this assumption, why must I submit evidence…)\Prosecutor: That's what I'm saying, Ace Attorney is struggling. How do you explain the relationship between the “burn marks on the back” and the “bullet”? Besides the possibility you mentioned, isn't there another? The truly fatal bullet could be the “first shot.” The bullet fired by the defendant didn't actually miss; it hit the iron mesh, became a “ricochet,” and then entered the victim from behind. Not, as the defense claims, that “another person” was involved.\You: Objection! That's impossible! A “ricochet” could never happen!\Prosecutor: Objection! If you want to overturn my assumption, use evidence! Can you prove that the bullet did not ricochet?\You: Hmph, of course I can! This piece of evidence right here, take it!\Judge: Is… is that the victim's briefcase?\Prosecutor: ……\You: Yes, this briefcase! There's clearly a bullet hole in it! In the video, the defendant's first shot looks like it missed, but it really didn't—it just hit another object instead of the victim. The first shot hit the briefcase, that's the evidence!\Prosecutor: ……D-Damn! (Finally, finally left him speechless?)\You: The briefcase is also an important piece of evidence. I propose a thorough examination of it! Also, Detective, I think you're hiding something else, please submit it truthfully to the court! Regarding detailed information about the victim!\Detective: Ah, I knew it would come to this. Indeed, I do have another “decisive” piece of evidence. Please allow me to submit it…\Prosecutor: What!? Detective, you actually hid evidence!? Next month…\Detective: Lawyer, I must admit you are a very capable person, but letting someone like you continue to exist is too dangerous…\You: Wha…what… (He pulled out a gun?))
Boom!!!
……
“Hey! Wake up!”
“What? What happened? Where am I?”
“Good, you didn't faint. That's a relief. Do you still remember who you are?”
“Who am I? No, I've forgotten. Maybe someone stole my private diary… But that doesn't matter. What matters is, who are you?”
“Me? I'm Cécile. A 'ghost detective.'”
“A 'ghost detective'? That's an interesting profession. But why did you choose me?”
“Because you're already dead. As a lawyer defending Rinon, you were shot during the trial. And the one who shot you was a ghost named ‘Ymir,' who possessed a white-clad detective and made him pull the trigger.”
“…I was the defense lawyer?”
“That's right. It's a pity, really—you were about to grasp the essence of the case…”
“Essence? You mean whether Rinon really killed Ymir?”
“Yeah.”
“Damn! Can you let me go back? I have to find out the truth!”
“Indeed, I have the power to change fate. I can return you to four minutes before your death. But I'm not sure if saving you will help me or if you'll agree to help me. After all, I'm a ghost. You can't directly communicate with me unless I come to you first.”
“Mr. Ghost, I hope you understand, as a lawyer, the foremost task is to uncover the truth. This is the same principle as a detective seeking the truth.”
“Alright, I understand. 'Let's go back to the past together.' Brave lawyer.”
……
(The following content is left to your imagination in 'Phantom Mystery'~)

The short scenario inserted in the review is a 'little gadget' self-written by Xiao Ji. It combines elements of reversal and 'Phantom Mystery' (a work by Qiao Zhou on the NDS platform that, aside from reversals, is also praised for its excellent story and game design, regarded as a 'masterpiece' on the NDS platform. Previously, Xiao Ji stayed silent because he was studying this work. Its tight plot really makes you want to finish it in one go.) It can be said to be a collection of 'Qiao Zhou style,' hehe. Of course, Xiao Ji's level cannot match the master Qiao Zhou. The reason 'Ace Attorney' could become a 'masterpiece' is largely due to Qiao Zhou's script. His ability to set suspense and develop gag elements is applied very skillfully.(The following contains spoilers, for those who haven't played the game, it's recommended to skip.) Using the hereditary bonds of the Ayasato family as the hidden main thread of the entire series' plot, the story explores the intertwined yin and yang of the sisters' profound blood ties, experiences the various human affairs of distinctly characterized characters, and finally, in the alternation of calm and intense moments, uncovers the greatest conspiracy and obsession behind it all… At the end of the story, Phoenix Wright saves Mayoi, redeems Prosecutor Godot (Attorney Kanenogi Shiro), and dissolves the bonds of the Ayasato family, marking a fulfilling point in Wright's legal career. Only after the final objection do we, as players, fully comprehend the ultimate truth. The truth is finally revealed, bringing the long story to its conclusion. Our experience as players with "Ace Attorney" is thus complete.
"Ace Attorney" has become a classic, yet we, the players, still hold our anticipation for it. We hope to continue the passionate journey of intellectual confrontations. Now that the "Father of Ace Attorney," Shu Takumi, has returned to helm a new era of turnabout cases, we can once again unleash our voices and fingers.
Alright, let's together utter the final classic line to conclude Xiao Ji's review of "Ace Attorney"~
Objection!
(Thank you for reading. Planning and script: Xiao Ji. Thanks to: 7723 Game Cracking Network & 7723 Forum ; 7723 Baidu Tieba ; Black Horse-san ; Xiao Xuan ; Huangfu ; Xiao Dian . Much appreciated.)