Now this is what the entire first game was building up to. I cannot understate how important the first game setting this up is.
The first game has a lot of things I don't like about it: cases having odd pacing, things happening then being swept under the rug, the real lack of any cases I 100% like aside from one or two, and nothing being particularly interesting in the game that isn't vague references to what I'd be facing in the sequel.
The sequel instantly improves not only with a better first case but with a fun second case which acts as (mostly) filler that's better than the original case it stemmed from. Even in the weaker cases the twists are fun, the trials are enjoyable, and I don't feel too wanting going through the game (aside from the first half of Case 2 being way less interesting than the last half).
The last half of Case 3 is where this game truly kicks into full gear. The already wonderful character interactions of Great Ace Attorney finally are backed up with a very intriguing plot and mystery that really makes everything worth investing in. There wasn't a single mystery, arc, or question I wasn't hungry to seek the next answer to. Every single thing from the last half of Case 3 onward is masterful and dare I say flawless - at least for an Ace Attorney experience.
However, I do still have some gripes. Susato's presence in Case 1 really amounts to nothing if this is the last game in the "series" since I assumed Susato would at least do SOMETHING other than act as the typical assistant. I like her a lot but I do wish she was better utilized. Case 1 and Case 2 being 6/10s not tied into the greater plot of Cases 3-5 outside of small details makes them feel almost unnecessary as well.
I also didn't really like how the finale of Case 5 isn't really Ryunosuke's victory as much as it is Sholmes coming in for the save at the last minute. It's not like in Apollo Justice where Phoenix's involvement in the last case has a lot of personal stakes and he's perfectly justified in sharing the spotlight; Sholmes is just there to support you otherwise since his investment in the case is about as much or less than Ryunosuke's. It made the impact of the climactic finale feel a bit...limp.
That being said, everything else is astounding. The way you figure out the cases in and out of the court, the music, the references to Sherlock Holmes canon in playful yet respectful ways, so much about this game is top notch. I do wish the first bites of the course were better and the last bite didn't leave a bitter aftertaste in my mouth though.
The first game has a lot of things I don't like about it: cases having odd pacing, things happening then being swept under the rug, the real lack of any cases I 100% like aside from one or two, and nothing being particularly interesting in the game that isn't vague references to what I'd be facing in the sequel.
The sequel instantly improves not only with a better first case but with a fun second case which acts as (mostly) filler that's better than the original case it stemmed from. Even in the weaker cases the twists are fun, the trials are enjoyable, and I don't feel too wanting going through the game (aside from the first half of Case 2 being way less interesting than the last half).
The last half of Case 3 is where this game truly kicks into full gear. The already wonderful character interactions of Great Ace Attorney finally are backed up with a very intriguing plot and mystery that really makes everything worth investing in. There wasn't a single mystery, arc, or question I wasn't hungry to seek the next answer to. Every single thing from the last half of Case 3 onward is masterful and dare I say flawless - at least for an Ace Attorney experience.
However, I do still have some gripes. Susato's presence in Case 1 really amounts to nothing if this is the last game in the "series" since I assumed Susato would at least do SOMETHING other than act as the typical assistant. I like her a lot but I do wish she was better utilized. Case 1 and Case 2 being 6/10s not tied into the greater plot of Cases 3-5 outside of small details makes them feel almost unnecessary as well.
I also didn't really like how the finale of Case 5 isn't really Ryunosuke's victory as much as it is Sholmes coming in for the save at the last minute. It's not like in Apollo Justice where Phoenix's involvement in the last case has a lot of personal stakes and he's perfectly justified in sharing the spotlight; Sholmes is just there to support you otherwise since his investment in the case is about as much or less than Ryunosuke's. It made the impact of the climactic finale feel a bit...limp.
That being said, everything else is astounding. The way you figure out the cases in and out of the court, the music, the references to Sherlock Holmes canon in playful yet respectful ways, so much about this game is top notch. I do wish the first bites of the course were better and the last bite didn't leave a bitter aftertaste in my mouth though.