This review contains spoilers
When I played Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney for the first time I overall had a fun experience but found myself scorned on the final case and some other details throughout the game. Since that point every time I have thought about the game I have grown to love it more and more to the point of it now being one of my favorite games and my favorite in the series. Simply: it's charm is enchanting and it's story, characters, and themes are extremely strong. The worst part about it is: it was meant to have a sequel it never got.
Anyway here's my stupid long review/analysis of Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
Turnabout Trump
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The first cases in Ace Attorney games are often not extraordinary. Nothing is ever expected of them. They are an introduction to characters and a reintroduction of mechanics.
Turnabout Trump is pretty unanimously loved and seen as the best first case, because despite what was expected of it, it actually tried and delivered an incredible case.
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney exists almost as a subversion of typical Ace Attorney tropes. Characters types that are typically antagonistic are kind and character types that are typically kind are antagonistic.
The clear example here is Kristoph, the mentor turned twist villain, but I think another example is Phoenix himself. Phoenix throughout Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is unkind, unhelpful, and manipulative to Apollo. In my opinion I believe there is more of Phoenix treating Apollo poorly on screen than there is Kristoph treating Apollo poorly on screen. The difference between these characters, though, is of course motive. Kristoph is trying to save his bruised ego, Phoenix is honestly also doing the same, but he is also trying to bring a murderer to justice and reform the legal system for the better.
I fully believe this is Phoenix at his best. He is a worse person and he's not kind, but there's something about on screen seeing how horribly Dahlia and Kristoph treated him and seeing him doing all the same to Kristoph and Apollo. He does truly have a good goal but similar to Kristoph his bruised ego leads him to handing Apollo forged evidence and wrapping him up in everything. Phoenix starts a trend that will be seen throughout the game's defendants, guilt of some actual crime. For Phoenix that is forged evidence and crime scene tampering.
The case itself is wonderful the mystery is fun and of course shocking, and I honestly like this games supernatural aid power, perceiving. I understand where some people's frustration lies, but I liked the feature and it's execution. I think it was a fun approach to focus on the more physiological and physical parts of a testimony.
Besides all that, I don't have much to add to what everyone else has already said: it's one of the best cases in the series.
Turnabout Corner
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Every Ace Attorney game has an obligatory comfort/charming case that's just plain fun. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney had Turnabout Samurai and Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations had Recipe for Turnabout (it's a guilty pleasure I'll agree with the majority that it sucks). I think Turnabout Corner stands well alongside these two and is honestly the best of them. It's just all around enjoyable, but it also works really well as it's own story and contributes well to the game's overall narrative.
I will apologize for the tangents and ramblings now there is a lot in Turnabout Corner to discuss as it is the introduction for many important characters.
Months after the whirlwind of Turnabout Trump Apollo has been left jobless and is left to return to his last option: Phoenix Wright. I really like how Apollo and Phoenix's relationship to each other is handled in this game and I think it's an absolute shame it gets ignored by many for the sake of fluffy, ignorant, and out of character, found family. Apollo is rightfully upset at Phoenix and only returns to him when Apollo has no other choice.
Before bumping back into Phoenix though, the player and Apollo are given a proper and full introduction to Trucy Wright, a fun, bubbly, sly, child magician. Trucy is easily my favorite of the co-counsel and investigation partner characters. I think she has an incredible depth to her character and she's genuinely very funny. She works very well with every character in the game.
Apollo and Trucy find themselves quickly wrapped up in multiple small mysteries that are all strangely related. Which is a very fun concept for a case and I like the way it builds up and plays out. It starts out with small petty crimes before revealing the central murder.
Following on Turnabout Trump's tail Turnabout Corner also shakes up series foundations with the relationship the player has with the investigative police and the prosecutor. I really love Ema in this game and she's my favorite of the police detectives. I think her bitter attitude fits well with Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney's overall tone, but unlike Gumshoe she is more so working with Apollo and Trucy and wants to help them out once she learns about their relation to Phoenix. I think she's just a joy to see on screen and I like her dumb forensics mini games. Also unlike previous games' Gumshoe, she has a poor relationship with this game's main prosecutor, Klavier, due to his involvement with Phoenix's disbarment.
Klavier, similar to Ema, is also vastly different to the prosecutors before him and is also very likable, and probably the best prosecutor in the series. Ace Attorney is often about the prosecutor's path to working alongside the defense for the sake of justice, but from the beginning Klavier is helpful, kind, and not hostile. Though his character does have some strong depth to it too, he is not instantly trustful of Apollo, although this trust is built up somewhat quickly. Apollo put Klavier's brother (who through subtext and actions we can assume Klavier had a high respect for) in jail. Throughout the beginnings of Turnabout Corner it feels like Klavier is trying to figure out who Apollo is as a person. Once Klavier learns about Apollo's drive and passion for the truth and justice, Klavier learns to place his trust in him. His and Apollo's dynamic is plainly just really good. I think they contrast well with Phoenix and Kristoph and parallel each other quite well.
The case itself is a fun trial and investigation. I really enjoy all the characters here, I like Wocky as a defendant and I like the small arc he goes through with his family. I also really like how he continues the trend of somewhat guilty defendants. Wocky wants to go to jail, he wanted to kill Meraktis. He's not a fully innocent person, but he did not kill anyone.
I think Pal Meraktis is an interesting victim, and I like Alita as culprit. This case does feature the worst character in the whole game, Wesley Stickler, but he is in my opinion the only unlikable character in Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney which is a little impressive.
Overall it's as stated just a fun time. It's mystery is fun to unravel and fitting together just how everything fits together is very satisfying. My memory of playing through this case is overall warm and fluffy, it's high up on my overall case rankings.
Turnabout Serenade
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Similar to Recipe for Turnabout: It may suck but I like it.
Turnabout Serenade exists for a good reason: more development for Klavier and to introduce Lamiroir and Valant, it does all of these things well.
After a murder at the Gavinners' concert Machi Tobaye is arrested for the murder for Romein LeTouse.
From the beginning the case is on rocky ground because it's very clear that Machi could not be the culprit. Klavier could just be ignorant because he does not want to face the truth: Daryan clearly being the culprit, but it's still a bit silly that others would believe that Machi is the culprit too. This is something that honestly didn't bother me much, it's an Ace Attorney game, but I fully understand other's irritation to it.
Similarly the music video that played constantly was also not much of a bother to me. I understand how it would be annoying to others, but bright orange Klavier Gavin having to pathetically stomp out fire is essential to me.
I think I am overall more forgiving of this case since I'm a sucker for when a case has a good backstory and I honestly loved the smuggling some weird cocoon to cure a disease call incuritis plot. I liked the conflict between Machi, Romein, and Daryan and how Machi truly was guilty of smuggling and he had to admit to that for the best outcome. How Daryan was in contact with and constantly blackmailed/manipulated Machi. The cat mouse case between Romein and Daryan. It's all goofy, but it's an Ace Attorney game and I was having fun.
Despite Klavier's accusations against Machi not being well grounded, I think this is still a strong case for him. It feels like Klavier always knew in his heart that Daryan was at fault and he just did not want to believe it was true. Even before Daryan was starting to be questioned Klavier already had him registered as a witness. Klavier places his trust in Apollo, for Apollo to prove to and convince Klavier what he already knows but doesn't want to face.
Turnabout Succession
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After I first played Turnabout Succession I was upset and did not like it, but it has really grown on me. I think my main issue was the focus on Phoenix, which I still hold, but I think the case is still really enjoyable despite it's faults.
Another complaint for the game that I see often, but don't have an issue with is the MASON system. I like it's weird techy aesthetics and I found the investigation to be honestly fun. Running around as Phoenix or Apollo and collecting halves of evidence and ideas to bring together into wholes is rewarding.
I liked the case of Phoenix's disbarment a lot. The Gramaryes are honestly fun to deal with and learn about, they sound horrible. I actually really liked the jarring use of the old sprites. It was, as stated jarring, and likely just to save money, but I found it charming and nostalgic (despite the fact I had only just finished the trilogy a week prior). I really love the impact of having to present the evidence you know is going to get Phoenix disbarred and the way it parallels Turnabout Trump with forged evidence. It also is a very strong point for Klavier's character and a good point of drama that will be at the center of the case.
The present day trial is equally enjoyable. I liked digging around the Drew studio and learning about the forgeries and watching everything click into place. I liked the locked room elaborate mystery with a killing that was seven years in the making.
At the center of it all, of course, is Kristoph and Phoenix's ego battle, once again. The reveal of Kristoph's hatred and actions all stemming from a lost poker game and losing Zak as a client, who would later hire Phoenix, feels similar to the story of the Capulets and Montagues' hatred in Romeo and Juliet, which was left unexplained, but has a similar effect: long term violent and destructive hatred for a pathetic reason. Something Phoenix himself has gotten caught up in. Yes he wants his badge back, yes he has seen the failures of the legal system and would like to amend it, but at the lengths he goes to at a point it feels like Phoenix's true goal is to just run laps around Kristoph.
Klavier though is somewhere in the center of this all. He has learned that his brother, who he respects, has been manipulating him for a long time and due to that manipulation Klavier has inadvertently ruined an innocent man's life. Once again like before Klavier relies on Apollo to prove to him and show him the truth. Throughout the game Apollo and Klavier have felt like the core and heart of the cases. They both just bounce off of each other well and they're both just pawns of Phoenix and Kristoph, but through this case it feels like they finally get to succeed them.
Trucy similarly succeeds her father, who abandoned her, and gains the rights to Gramarye performances. Trucy similar to Klavier has been at the heart of everything. Throughout the game she really is a great character and to see her act so strong and goof around despite it all makes her very charming.
As stated before I am still upset that not enough focus was on Apollo he is very central to this case and I like it thematically, but still I think Apollo did not get to experience his own story enough.
Kristoph in the end is defeated by the jurist system. There is no definitive proof for his crimes, but the system has grown to combat him and his actions/word are enough for conviction. I find myself conflicted on this. It feels somewhat anticlimactic and like it could be built up better. Honestly in my mind I wonder if Turnabout Serenade was lost directly because of a lack of evidence, or even better if Kristoph was never jailed in Turnabout Trump because of a lack of evidence would have led to a stronger impact of the jurist system in the final case.
I have neglected to talk about Apollo himself since there is both a lot to say and nothing to say. I do not think he gets enough focus and it seems like he was clearly going to be expanded on more on the Apollo Justice 2 there never sadly was. Despite it all though, he follows the trend of what I have said about Trucy, Ema, and Klavier. He's my favorite player character in the series. I find him to be way more likable and intriguing than Phoenix and I think the hardships he faces are gripping. He would perfectly fit into a loony toons cartoon. He's earnest, funny, charming, and gels well with the other characters. His relationship to Trucy is sweet, and his growing companionship to Klavier is one of the strong points of the game. His passion and rashness to stand up for what he believes in and the fact he punched Phoenix makes him a number one in my books.
During Turnabout Succession we learn that Apollo and Trucy are half-siblings and Lamiroir is Thalassa Gramarye. This is a shocking twist, but is it a good shocking twist, does it add anything? I think it does: in a story about Apollo, Trucy, and Klavier being manipulated at every turn by people they love and trust and Trucy specifically being moved around and harmed horribly by family, I think there's something to her gaining a brother who truly cares. Apollo and Trucy never learn about this, but in regard to Apollo, Trucy charmingly states, "It's like.. like I've found my long-lost, big, little brother!", in the credits. It doesn't matter that they are secretly blood related, what matters is that they chose to be siblings and connected to each other over the course of Apollo's time at the agency.
As a final wrap up I would like to make a comment about something I noticed about the game as a whole. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney was originally posed as a reboot with no returning characters (besides probably some cameos) this of course did not happen, but something about the game retains this element of being separate from the rest, on the outside looking in. I think this comes from how reflective this game is about Ace Attorney as a series. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney plays close mind to long time Ace Attorney series tropes and puts them on their heads.
The prosecutor is very friendly, the detective is more on your side over anybody else, all of the defendants legitimately do something wrong or illegal, and most of the victims (save Romein LeTouse) also did something wrong or illegal. The most impactful and important trope change is the mentors role in the story. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is centered around your mentor being a bad person. The best part about it is, it not just Kristoph, it's Phoenix too. Phoenix is the biggest example of any of this, he is not just your mentor he is the main character and symbol of justice of the first three games. He is not evil in the way Kristoph is but he is certainly not a good person.
All of these changes are a neat reflection on the series as a whole and what it exists as, but it also adds a lot of complexity to the tropey Ace Attorney character and makes them fresh. Nobody is who they seem or what you expect.
This I will not praise as much since I think it is purely coincidental, I have seen what the writers wrote and will continue to write like, but Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney does not have many typical weird/gross fan service moments at all. I think the only true moment of any of this is Wesley Stickler in Turnabout Corner and his gross thing and that's practically it.
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney does not have moments of women falling to Apollo's feet so the player can feel good about themselves. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney does not try to make Apollo out as this masculine perfect figure. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney does not have random gross moments of fan service and it does not have random moments of bigotry for a quick laugh.
Even within Ace Attorney itself there are moments that I can think to and think back on and go "That was weird and gross, it had no reason to happen". Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney only has one. Do not mistake this as me praising it for a minimum. I think this is my long winded way of saying part of my enjoyment of this game comes from the fact it's not tripping over it's feet to do something aggravating.
There are loose threads that sadly will never be solved by an Apollo Justice 2, which is heartbreaking. The direction the game was heading really could have been interesting, the jurist system was likely supposed to stay, Apollo would truly get to be in focus, Trucy and Apollo would get to learn about their relation, Klavier could have an 1-4 style case or something, but I guess for Capcom it's more fun to throw a new lawyer at the wall and under develop her.
Anyway here's my stupid long review/analysis of Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
Turnabout Trump
-
The first cases in Ace Attorney games are often not extraordinary. Nothing is ever expected of them. They are an introduction to characters and a reintroduction of mechanics.
Turnabout Trump is pretty unanimously loved and seen as the best first case, because despite what was expected of it, it actually tried and delivered an incredible case.
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney exists almost as a subversion of typical Ace Attorney tropes. Characters types that are typically antagonistic are kind and character types that are typically kind are antagonistic.
The clear example here is Kristoph, the mentor turned twist villain, but I think another example is Phoenix himself. Phoenix throughout Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is unkind, unhelpful, and manipulative to Apollo. In my opinion I believe there is more of Phoenix treating Apollo poorly on screen than there is Kristoph treating Apollo poorly on screen. The difference between these characters, though, is of course motive. Kristoph is trying to save his bruised ego, Phoenix is honestly also doing the same, but he is also trying to bring a murderer to justice and reform the legal system for the better.
I fully believe this is Phoenix at his best. He is a worse person and he's not kind, but there's something about on screen seeing how horribly Dahlia and Kristoph treated him and seeing him doing all the same to Kristoph and Apollo. He does truly have a good goal but similar to Kristoph his bruised ego leads him to handing Apollo forged evidence and wrapping him up in everything. Phoenix starts a trend that will be seen throughout the game's defendants, guilt of some actual crime. For Phoenix that is forged evidence and crime scene tampering.
The case itself is wonderful the mystery is fun and of course shocking, and I honestly like this games supernatural aid power, perceiving. I understand where some people's frustration lies, but I liked the feature and it's execution. I think it was a fun approach to focus on the more physiological and physical parts of a testimony.
Besides all that, I don't have much to add to what everyone else has already said: it's one of the best cases in the series.
Turnabout Corner
-
Every Ace Attorney game has an obligatory comfort/charming case that's just plain fun. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney had Turnabout Samurai and Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations had Recipe for Turnabout (it's a guilty pleasure I'll agree with the majority that it sucks). I think Turnabout Corner stands well alongside these two and is honestly the best of them. It's just all around enjoyable, but it also works really well as it's own story and contributes well to the game's overall narrative.
I will apologize for the tangents and ramblings now there is a lot in Turnabout Corner to discuss as it is the introduction for many important characters.
Months after the whirlwind of Turnabout Trump Apollo has been left jobless and is left to return to his last option: Phoenix Wright. I really like how Apollo and Phoenix's relationship to each other is handled in this game and I think it's an absolute shame it gets ignored by many for the sake of fluffy, ignorant, and out of character, found family. Apollo is rightfully upset at Phoenix and only returns to him when Apollo has no other choice.
Before bumping back into Phoenix though, the player and Apollo are given a proper and full introduction to Trucy Wright, a fun, bubbly, sly, child magician. Trucy is easily my favorite of the co-counsel and investigation partner characters. I think she has an incredible depth to her character and she's genuinely very funny. She works very well with every character in the game.
Apollo and Trucy find themselves quickly wrapped up in multiple small mysteries that are all strangely related. Which is a very fun concept for a case and I like the way it builds up and plays out. It starts out with small petty crimes before revealing the central murder.
Following on Turnabout Trump's tail Turnabout Corner also shakes up series foundations with the relationship the player has with the investigative police and the prosecutor. I really love Ema in this game and she's my favorite of the police detectives. I think her bitter attitude fits well with Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney's overall tone, but unlike Gumshoe she is more so working with Apollo and Trucy and wants to help them out once she learns about their relation to Phoenix. I think she's just a joy to see on screen and I like her dumb forensics mini games. Also unlike previous games' Gumshoe, she has a poor relationship with this game's main prosecutor, Klavier, due to his involvement with Phoenix's disbarment.
Klavier, similar to Ema, is also vastly different to the prosecutors before him and is also very likable, and probably the best prosecutor in the series. Ace Attorney is often about the prosecutor's path to working alongside the defense for the sake of justice, but from the beginning Klavier is helpful, kind, and not hostile. Though his character does have some strong depth to it too, he is not instantly trustful of Apollo, although this trust is built up somewhat quickly. Apollo put Klavier's brother (who through subtext and actions we can assume Klavier had a high respect for) in jail. Throughout the beginnings of Turnabout Corner it feels like Klavier is trying to figure out who Apollo is as a person. Once Klavier learns about Apollo's drive and passion for the truth and justice, Klavier learns to place his trust in him. His and Apollo's dynamic is plainly just really good. I think they contrast well with Phoenix and Kristoph and parallel each other quite well.
The case itself is a fun trial and investigation. I really enjoy all the characters here, I like Wocky as a defendant and I like the small arc he goes through with his family. I also really like how he continues the trend of somewhat guilty defendants. Wocky wants to go to jail, he wanted to kill Meraktis. He's not a fully innocent person, but he did not kill anyone.
I think Pal Meraktis is an interesting victim, and I like Alita as culprit. This case does feature the worst character in the whole game, Wesley Stickler, but he is in my opinion the only unlikable character in Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney which is a little impressive.
Overall it's as stated just a fun time. It's mystery is fun to unravel and fitting together just how everything fits together is very satisfying. My memory of playing through this case is overall warm and fluffy, it's high up on my overall case rankings.
Turnabout Serenade
-
Similar to Recipe for Turnabout: It may suck but I like it.
Turnabout Serenade exists for a good reason: more development for Klavier and to introduce Lamiroir and Valant, it does all of these things well.
After a murder at the Gavinners' concert Machi Tobaye is arrested for the murder for Romein LeTouse.
From the beginning the case is on rocky ground because it's very clear that Machi could not be the culprit. Klavier could just be ignorant because he does not want to face the truth: Daryan clearly being the culprit, but it's still a bit silly that others would believe that Machi is the culprit too. This is something that honestly didn't bother me much, it's an Ace Attorney game, but I fully understand other's irritation to it.
Similarly the music video that played constantly was also not much of a bother to me. I understand how it would be annoying to others, but bright orange Klavier Gavin having to pathetically stomp out fire is essential to me.
I think I am overall more forgiving of this case since I'm a sucker for when a case has a good backstory and I honestly loved the smuggling some weird cocoon to cure a disease call incuritis plot. I liked the conflict between Machi, Romein, and Daryan and how Machi truly was guilty of smuggling and he had to admit to that for the best outcome. How Daryan was in contact with and constantly blackmailed/manipulated Machi. The cat mouse case between Romein and Daryan. It's all goofy, but it's an Ace Attorney game and I was having fun.
Despite Klavier's accusations against Machi not being well grounded, I think this is still a strong case for him. It feels like Klavier always knew in his heart that Daryan was at fault and he just did not want to believe it was true. Even before Daryan was starting to be questioned Klavier already had him registered as a witness. Klavier places his trust in Apollo, for Apollo to prove to and convince Klavier what he already knows but doesn't want to face.
Turnabout Succession
-
After I first played Turnabout Succession I was upset and did not like it, but it has really grown on me. I think my main issue was the focus on Phoenix, which I still hold, but I think the case is still really enjoyable despite it's faults.
Another complaint for the game that I see often, but don't have an issue with is the MASON system. I like it's weird techy aesthetics and I found the investigation to be honestly fun. Running around as Phoenix or Apollo and collecting halves of evidence and ideas to bring together into wholes is rewarding.
I liked the case of Phoenix's disbarment a lot. The Gramaryes are honestly fun to deal with and learn about, they sound horrible. I actually really liked the jarring use of the old sprites. It was, as stated jarring, and likely just to save money, but I found it charming and nostalgic (despite the fact I had only just finished the trilogy a week prior). I really love the impact of having to present the evidence you know is going to get Phoenix disbarred and the way it parallels Turnabout Trump with forged evidence. It also is a very strong point for Klavier's character and a good point of drama that will be at the center of the case.
The present day trial is equally enjoyable. I liked digging around the Drew studio and learning about the forgeries and watching everything click into place. I liked the locked room elaborate mystery with a killing that was seven years in the making.
At the center of it all, of course, is Kristoph and Phoenix's ego battle, once again. The reveal of Kristoph's hatred and actions all stemming from a lost poker game and losing Zak as a client, who would later hire Phoenix, feels similar to the story of the Capulets and Montagues' hatred in Romeo and Juliet, which was left unexplained, but has a similar effect: long term violent and destructive hatred for a pathetic reason. Something Phoenix himself has gotten caught up in. Yes he wants his badge back, yes he has seen the failures of the legal system and would like to amend it, but at the lengths he goes to at a point it feels like Phoenix's true goal is to just run laps around Kristoph.
Klavier though is somewhere in the center of this all. He has learned that his brother, who he respects, has been manipulating him for a long time and due to that manipulation Klavier has inadvertently ruined an innocent man's life. Once again like before Klavier relies on Apollo to prove to him and show him the truth. Throughout the game Apollo and Klavier have felt like the core and heart of the cases. They both just bounce off of each other well and they're both just pawns of Phoenix and Kristoph, but through this case it feels like they finally get to succeed them.
Trucy similarly succeeds her father, who abandoned her, and gains the rights to Gramarye performances. Trucy similar to Klavier has been at the heart of everything. Throughout the game she really is a great character and to see her act so strong and goof around despite it all makes her very charming.
As stated before I am still upset that not enough focus was on Apollo he is very central to this case and I like it thematically, but still I think Apollo did not get to experience his own story enough.
Kristoph in the end is defeated by the jurist system. There is no definitive proof for his crimes, but the system has grown to combat him and his actions/word are enough for conviction. I find myself conflicted on this. It feels somewhat anticlimactic and like it could be built up better. Honestly in my mind I wonder if Turnabout Serenade was lost directly because of a lack of evidence, or even better if Kristoph was never jailed in Turnabout Trump because of a lack of evidence would have led to a stronger impact of the jurist system in the final case.
I have neglected to talk about Apollo himself since there is both a lot to say and nothing to say. I do not think he gets enough focus and it seems like he was clearly going to be expanded on more on the Apollo Justice 2 there never sadly was. Despite it all though, he follows the trend of what I have said about Trucy, Ema, and Klavier. He's my favorite player character in the series. I find him to be way more likable and intriguing than Phoenix and I think the hardships he faces are gripping. He would perfectly fit into a loony toons cartoon. He's earnest, funny, charming, and gels well with the other characters. His relationship to Trucy is sweet, and his growing companionship to Klavier is one of the strong points of the game. His passion and rashness to stand up for what he believes in and the fact he punched Phoenix makes him a number one in my books.
During Turnabout Succession we learn that Apollo and Trucy are half-siblings and Lamiroir is Thalassa Gramarye. This is a shocking twist, but is it a good shocking twist, does it add anything? I think it does: in a story about Apollo, Trucy, and Klavier being manipulated at every turn by people they love and trust and Trucy specifically being moved around and harmed horribly by family, I think there's something to her gaining a brother who truly cares. Apollo and Trucy never learn about this, but in regard to Apollo, Trucy charmingly states, "It's like.. like I've found my long-lost, big, little brother!", in the credits. It doesn't matter that they are secretly blood related, what matters is that they chose to be siblings and connected to each other over the course of Apollo's time at the agency.
As a final wrap up I would like to make a comment about something I noticed about the game as a whole. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney was originally posed as a reboot with no returning characters (besides probably some cameos) this of course did not happen, but something about the game retains this element of being separate from the rest, on the outside looking in. I think this comes from how reflective this game is about Ace Attorney as a series. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney plays close mind to long time Ace Attorney series tropes and puts them on their heads.
The prosecutor is very friendly, the detective is more on your side over anybody else, all of the defendants legitimately do something wrong or illegal, and most of the victims (save Romein LeTouse) also did something wrong or illegal. The most impactful and important trope change is the mentors role in the story. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is centered around your mentor being a bad person. The best part about it is, it not just Kristoph, it's Phoenix too. Phoenix is the biggest example of any of this, he is not just your mentor he is the main character and symbol of justice of the first three games. He is not evil in the way Kristoph is but he is certainly not a good person.
All of these changes are a neat reflection on the series as a whole and what it exists as, but it also adds a lot of complexity to the tropey Ace Attorney character and makes them fresh. Nobody is who they seem or what you expect.
This I will not praise as much since I think it is purely coincidental, I have seen what the writers wrote and will continue to write like, but Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney does not have many typical weird/gross fan service moments at all. I think the only true moment of any of this is Wesley Stickler in Turnabout Corner and his gross thing and that's practically it.
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney does not have moments of women falling to Apollo's feet so the player can feel good about themselves. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney does not try to make Apollo out as this masculine perfect figure. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney does not have random gross moments of fan service and it does not have random moments of bigotry for a quick laugh.
Even within Ace Attorney itself there are moments that I can think to and think back on and go "That was weird and gross, it had no reason to happen". Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney only has one. Do not mistake this as me praising it for a minimum. I think this is my long winded way of saying part of my enjoyment of this game comes from the fact it's not tripping over it's feet to do something aggravating.
There are loose threads that sadly will never be solved by an Apollo Justice 2, which is heartbreaking. The direction the game was heading really could have been interesting, the jurist system was likely supposed to stay, Apollo would truly get to be in focus, Trucy and Apollo would get to learn about their relation, Klavier could have an 1-4 style case or something, but I guess for Capcom it's more fun to throw a new lawyer at the wall and under develop her.