The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

 PC
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 127 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 105 out of 127
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 127
  3. Negative: 19 out of 127

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  1. JohnPhoenixWins
    May 9, 2023
    10
    Hey look the review bomber's gone! He must've gotten embarrassed after being badassily exposed as a loser stinkyface by the best OC who ever lived! Ha ha ha! John Phoenix triumphs yet again!
  2. TianLong1
    Mar 31, 2023
    10
    Awesome game taking place in 20th century Japan, with great cast of characters and new game mechanics to uncover the truth. Trials are eventful and thrilling as ever, and the story is full of mysteries and plot twists. Soundtrack still rocking.
  3. Fuz
    Aug 8, 2021
    9
    I am very, VERY impressed with how refined the options and customization is. Didn't expect that from a Japanese game (they're usually quite far behind in this regard). Complete keyboard rebind, keyboard shortcuts for everything, tons of graphical customization, spoken language selection, multiple save slots - everything. Excellent work.
    Its got the usual Ace Attorney quirks and humour    I am very, VERY impressed with how refined the options and customization is. Didn't expect that from a Japanese game (they're usually quite far behind in this regard). Complete keyboard rebind, keyboard shortcuts for everything, tons of graphical customization, spoken language selection, multiple save slots - everything. Excellent work.
    Its got the usual Ace Attorney quirks and humour (which I really like), the usual slowness in getting to the point at the beginnings (LET ME PLAY GODDAMMIT) and I'm pleased to see this time there's a log that you can go back to (I accidentaly skip text by mistake since I activated the "free skip" option because I always hated how slow text is in AA games).
    The protagonist is... ok? I thought I would have liked him more, but I bloody hate how he darts his eyes left and right and how he raises his hand like a schoolboy. His friend is kind of smug/annoying. I might change my mind about this eventually, I just started it.
    Animations are cool and all, but I still prefer 2D over this 3D which is a little cheap and low poly.    … Expand
  4. TheBigNarwhal
    Aug 2, 2021
    9
    Made an account just to offset the inexplicable review bombing.

    All the new mechanics introduced are great (having a jury in the court room, Sholmes' deductions) and the flow of the game is improved by having a different setup in almost every case (in terms of structure, only the last two cases have the investigation + trial). The music is absolutely amazing, and the characters are very    Made an account just to offset the inexplicable review bombing.

    All the new mechanics introduced are great (having a jury in the court room, Sholmes' deductions) and the flow of the game is improved by having a different setup in almost every case (in terms of structure, only the last two cases have the investigation + trial). The music is absolutely amazing, and the characters are very memorable.

    Only real drawback is: sometimes it's apparent that this was originally a 3DS game. Some animations and textures are clearly holdovers from then, and they look a little janky (especially a lot of the motion captured animation; it's not the best fit for these character designs). Also, if you're used to playing Ace Attorney games on DS emulators, it's a little jarring to need to click on tiny Present and Court Record buttons instead of having big flashy icons in the corners of the screen (since this port was intended for use with a controller).

    Other than those two quibbles though, this is an excellent port. I can only hope that 456 and the Investigation titles get the same treatment someday.    … Expand
  5. jonathanphoenix
    Oct 28, 2022
    10
    Another masterpiece by Capcom and Shu Takumi. The only people that hate this game are babies like "Junior"95!
  6. Cafajeste
    Jan 7, 2022
    10
    Finally finished this and loved every second of it. They subvert a lot of past Ace Attorney tropes and give the series a much needed breath of fresh air, which imo had hit a wall post Apollo Justice. I'd say both games combined are as good, if not better than the original trilogy. I would love to see these characters return for more adventures.
  7. Doovid_
    Aug 2, 2021
    10
    A really great game in the Ace Attorney series! I don't get why the score is kind of low here, it must've been review bombing.
  8. TheGreatConst
    Aug 7, 2021
    9
    It's an awesome game, one of the best in the series, and is a must-have for anyone who likes detective stories.

    It seems that someone rigged the score, it doesn't make any freaking sense. There's only one written bad review and 32 non-written ones, where admins are looking?
  9. PeteMurray
    Mar 26, 2022
    10
    Like me old grandpappy once said, "when ya witness a review bombing ya do yer civic duty and drown the mug out." Whoever went n' did that should flip 90 degrees onto the floor! Da-ha-ha-ha!
  10. donenilo
    Aug 2, 2021
    10
    Absolutely brilliant, with quite possibly the best writing in the entire series and an eargasmic soundtrack that sends you shivers and hype in key moments, and tranquility and cheeriness in the mundane ones. Any fan owes it to themselves to experience this game's story.
  11. noisseboi
    Aug 2, 2021
    10
    These two games are one of the best in the series, they have great soundtrack, charecters and story. Most of the negative reviews are either salty because of one of the character's xenophobic remarks or they aren't familiar with the series at all.
  12. Wily
    Aug 13, 2021
    10
    This game is easily one of the best ace attorney games of all time. With an amazing soundtrack, characters, story and gameplay, there's really not much to criticise with it at all.
  13. racixo6939
    Aug 13, 2021
    10
    Without a doubt one of the best ace attorney games out. No idea whats up with all the negative reviews :(
  14. Monoworth
    Aug 2, 2021
    10
    the 2nd game is so much better than the 1st so please stick around for it but the 1st game has some really good cases like 3,4 and 5. The characters have so much personality, with fun mystery's and a great overarching plot linking every case together, these games are such brilliant storytelling! Would recommend to all who are into this genre!
  15. BigFrank1
    Aug 2, 2021
    10
    Don't understand the negative reviews at all. The game is amazing. Probably it's just crybabies still salty that capcom decided to make most of their e3 presentation about this game.
  16. Polsen96
    Aug 2, 2021
    9
    Two of the best Ace Attorney games ever with a decent PC port, barring the unjustified CPU usage and the 30 fps cap
  17. dejejj
    Aug 3, 2021
    10
    banger soundtrack, and had great twists along the way. A must play for any ace attorney fans, but also a fantastic starting point for anyone wanting to get into the series.
  18. dark-phoenix
    Jan 7, 2022
    10
    Awesome game and definitely my favorite in the series, you can tell that a lot of love was put into this and it pays off.
  19. TakingOver
    Aug 14, 2021
    10
    Awesome game. The plot is incredible, OST is amazing and it has Trilogy's spirit with something new to the series. 30 FPS lock is a problem, but it can be fixed, so it's not serious I think
  20. teenagedreams
    Jan 7, 2022
    10
    This game didn't deserve to get review bombed by trolls :/ Wtf Metacritic. This is Ace Attorney at its best.
  21. SwanOnFire
    Aug 2, 2021
    10
  22. RealGamerX4
    Aug 14, 2021
    10
    Отличная часть серии, в хорошем сеттинге, по которому, увы, особо игр нету, но каждая игра на вес золота. И это - яркий тому пример. Рекомендую однозначно
  23. DoritoHD
    Oct 4, 2022
    10
    The best game in the Ace Attorney series, Adventures and Resolve together are one of the best stories I've ever experienced. The soundtrack is perfect, there are new mechanics added to trials and investigation segments which enhance the pacing a lot. I couldn't recommend it more.
  24. JimmyKater
    Aug 9, 2021
    8
    The Great Ace Attorney is a prequel to the Ace Attorney series and is created by Ace Attorney mastermind Shi Takumi. It feels like a part of the original trilogy but with better graphics and some new features.

    Story: The story starts in Meiji Era japan and quickly changes to the main location: victorian London. The protagonist is an ancestor of Phoenix Wright, who wants to study the    The Great Ace Attorney is a prequel to the Ace Attorney series and is created by Ace Attorney mastermind Shi Takumi. It feels like a part of the original trilogy but with better graphics and some new features.

    Story:
    The story starts in Meiji Era japan and quickly changes to the main location: victorian London. The protagonist is an ancestor of Phoenix Wright, who wants to study the British Law system to improve the young law system in Japan. This story connects the short, good-written case stories and shapes the characters and giving them a higher goal then just wanting to be a good lawyer. Since the story is around 1900 there a some interesting settings, characters and dialouge. The characters are nicely witten and everyone is having their own quirks like in the other entries of the series, The impressive writting is one of the best part of the games and among the best in the series.
    One special thing is that the games is discussing heavy topics like institutional racism or if an attorney should defend people who might be guilty. The player is confronted with prosecuters, wittnesses and jury members who are working against the protagonist simply because he is japanese.

    Graphic/Style:
    There are no longer 2D backgrounds and character sprites, like in the original trilogy. Every place is a 3D modell in which the camera can change its position. Some new features use this, like the new deduction mode. It is the same for the characters that are in 3D now. But mainly the player is having the same view on scenes like in the previous entries of Ace Attorney. The new sytle gives room for better animated character-quirks and more investigation features.

    Gameplay:
    Good old Ace Attorney with some new features. There is a jury now that can be cross exermined and there a multiple witnesses in the stand at the same time. With the NPC Herlock Sholmes the player can now enter an new deduction mode to investigate scenes. It is fun but I hoped for more improvements... It is more or less the same mechanics like in the first 2001 Ace Attorney with all of it flaws: You are presenting a knife as evidence? Oh no punishment, you need to present the photo of the knife. You want to show that the two statements contradict each other? Oh no punishment, you need first to press the statments before you can contradict exact the same. The player is not even given the chance to explain why he does something or not. There are even parts, where you cant enter a solution, because to pogress you have to stupidly press everything that was said until a new evidence is showing up. That is a bit frustrating for a 2015 (or 2021) game.

    PC Port:
    Here are good and bad parts. Bad things are that the framerate is locked to 30FPS, that PS4 controllers are not correctly supported (They just could have used the contoller config and symbols of the PS4 version (like SMT3 HD Remaster). Dafault setting is window-mode (like in almost every japanes game PC Port) and the mouse icon does not disapear if you are using a controller. Every side character is just using ther upscaled 3DS modells so lack of detail a bit.
    The good things are that you can completly change the keyboard binding, the improved graphics over the 3DS and bonus features, like a gallery with concept art and music, with commentary of the creators. The main characters got improved modells so they are looking better than in the 3DS version.

    Soundtrack:
    BEST. SOUNDTRACK. IN. THE. SERIES.
    I say that, Shu Takumi is saying that... It is a fact. If I would use the soundtrack in a court as evidence everyone would agree that the OST is in fact super awesome.    … Expand
  25. wright_and_left
    Dec 3, 2021
    10
    Ace Attorney is my favorite series of all time so I'm super biased, but this is easily one of the best additions to the series. Nearly all of the cases are great, and you'll be intrigued by the very first case.

    9.75/10
  26. zmcqueen
    Jul 30, 2021
    3
    The writing treats the player like a child, and I just have no patience for that.

    Frequently you're presented with a new, potentially interesting idea only to have the next full minute of dialog be a blatant rehashing of the one idea, breaking down what it means in plain English multiple times. That happens any time anything new is presented to the player, at least up until I stopped    The writing treats the player like a child, and I just have no patience for that.

    Frequently you're presented with a new, potentially interesting idea only to have the next full minute of dialog be a blatant rehashing of the one idea, breaking down what it means in plain English multiple times. That happens any time anything new is presented to the player, at least up until I stopped playing.

    This may actually be a great game if you're learning English or have occasional issues with reading comprehension, but I can't recommend it for anyone else.    … Expand
  27. EditorGX
    Aug 13, 2021
    3
    The great ace attorney series is a mystery game that plays itself and is a major letdown for long time fans as it's head scratching mysteries are no where to be found in this entry.

    I will say as a game, this port of a 3Ds title is competently made, as a collection I'd say it's what we'd come to expect from the people at Capcom. There's no technical issues to be found the music, character    The great ace attorney series is a mystery game that plays itself and is a major letdown for long time fans as it's head scratching mysteries are no where to be found in this entry.

    I will say as a game, this port of a 3Ds title is competently made, as a collection I'd say it's what we'd come to expect from the people at Capcom. There's no technical issues to be found the music, character design, and localized dialogue is all up to the quality we've come to expect from this series. However that's where my praise for the game ends. As the game, in its core gameplay, is severely lacking. There's no challange to ever solve the mystery of "what happened" as the great ace Attorney seems to go out of its way to make things as easy as possible for the player. Bringing up a mystery for the case, only to immidaltey hand you a peice of evidence that anyone over the age of 10 would be able to figure out the significance of what it means. At times you will even be handed a peice of evidence and then immidaltey told what to do with it by your assistant, that being invesitagte it or present it. I think the best way to outline the core problem the game has with approaching it's mysteries can be found in its new mechanic, which is watching for characters reactions to certian statements during cross examinations. On its surface it sounds interesting, Ace Attorney Apollo Justice on the Nintendo DS had a simmilar such mechanic that many people enjoyed. However the two aren't comparable, as any and all forms of subtly have been removed. When this "mechanic" is activated, the game will play an audio que of them shouting, put a "!" Over the characters icon, and have them go into an extremely obvious nervous animation that will have them flailing their arms around biting on an object. Turning this "mechanic" into a quick time event with no time limit making it nearly impossible to miss.

    Final Verdict: Guilty of being a boring visual novel disguised as a mystery game.    … Expand
  28. Junior95
    Oct 8, 2022
    3
    Very disappointing game i used to love the Ace Attorney games but now they have become a shell of their former self. For anyone new just ignore these new games and play the original trilogy instead!
  29. DickPain
    Mar 7, 2023
    2
    I'm six hours into the game and it's an excruciating bore, I've not had to make a single interesting nor challenging decision. The characters, writing and pacing is tedious. The puzzles can barely be called puzzles since the characters tell you exactly what to do. Sitting through long stretches of text, with no choices about what to do barely makes this a game at all. Click on everythingI'm six hours into the game and it's an excruciating bore, I've not had to make a single interesting nor challenging decision. The characters, writing and pacing is tedious. The puzzles can barely be called puzzles since the characters tell you exactly what to do. Sitting through long stretches of text, with no choices about what to do barely makes this a game at all. Click on everything in the room. Now do exactly what I say. Etc. This is a shame because I'm a big fan of the previous games which had great puzzles, writing and pacing. This one, after six hours, is a bore.… Expand
  30. SkyJuce
    Aug 7, 2021
    7
    No additional subtitles options available..... I not proficient in English so this game quite challenging to me to play the game in limited language option available.

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best PC Game of 2021
74
#74 Most Discussed PC Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Adventure Gamers
    Oct 27, 2021
    100
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is two deduction-based adventure games in one, set over a hundred years prior to the original Phoenix Wright trilogy. With improved graphics, fun new characters and enthralling cases to solve, it more than lives up to the legacy of its classic predecessors.
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  2. GameSpot
    Aug 12, 2021
    80
    This is an impressively complete story. By the end of Resolve, I felt like all of the plot threads had been tied up; that questions that had lingered, some for almost 80 hours, had been answered. While Chronicles moves too slowly at times--especially during the Adventures half--the payoff at the end is worth the wait.
    Read full review
  3. LevelUp
    Aug 5, 2021
    90
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is Capcom's best opportunity to bring us 2 of the best titles in the series. This is a fantastic package filled with meaningful content: 10 main chapters with a solid script, unexpected twists and a story that, taken together, is interesting and drives you to know more. The period setting and the care taken in integrating geopolitical elements are excellent details. Investigative scenes, deduction sequences, the ability to examine the evidence, and the attention to detail when pressuring witnesses are all too much fun, plus the addition of a jury and the possibility Interrogating multiple witnesses at once puts a fresh spin on the series.
    Read full review
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