Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 48 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 48
  2. Negative: 0 out of 48
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  1. Sep 14, 2021
    100
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles isn’t just a reminder of why the series as a whole is beloved, but also a reaffirmation that video games can be capable of so much more as an entertainment medium. Straddling the line somewhere between book and interactive movie, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles takes players through case after case packed with wonderful characters, stories, and clever brain teasers. Although adventure games/visual novels aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, if you’ve been looking to try one for the first time or give them another shot, this is the game. The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a blast.
  2. Jul 28, 2021
    100
    All of it comes together in a finale that ties everything neatly together and, even compared to its predecessors, simply astounds in the sheer audacity of who and what exactly you are facing. If asked, therefore, whether The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles (as a complete package) is the best game in the franchise, I can really offer no objections. I rest my case.
  3. Jul 27, 2021
    100
    By far the most polished and interesting Ace Attorney title to date. It perfects the formula and offers a compelling narrative that bridges not just one but two games. The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a masterpiece of "Courtroom drama" and one in which fans and non-fans will find a stunning experience. Heartily recommended to not only Switch owners but to anyone who owns a console on which the collection will release!
  4. Jul 26, 2021
    100
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles surpasses its forebears and, hopefully, sets the stage for what's to come. It tells a more intimate and engaging set of stories, refreshes the well-established mechanics with just a handful of new additions, and takes the series' writing to an even higher level. Sure, it likes to linger over itself a bit too frequently, but in return, you get a superb set of adventures and storytelling, unlike almost anything else.
  5. Jul 26, 2021
    100
    Like with all of the best gaming experiences, I ended my time with The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles feeling satisfied… yet painfully empty. Games this special don’t come out often. I was sad to see it eventually end, yet honored to be a part of the adventure.
  6. 95
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is simply a fantastic package that feels great to finally be able to play. Despite a few struggles with the franchise’s constant challenge of toeing the line between its story and gameplay, Great Ace Attorney feels like a series highlight. Ace Attorney as a whole feels like it’s in limbo now since we’re now four years past a brand new game being released in any territory, but hopefully this long-awaited localization is a sign of things to come. The Great Ace Attorney may not technically be a new game, but it’s still just as good as I would expect a brand new Ace Attorney to be after half a decade’s wait.
  7. Jul 26, 2021
    95
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is the best game in this beloved series, and you owe it to yourself to play it.
  8. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Oct 7, 2021
    90
    If you've never played any of the Ace Attorney titles before, this is an excellent place to start – but it's also a good example of how far we've come since the franchise first was released in the West over 15 years ago! With all the smooth 3D visuals, the excellent music, the extensively researched setting and the great cast of characters, it's leaps and bounds ahead of the original Ace Attorney trilogy, and the story shines just as brightly as the original. If not brighter! [Issue #54 – September 2021, p. 69]
  9. Sep 9, 2021
    90
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a fantastic duology that visual novel and mystery fans will love. It’s also a great starting point for newcomers in the Ace Attorney franchise. With strong writing and deep, yet fun characters, this bundle will keep you engaged for every minute of its 50-60 hour runtime.
  10. Jul 29, 2021
    90
    Showing no signs of slowing down, these two most recent entries in the Ace Attorney series present a strong enough story, and enough great new characters and mechanics to make the titles feel as fresh as ever. The time period makes for some interesting twists and the earnest protagonist and rookie-lawyer Ryunosuke is a delight thanks to witty writing and fantastic presentation. A series high point and a great entry for newcomers to boot.
  11. 90
    You don't need to have played any other Phoenix Wright games to enjoy The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles. It is related to the broader franchise (Ryūnosuke is the ancestor to Phoenix), but it's a completely separate adventure. The historical context makes Ryūnosuke's adventure particularly compelling, but even if you're just looking to let that wash over you and be entertained, there's enough humour and style to The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles that the only real problem with it is that it outstays its welcome by just a little too much.
  12. Jul 27, 2021
    90
    Great use of its setting along with the usual dose of charm, humor, smart writing, and a great cast of characters help The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles deliver an incredibly strong package, one that ends up being well worth the very long wait.
  13. Jul 26, 2021
    90
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is well worth your time, offering one of the most compelling stories on the Switch. It’s refined, charming, and engaging, and a great experience for newcomers and fans of the Ace Attorney franchise alike.
  14. 90
    Whether you're a newcomer to the franchise or a longtime fan, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles offers something for you. Newcomers will find an excellent entry point into the series, as it does not rely on any prior knowledge. Meanwhile, longtime fans will find yet another quality Ace Attorney adventure, at least on par with the best the series has offered thus far.
  15. Jul 26, 2021
    90
    I understand visual novels aren’t for everyone, but it’s hard to find a reason not to suggest The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles to even the most ardent visual novel skeptics. With an excellent story, fun characters, and an amazing soundtrack, it really is an excellent game well worth the time spent playing. It does feel a bit derivative of other games in the series, and whether that is good or not depends on how much one enjoys the other games. Still, if you have not had a chance to enjoy the world of Ace Attorney before, I highly recommend picking up The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles for the Nintendo Switch and giving this legal gem a try.
  16. Jul 26, 2021
    90
    The presentation, humor, and beginner-friendly gameplay makes this game an absolute joy to play. However, some of the scenarios in the court cases were sometimes hard to follow.
  17. Jul 26, 2021
    90
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is two brilliant games for the price of one, and it not only gives us more of what we love, but gives us something that is visually, narratively, and historically deeper than ever before. There's a bit of a learning curve that you'll have to get on top of to meet the game where it's at, but honestly, we couldn't have asked for a better version of the game we've been wanting for years.
  18. Jul 26, 2021
    90
    We enjoyed very much meeting the origins of the legacy of Phoenix Wright in this compilation of two titles that got released only in Japan back in the Nintendo 3DS era. Also, Herlock Sholmes is the absolute best.
  19. Jul 26, 2021
    90
    It’s a crime that The Great Ace Attorney and its sequel took so long to come to the West. The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles bundles in two of the best games in the franchise to date, its improved graphical fidelity setting a new bar for the series. Chronicles doesn’t add much in the way of extra content, but it’s hard to improve on something that was already so good. The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve is the crowning Jewel in this particular bundle, but even Adventures is a must-play for any Ace Attorney fan.
  20. Jul 26, 2021
    90
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles as a unified duology really captures everything that draws players into this series in the first place.
  21. Jul 26, 2021
    90
    There are many titles like The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles which never get localized for more fans to enjoy, and although it took six years, it’s safe to say it was worth waiting for. Perhaps the best part is regardless of one’s history with the series, anyone can give this entry a try as it’s a proper prequel that requires no prior knowledge in order to dive into right off the bat.
  22. Jul 26, 2021
    90
    With its strong cast of characters, complicated and compelling cases, and a good combination of new and classic elements in a good, lengthy prequel story, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a courtroom drama I couldn’t put down till I saw the mystery through to the end.
  23. Jul 26, 2021
    90
    The chemistry between the main characters is electric, and pacing issues aside, there's just no denying the narrative strength of both games as a complete package. Even with the absence of Phoenix Wright, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a bold step forward for the series and a crystallization of what makes it so special.
  24. Jul 26, 2021
    90
    The Great Ace Attorney feels like a passion project where Shu Takumi gets to explore his interests in Japanese history and classic literature, while developing a new cast with no baggage. His team also gets to flex their muscles with improved technology and a bigger budget, providing a keen sense of style that’s unlike anything else in the series. It shakes up the foundation of the Ace Attorney formula with a gripping story bolstered by interesting mechanical improvements. While Ryunosuke and Susato have a clear, contained story across the two games I would love to see more of their adventures in the future.
  25. Jul 26, 2021
    88
    Two of the best entries in this excellent series finally make it to the West, even if its missing the translation to other languages like Spanish.
  26. Jul 26, 2021
    86
    The new hero is likeable immediately. With exciting cases, enormous length and witty dialogue we have little to object here. The investigation with Herlock Sholmes falls flat compared to the trial scenes though.
  27. Aug 17, 2021
    85
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a wonderful package that will provide plenty of laughs and thrills for fans of mysteries, adventures, and visual novels. The situations and scenes make a successful leap to the big screen, and there are enough new gameplay elements to engage longtime fans without making them miss their favorite characters from previous Ace Attorney games.
  28. Aug 16, 2021
    85
    Writing a review of The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is something I never thought I’d get to do, but I am so glad that Capcom decided to take a chance in bringing these two exceptional stories to the West. Despite its status as an offshoot from the main franchise and a heavy reliance on very specific settings, it might even represent the best opportunity to delve into this wonderfully quirky and original series thanks to excellent quality-of-life improvements and slick presentation. Longtime fans have surely bought it already, but The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a fantastic pickup for anyone looking for a good yarn coming from a series filled with them.
  29. Aug 9, 2021
    85
    This game represented a fresh take on the series and the introduction of Sherlock Holmes and the new settings make this a must for fans.
  30. 85
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles brings together two volumes of one magnificent story that no Ace Attorney fan should miss. The characters are fantastically kooky, the plot is as compelling as ever, and the writing is the series at its funniest. While there are some minor pacing issues with some of the cases, it’s a fantastic package for fans both new and old.
  31. Jul 26, 2021
    85
    Although it can be tough at times to jump into an era that you’re unfamiliar with, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles masterfully offers all of the gameplay you’d hope for without leaning on other iterations for story content.
  32. Aug 9, 2021
    83
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a solid package, retaining the charm and entertainment of previous entries. It's not the series’ best, but there’s plenty to keep you entertained as you work your way through case after case. The new scenery and characters made things feel fresh, but playing another Ace Attorney game also felt a bit like coming home.
  33. Jul 26, 2021
    83
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles are a slight departure from the regular groove, but will give fans of the series something to flex those muscles of deduction. If you're looking to solve some crimes with a little bit of flair, and are ready to see yourself reflected in a protagonist whose eyes definitely convey a panic we've all felt, then this collection might be for you.
  34. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 17, 2022
    80
    The biggest change compared to other parts of the law series is the setting in England and the presence of Herlock Sholmes. Otherwise, it's still the same, and really great, adventure full of dialogues, specific humor and characters.
  35. Aug 16, 2021
    80
    This judicial detective story will require a lot of attention and language skills in order to fully appreciate all its features, but if you can do that, you’re going to be thrilled.
  36. Edge Magazine
    Aug 14, 2021
    80
    This is a game with great characters, and of great character. [Issue#362, p.106]
  37. 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.
  38. Aug 4, 2021
    80
    It feels fantastic to finally play The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles; it was just as amazing as any fan would expect out of the series. The dev team has continuously created wildly clever and hilariously punny titles up to this point, and The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is no exception. Although I do feel that there is a bit more hand-holding in this series than previous games, it shouldn’t give any fans pause. In fact, if you are a fan, there’s literally no reason not to buy this game, and if you’re new to the series, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is mechanically well-suited to be your first foray into the franchise. When it comes down to it, playing The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is simply elementary — no objections here.
  39. Jul 29, 2021
    80
    The Great Ace Attorney is a must for fans of the series. The challenge was twofold. On the one hand, to build two video games (ten cases in total) with a completely new cast of characters. On the other hand, to justify a historical context when telling a story based on dialectical battles in the courts in the middle of the nineteenth century. And it has succeeded. With a fantastically written story, it presents irregularities in their rhythm and an excess of lines of text at certain moments, though. Both games feel current, fresh and give meaning to their existence as canonical content. They are high-level visual novels, with Shu Takumi showing his best narrative skills at times. That it does not come in Spanish is a pity; therefore, if the language barrier is not a problem for you, you have here a long journey difficult to forget.
  40. Jul 26, 2021
    80
    For every fan out there who were passionately waiting for the chance to play a localized version of Shu Takumi's last games this is a true celebration. The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is an engrossing and fun adventure with a unique settings, and a familiar, yet completely new cast of characters.
  41. Jul 26, 2021
    80
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a must-play for fans of the series and anyone interested in visual novels.
  42. Jul 26, 2021
    80
    An adventure that, despite some heaviness in the text and rhythm, offers a very pleasant taste.
  43. Jul 26, 2021
    80
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles reunites, at last for westerners, two very good games, probably among the best of the franchise. Capcom lets us discover exciting cases, brilliantly written, and some memorable characters. Not very difficult, but indeed very joyful. A must-have for fans and a maybe the best way to discover this amazing franchise.
  44. Jul 26, 2021
    80
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a brilliant pair of enthralling adventures. Whether you're getting back into Ace Attorney or are a first-timer looking for a brilliant courtroom drama with twists and suspense, this game is a great shout. With pleasantly surprising depth and characters that'll stick in your mind after you're all done, this is a game that drives you through an adventure with a consistent level of action and dialogue that'll make you smile almost constantly, and loudly chuckle with great regularity.
  45. Jul 26, 2021
    80
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is an exemplary collection that has a lot to offer fans of courtroom dramas, slice of life anime, historical documentaries, and puzzle games.
  46. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Sep 3, 2021
    77
    Prequel duology took a long time to reach Western players and it shows, especially since the graphics were originally created for 3DS. But hey, it’s more Ace Attorney with the same humor and the new setting! [Issue#254, p.42]
  47. Aug 2, 2021
    75
    In other words, even if The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles has “Ace Attorney” right there in its name, it’s not the Ace Attorney that you may be expecting. This game finds the series branching off into a new and different direction, and as I said up top, it’s not inherently good different or bad different, just different-different.
  48. Jul 26, 2021
    70
    Franchise fans should be psyched to get the two Great Ace Attorney games, and in a polished package. It won’t change your mind about these titles one way or the other, unless you have a strong feeling about the period-piece setting. But it does what it sets out to do.
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.
  1. Jul 26, 2021
    Capcom shakes up the formula slightly for this enjoyable historical romp rooted in real-life events. [Eurogamer Recommended]
  2. Jul 26, 2021
    Thankfully, the story is entertaining. It features a large cast of likable characters, including the eccentric-but-brilliant Herlock Sholmes. You play as Ryunosuke Naruhodo, a Japanese student who travels to Britain to become a lawyer, and it is fun watching him go from a meek, uncertain character to a determined, competent lawyer. I just wish it would get on with it sometimes. Dialogue drives these games, I know, but sometimes characters seem to chat forever before I’m allowed to do anything meaningful myself.
  3. Jul 29, 2021
    As a largely standalone prequel, Chronicles is a great starting point for new players, but it also might just be the best that Ace Attorney has to offer. It has shocking twists, lovable characters, and the unmatched joy that comes from solving a complex crime. And with 10 meaty chapters to play through, it’ll keep you busy at least until the end of summer.
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 262 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 47 out of 262
  1. 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 everHey 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! Full Review »
  2. Jul 28, 2021
    10
    Objection! You don’t want to miss this game! Finally after waiting 6 years we have the english dubbed version. It’s honestly the best game toObjection! You don’t want to miss this game! Finally after waiting 6 years we have the english dubbed version. It’s honestly the best game to get on the switch this year. It’s witty, charming and full of mysteries waiting to be solved. The price is perfect for the two games you get. A 10/10 visual novel & adventure game. Full Review »
  3. Aug 2, 2021
    10
    I've played all the other ace attorney games, and I loved these as a fan of the series. The new mechanics for this spin-off were fun additionsI've played all the other ace attorney games, and I loved these as a fan of the series. The new mechanics for this spin-off were fun additions to the traditional formula the games in this series. I'm recommending this to everyone I know! Full Review »