It’s been over a decade since I first found myself wrapped up in the puzzling mysteries of Ace Attorney on my trusty Nintendo DS. Back then, I was just a kid discovering the joy and challenge of these visual novel games for the first time. One character in particular stuck with me through it all: Miles Edgeworth. So you can imagine my excitement when news broke that his solo spin-off adventures would finally be coming to modern consoles in the Investigations Collection.
For years, Edgeworth’s story remained unfinished for me. While I played the translated fan patch of the sequel, it was leagues away from the polished localization the game deserved. At last, I would get to experience Prosecutor’s Gambit in its intended form, alongside its predecessor. More than that, returning to these investigations meant reuniting with an old friend. As much as I love Phoenix Wright, Edgeworth was always the most fascinating member of the Ace Attorney cast to me. Getting to see life through his eyes while sharpening my deduction skills sounded too good to be true.
But now, thanks to Capcom’s dedication to fans, the impossible has become reality. I was beyond ready to dive back in and explore more of what makes Edgeworth tick. Most of all, I looked forward to spending time with him and the colorful supporting players like Gumshoe and Kay once more. It felt momentous to reach this full-circle conclusion, completing my adventures with Miles Edgeworth after over a decade of waiting. The investigations were back on, and I couldn’t wait to get started.
Stepping into Edgeworth’s Shoes
One of the first things you notice when booting up an Investigations game is just how far these spinoffs take strides from the main series. Gone is the isolating first-person view, replaced by full movement freedoms to properly step into Edgeworth’s leather Oxfords. Flitting between static screens is retired too, with venues now bleeding’ with atmosphere to get tangled up in. It’s just begging you to pick every location clean for any clues, and thankfully the quality-of-life signs make sure you leave not a speck of dust undiscovered.
With this newfound range of motion come opportunities to revamp how you roll. Now it’s logic time, stringing’ those thoughts of Eddy’s into coherent theories. This deduction doohickey clicks like a charm, satisfyingly piecing’ each puzzle together without handholding. Likewise, while Mind Chess isn’t for everyone, building’ advantages to break witnesses keeps things clicking’ along at a fair clip.
As for the standard cross-examination’, small polishes smooth out the rougher edges. That said, leaps in reason remain, so those popcorn brains won’t be calmed. Still, with Edgeworth leading’ his own line of questioning’, progress pierces uncertainties sharper than ever.
Of course, not everything hits the high notes. Lack of a proper judge means wild stabs in the dark don’t get slapped down like they oughta. Meanwhile, while courtroom drama enlivens Ace Attorney’s essence, Investigations finds its own rhythm outside those four walls. Sure, climaxes here sometimes feel familiar, yet each case packs just enough punchy plot twists to satiate.
Overall, these twists on tradition transform how the law is served while retaining’ what makes the series so darn rewatchable. With Edgeworth as your guide, unwinding’ mysteries gets…well, mysteriouser than before! Fans of character studies rejoice too—getting’ in this prosecutor’s head serves up more depth than any attorney could muster. So don’tcha know—it’s high time you slip into Miles’ stylish shoes for some top-notch defendant-baiting’!
Peeling Back the Prosecutor’s Layers
What truly elevates Investigations is its nuanced portrayal of Miles Edgeworth. While always a fan favorite, here we peel back the prosecutor’s layers to find the man beneath the bluster. Through Edgeworth, we glimpse struggles with guilt, doubts, and the burden of his legacy in a way no other entry has dared.
Edgeworth’s prickly rivalry with Phoenix Wright painted an incomplete picture—until now. We learn the unvarnished truth of his past, warped by a manipulative mentor, and see how enlightenment came through defending the very lawyers he once tore down. No character in Ace Attorney has felt so fully realized.
Side characters like Gumshoe and Faraday are no slouches either. Gumshoe’s bumbling yet big-hearted demeanor plays off Edgeworth’s barbs perfectly. Through their sarcastic bond, glimpses of empathy emerge from Miles. Meanwhile, the fiery yet empathetic Faraday brings levity and plays mind chess of her own with Gumshoe.
Even antagonists like smuggling ring leader Simon Keyes or byzantine prosecutor Nicoletta Andros feel lived-in. Their schemes twist Edgeworth’s morals while their pasts become tragically clear. Rarely does a visual novel offer cast this nuanced and true-to-life.
Through it all shines Miles Edgeworth, shedding his prosecutor’s mask to reveal the flawed, feeling man within. No longer satisfied as an instrument of the law, he strives to do right by it. Investigations prove character-driven storytelling remains this series’ greatest strength, with Edgeworth leading the way.
Following the investigations’ threads
Where the main series shone brightest within court’s hallowed halls, Investigations opts to shine a light on proceedings of a different nature. By removing the traditional focus on dramatic courtroom climaxes, the spin-offs craft cases that flow like mysteries ought; each piece falls neatly into place as the timeline is followed.
While the original Investigations stumbles in its unchronological pacing at points, both games excel at weaving greater plots between their chapters. The smuggling ring of the first and the inquisition of the second hang together far more cohesively than even Dual Destinies’ lofty attempts. And with briefer testimonies separating the investigations themselves, transitions feel smoother still.
Naturally, not all mysteries are created equal. Some fizzle where others pop, such as lackluster early cases building to slam-dunk latter spectacles. Airport antics soar with intrigue, whereas snacking detectives ground frustrations. Yet even where plots peter are gems, like a theme park’s cheeky trickeries or a psychedelic finale’s beautiful callbacks and twists.
Most triumphant of all stands Investigations 2, tying myriad loose ends in a gloriously satisfying knot. From unveiling blackened secrets of the past to honoring beloved characters of the past, its storytelling mastery marks these investigations’ shining peak. Some clamor for courtbusting bombast, yet its tight weaving of moments both major and microscopic elevates it among the greats.
Bringing the Investigations to Life
One area where the investigations truly shine is in breathing new life into their world. Gone are cramped visual novel screens, replaced by expressive HD screens bursting with personality. From Edgeworth’s subtle smirks to Kay’s exuberant antics, each character feels like a true individual. Rain-slicked crime scenes now pull you in with rich atmospheric detail.
And what would an Ace Attorney be without its unforgettable soundtrack? Familiar themes twist into thrilling new arrangements, perfectly fitting each moment from suspense to triumph. Beneath it all, subtle sound effects enhance immersion.
Minor rough edges emerge, like occasional odd animations or UI quirks. Yet navigating custom resolution options and fine-tuning audio yields results well worth the tinkering. More significantly, an optional Story Mode ensures even complete newcomers feel right at home.
Beyond the games themselves, delving into artwork, music, and more proves a real treat. Concept sketches offer behind-the-scenes glimpses, while the fully orchestrated soundtrack deserves appreciation all its own. It’s clear passion drove every frame to spark nostalgia and wonder alike.
In reinvigorating its beloved spin-offs, Capcom has truly let Investigations shine in high definition. Fans, both seasoned and fresh, now enjoy the definitive way to experience Edgeworth’s finest cases.
Solidifying a Legacy
While its flaws hold them back from true greatness, the investigations’ indelible character moments, plotting twists, and refined mechanics leave an impression that still reverberates. Later Ace Attorney entries borrow freely from the spin-offs’ newfound gameplay depths, but few surpass the duology’s emotional highs.
By reframing Edgeworth as the starring protagonist and filling contextual gaps in his haunting backstory, Capcom crafted one of fiction’s most compelling modern character studies. Investigations granted fans closure after years of demands, securing its place as the pinnacle of Edgeworth’s saga and the series’ most fan-focused entry.
Perhaps most significantly, the collection’s release proves adventure games remain viable beyond initial platforms. By realizing devotees’ decade-long dreams, it renews faith that given time, even abandoned plots may bloom anew. And so the roots Capcom has tended by lovingly tending to legacy have borne fruit, preserving beloved worlds so future players too may indulge in Phoenix Wright’s rich mysteries for many trials to come.
Laying the Groundwork for More
With its remastered duo, Capcom has ensured Miles Edgeworth’s star-making side stories can at last shine as brightly outside Japan as within. By polishing mechanics and weaving deeper character arcs, the Investigations elevate what was great while smoothing rougher edges. More than resolution, this collection leaves hope—that more of Ace Attorney’s deepest cut gems may yet find new appreciation, and Edgeworth further cements his place among gaming’s most richly layered heroes.
Preexisting fans naturally gain most. But careful timing and approachability mean even newcomers can follow the deductions. While not the liveliest entry point, these investigations offer an ideal primer for Edgeworth ahead of his inevitable return. With every release, Capcom demonstrations faith in visual novels as valid gaming form. Perhaps one day, their commitment may bear even more dramatic fruit. Until then, reliving these investigations feels well-earned.
The Review
Ace Attorney Investigations Collection
While the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection has its flaws, it also delivers one of the most compelling character arcs and tightly-written storylines in the entire Ace Attorney franchise. By reframing Edgeworth as a focused protagonist and adapting the gameplay mechanics to his style of deduction, these spin-offs challenge players' wits while deepening their appreciation of one of gaming's most complex characters. Despite a few pacing issues and questionably designed minigames, Capcom's commitment to modernizing these spin-offs makes it possible to enjoy Edgeworth's fine-tuned investigations as never before.
PROS
- Deeply engaging character arc for Miles Edgeworth
- Improved investigation mechanics and logic system
- Tightly plotted overarching stories between games
- Refined visuals and animated cut scenes
- Memorable soundtrack and faithful audio design
- Fulfilling fan service with official localizations
- Overall strong storytelling and writing quality
CONS
- Pacing issues in the first game
- Mind Chess mini games feel out of place
- Overreliance on callbacks hinders new identity
- Individual cases vary significantly in quality
- Minor technical hiccups carry over from the original
