
Earlier this week, Phoenix Wright fans got a sneak peek at the newest entry to the fan-favourite Ace Attorney franchise. In an interview with Famitsu, series creator Shu Takumi and producer Shintaro Kojima shed some light on the upcoming 3DS title The Great Ace Attorney, and why the development team approached the game with a fresh pair of eyes.
Among the most immediately notable changes to the formula is the game's setting, a radical departure from past entries: protagonist Ryuunosuke Naruhodou will battle alongside partner Susato Mikotoba in 19th century Japan — the Meiji era. According to Takumi-san, the change of scenery helped the developers keep focus on the key component of any Ace Attorney title: solving a good mystery.
When we first started this project, we thought about all kinds of ways as to how we could make it different from the main games. At first, we thought about having civil trials, but that would have made it difficult to show a decisive victory or defeat. That would have made things about compensation instead of guilt and innocence, so in the end, we thought that [having them say] ‘court established settlement!’ would have been a bit too much. In the end, we kept the focus on the mystery part of it, and thought that simply changing the era would be good enough.
Takumi-san noted that his childhood love for classic mystery novels also influenced the decision to move the series back into the past, the intent being to keep the series as fresh with new ideas as possible. After Capcom expressed interest in the development of a new title, he brought on Kojima-san to produce the game — which will also be his first time behind the wheel of Ace Attorney. Kojima-san explained his philosophy on approaching the beloved series alongside its creator:
We talked about the challenge of taking on a new Ace Attorney game that is not part of its main numbered series. The base of it is still Ace Attorney, but I was interested in the new possibilities and approaches, so I decided to join. I’d like to make an environment that would allow director Takumi to think of all kinds of ideas in full-swing. While it is an Ace Attorney game, it’ll also be a new project, so while we would naturally want Ace Attorney fans to find it interesting, I also believe that it will be important to show its charm off to those who’ve yet to play an Ace Attorney game.
Needless to say, The Great Ace Attorney already has fans clamouring to return to the courtroom. What do you think of Takumi-san and Kojima-san's fresh approach to the franchise? Are you excited to hear the gavel come down once more on your 3DS?
[source siliconera.com]
Comments 16
I believe in them. Should be great. Hope Phoenix makes a return at some point, though.
Personally I think AA's real selling point is the storyline opposed to the game mechanics- it's really an interactive novel. People (including me) are invested in Nick, Maya, Gumshoe, Edgeworth and even Wendy Oldbag just like a soap- we want to see all the old faces make comebacks. When they tried to add a new lead character they came close to killing the series- even if it opened up the storyline. When they brought back Wright all the fans came back and embraced it, even with very little innovation.
Personally I would prefer a closer connection to the current story but a different sort of game- who wouldn't want a Phoenix Wright RPG? Saying that, if the new game is localised I'm going to buy it.
@MrGawain I came late into the series so I started with DD and am now working my way through the original. While I agree the story is the big selling point, the mechanics are still a fair part of the game(and should continue to be expanded upon like more chances to fail and multiple right answers). What I really would like to see is perhaps to see a phoenix wright in a different country that has different laws which require you to think differently in your approach.
@MrGawain OBJECTION!!!
Oldbag would only be acceptable if she is the murder (it would be the most satisfactory guilty sentence ever).
And the problem with AA4 was a poor choice, instead of just changing the MC. Apollo felt more like a junior version of Phoenix. And putting Wright there, principally with that different personality, just settled Apollo as an 'sidekick' instead of MC.
They "simply" changed the era... not sure if be intrigued or worry at the idea of what a "complex" change could cause XD
Anyway I can't wait to hear more and really hope the hype for this title worldwide will be strong enough to avoid Capcom to be doubtious again about releasing here a new AceAttorney title >.>;
I'd like to see more of the Judge. I think he's a funny guy and would love to meet him in the field - but don't make him the victim, he's too good to die!
Would be nice to see Juniper Woods as a judge some day, too.
@MaciejKuczynski Old Fickle sometimes makes even the most serious of cases hilarious. I've always loved how he's been the judge in all of the games. Obviously, he won't be the judge in this one.
Regarding Mr. Takumi's comments on wanting to make the franchise fresh, I'm okay with that. My only concern is that the last time he said he wanted to make the series fresh, out came Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. Nevertheless, the game's setting in the Meiji Era can be amazing if played out right.
Nah....
Capcom should go with a different direction.
APE ATTORNEY!
Sounds good, you can take my money now Capcom!
@MaciejKuczynski here's hoping this judge will be ancestor!
I really hope this centers around Ami Fey!
One of the few IPs that Capcom hasn't crapped all over yet... I'm excited!
/knocks on wood
Here's hoping for more than 'just' a downloadable piece of code, after the cross-over with Professor Layton.
More. MORE. MOOOOORE!
I just want to see it released here too.
I am looking forward to this, I'm glad Phoenix Wright is getting a "reboot" of sorts. I thought the direction Apollo Justice and Dual Destinies was going just didn't live up to the 1st 3 games, or even the Edgeworth games (of which I've only played the 1st one).
Giving it a new start is a great idea.
Boo. I was hoping for another game starring Apollo.
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