The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,537 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles Game Cover
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles isn’t just far and away the best entry in a long running franchise, it's one of the greatest visual novel games ever made.
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"The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles" is a double-pack of murder-mystery games set in late 19th century Japan and England. As rookie lawyer Ryunosuke Naruhodo, you'll gather evidence, deduce motives, and engage in courtroom battles to solve cases and uncover an international criminal conspiracy. With dozens of hours of gameplay, you'll encounter many colorful characters, engaging twists, and challenging trials.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,537 reviews
story492 positive mentions
grinding43 negative mentions
  • The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles features a captivating story with well-developed characters that keep players engaged throughout the lengthy gameplay.
  • The new mechanics, such as the Dance of Deduction and the jury system, add fresh elements to the classic Ace Attorney formula, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The game boasts a fantastic soundtrack and beautiful 3D graphics, making it a visually and audibly appealing experience.
  • The pacing of the game is often slow, with excessive dialogue that can feel repetitive and drawn out, leading to a tedious experience.
  • Some players may find the new mechanics, particularly the jury system, to be less engaging and more of a distraction than a meaningful addition to the gameplay.
  • The first game in the duology serves primarily as setup for the second, which can leave players feeling unsatisfied with the initial cases.
  • story1,305 mentions

    The story of "The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles" is widely praised for its intricate and engaging narrative that spans two games, effectively weaving together ten cases into a cohesive plot. Players appreciate the depth of character development, unexpected plot twists, and the emotional weight of the story, which is set against the backdrop of late 19th-century Japan and Britain. While some reviewers note pacing issues and occasional filler dialogue, the overall consensus is that the storytelling is a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

    • “The plot twists are quite good, some of them foreshadowed already and have a good payoff.”
    • “What an incredible experience - overflowing with charm and character, it's pretty much a single overarching story over 10 cases with an extremely satisfying ending.”
    • “The story is phenomenal with the final few chapters being the peak of the series' writing.”
    • “I want to like this game; however, many of the characters are beyond irritating, the pacing is slow, and the story often goes off on bizarre tangents for me to enjoy it.”
    • “There's about 5 minutes of actual story content for about every two hours of gameplay.”
    • “The first game needs closure, but the ongoing story is only really continued in cases 3 and 5, which isn’t enough to tell a big story.”
  • music653 mentions

    The music in "The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its orchestral quality and emotional depth, often calling it the best soundtrack in the Ace Attorney series. The compositions are noted for their ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and character moments, with memorable themes that resonate long after gameplay. However, some players mentioned issues with volume levels and a lack of new tracks in the sequel, though overall, the soundtrack is celebrated as a standout feature of the game.

    • “The music is amazing as always with Ace Attorney; it captures the atmosphere and emotion of any given scene perfectly, and it's also a joy to listen to, especially anything relating to a certain great detective.”
    • “The soundtrack is easily the best OST as a whole in the series; nothing comes close to it.”
    • “The music is absolutely incredible, but that just cannot make up for serious deficiencies on many other fronts.”
    • “Music is meh, characters are flat and boring.”
    • “The music feels quite lackluster compared to the previous games with more upbeat and perhaps retro sounding tracks.”
    • “The music is often too quiet.”
  • gameplay576 mentions

    The gameplay in "The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles" retains the classic visual novel format familiar to the series, featuring investigation and courtroom segments where players must read through dialogue, examine evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. New mechanics, such as the jury system and the "dance of deduction," add variety and depth, though some players feel these features can be underutilized or lead to pacing issues. Overall, while the gameplay is engaging and offers fresh elements, it can also feel repetitive and drawn out at times, particularly with lengthy trial segments.

    • “Honestly, I wasn't expecting much from this... but, boy, this game does deliver almost the same if not better gameplay and story than the original Ace Attorney series in some ways!”
    • “Amazing Ace Attorney entry, all the new mechanics like the jury, multiple witnesses on the stand, and the dance of deduction are a joy to play through.”
    • “The gameplay is classic Ace Attorney with a bit more variety, such as the addition of a jury and multiple witnesses on the stand at the same time, the investigation segments feel a lot more lively too.”
    • “The gameplay is redundant, and eventually you just stop caring, and even begin to just look up certain answers in walkthroughs or skip through whole sections because it drags soooo hard.”
    • “The jury mechanic, while used properly at times, feels somewhat underexploited in most cases.”
    • “The gameplay personally I feel is not as interesting as its past series, and the jury part makes it worse with more reading.”
  • humor186 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by clever writing, memorable characters, and a mix of slapstick and witty dialogue that often draws on the game's historical setting. While some players feel the humor is less consistent compared to the original trilogy, many appreciate the comedic elements brought by characters like Herlock Sholmes and the engaging interactions throughout the trials. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with serious themes, making for an entertaining experience.

    • “The game is packed with humor, but still delivers serious emotional moments successfully.”
    • “The characters, plot, humor, and everything else went above and beyond my expectations and would recommend buying for those who are an avid fan of the Ace Attorney franchise like I am.”
    • “Herlock Sholmes in particular is one of the most enjoyable and just plain funny characters I have ever come across and I desperately want to see him in another game.”
    • “This is just not funny.”
    • “The first half of the trial was amazing despite a few plot holes, but when the accused took the primary piece of evidence and smashed it in the courtroom in front of everyone, it started falling off so hard it was not funny.”
    • “More than worth your time, though be ready to watch lots of overlong, unfunny 3D sprite animations, most of which are from Natsume Soseki.”
  • graphics155 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning 3D visuals, detailed character animations, and vibrant settings that effectively capture the Victorian and Meiji-era aesthetics. While some noted that the character designs may feel somewhat one-dimensional, the overall presentation is considered a significant improvement over previous entries in the series, showcasing a polished and cohesive artistic style. The combination of beautiful graphics, engaging animations, and a captivating soundtrack contributes to an immersive gaming experience that resonates well with both new players and long-time fans.

    • “The graphics are phenomenal and the idle animations are so cute.”
    • “Everything from the characters, to the cases, to the music and visuals, is exquisitely well made.”
    • “The graphics, music, and (especially) setting are all excellent.”
    • “Despite having lovely 3-dimensional graphics, the characters are sadly stuck in one dimension.”
    • “When I opened this game up and saw the awful CGI graphics, I feared for the worst.”
    • “I slightly miss the 2D graphics of the Ace Attorney trilogy and Apollo Justice; it just felt nicer to me than 3D models.”
  • emotional74 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players expressing deep attachment to the characters and being moved to tears by the story's poignant moments. The combination of heartfelt writing, a stellar soundtrack, and engaging character arcs creates a rollercoaster of emotions, from laughter to heartbreak, culminating in a satisfying and impactful conclusion. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, making it a memorable and emotionally resonant experience.

    • “I cried right at the end when Susato said: 'Turns out, the great ace attorney was the objections we raised along the way.'”
    • “The music still gets me emotional, reminding me of the story and characters and how much I miss them.”
    • “This was a beautiful and emotional journey, which left me feeling a little empty upon finishing it.”
  • character development62 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting the depth and growth of characters, particularly the protagonist Ryunosuke, who experiences significant development throughout the narrative. The integration of new characters allows for rich interactions and relationships, enhancing the storytelling experience. Additionally, the character designs and animations are noted for their uniqueness and charm, contributing to the overall immersive and engaging atmosphere of the game.

    • “The character writing and narrative are some of the best this series has ever produced, and Ryunosuke's character development makes him my favorite protagonist in the series.”
    • “Character development, mind-blowing twists, and high stakes...wrapped around quirky characters and witty dialogue.”
    • “Many characters tend to stick around for more than one case, which gives them ample time to develop, and a lot of the character development is just amazing.”
    • “But don't expect too much character development; most of the time you spend time on the case at hand and rarely will you have interactions outside of them.”
    • “You will experience genuinely well-done sequences, scenes, or character moments in-between long and dull segments where not much of any interest is discussed, while uninspired character designs move about on screen.”
    • “The murder mysteries aren't as insane and crazy as the original trilogy, but all the good of this game from Herlock Sholmes to the character development of Barok von Zieks, this game is absolutely fantastic.”
  • grinding47 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over long, drawn-out dialogue and monotonous gameplay mechanics. Reviewers note that the pacing is inconsistent, often dragging on during investigations and trials, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the story. While some parts of the game are appreciated, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding experience feels like a chore, making it difficult to stay engaged.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It was unbelievably tedious.”
    • “The game is tedious, to put it lightly.”
    • “I can't overstate how slow, painful, and tedious this game is.”
  • atmosphere29 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating blend of humor, engaging storytelling, and a richly detailed setting that immerses players in a fictional late 19th century London. The soundtrack is highlighted as exceptional, enhancing emotional depth and complementing the game's unique character dynamics. Overall, the combination of strong worldbuilding, memorable characters, and a melancholic yet charming aesthetic elevates the game's atmosphere, making it a standout entry in the series.

    • “The atmosphere and story are interesting; the game knows how to make you see something a certain way, and then flip it upside down and surprise you.”
    • “The brownish color palette is just perfect in encapsulating the melancholic vibe of this fictional London’s unforgiving atmosphere, especially in the winter season this game is set in.”
    • “With the detailed character costumes and backgrounds, the strong sense of history and atmosphere, the majestic music, and excellent characterization, players can experience an unprecedented adventure.”
    • “There is a lot of time spent more or less reveling in the atmosphere of the paradoxically drab and flamboyant portrayal of turn-of-the-century London, and there is a lot of dialogue.”
    • “For a game with mostly dialogues and texts, the music carried the game atmosphere and story delivery alone.”
    • “The music is nice, but not outstanding (it never was with these types of games), but it adds to the atmosphere and sets highlights to different moods.”
  • stability8 mentions

    The game's stability is mixed, with some users reporting smooth performance on platforms like the Steam Deck and 1080p setups, while others experience frustrating glitches, freezes, and crashes, particularly when the computer wakes from sleep. Although the overall gameplay has improved, players are advised to save frequently due to occasional visual and input issues.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck, too.”
    • “No glitches, no bugs; Capcom is on a roll!”
    • “Runs great at 1080p on my Ryzen 3 HTPC with no GPU.”
    • “That wouldn't be so bad if the game's UI glitches out when you do anything the game isn't prepared for.”
    • “Game freezes when the computer wakes from sleep.”
    • “It freezes and crashes, which frustrates me when I'm here to relax and play a game that I've been waiting a long time for.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews; while many players praise the significant improvements in resolution, performance, and framerate—achieving a smooth 60 fps—some users report ongoing optimization issues that can be resolved with community fixes. The enhancements notably enhance gameplay experience, particularly in text flow and new mechanics.

    • “It fixes the embarrassingly glaring resolution issues the game still has, heavily improves performance and ups the framerate to a buttery smooth 60 fps, which in turn also makes the game's text flow much more smoothly - it genuinely makes a huge difference.”
    • “Well worth its price, I adore the Ace Attorney games and this one has great performance on PC.”
    • “The game runs smoothly, and the translation is satisfactory.”
    • “Has bad optimization but there's an easy fix https://steamcommunity.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of this Ace Attorney installment has been criticized for inadequate advertising upon its release in the United States, suggesting that it may not have reached its potential audience effectively.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

84% average critic score

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Play time

65hMedian play time
54hAverage play time
18-76hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

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