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- It’s been 7 years since the last Ace Attorney game was released.
- In all this time, Capcom has only done re-releases of the series’ past games.
- With every entry now remastered and available on modern consoles, it’s about time Capcom released a new Ace Attorney.
Visual novels might not have been trendy worldwide, but they were an important piece of entertainment media for Japanese audiences. In fact, most of the PC games in the late 2000s in Japan were visual novels or similar titles. This unique mode of storytelling with varying degrees of interactivity carries its own charm.
While the genre is particularly niche, it doesn’t mean it didn’t reach the West at all. Games like Pheonix Wright: Ace Attorney pioneered its exposure to the world, and Professor Layton further reinforced its popularity. The genre now has a substantial following. And speaking of Ace Attorney, when will Capcom present a new game?
Why it matters: Ace Attorney is a magnificent series that is responsible for popularizing the visual novel genre, but it has only received re-releases lately. A new entry is long overdue.
Ace Attorney, The Charming Legal Drama Everybody Loves
First, let’s discuss visual novels a little. This genre features a complex narrative delivered primarily through texts augmented by animated or static illustrations of characters. Interactivity exists but is generally pretty limited. However, don’t let the minimalistic gameplay fool you, the narrative depth and quality usually more than makeup for it.
Even among visual novels, Ace Attorney is a different breed. Capcom’s legendary simulation of courtroom trials is as enjoyable as it is suspenseful, presenting a nerve-rackingly accurate sensation of being a defense attorney. Looking for missable details, cross-examining witnesses, catching them in a lie, and making their lives hell, it’s an utmost thrill.
Ace Attorney Trilogy is amazing! Best game I have played in a while.
byu/kiingjamir inAceAttorney
Besides, Ace Attorney is not just a minimalistic VN. It lives up to the “adventure” in its genre list by introducing many exciting gameplay mechanics. From the Perceive system to notice people’s says to the rather supernatural-ish Divination Seance that lets you visit memories before death, it’s as much a game as it is a story.
It’s Been Nothing But Re-Releases Lately
Ace Attorney has essentially become a landmark in the visual novel genre alongside Professor Layton. Characters and elements of the series have appeared as collabs and references in many other media. So, the question arises. If the series is so popular, where’s a new game?
Capcom has indeed released titles consistently over the years, but all re-releases. The last mainline game which would be Ace Attorney 6, called Spirit of Justice was a 2016 game, while the last new game was The Great Ace Attorney 2, released back in 2017. It’s been over 7 years without a new title.
Why'd they stop making Ace Attorney games?
byu/Bruhmangoddman inAceAttorney
Yet there were plenty of remasters and compilations released. First, the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy, the first 3 games, originally released in 2012 for phones only was brought back to modern systems in 2019. Next, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles spinoff duology came out in 2021.
Time passed and 2024 came. I thought now a new game was imminent, but Capcom said “Let me remaster the remaining first.” And so, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy, games 4-6 of the main series was released, followed by Ace Attorney Investigations Collection, the second spinoff series.
Where’s Ace Attorney 7, Capcom?
At this point, every game in the Ace Attorney series, including spin-offs, has received a remastered re-release. Well, except for Professor Layton. Don’t take this as a “challenge accepted” Capcom; I don’t want more re-releases. It’s about time for a new game, and you know it.
Leaks and rumors of a new game have been floating around for quite a long time now. It goes to show just how much fans want a new game in the series. No doubt, bringing these titles back as re-releases ultimately serves as an effective method of preserving them on a modern platform, and I’m all up for it.
Why has AA7 taken so long to be announced compared to other games?
byu/sandylane0 inAceAttorney
But this shouldn’t happen at the cost of a new game. One or two remasters in between regular releases is fine, but when a series goes on for 7 years with nothing but re-releases of old titles, things start feeling a little depressing.
Besides, Capcom is out of games to remaster now. Every entry has successfully been re-released and thus preserved. Now, it’s time for a new one. One that builds upon this legendary saga and is just as fun as what we’ve got so far. As I write this, Capcom has announced a Product trailer for the 29th, so fingers crossed it’s Ace Attorney 7.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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