So.

I have watched a playthrough of every currently existing Ace Attorney game aside from The Great Ace Attorney 1 and 2. That means that I have experienced:

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney— Justice for All
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney— Trials and Tribulations
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney— Dual Destinies
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney— Spirit of Justice
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth— Prosecutor's Path (the fan made translation, of course, because this was never brought to America officially).

This series is a remarkable one. It is one of a few fandoms that I initially became invested in because of my older cousin (he is also the cause of my childhood love for Sailor Moon, and therefore, the reason I'm into anime at all). I played the first three when I was somewhere around 10-12, but I don't think I was really old enough to understand the initial trilogy for the masterpieces they are. About the time I was 17, I truly dove headfirst into the fandom, and I've been heavily invested since.

Almost every single game has things about it that truly stick out to me and that I find extremely remarkable. The only game that ever felt disappointing was the first Investigations game, whose fourth case was by far its crowning achievement. Dual Destinies' second case was also not my favorite, and I frankly hardly remember anything about it because my brain felt fuzzy while I played it. Of course we have to criticize many of the games' third cases (though I will die on my hill of Recipe for Turnabout being worse than Turnabout Big Top). However, each game shines brightest in its relationships between characters, which form the emotional crux of this series. Each one's commentary on what law ought to look like and how truth should be pursued really does make me think about the world. Overall, it's an astounding series that I couldn't be happier to be a fan of.

So. Without further ado. My favorite Ace Attorney game is...

Investigations 2: Prosecutor's Path. BEWARE SPOILERS

I'll be honest. I wasn't sure I was gonna watch this one. I honestly found Investigations 1 quite boring, so I hadn't finished it by the time my usual let's player was about to start the second one.

It was actually the soundtrack that pulled me in.

To be more precise, it was a video with all of the prosecutor themes lined up. Each one lit up a picture of the character it referenced.

So basically what I'm trying to say is that I took one look at Sebastian Debeste's dopey face and one listen to his dopey song and decided he was one of my favorite characters in the series. And that I had to experience the game even if literally just for him.

Best decision ever.

While most Ace Attorney games have one or two cases that don't directly contribute anything to the climatic final case, this one seamlessly incorporates every case and every character into a masterfully done finale that literally blew my socks off. Several characters get incredible arcs that are sincerely heartfelt and wonderfully intriguing. I think it has the most consistently amazing cast of new characters. Ray, Justine, and Sebastian are all complete and utters gems. And the main villain is ridiculously good. He's what I wish Junko was. Perfectly manipulative and clearly having fun with it. Even though this wasn't required for Junko, it also helps me personally that his backstory was pretty depressing as well. It really felt like a "Society made the monster," story. Also, discovering the role that the PIC chairman played in the previous games' plots... it feels insane that this wasn't even planned from the very beginning, because that character blends in so effortlessly that it was like he was always intended to be there.

As always, the soundtrack was fucking next level. The art was really good too. And, while talking about new characters, we can't forget the old ones. Miles Edgeworth has and always will be the most objectively well-written character. Even I have different characters who count as my favorites, I genuinely think the only one who gives him a run for his money might be Sebastian. Aside from Edgeworth, though (the perfect player character for this game), Kay and Gumshoe (my other favorite) are delights as always. Additionally, since the game was made for Ace Attorney's 10th anniversary, several other characters from previous games made appearances. I'm firmly in the "Lotta fan" camp, so seeing her was quite fun. And Will Powers! I was worried about Regina, because she honestly frustrated me a lot in T&T, but she was splendid as well.

It really feels like nothing in this game was a miss.

And I'll fangirl about it happily.

Have some fanart (mostly Sebastian 😂):

(Obviously I drew none of this)