Everything GREAT About Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies!
Author's Note: As you can see, I am doing both 5-4 and 5-5 as a single case. Makes sense actually, same crime scene and whatnot.
Episodes 4 and 5: The Cosmic Turnabout and Turnabout for Tomorrow
Spoilers!
(Obviously...)
(The start of episode 4) "Recapping the events of the first case, as well as introducing us to the events that led to the trial when the courtroom was destroyed." *ding*
(Juniper appears and gives Apollo a lotus root) "Aww.." *ding*
"Solomon Starbuck." *ding*
"The design of the Cosmos Space Center is absolutely beautiful." *ding*
"Seeing Apollo wear that eye-patch before he gets injured by the blast makes him look pretty badass. And it's also used for foreshadowing his doubts about Athena as we learn later on." *ding*
(Blackquill: Silence!) "Huh? Already?" *ding*
(Blackquill breaks off shackles) "Well, that's odd." *ding*
"I'm giving Prosecutor Blackquill another few wins for doing the opening statement instead of tricking the judge into doing so like he usually does." *2 wins*
"After playing through these episodes, it gets pretty uncomfortable listening to the true culprit testifying about his crimes while posing as a detective and attempting to frame the astronaut he tried to kill seven years ago." *ding*
(The steel coffin next to the stand) "Continuity!" *ding*
(Starbuck: Banish me to the moon.) "My Little Pony reference?" *ding*
(Starbuck accidentally opens his parachute and gets stuck on the ceiling) "Hahahahahahahaha..." *ding*
"Lifting up your friend/client's spirits!" *ding*
"I also love the pseudo launch sequence; the judge banging his gavel to signal Starbuck's "liftoff" (complete with the sound effect) is... amazing!" *4 wins*
(Ted Tonate appears) "Aaaand... Here's where we started the game." *ding*
"Yuri Cosmos." *2 wins*
"Cosmos' theme." *3 wins*
(Finding a small bullet at the crime) "Mystery weapon-shadowing." *ding*
(Ponco appears) "Everything about this robot is adorable. Her design, her eyelashes, personality, all of it." *ding*
"Also, her face looks very similar to that of Widget's. More past-shadowing." *ding*
(The photo of Cosmos, Starbuck, Clay, Aura Blackquill, a bandaged Ponco, and Metis Cykes) "UR-1-shadowing!" *ding*
"Also, Athena's reactions to Phoenix's questions about her knowledge of the Space Center may be her trying hard to hide her past, though this definitely comes back to bite her in the rear end." *ding*
"Return of the Psyche-Locks! In the main game, that is." *3 wins*
"Aura's definitely a mixed bag considering her abrasive personality and her actions later in the game, but I like her design." *ding*
(Aura: So I lowered my emergency ladder like the detective leading the evacuation told me to.) "Such an innocent sounding line at first, but then it becomes on of the biggest wham lines in the series." *2 wins*
"This woman's attitude towards the legal system is pretty much what the main cast said about the so-called dark age of the law: about how everyone lost their trusts in the courts due to false charges and fabricated evidence. I'm giving the game some credit for actually introducing a character who treats everyone in the legal world with that amount of disdain." *5 wins*
"Also, her talk about how emotions are useless as whole seems to be building her up as the phantom, but it's just a red herring. Doesn't make her anymore unsettling, though. *shudder*" *ding*
"I forgot to mention that seeing Apollo wearing that eye-patch while dressed with Clay's jacket over shoulders is kind of heartwarming in hindsight once you see his foster father in the next game." *3 wins*
(Apollo's outburst) "WHOA! And the girls' shocked reactions say it all." *ding*
"Also, Apollo's memories of Clay... Right in the gut. Especially with that Reminiscence theme playing." *ding*
(Apollo: But what if the truth you seek and the one I seek are different?) "Foreshadowing their inevitable showdown in court." *ding*
(Back in court) "Finally, the title character of the game comes face-to-face with the rival prosecutor... in the main game, that is. They do meet earlier in the DLC case since that takes place before this." *ding*
(Cosmos' spinning animation) "Yep!" *ding*
(Cosmos: Yes, I was... covering for Starbuck.) "Protecting your subordinate! ...Though, committing perjury isn't an excuse." *no win*
"The switching of the launch pads is one of the best plot twists out there, plain and simple. And it's all thanks to inconsistency between numbers on wall or floor." *ding*
"No words can describe how crazy the director's breakdown is. None." *10 wins*
"I feel really bad for Cosmos, but he needed to be taught a lesson or two in humility." *ding*
"Also, he really did want to help his men." *ding*
(Fulbright: You've been chasing this "phantom" for seven years.) "At first, we're made to think this is him comforting Simon, but after replaying this, it's the phantom himself taunting his enemy." *ding*
"Confetti!" *ding*
"Also, everyone's animations here: Starbuck giving us a thumbs-up, Athena smiling with joy while her boss looks confused about Simon's behavior, and the prosecutor himself standing there with his eyes closed and possibly clenching his fists." *ding*
"ALSO, this is the first time an acquittal is secured without Phoenix or his subordinates proving someone else's guilt!" *3 wins*
(Blackquill: Objection!) "The one time in this game Blackquill says that after breaking his shackles." *ding*
(Athena: I KNOW I'm not the killer!) "Given how the crowd reacts to the newly discovered information and Athena's outburst, I'd say that their distrust in all lawyers had risen to new heights, though not to the levels of Khura'in, thank goodness." *ding*
(The start of episode 5) "Everything about this intro gets you hyped up for the finale: 11-year-old Athena covered in blood, Simon Blackquill slashing something with a sword, Apollo looking towards the moon, and the final shot of the ruins of Courtroom No. 4." *3 wins*
(Trucy: From Kiev to Carolina) "Carmen Sandiego reference!" *ding*
"One thing I like about Mr. Starbuck here: he believes Athena is innocent because she gave him a peace sign and congratulated him with a smile despite her situation." *ding*
(On the dead leaves) "Escape route-shadowing." *ding*
"Although Juniper's sole purpose is to tell us that Athena grew up and spent most of her childhood in the Space Center, it's still nice to see her and learn more about her background." *ding*
"Also, supporting your friend!" *ding*
(In the detention center) "For once in the core series, we get to meet with a starter culprit who is not the Big Bad." *ding*
(Clonco mistaking Apollo for Clay) "Mistaken identity-shadowing." *ding*
"Blast-processing? Sega Genesis, anyone?" *ding*
(Maya's letter) "Aww..." *ding*
"Also, this image of our favorite spirit medium." *ding*
"Pearl's back!" *ding*
"And she's grown up!" *ding*
(Aura: I've got other plans.) "Setting up the robot takeover." *ding*
"Trucy taking advantage of the hostage-taker's mistake in order to tell her father and the police everything." *ding*
(Edgeworth: I trust you've been well, Wright?) "Miles Edgeworth." *3 wins*
(Phoenix: We can hold it in the courtroom the bomber blew up!) "Perfect setting for the final trial!" *ding*
(Athena's black Psyche-Locks) "Seeing these again really threw me off. And it's really unnerving since the last person who had them was one of the most despicable villains in the series! And he was a defense attorney, too!" *4 wins*
(Phoenix: Your Honor... the defense was born ready! Edgeworth: Tsk tsk. The prosecution is also ready.) "Yep!" *ding*
(While cross-examing Fulbright, who is reading Aura's testimony, Phoenix has an argument with Edgeworth, and both men act like kindergarten children) "Hahahahahahahahahahaha..." *ding*
"Cross-examining an adorable robot." *ding*
(Simon Blackquill's Mood Matrix) "This is probably one of my favorite segments in the game. Finding the emotions of our rival in order to save him from an unjust execution while bracing myself for whatever he was hiding." *5 wins*
"And here comes one of the most shocking aspects of this segment: the discord in Simon's emotions increases! Pretty desperate, if you ask me." *ding*
(The image of child Athena smiling, blood on her face and dull eyes) "Aaaand, here's why this game got an M-rating." *ding*
(Phoenix: Admit it, Edgeworth. My aesthetic sense is greater than yours!) "Well, he was an art student." *ding*
"Thought Route time!" *ding*
(The black Psyche-Locks breaking) *10 wins*
(The shot of the phantom wearing that noh mask) "Creepy." *ding*
"I'll admit that someone could have easily rewinded that video and seen the killer flee the crime scene with his hand bandaged, but then again, the government did want to cover up the fact there was a spy. That, and the police in this series are not well-renowned for their competence." *minus 1 win*
(The phantom's theme music) "Also creepy." *ding*
(Apollo appears) "Not over yet." *ding*
"Finally, Phoenix vs. Apollo." *ding*
(Apollo: Evidence is everything in court.) "Shades of his ex-mentor, Kristoph Gavin." *ding*
"Wanting to believe in your friend!" *ding*
"The phantom's escape route is pretty unbelievable when you think about: the switching of the launch pads, the distance between the moving corridor and the emergency ladder. But this is the same series that provided cases where the killer used their victim's body as a pendulum, and one where a college student stuffed a magic prop into a car's exhaust pipe which rendered the car unable to run, so..." *ding*
(Phoenix realizes the truth) "Same reaction I had!" *ding*
(Naming the phantom) "Possibly the most intense part of this game. There's this wind sound effect playing in the background while Phoenix recalls the movements of this particular individual, which gets louder as we get to the moment of truth. And then... Phoenix finally shouts "Take that!" ...And the image of Bobby Fulbright appears!" *3 wins*
(In the lobby, Athena thanks her boss for everything despite the trial not being over yet) "Gratitude!" *ding*
"Making amends with your friends." *ding*
(Aura: I didn't come to apologize. My actions are what brought the truth to light.) *3 wins removed due to her attitude*
"Now that Simon's name is cleared, he can finally stand in court and make sure his target gets his." *ding*
"Also, the moment where Edgeworth uncuffs Simon's shackles. That way, he walks out a free man after spending seven years in jail, and it's good for the detention center, too." *ding*
(The cutscene of Apollo taking off the jacket, his eye-patch and bandages) "Yep!" *ding*
"The Wright Anything Agency is reunited at last! All that's left to do is bring the phantom to justice for crimes: the HAT-1 sabotage, the UR-1 Incident, the bombings of the HAT-2 and Courtroom No. 4, and the murder of Clay Terran." *ding*
(Back in court) "How fitting that the two lawyers whose alleged involvements in some serious crimes (forging evidence and murder) be the ones who end the dark age of the law." *ding*
(Simon allows Apollo to use his bracelet) "As much as the Twisted Samurai would love to have the trial run normally, blown-up courtroom notwithstanding, his permitting Apollo to perceive Fulbright gives our heroes an easier chance to expose his lies." *ding*
(Pushing the Earth emblem turns the lighter into a gun) "Now, that's cool!" *ding*
"And the mystery of where that small bullet is solved!" *ding*
"Now that the real purpose for the phantom removing Clay's glove: by planting his fingerprints on the lighter, the phantom can use his position to falsify the fingerprint data and frame anyone he wanted. Kind of a waste, since he went after the wrong person, prompting our heroes to re-investigate UR-1." *half-win*
(Fulbright's blank expression) "This. This right here. At first we have this jovial, goofy, justice-loving detective, but now that he's been accused of sabotage and murder, we start to see that facade crack." *ding*
(Athena calls for a therapy session) "And now, we finally used all the lawyer's unique abilities on the phantom. Phoenix's Magatama, Apollo's Bracelet, and Athena's Mood Matrix. And Phoenix even broke his Psyche-Locks before suspecting him!" *3 wins*
(Edgeworth reveals that Bobby Fulbright has already been dead for a year) "So the Fulbright we've fighting against was an imposter. Yeah." *half-win*
(Blackquill slashes the phantom's "Fulbright" mask) "Wow. Lucky for him he didn't bleed." *ding*
"And here we see the creepiest thing about this killer: underneath his mask, he's wearing another one, and it's one of different characters we've met before and he can imitate their voices and their movements to frighteningly accurate detail. He even got Starbuck's long sigh on point!" *ding*
(The phantom bragging about leaving everything about him behind while wearing "Means" mask) "He may not be the most popular Big Bad, but there's no denying that the phantom is one of the scariest villains out there." *ding*
"The Phony Phanty bomb, one of the first pieces of evidence acquired in this game, turns out to be the key to exposing the true culprit of the courtroom bombing. Irony at its best." *ding*
(The phantom tears apart his "Means" mask to reveal... Phoenix?!') "Okay. THAT is insane!" *ding*
"And this time, Phoenix is being impersonated by someone who's much better than Tigre." *ding*
(Phantom: Are you finally ready to throw in the towel? Phoenix: Objection!) "Not as long as our hero has something to say about that!" *ding*
"How fitting that Athena's moon rock earring not only proves that her mother truly loved her despite poor social skills, but that it brings her killer to justice and brings everything to a close." *ding*
(All three defense attorneys shut the phantom down and lecture him on emotions and feelings) "It's sappy, I know, but at least it shows that everyone including our heroes is human, and they have people they can trust like friends and family, whereas our villain does not." *ding*
(The phantom showing fear for the first time) "Creepy!" *ding*
(Our heroes all point their fingers at the once-emotionless spy) "Triple objection!" *6 wins*
(The phantom's breakdown) "Look at all those masks he's wearing: Tonate, L'Belle, Means, the Tenmas, etc. Perfect breakdown for one who doesn't even know his own identity." *ding*
"Confetti!" *ding*
"Also, everyone is smiling: Athena, Apollo, Phoenix, and even Simon!" *5 wins*
(Athena lets out her tears, knowing that everything is over now) "In the words of Diego Armando: The only time a lawyer can cry is when it's all over." *3 wins*
(Phoenix, Apollo, and Athena: Objection!) "What a way to trigger the credits and 'Where Are They Now?' segments than having all three lawyers make their big shout!" *3 more wins*
(Trucy looking for odd jobs for Apollo to do) "Well, she is right about their workplace being the Wright ANYTHING Agency after all." *ding*
(Junpier fawning over Apollo once more) "Aww..." *ding*
"So, did Gaspen just admit that he's not above abhorrent tactics. Good thing Edgeworth's investigating him." *ding*
"The Tenmas are doing pretty well, and... Apollo as a wrestler? I'd like to see that!" *ding*
(The final shot of the credits) "No objections here!" *ding*
(The post-credits cutscene) "At long last, Solomon Starbuck has conquered his fear of space and gone to the moon once more." *ding*
"Also, conquering your fears!" *ding*
Total Win Score: 175
Award: Successful Shuttle Launch!
A/N: And thus, I am done with the main game of Dual Destinies, and boy was that a really long one. Please read and review, like always.
I will, of course, be winning the Special Episode, Turnabout Reclaimed, another fantastic case. And of course, I'll continue giving Ace Attorney Investigations 1 some more wins as well.