LogFAQs > #932641777

Overall Thoughts:
- Im not really certain what I think of Franziska. The difference between her and Edgeworth is obvious: Edgeworth feels like your equal from the start, Franziska never does. When youre arguing with Edgeworth, you always feel like youre fighting an uphill battle against the guy who has all of the advantages, except for the times when he helps you (which is admittedly every single case hes in except 1-2). Edgeworth is always collected and dangerous, and the biggest way to show the difference between them is their surprised sprites: Edgeworth glowers and looks angry while Franziska clutches her chest and looks scared. Edgeworth even seems more professional even when mocking you (they both wag their finger, but Edgeworth does it while standing whereas she does it while leaning over the desk). She just comes off as kind of childish, which is an odd personality trait for someone whos supposed to be the antagonist for half the game. I guess what Im saying is that Franziska does not create an environment where you feel excited to defeat her or where you feel constantly up against the ropes like Edgeworth does, which makes defeating her less satisfying. Anyway, Edgeworth > von Karma > Franziska > Payne.
- 2-1 is kind of unremarkable. Theres nothing really to even say about it except that it actually has nothing to do with the plot, whereas 1-1 introduces Larry Butz and the clock.
- 2-2 is more interesting. I like getting more worldbuilding on Mayas history and Kurain Village, and I like the general idea of the mystery. The problem with it is that the mystery is incredibly obvious. You know from the second Morgan Fey shows up that shes responsible for everything, so the only actual plot twist is Ini Mineys identity, but it doesnt even matter. If shed really been Ini Miney, shed be out for revenge against the doctor, and if shes Mimi Miney, then shes trying to cover up her tracks, but either way it doesnt really matter, does it? And thats the only actual twist the case has because of how obvious everything in it is every other detail, even where the real killer was hiding, was super obvious. This wasnt a problem in any of the first games cases, which all had really complicated plots with twists that actually throw you for a loop. Maybe Im overanalyzing things here, but when I play a mystery game, I expect to be floored by some unexpected motives and real killers identities, and I technically got those things in unsatisfying ways. On the flipside, the characters themselves are all great or at least fine (Doctor Hotti excepted), so it does have that.
- 2-3 is definitely the worst case of the first two games. Its not just that the mystery is kind of lame and you instantly figure out that the murder victim was killed accidentally, its not just that the circus characters are all super lame and annoying, its that the mystery of the murder itself is really unsatisfying and defeating Acro is even less satisfying. Hes basically just a guy looking for revenge. All of the other killers had like resources or plans or accomplices to work your way through, he had a monkey and a blanket. I guess that works as a filler episode, but as a standalone story, its very weak.
- 2-4, though, is so good. Edgeworth is back and just styles all over Franziska, the case ends with all of the lawyers teaming up and defeating the villains together, de Killer has a weird sense of honor that makes him interesting, Engarde has a fantastic evil reveal and a great line (Im gonna consult myself), Franziska tears up and shows vulnerability at the end, and Phoenix learns about himself the same way Edgeworth does: by losing a case and having to come to grips with the ethical complexities of his job. Add to that a ticking clock element, a sympathetic witness, a lot of wacky shenanigans in the courtroom as Phoenix and Edgeworth work together, and the generally clever twist of having to work against your own client, and I think I can comfortably call this the best case so far.
- One thing I noticed is the deemphasis on Maya. Maya is barely in 2-1 and Pearl takes her place in 2-2 and 2-4, so Maya is really only in the game in 2-3, which surprised me. Before I played this series, I knew Maya by sight and assumed she was the main girl whos always with you, and that wasnt really the case here.
- If you asked me which game is better, Id have to give it to the first. Its mysteries just seem better thought out. AA2 is working at a disadvantage from having one fewer case, but even accounting for that, 2-3 is very weak and 2-1 is just a tutorial. 2-2 is perfectly fine, and 2-4 is the best Ive seen so far, but its not enough to push it over AA1.
- In summary, 2-4 > 1-4 > 1-5 > 1-2 = 2-2 > 1-3 > 1-1 > 2-1 > 2-3

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Started: July 6, 2005