Board 8 > Favorite Ace Attorney Epic Case?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Apologies to E1-5 and L-4, but we had to cut two cases this time since PW1 has two epic cases. As divisive as 4-4 is, I think it has more overall supporters than E1-5 does, so that's why I included it. L-4 is wild, but Layton/AA doesn't have the play rate of the other games and it's more of a Layton ending than an Ace Attorney ending anyway.

I'd like to do some more polls after this, so if anyone has some ideas, feel free to suggest them!

Personal rankings: 2-4 > 1-4 > 3-5 > 6-5 > 5-5 > G2-5 > E2-5 > 1-5 > G1-5 > 4-4 > L-4 > E1-5

The top 5 is pretty solid for me, I could waver on the rest of them on a given day.

2-4 > 6-5 > 3-5 > 1-4 > 1-5 > G2-5 > E2-5 > E1-5 > 5-5 > G1-5 > 4-4 > L-4

I wanted to vote for 6-5 but I just can't vote against 2-4.

Gotta be 6-5, it's almost cheating.

Dead last is G1-5, God I hate it so much.

2-4 is so good that it made people have to treat JFA like a real game in the series.

Don't forget DL-6!
*squawk*

6-5 is two separate cases tbh

2-4 > 6-5b > 3-5 > 1-4 > 1-5 > 6-5a > 5-5 > 4-4 > E1-5

Haven't played anything else. E1-5 is great at its start but gets so fucking miserable the longer it goes on. I kept thinking I was ALMOST at the ending and, nope, some other excuse comes up and I have to unravel another layer that doesn't feel necessary. It was meant to feel satisfying, but it feels excruciating instead, and when you're done, you're angry from it taking so long.

I should get around to playing E2 and the Great Ace Attorney games. Maybe soon... IDK...

6-5 > 2-4 > 3-5 >>>>> G2-5 > 1-5 > 1-4 > 5-5 > E2-5 > G1-5 >>>>>> E1-5 > 4-4

6-5 > 3-5 > 2-4 > 1-4 > G2-5 > L-4 > 5-5 > E1-5 > G1-5 > 1-5 > 4-4

2-4
1-4, 3-5, 6-5
5-5, E2-5, G1-5
1-5, E1-5, G2-5
4-4, L-4

Any inequality feels kind of tenuous but those are the general tiers. 2-4 isn't really that far above the next three but I feel pretty comfortable citing is as my favorite.

2-4, 1-4, 6-5 and 3-5 are fairly deadlocked.

But I'm still inclined to go with 1-4.

6-5 is fantastic and the twist is incredible, but the structure is weird and that second trial day goes a bit too long, I think. 2-4 is obviously amazing too - nothing wrong with it. I just love MvK so much. They still haven't matched him imo.

I honestly hate 1-5. I dread it every time I play through the original trilogy. It's so long and boring and I just don't care about anyone or anything in it. It's not even REALLY part of the game. It's basically free, on-disc(/cart) DLC.

I guess I'll say my hot take that 3-5 is really overrated. I think it's a firm step below 1-4 and 2-4. Too much spirit channeling focus, and the killer's motive is weak.

My hot take is that 2-4 is pretty weak but 1-5 is great.

Underleveled posted...

I honestly hate 1-5. I dread it every time I play through the original trilogy. It's so long and boring and I just don't care about anyone or anything in it. It's not even REALLY part of the game. It's basically free, on-disc(/cart) DLC.

I've never replayed 1-5 iirc. So fucking tedious.

Turnabout Revolution was far too long to be enjoyable
I dld like the "Dhurke is dead" twist a lot but that's it

2-4 still the best

6-5 too good. While I have had my issues with case length in this series, here they actually earn it.

Will also defend G1-5 since it got criticised earlier. Everything from when Ashley gets involved is top notch, and what they do with the long buildup really pays off. Still one of the weaker ones but lets face it, all of these are great except for 4-4 which is still good.

3-5 > 1-4 > 5-5 > 2-4 > G1-5 > G2-5 > 4-4 > 6-5 > 1-5 > E1-5

You know I guess this series made me realize I dont like AAI1 all that much

I was like how is a game with wolf man bad? And its not bad just doesnt have the highs of other games

Yeah, I like AAI1, but it's the definition of "just fine and nothing more." It has some cool moments here and there, but I don't think it has a case that's great from start to finish.

Case 3-5 is why T&T is my favorite game of all time.

But man, 2-4, 5-5 (minus the very end), and 6-5 are all fantastic.

3-5 really had it all. 6-5 and 2-4 are very close, with 1-4 right after. If 6-5 had ended half an hour earlier and actually gone with the "Amara is the culprit" twist it could've been #1 imo.

man G1-5 does not feel like it belongs here

Anyway I vote 2-4. My favorite case in the series.

Underleveled posted...

I honestly hate 1-5. I dread it every time I play through the original trilogy. It's so long and boring and I just don't care about anyone or anything in it. It's not even REALLY part of the game. It's basically free, on-disc(/cart) DLC.

If I ever replay the trilogy, I'm definitely skipping 1-5.

Tight race at the top

1-5 rules

I'm so replaying 3-5 this summer.

DragonGargoyle posted...

I just finished that case and, uh, I could actually see it being my new favorite case in the series after I'm done processing it

hell yeah dude

Farewell to 2-4's lead

Leonhart4 posted...

I think an epic case has to be some sort of definitive conclusion to a story and those are all bridges to the conclusion.

And yet the #1 case is Bridge. How ironic.

The irony was not lost on me when I made that post

Man 6-5 came out swinging but just died in this poll. It had the lead briefly!

My hottest take of all is probably that 2-4 isn't all that great. Maybe I'll change my mind if I replay it, might just be poisoned by every other case in the game being bad. Though I know for some people that's WHY they like it so much!

2-4 is still just as magical the first time I played it. I was even spoiled on Engarde and I still got chills on the hair flip.

I can see the arguments for 2-1 and 2-3 being bad, but 2-2? Really? Its a fairly solid case.

I can see why you'd not be a fan of 2-2 if you don't enjoy spirit channeling in general or Franziska doesn't do it for you.

But 2-4 is a nonstop roller coaster ride from start to finish. I love every second of it.

Bitto posted...

I can see the arguments for 2-1 and 2-3 being bad, but 2-2? Really? Its a fairly solid case.

I do not like the Spirit Chanelling aspects of the original Trilogy, and don't care about the Feys in general outside of Maya.

I also really, really hate Lotta Heart. Her and Wendy Oldbag are two characters that I can't stand being on screen in any of their appearances.

As you can imagine my opinion of 1-4 is heavily affected by this issue lol. That case still pulls through though, Von Karma too strong.

i think 2-4 does start to sputter with the suicide note stuff. still probably my pick here though. this is literally the only time maya as damsel in distress has worked.

Leonhart4 posted...

But 2-4 is a nonstop roller coaster ride from start to finish. I love every second of it.

I wish I could feel this way about 2-4 but about half of it feels like filler to me. There's so much inconsequential stalling for time because you've already solved the who/how dunnits.

Kenri posted...

I wish I could feel this way about 2-4 but about half of it feels like filler to me. There's so much inconsequential stalling for time because you've already solved the who/how dunnits.

I don't mind the stalling because de Killer on the stand provided some of the greatest comedy in the series (such as the Judge thinking Phoenix wants to put out a hit on him), but it also goes beyond what you normally have to do. It's not just solving the mystery. It's how to use the solution to actually resolve both dilemmas.

I really have to question what you wanted to happen in 2-4 if you think the case should have ended when you discover what happened.

I mean yeah, honestly part of my issue with that case is that its non-standard structure makes it less interesting to me, not more. But it doesn't need to end right when you find out what happened, I just would like it to end slightly faster. I think it'd be fine if you cut like 30 minutes of blatant stalling/filler. Like, we don't really need to learn that DeKiller is at the big top, but oh no the police didn't get there in time -- and that kind of thing happens like 4 times in a row.

Or make the kidnapped character someone other than Maya so I'm actually worried about what would happen to them, though then you lose some of the most creative use of spirit channeling in the original trilogy.

Kenri posted...

I wish I could feel this way about 2-4 but about half of it feels like filler to me. There's so much inconsequential stalling for time because you've already solved the who/how dunnits.

every case in every AA game has inconsequential stalling for time and filler

MacArrowny posted...

every case in every AA game has inconsequential stalling for time and filler

Even 1-1!

It's not an AA case if the attorney isn't on the verge of defeat wondering what to do or bluffing to squeeze out another testimony from the witness.

MacArrowny posted...

every case in every AA game has inconsequential stalling for time and filler

I definitely disagree with this. Some do and those are generally weaker cases (4-3...!). 2-4 might be the only really good case with lots of filler.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing! A lot of that filler content is great.

Yeah, filler doesn't bother me. I don't need every case to have weight and consequence.

Kenri posted...

I think it'd be fine if you cut like 30 minutes of blatant stalling/filler. Like, we don't really need to learn that DeKiller is at the big top, but oh no the police didn't get there in time -- and that kind of thing happens like 4 times in a row.

i'm with you here. it just goes on a little too long

MacArrowny posted...

every case in every AA game has inconsequential stalling for time and filler

I'm trying to think of what case has the LEAST inconsequential stalling for time and filler

maybe 3-1? I feel like that case is tightly compact as hell

it's probably one of the short cases since every long case has some random bullshit

the entire second day of 6-3 is filler tbh

I feel like 1-4 is pretty tightly paced, all things considered.

Although you do have that dumb "three secret weapons" hunt for Gourdy stuff on day 2, so it's not like it's totally free of it.