#mathewwithonet

[askaceattorney]

Dear Everyone,

You’re welcome.

Dear Franziska,

You’re not.

Dear linkaro,

Not just yet.  I’m still in the process of going through the game (read: watching YouTube) and get through an episode or two during lunch.  Well, except today since I’m answering these letters during lunch.  I’ll announce things when I’m ready for PxZ2 letters.

Also, while you’re here, I’d like to draw attention to something you pointed out.  How great would it be if Phoenix was actually brought up on charges of kidnapping Maya?  Maybe Kurain has had enough of their Master cavorting with that lawyer and call the police?  I want this to happen.

Dear Mat,

I’m looking forward to it.

So here’s how I’m expecting to handle the anime for the blog.  It looks like the anime will be covering the games’ plot, so I don’t anticipate there being many problems.  Anything that contradicts the games won’t be allowed, but otherwise, I’ll probably be looking to the anime for specifics that the graphic novel format couldn’t show.

I likely won’t allow any original characters, but I’m sure there will be some introduced.  In fact, the pachinko machine has an OC of its own!

I think she’s meant to be the receptionist at Hotti clinic.

Dear Anonymous,

Thank you very much.

I didn’t have any plans to change the banner, but maybe it’s time now to keep up with the times.  I’ll probably always love the original trilogy the most, but we are in a new era now.  I’ll see about it.

Dear sans,

If things are getting shaken up, it’s probably the San Andreas’ fault.

(Original letter)

Dear Inferno,

You don’t know the wriggling piece of plywood?  Please, go play through Rise From the Ashes for all your Blue Badger needs.

(Original letter)

Don’t sweat it.  I’ve got like 15 Anthonys running around here and they keep themselves straight.

The Proto Badger is a real thing, although he isn’t the eldrich horror featured on this blog, exactly.  He’s just the prototype Blue Badger and people are terrified of his empty eye sockets.  Add to this the fact that we see the thing get up and clobber Edgeworth with a sword in the middle of a haunted house, well, you can see why I chose to write the monster the way I do.  If you really want to see my other things, you can find them here.

Finally, it’s good to see Athena on board.  If Pearl is only in the DLC bonus cases, someone has to fill in.  I’m sure Trucy will help too, assuming she isn’t too wrapped up in whatever happened at her stage show.

Do you mean this?

That’s a younger picture of Zak and has always been hanging above the piano/prop table.

All AAI2 material is off limits, I’m afraid.  As such, I don’t really want questions to me about it either, at least until we finally get a localized version of it in like 2023 or something.

I give it a thumbs up, though.  Really good game America’s missing out on.

Dear videocrazy17,

It was a mix of all of those.  I got stymied by Psyche-Lock coding and I wrote myself into some problems I’d have to dig out of because of poor planning, primarily.  I’d rather not release the chunks of it that may or may not still exist, just because I don’t like to show off anything that’s that unfinished.  It’s like seeing how the sausage is made.

That’s hard to say.  I’m a big fan of I’ll Be There, but A Guy You Can Trust and It’s Gotta Be the Butz are up there too.

Dear oliveguy,

I knew something had to exist out there.  It’s not like I’m a supporter of the ship or anything, but Adrian complimented Phoenix’s muscles and made Maya all jealous.  That alone gives it more support than half the nonsense ships I see out on the Ace Attorney tag.  I’m just wondering why it isn’t a thing.

Dear James,

I don’t think GTA has the right tone for AA.  Besides, all its protagonists are actually guilty.

Dear sudonim-mcphaykneighm,

I suppose anything’s possible since we know literally nothing about her, but that doesn’t really fit with what’s in my head.  We know Franziska struggles with the burdens placed on her and isn’t receptive to change (neither was Edgeworth since his first reaction was going off to kill himself) so chances are Big Sis von Karma isn’t going to abandon her heritage so easily and is likely a big part of Franziska’s desire to prove herself.  Franzy has to live up to her sibling’s excellence.

Dear Anonymous,

If you have the 3DS trilogy, I’d go with that since it has the fixes to the typos in the script.  If you don’t, go with what you already have.  I think I like the original sprites over the “HD” sprites anyway.

Dear spitfiring,

There’s no word on the western release yet other than the fact that it’s happening.  The Japanese release is on June 9th, so I’m hoping to see the localization by Christmas.

Dear Anonymous,

That is a very good question.  Looking back at the popularity rankings Japan did after DD, Athena ranks at 11th overall.  Keep in mind that this was very shortly after the game’s release, so now that feelings have settled, she might be higher or lower on public opinion.

You should also bear in mind that this was her debut game.  If people were asked to rank Apollo based on nothing but AJ he’d probably wind up somewhere near the bottom since he was such a non-character without importance or motivation.  Instead, DD sky rocketed him to the top of the list.

Phoenix has to be the main character because he is the main character and came in #1 on the poll that counted (Phoenix won on stream, Apollo and Edgeworth pulled ahead after the fact).  Apollo is hugely popular as well now and so he might be getting his day in the sun.  We still don’t have details on the LA side of AA6.  Then Maya is the highest rated female character (coming in at 4th) even after not being in a mainline Ace Attorney game since 2004.  She’s just that popular, so of course the game will focus on her as well.

So what AA6 holds for Athena, we’ll have to wait and see.  She might not be playable outside of Mood Matrix moments in court, but she’s still around.  I’m glad.  She and Apollo had a great dynamic in DD and with the two of them left in the city, I look forward to them freaking out and trying to keep the office from burning down.

Dear Anonymous,

I would like to see Mia, but not in her usual capacity.  She’d make an excellent cameo, but I do not want her helping out in court at all.  Phoenix has matured beyond the need for that and Maya should be appreciated as herself and not a spirit phone.

As for any hints, no, nothing has pointed to seeing her as of yet.

Dear Anonymous,

That’s up to you, but I’m looking forward to it.  With Maya pretending to be this seriously, sagely woman before taking off her hood it gives me hope.  Why?  Because it shows she knows how to act like a mature medium, even if she won’t around Phoenix.  They might just get her right.

Dear Anonymous,

I noticed she isn’t wearing the Master’s Talisman, though.  Maybe by the end of the game she’ll finally have her official position.

Dear brian,

That’s not entirely true.  Edgeworth, Pearl, and Klavier are only confirmed for the non-canon preorder DLC.  There’s nothing saying they won’t also be in the main game, but we don’t know that yet.

I expect the next announcement to be the detectives.  I’d love to see Gumshoe back, but I actually think I’d rather have Ema over in LA.  Kurain will probably have someone new.  Maybe Gummy will have a cameo in his new, promoted position.

You bet I saw Maya training.  I think the full version of that clip is the final Twitter campaign reward.

Dear Vee,

It doesn’t matter what I think.  Nick, how do you think Maya looks?

Yeah, that’s what I thought.

-The Mod

[askaceattorney]

Dear Mr. Rimes,

Uh... thank you for your interest in advertising for the Wright Anything Agency.

...We'll get back to you.

-Phoenix Wright

[askaceattorney]

Dear Mat,

I cannot judge Ms. Cykes personally, but I see promise in her as an attorney.

She just needs more experience in the courtroom and to think before speaking.

In fact, she does have quite the mouth on her, now that I mention it.

Prosecutor Blackquill's retrial was actually at the behest of his sister, using innocent lives as ransom.  I only allowed it because I doubted the man's guilt.

-Miles Edgeworth

[askaceattorney]

Dear Mat,

That actually looks pretty good and that would be a slick reference to movie Phoenix.  Although it would require me to go back and change all those sprites and I am incredibly lazy, so it probably won't happen.

Or rather: the edit never happen.

Plus, who would own a white trench coat?  Could you imagine trying to keep that thing clean?  There's no way Nick could afford all the dry cleaning bills.

Dear Anonymous,

Athena will be a defendant, accused of strangling someone with her side-ponytail.

(Link in letter)

Dear ipuntya,

The wall's right there, about an arm's length away.  He swings behind himself instead of way out to the side.

Dear Ryan,

Well, that would certainly warrant the M rating.

Dear taotruths,

I think deep down he knew Aura didn't actually want to hurt anyone and this was all she could think to do to save her brother's life.  I'd have liked to see Phoenix a bit more freaked out about Trucy, but that's my best theory.

Besides, if resilience were passed down, it would have to be through biological parents.  Trucy and Apollo got it from their mother's side.  Thalassa got clonked on the head and just took a nap in a contrabass case.  Zak got hit with a bottle and got his face broken.  C'mon, Zak, step it up.

-The Mod

[askaceattorney]

(Comic in letter)

Dear Comic Senders,

It is 11ºF outside, so an all American kotatsu sounds amazing right now.

So do hamburgers, for that matter.

Eat your hamburgers, Apollo.

I would love to actually see the Wonder Bar sometime.  Plus, Trucy and Apollo both need to be charged with murder.  They aren't in the cool kids' club yet.  Seeing Dad Phoenix handle his own daughter as a client would be fantastic.  Sign me up.

Dear jbjba1234,

All cases are murder trials, or turn into one.  That was the entire point behind clearing Ron DeLite of being a thief; so he could be a murderer and you were the one who put him at the scene of the crime.  Good job, hero.

Dear Miss Anonymous,

I've been playing since before it even went free to play, so I got the nifty veteran's helmet and badge and everything.

First step is not be nervous.  Everyone dies and you die a lot.  It's all part of the game.  Even if you suck, you can still play half the classes; Heavy, Soldier, Engie, or Pyro.  Anyone can spray bullets, fire, or explosions and anyone can put a sentry at a choke point and let it do all the aiming.  There are, of course, nuances to each of those classes that separate pros from rookies (except the Heavy) but they're great for beginners.

I started with Engineer myself, but at some point, playing house will get boring and you'll want to see the open range.  My recommendation is to just play whatever your team needs.  Even if you just die, you're still doing more than those 37 spies and snipers.

Sorry, this blog is my secret shame and I try to keep it out of the rest of my life.  We might cross paths, although my user name's shared with a lot of people.

Eat it, Polly.

Dear Asher Wright,

I think it was mentioned that Edgeworth became Chief Prosecutor a year or so before Turnabout for Tomorrow, so shortly before Phoenix got his badge back.  Funny, that.

There's no telling who held it between him and Lana.  When I was planning to write out Phoenix's lost years, I actually had Franziska as Chief Prosecutor and Edgeworth preemptively declined the position.

Also Simon shouldn't even be in a cell.  He's a free man!  As free as a bird!

Dear Anonymous,

I believe he was sent here to sabotage our space program.  Other than that, we don't know who he is or who he was working for.  That's either a loose end or sequel bait.

Dear Anonymous,

Bring back Maya.

Uh, other than that, I guess just don't have the characters spell out the solution to the problem so much.  If they're going to have a help button, save the conjecture for that and just word the script so we aren't being led by the hand but the characters don't sound dumb either.

Oh, and let us investigate everything.  Everything.  Man, I really missed all the pointless dialogue during investigation sequences.  In a game like this where characters are so important, hearing them talk about useless stuff is half of their personalities.

Takumi once said one of his greatest challenges in writing the first game was actually getting Phoenix and Maya to stop talking to each other and get back onto the case.  I believe his example was investigating the snack machine at Global Studios and how they eventually got off topic and talking about sports stadiums or marching bands or something.  I don't remember, but the point is that I want to read more pointless text.

Dear ellyvanhouten,

Yes, exactly.  They even say as much in DD.  When the two sides go all out, then they can find the truth.  It's all about trust; even trust in your "enemy".  Edgeworth just has the duty of being ice cold and that rubs a lot of people the wrong way.

Edgeworth often is misunderstood, and that's all part of his character too.  He's a very honest person, even when it hurts to hear, and he's not always very good at expressing himself on a personal level.

From the original trilogy when they tried to teach him to "whoop" to DD where Phoenix still has to suggest he smile more, Edgeworth is just a very reserved man and it takes a while to get used to him.  Phoenix understands him.  Others do as well, like Franziska, Gumshoe, Larry, and probably Maya too.  Everyone else just sees a stern man with a furrowed brow.

Unless you're a fangirl, then you think he's kawaii uguu~ and completely miss the point.

-The Mod

[askaceattorney]

Dear apollojasstice,

I demand a Diego game with Mia as co-council.

Dear Thane,

I was a big fan of Sully's no-nonsense face stomping attitude, and on the opposite end, I liked Stahl just because he was an all around nice guy.  I also liked Gregor and I was particularly fond of Miriel's $5 insults.  I don't call nearly enough people rebarbative fools.

Dear Anonymous,

Basically how they handled DD.  Phoenix would still be there and practicing, but Apollo would be a new recruit to the office.

AJ basically tried to replace Phoenix with Apollo and that was met with a ton of resistance with good reason.  DD gave us three protagonists, each different, but all working together.  There was something for everyone and I don't think anyone left disappointed.

To me, AJ felt alienating and out of place.  I wasn't in the comfortable Ace Attorney universe I already knew and loved and even after beating the game, there was no pay off.  No one came back to congratulate Nick, he only thought about getting his badge back, and Apollo still had no motivation or reason to be our protagonist.  I felt empty.

If Apollo was just a new face in the office dealing with Phoenix and all his eccentric friends while making his own, I don't think AJ would have been nearly as polarizing.  It could have done what DD did for Athena and given Apollo his own plot instead of just having you play another Phoenix Wright game without actually playing as Phoenix.

Dear Mat,

I'd like to think she reached her goal too, but at least as early as Turnabout Reclaimed, we know she's still a detective.  Trucy mentions her by her title, not by name, but it's obviously Ema.

As much as I talk down about AJ, I absolutely loved older Ema.  I relate with her so hard you can't even conceive it.  Luckily, with Fulbright out of the picture, either her or Gumshoe has to come back.  I can't decide which I want more, so I'll just hope they both do and you switch out detectives like how DD swapped out defense attorneys.

Imagine Apollo or Athena having to put up with lovable, bumbly, ol' Gumshoe or Ema being super psyched to work with Phoenix again.  I'd like to see Lana start existing again.  She wanted to work her way into law enforcement again somehow, and an sister detective duo would be pretty slick.

Dear Anonymous,

Well, Phoenix is voiced by Teddie, so there you go.

I'm never good at answering this question, because the best actors have a huge range.  Basically Maya needs to be energetic and friendly but by the new timeline, the youth in her voice would give way to maturity.  I don't have anyone by name.

Godot, however, would speak a saxophone solo with every word.  I picture his voice as Logan Cunningham, but without the gravel he used for Bastion's narrator.  Godot is smooth and suave.

Dear Asher Wright,

I still say he's Vega with a haircut.

Dear Katya,

What if Athena's missing father was actually Zak Gramarye?

-The Mod

[askaceattorney]

Dear Mat,

There were plenty of things I wanted to do in life.

Nothing was set in stone, though.  They were always just "some day" ideas.  I was too wrapped up in what I was doing at the time.

None of it matters now, anyway.  I've left my legacy to the next generation.

-Mia Fey

[askaceattorney]

Dear Mat,

Maya's way too much a cutie for Nick.

I should do my part and take her off his hands.

I'll bet that's why she's with him in the first place.  My expert skills with the ladies are contagious and Nick's got a case of the Butz Flu.

-Larry Butz