Western fans might not know this, but the last case in every version of AA 1 that we've received was not part of the game's original release. When the game was released on the GBA in Japan, this case was barely a twinkle in creator Shu Takumi's eye. Instead it was an addition to the DS port, meant to entice returning players with new content and make use of the DS' new hardware capabilities. That port was not made until after the release of the third game in the original trilogy. As such, it's possible that Takumi assumed at the time that this would be the last Ace Attorney case he would ever write. That might explain this case's length and complexity. Takumi had gotten used to writing on that level and probably wanted to leave the series on a high note. Let's look at the results.
I mentioned it above and it bears repeating here: this case is very long, and very complex. It's essentially three crimes in one, with each of the three investigation and trial days covering one of the crimes. It's worth noting though that unlike all the original cases in this game, this one splits each trial segment into at least two parts, with the final one taking three. That's a lot of content to cover in a game that was already struggling in the pacing department. To its credit, the length is better utilized here than it was in Turnabout Samurai. I don't know if I'd say it's better paced than Turnabout Goodbyes, but they're on roughly even footing. But the biggest reason it's so long isn't because the case is a slog, it's because it covers a staggering amount of ground.
Being caught between the original ending of AA 1 and the beginning of AA 2, there's a limit to how much this case can incorporate series mainstays and what it can do with them. Their arcs are already set, so it can't rock the boat too much. The solution to that problem is to populate this case with mostly new characters. Aside from Phoenix, Edgeworth, Gumshoe and the Judge, everyone in here is a new character that we haven't seen before. That's the first level of complexity, as this case has to simultaneously introduce a new cast of characters while also explaining why we never actually see these characters again. That could've been a relatively simple process if the writers had decided to set the case in an area Phoenix wouldn't have a reason to return to later, like Global Studios in Turnabout Samurai. But that would also be underwhelming after the higher stakes of Turnabout Goodbyes. If this case was going to follow it up, new players would want it to feel bigger. The obvious choice on how to do that is to make a case involving corruption in the police and prosecutorial departments. But that means that each character involved now has to be linked to departments that Phoenix is involved with regularly. If that's the case, then each one needs to have their own reason that they don't show up again later in the trilogy. In this scenario, the writers ended up making more work for both themselves and the player.
That said, it is a mostly good cast. The supporting players are utilized effectively, and most of the new characters work well. Meekins and Angel Star are exceptions, with Meekins being somewhat annoying and Star being underwhelming. They're not particularly bad, but they could've been better. The remaining new players fare much better. Ema Skye makes for a very fun assistant and Maya substitute. They're both excitable and quirky, but Ema is less of a rule-breaker and more ambitious than Maya, in addition to the obvious science/magic dichotomy. Jake Marshall seems like a one-note joke character at the start, but as the case goes on he reveals a surprising amount of depth. Lana Skye is a good defendant. It's obvious that things are going on beneath the surface when we meet her, but peeling away her defenses and learning the truth about her is both satisfying and heartbreaking. Damon Gant is one of the series' best villains. He appears affable on the surface, but is also immediately recognizable as someone you don't want to cross. As you slowly learn more about him the affability fades away, and you begin to realize just what a monster he is. This man will resort to murder, blackmail, and threatening a child in order to gain power. He claims that it was in the pursuit of justice, but it’s a hollow excuse when one considers that instead of murdering the unconscious serial killer, he instead targeted a detective. Whatever noble goals he might have had are undone by his heinous actions and selfishness.
Overall, my feelings on this case are similar to my feelings on the Lord of the Rings movies or Avengers: Endgame. They’re wonderful stories that I always come out of happy that I put aside the time to experience them. But it’s very hard to find that time because they’re so long. Rise From the Ashes is a great story, but it’s a hard one to revisit.
Rise From the Ashes: An Interesting Addition
Western fans might not know this, but the last case in every version of AA 1 that we've received was not part of the game's original release. When the game was released on the GBA in Japan, this case was barely a twinkle in creator Shu Takumi's eye. Instead it was an addition to the DS port, meant to entice returning players with new content and make use of the DS' new hardware capabilities. That port was not made until after the release of the third game in the original trilogy. As such, it's possible that Takumi assumed at the time that this would be the last Ace Attorney case he would ever write. That might explain this case's length and complexity. Takumi had gotten used to writing on that level and probably wanted to leave the series on a high note. Let's look at the results.
I mentioned it above and it bears repeating here: this case is very long, and very complex. It's essentially three crimes in one, with each of the three investigation and trial days covering one of the crimes. It's worth noting though that unlike all the original cases in this game, this one splits each trial segment into at least two parts, with the final one taking three. That's a lot of content to cover in a game that was already struggling in the pacing department. To its credit, the length is better utilized here than it was in Turnabout Samurai. I don't know if I'd say it's better paced than Turnabout Goodbyes, but they're on roughly even footing. But the biggest reason it's so long isn't because the case is a slog, it's because it covers a staggering amount of ground.
Being caught between the original ending of AA 1 and the beginning of AA 2, there's a limit to how much this case can incorporate series mainstays and what it can do with them. Their arcs are already set, so it can't rock the boat too much. The solution to that problem is to populate this case with mostly new characters. Aside from Phoenix, Edgeworth, Gumshoe and the Judge, everyone in here is a new character that we haven't seen before. That's the first level of complexity, as this case has to simultaneously introduce a new cast of characters while also explaining why we never actually see these characters again. That could've been a relatively simple process if the writers had decided to set the case in an area Phoenix wouldn't have a reason to return to later, like Global Studios in Turnabout Samurai. But that would also be underwhelming after the higher stakes of Turnabout Goodbyes. If this case was going to follow it up, new players would want it to feel bigger. The obvious choice on how to do that is to make a case involving corruption in the police and prosecutorial departments. But that means that each character involved now has to be linked to departments that Phoenix is involved with regularly. If that's the case, then each one needs to have their own reason that they don't show up again later in the trilogy. In this scenario, the writers ended up making more work for both themselves and the player.
That said, it is a mostly good cast. The supporting players are utilized effectively, and most of the new characters work well. Meekins and Angel Star are exceptions, with Meekins being somewhat annoying and Star being underwhelming. They're not particularly bad, but they could've been better. The remaining new players fare much better. Ema Skye makes for a very fun assistant and Maya substitute. They're both excitable and quirky, but Ema is less of a rule-breaker and more ambitious than Maya, in addition to the obvious science/magic dichotomy. Jake Marshall seems like a one-note joke character at the start, but as the case goes on he reveals a surprising amount of depth. Lana Skye is a good defendant. It's obvious that things are going on beneath the surface when we meet her, but peeling away her defenses and learning the truth about her is both satisfying and heartbreaking. Damon Gant is one of the series' best villains. He appears affable on the surface, but is also immediately recognizable as someone you don't want to cross. As you slowly learn more about him the affability fades away, and you begin to realize just what a monster he is. This man will resort to murder, blackmail, and threatening a child in order to gain power. He claims that it was in the pursuit of justice, but it’s a hollow excuse when one considers that instead of murdering the unconscious serial killer, he instead targeted a detective. Whatever noble goals he might have had are undone by his heinous actions and selfishness.
Overall, my feelings on this case are similar to my feelings on the Lord of the Rings movies or Avengers: Endgame. They’re wonderful stories that I always come out of happy that I put aside the time to experience them. But it’s very hard to find that time because they’re so long. Rise From the Ashes is a great story, but it’s a hard one to revisit.