The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
A compilation of two previously Japan-exclusive Ace Attorney prequels.
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, released in 2021, is a compilation that brings together two previously Japan-exclusive titles: The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures (2015) and The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve (2017). For audiences outside Japan, this collection represents the first opportunity to play the spin-off prequel series.
The localization, headed by Janet Hsu, treated the project primarily as a story, consistent with other Ace Attorney titles. However, this game demanded extra historical and cultural research to preserve its period feel. For instance, rather than redoing evidence textures in English, the team requested a new UI system from programmers to add subtitles to pieces of evidence, maintaining the flavor of Meiji-era Japan.
Unlike previous localizations, few Japanese cultural nuances were altered here. The game’s story and themes rely heavily on the contrast between Japanese and British cultures, so adjustments were minimal. Some phrasing was fine-tuned to bring out intended nuances—for example, ensuring Western players understood that Susato Mikotoba’s behavior follows Japanese etiquette rather than being deferential. Translating jokes and conversations that wouldn’t land with a Western audience proved difficult. A snowman discussion between Ryunosuke and Susato, originally referencing daruma dolls and “two heads” or “three heads” high, had to be reworked. Hsu considered what the Japanese version aimed for and either translated directly or found the nearest approximation. The original’s “faux-Meiji Era” Japanese dialogue, understandable to modern audiences, was mirrored by having British characters speak in “faux-Victorian” dialects, like Gina Lestrade’s Cockney accent.
Growing awareness of Japanese culture allowed Hsu to include honorifics like “-san” and “-sama” without explanation, contrasting with English “Mister” and “Miss” to subtly signal when characters are speaking Japanese. Because the story is tied to the protagonist being Japanese, conveying his immigrant experience naturally was crucial. Unlike past localizations where the setting was Americanized, explaining Japanese culture to Ryunosuke would feel unnatural, so information was slipped in through context clues and indirect dialogue.
Quick Facts
- Title
- The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
- Developer
- Capcom
- Director
- Masakazu KougouOriginal games directed by Shu Takumi
- Producer
- Yasuyuki Makino · Daizo Nonaka
- Designer
- Masakazu Kougou
- Programmer
- Yuta Taki
- Artist
- Kazuya Nuri
- Composer
- Yasumasa Kitagawa
- Series
- Ace Attorney
- Engine
- MT Framework
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Windows
- Released
- WW · July 27, 2021 · JP · July 29, 2021
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles was announced in April 2021 after a localization leak in February 2021. Head localizer Janet Hsu approached the localization primarily as a story, requiring historical and cultural background research to preserve the period feel. Unlike previous Ace Attorney localizations, few Japanese cultural nuances were altered because the game's story and theming rely on the contrast between Japanese and British cultures. Hsu included Japanese honorifics like "-san" and "-sama" without explanation, leveraging increased awareness of Japanese culture. The British characters speak in faux-Victorian dialect, such as the Cockney accent of Gina Lestrade. The character Sherlock Holmes was renamed "Herlock Sholmes" for the international release due to copyright issues with the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, an allusion to Maurice Leblanc's Arsène Lupin versus Herlock Sholmes. This renaming generated memes and coverage by major online news outlets.
Reader's Guide
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is significant as the first Western release of the spin-off prequel series, ending years of regional exclusivity. Its localization approach was distinctive: rather than Americanizing the setting, the team preserved the Japanese protagonist's immigrant experience and the cultural contrasts between Japan and Britain. This required subtle conveyance of cultural information through context clues, as explaining Japanese culture to a Japanese protagonist would seem unnatural. The inclusion of real-life figure Natsume Sōseki posed a challenge, as his cultural familiarity in Japan did not translate to Western audiences. The compilation received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising the cohesive story, memorable characters, and new gameplay mechanics like the summation examination and Dances of Deductions, though some noted the game's slow pace and the small, repetitive cast. The localization was widely praised, and the game was called the best in the franchise by some outlets, though others felt the core gameplay needed more substantial updates.
Did You Know?
- The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is the first release of the series outside Japan, as both component games were previously Japan-exclusive.
- Head localizer Janet Hsu included Japanese honorifics like '-san' and '-sama' without explanation, relying on increased awareness of Japanese culture.
- The localization team used British translators to avoid relying on American stereotypes of England.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles?
It is a 2021 compilation from Capcom that bundles two previously Japan-exclusive Ace Attorney prequel titles, marking the first time Western players could experience the spin-off series.
Which two games are included in The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles?
The collection pairs The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures (originally released in 2015) with The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve (originally released in 2017), both of which serve as prequel stories to the main Ace Attorney franchise.
What platforms can I play The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles on?
The game launched on July 27, 2021, and is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Windows PC.
Who led the English localization of The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles?
Janet Hsu headed the localization team, and the project called for additional historical and cultural research to keep the Victorian-era and Meiji-period atmosphere intact.
What pre-order bonus came with The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles?
Pre-orders placed before September 1, 2021 included a downloadable pack called From the Vaults, which added extra art and music content to the game.
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