Board 8 > KCF plays Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice

(+) Yeah! (+)

I vaguely remember Athena's ability, but after requesting the refresher course, it wasn't complicated. That being said, I was worried that I just wasn't figuring it out in the context of Bonny's statement until the very last one was obviously wrong (she said that she felt bad but mood was happy).

Bonny switched to a bat motif. What the fuck? It does fit in a way because she comes across as being a bit batshit insane.

Now the game thinks it's the right time to point out that Trucy told nobody about moving the lifts in the underground passage.

There was something a little off about the way that Bonny looked in the still shot they showed of her performing on stage. Thus, I can buy the theory that there's two of them.
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I can also buy it now that we are calling the one on the stand Bonny #2. She wasn't keeping up on the bunny persona for personal reasons but professional ones to keep up the "teleportation" act.

This might completely change things, but I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't. In all likelihood, both people are probably innocent of the murder (could still be accomplices though). I am simultaneously impressed and disappointed that it means the third set of fingerprints belong to the "other" Bonny.

I will lose my shit if her name is Batty...Betty. That's close enough that most players should see the close connection and far enough away to keep me sane.

LOL, I am watching the animation of Betty bodyslamming into Bonny, and the expression on Bonny's face is a mixture of awkwardness and indecisiveness on how to react.
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During this new joint testimony, I know that I am supposed to point out that the fire bucket wasn't prepared, but there are three statements that would work for. As was expected, it took me three tries to get the one that only the game thinks is correct.

Everything was supposed to be a prank, and the only thing that changed from theory to reality was that Reus actually died instead of pretending. The script for this prank looks more like an unrefined set of notes.

Lucky for those gals, they breach their contract and don't get paid. Trucy "breaches" her contract and is on the hook for $3 million.

Trucy's signature is on another piece of suspicious paper and is all but confirmed to have been part of the carbon paper scam.

"Blood was found in the coffin hole that the sword was thrust into"
- I do not think that I would have the patience to last one session of court in a world where legal teams can hide and present evidence out of the blue.

I stopped as the trial went to recess.
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I am now convinced that the case ends in this trial. I have to assume that Retinz is the murderer since it seems highly unlikely that Reus was that deranged to get himself killed or that a horrible freak accident occurred because then Retinz would have been way to quick to manipulate stuff to pin it all on Trucy.

Reus facing toward the back of the coffin means that he was almost certainly dead before then because the only other opportunity for him to die was if Mr. Hat going up caused a sword to come down and pierce him. However, the back of the coffin doesn't appear to be damaged and Reus would have been stabbed through his abdomen.

I haven't given the "how" much more thought.
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the betty/bonnie twist is ridiculously stupid and waaaay more fun than you'd think it hs any right to be
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My favorite moment from Dual Destinies was probably when the one student at the college revealed themselves to be a girl, so I am prone to enjoying stupidly silly things as long as the game doesn't take it seriously.
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I dunno about the whole game, but that was definitely the best moment of the case, yeah!
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You have to remember that I found the game to be dreadfully boring, so just about anything that gave it a shot in the arm was met with some level of exuberance.
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I should wrap up the trial tonight and post about it tomorrow
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Retinz mentioned the Gramarye Creed is to always smile, which is contained in the notebook that only Trucy has the key to. Why didn't I make the connection that Retinz is the real Mr. Reus, when I have already mentioned multiple times my suspicions that the dead Mr. Reus is not the real Mr. Reus? Oh, and he is clearly a magician too (made camera disappear). Motive is now completely clear.

Bonny wanted to say something but Betty stopped her. Why do people insist on adding the emptiness that is teasing for sake of teasing? It adds NOTHING of value.

A magic trick instead of traditional testimony? I approve.

Oh god, they don't replenish the "health bar" like I recall them doing in previous games. I am down to one badge, so I will likely have to start abusing load/saves.
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I didn't 100% know the exact consistency with Trucy's testimoney, but I just assumed it was about her sword-swapping and that I didn't recall her twirling in her stage performance.

I'm not going to lie, when I was instructed to view inconsistencies from the Bonny camera angle, I saw nothing out of the ordinary. After seeing them side-by-side, I kept finding shots where the sword should easily be visible from the Bonny angles, but the game isn't biting. Oh, it is obviously random cards being flung toward Bonny. That works too.

Retinz is hitting the stand. This must be the home stretch.

Don't these games take place in the near future? How is someone famous for having a catch phrase that is ripped straight from '60s/'70s surfer culture?
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Retinz made a nice save in saying that Reus was maybe killed after the dragon fell, but the prank script debunks that since the fake Reus neither "sprung back to life" nor laughed as he went up.

Shouldn't Retinz be held in contempt for repeatedly recording trial activity after being explicitly told not to by the judge?

I just now noticed that the Reus in the prank video doesn't have a scar like that from the promotional poster. I feel dumb that I missed that. At least I now can save time when I inevitably have to point that out.

I know that it is a tough task that in this bizarro alternate reality, trials take place the day after the crime was committed (and accused are charged with a crime the day of), but you could really help me out Apollo by not forgetting important details that you learn when examining the crime scene.
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I know that fake Reus had that harness tied to his back, suggesting that he was lifted up by a winch, but isn't that in violation of the prank script if he indeed was alive? I don't want to sound like a broken record, but this is a big issue.

Nice, it was in the budget to provide a 3D model of the murder.

Uh, this whole deductive mind-thing of Apollo's is new right? This reminds me of the logic dive from Danganronpa 2 without the half-assed snowboard aspect.
- Bonny's mistake wasn't planned
- Mr. Hat's positioning was Bonny's mistake (I laughed at poor life choices being an option)
- Blood on coffin was affected in cover up
- Coffin sides were changed (I wondered how the interchangeable side flaps and backward fingerprints would fit into this).

Nah's defeated animation was super lame, but Retinz' was actually decent.
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Trucy is kind of a naive, greenhorn, but we are talking about a 17-year-old kid doing her first performance. Isn't that to be expected?

Nah and Apollo knew each other, but Apollo apparently has a traumatic past that he never tells anyone.

End of Episode 2.

Pros
+ Entertaining twists and turns
+ Good pacing
+ Nah and Apollo's past sounds a hell of a lot more intriguing than Defiant Dragons

Cons
- Nah is boring
- For a case where timing is everything, having nothing in the court record that helps establish a timeline was a poor decision
- The particulars of the "how" of the crime was just okay
- Even if they partially redeemed himself with his true self, the game really fucked up with the Retinz facade
- Fake Reus not doing his part of the prank despite being alive was misleading
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KCF0107 posted...

Oh god, they don't replenish the "health bar" like I recall them doing in previous games. I am down to one badge, so I will likely have to start abusing load/saves.

The life bar is more around for tradition these days. If it runs out, you just watch a short game over sequence before the game puts you right back where you lost but with a full life bar.
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Yeah, don't abuse load/saves in this game. You don't lose progress if you game over.

Good to know
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Will resume tonight and post tomorrow
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Broadly agree on a lot of the points you made. Specifically, the magic trick testimony is amazing, and not really knowing what the inconsistencies on video were. I also thought of DR2. Poor life decisions OP.

I feel silly in hindsight for not catching Reus != Mistree. Great call by you there.

KCF0107 posted...

Shouldn't Retinz be held in contempt for repeatedly recording trial activity after being explicitly told not to by the judge?

shouldn't franziska be held in contempt for physical assault on the judge

you get kinda inured to contempt of court after that

KCF0107 posted...

Nah's defeated animation was super lame, but Retinz' was actually decent.

I thought the reverse. The exploding beads cracked me up every time.
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It was a huge red flag that they waited until the beginning of the trial to reveal the victim's name and age. It wasn't until Retinz' slip up of the Gramarye Creed that I had my proof.
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I was actually completely tripped up by the fact that the victim had a different age - it threw me off the scent completely, because I was for some reason expecting that they would have to be the same age, even though clearly no since he's faking being a persona, not a person

I obviously already posted this, but when I saw that the victim was 30, that meant he was a kid when he was kicked out of Troupe Gramarye. That didn't sit well with me either, but I also know that Japan is really wacky about ages.
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yeah, aa in particular loves its prodigies, too. again, franziska. but also regina or acro's little brotherfit as really young professionals.

Paratroopa1 posted...

I was actually completely tripped up by the fact that the victim had a different age - it threw me off the scent completely, because I was for some reason expecting that they would have to be the same age, even though clearly no since he's faking being a persona, not a person

same! no one questioned it! and i felt the same about retinz.
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obligatory

http://www.awkwardzombie.com/index.php?page=0&comic=031614

I like how the characters get sillier the further their age goes down

Episode 3: The Rites of Turnabout

The thing from Spirited Away is presumably murdering people.

Ahlbi's theme is the same as Bonny/Betty, but it is ill-fitting for Khura'in culture.

I would be shocked if Maya isn't accused of murder. The only other option is if they are going to go after Ahlbi again.

If you have to wonder if Maya has matured, the answer is almost certainly no.

15 hours a day praying? Oh, it is just figurative prayer.
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Maya is older than me at 28. Does this mean Phoenix is about 40?

Her home is Kurain. This is Khura'in. I feel like there's some sort of connection here that I'm missing.

Maya intends to go home after performing the rite tonight. She's definitely going to be accused of murder. What's that, Maya's going to be dressing up as the thing that presumably killed two men in the opening video? It would be a monumental shocker if she isn't accused of murder now.

"Rebel hunter" has popped up a few times already
- Phoenix inner thought + dialogue from men in opening video

Hmm, the guys at the beginning might not have been killed. Their appearances do not match up with those from the newspaper (I think), but I'll just assume that they weren't killed.
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I do not doubt that it's a thing, but I have honestly never heard of someone passing out from immediate back pain.

Ahahaha, Maya's been arrested. I am looking forward to Athena, Pearl, Ema, or someone else being arrested in the next episode. I assume it was murder, and the victim is likely the high priest or that Zealot guy (I know that they spelled it differently) they pointed out earlier. Well, Zealot is still therem so it's probably the high priest. I wonder if it will end up being Zealot despite being in a prayer position.

Ema is here, so I presume Nah came home. If I don't sound thrilled, it's because I'm not.

Zeh'lot is the guys real name, and he lives with the victim and I believe they said that the victim's wife was pregnant. Nasty soap opera shenanigans perhaps? That might be too adult for this game.

Rite was apparently performed at night, but it didn't look dark to me. Phoenix must have been out for awhile.
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Victim's name was Tahrust Inmee - Trust in me

Murder was in the inner sanctum, which basically nobody is allowed in. I am assuming that Maya was allowed in there as an exception since she was a stand-in for the ritual.

"Yeah I can't say that I've been impressed with the police work I've seen so far."
- Phoenix

I wholeheartedly agree if we encompass the entire franchise. What do you expect when investigation-to-charges-to-trial occurs in a 24 hour period!

Nah is confirmed to be my opponent.
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Tahrust died from blood loss due to a stab wound to the abdomen. The murder weapon is believed (aka probably not) the dagger from Maya's ritual getup.

I stopped before heading off to the crime scene, without getting it cleared first. Talk about giving something for the future gallery to lambaste me over during trial.
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Oh, they are allowing me to get to their version of the detention center first. It makes more sense to go look at the crime scene. Fuck, it seems that Rayfa is here. She's not going to be happy to see unauthorized personnel on sacred ground. Ouch, they are making me continue talking to her before investigating the crime scene.

"All practitioners from overseas are big, big phony baloneys!"
- Rayfa are insisting that she wasn't a child

I have no idea why they placed info about Tahrust's face tattoo in the autopsy report of all places.

Large info dump for my convenience regarding the investigation:
- A single lantern has its wind guard broken
- Area around said lantern had its snow shoveled
- Inner sanctum is higher than the adjacent mountain top
- Only moon and lanterns were a source of light during the rite
- Bird statue is missing an eye
- Amount of blood loss indicates an incredible amount of force was used
- The Lady Kee'ra robe is believed to be the real deal
- The robe smells of incense
- Blood-stained letter appears to be orders/directives from someone in Defiant Dragons
- Paper flags were sewn together
- Curtain surrounding the sanctum perimeter was shut during the rite
- No dagger is at the scene
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Puhray Zeh'lot is mentioned yet again. Could I be on the right track with my baseless theory?

Some guy in what appears to be a disguise wants me to guess who he is. Hell if I know, Butz? I guess he left before I could find out.

Why would Rayfa think that this guy is Khura'inese solely because he knew of Lady Kee'ra? If 100% of the country are devout practitioners of the same religion (which has to be a lie since Defiant Dragons no?), how on earth would someone see the goddamn princess (a child at that) and say, "Oh, are you this woman of legend from long, long ago?"

I dig the new style of detention center. The old one was cold and uninviting. The new one looks a bit homely with the added prison bars to remind you that this isn't a vacation spot.
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Maya felt sleepy during a critical part of the rite. If they claim that she ingested something well-before the rite, eyes are on the widow since Maya has already mentioned loving her food. If they claim she was drugged during the rite, then you got me.

Maya wants to keep her channeling ability a secret. I don't know about you, but it seems like if there was one place in the world where people would accept her for her "gifts" it would be here.

Maya claims that the water surrounding the bird statue was already red when she got there. Perhaps it was mixed with some agent that slowly knocks people out? The police confirmed that the water turned red due to the victim's blood, so you know that they are wrong.

Police did a poor job at inspecting the person they are accusing of murder. Maya has an important piece of evidence on her. It is a note from "Lady Kee'ra" that demands for the rite to not be performed and "she knows what you are planning." I assume that the you refers to Tahrust. Said letter has holes in it.
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Ahlbi explains boring Defiant Dragon stuff. That being said, I have to pay attention so I don't get confused when this is all at the forefront of the game. The previous Queen, Amara, was assassinated by supposedly Dhurke. If I recall correctly, he was previously an attorney, so maybe the country's hatred toward attorneys stems from that and not anything that actually occurred in the courtroom.

Phoenix likes the escaped prisoner as the true culprit for the current crime. Naturally, I do not.

A three-pronged arrow was found near the victim's house.

I have met the widow, Beh'leeb Inmee - Believe in me. I can't help but feel that these puns will end up being ill-fitting for their true character.

This country has their own version of Steel Samurai, The Plumed Punisher.
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There's a poster confirming the differences in heights between the two peaks. This was added into evidence, so it definitely matters. Given the reasons why they suspect Maya, I have to assume that I will end up having to prove the murder could partially take place on this shorter peak (might have something to do with the broken wind guard and/or the sewn together papers). I'm probably not going to remember the names of each peak, but I will try to remember that there is a 12 meter difference.

Datz Are'bal is the escaped prisoner. That's our pal?

There is an envelope with the same holes as the letter sitting in the trash can. Perhaps this was not sent to Tahrust but to Beh'leeb. Perhaps this was the true reason why she didn't attend the rite or maybe she sent it to herself to get her out of it so she could then kill her husband. Maybe, she isn't even pregnant and created that story as part of the plot to kill her husband and then she can claim to have had a natural abortion later due to the stress of losing her husband. I am not getting a good vibe from her and her expression-less face. It seems like destiny that she will eventually crack in court and that expression-less face will turn into something fierce.

Oh, the letter was addressed to Tahrust. So much for all those theories, not that they are all debunked mind you.
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Psyche locks are back. I don't need to retell what went down, but I feel super dumb that I didn't associate the three-pronged arrow (that was found near their home no less) with the holes on the envelope and letter.

The warning came three days before the rite. This makes no sense, but it was found at the side of their bed. I picture this place as one where everyone keeps their doors unlocked, but in this bizarre scenario where someone bothered to stick an arrow through an envelope and place it next to a bed, it suggests that Zeh'lot was the culprit behind the envelope. I'd sooner believe that Beh'leeb is lying through her teeth than Zeh'lot being that much of an idiot.

What's that, they DID have their house locked up? Please let it be Beh'leeb.

Phoenix thinks that only Maya might know more about Tahrust. Uh, have we forgotten Zeh'lot, you know the guy who lived with Tahrust? I know that we can't speak to him now, but how was he not the first person you thought of?

They are making me attend a rite for Tahrust. I probably don't want to meet Rayfa's parents...oh for fuck's sake her father is the Minister of Justice! He is still an arrogant douche. At least the queen was tolerable. Rayfa definitely takes more after her father.
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According to Maya, Tahrust was constantly looking at the sky during the rite.

Spirit channeling is a secret art that only the queen is permitted to do. This country is so lame. Maya might be related to the royal family. That means she totally is.

Maya is training to be able to channel spirits whenever she wants and at will. It sounds like she's really training to be a criminal mastermind or maybe just an asshole who will channel spirits when they just want to be left alone.

I am seeing a trend of things that seem unimportant that are being brought up again and again. This time it's Plumed Punisher. Maya is in possession of a one-of-a-kind strap (it was mentioned in orange text, so I guess it is important). She traded a Steel Samurai watch for it. I bet that wasn't one-of-a-kind and she took advantage of a native and swindled them. The strap plays the theme song when you press the Magatama on it (once again, it was mentioned in orange text).

I stopped after Maya was taken away again.
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KCF0107 posted...

Datz Are'bal is the escaped prisoner. That's our pal?

'That's a rebel.' <_<

"All practitioners from overseas are big, big phony baloneys!"
- Rayfa are insisting that she wasn't a child

what do you think of rayfa as a partner so far?
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She is fine as a partner, but due to her rigid views, certain topics of discussion become immediately tiresome
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When I was playing AA6 I read Datz's name as "that's horrible" in a French accent, but I'm pretty sure SD is correct >_>
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SeabassDebeste posted...

'That's a rebel.' <_<

makes a lot more sense. I suck at figuring out these foreign name puns
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that's our ball

It's still That's Horrible to me.
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it might be an intentional double entendre like like puh'ray zehlot (pure zealot/prays a lot)?
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Update within a few hours
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I was wrong last case, but I would have to assume there will be multiple invest/trial segments in this case. We haven't even spoken to Zeh'lot!

It seems that the main point of this trial is to provide reasonable doubt via establishing a motive for the rebel hunter to target Tahrust.

This is a pretty strict country, so I'm surprised that they aren't making Maya stand at the witness/defendant stand.

Lowest level of hell has you tickled non-stop for 500 million years. What happens after that?

Oh, we are doing the royal seance right off the bat. I guess we aren't messing around this time.
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oh cool, you're already at trial. this is a funand frustrating one!
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I wonder how many times Rayfa has tripped from her long silk while practicing the seance dance.

We never saw Maya don the Lady Kee'ra robes, and it seems damn near impossible to do so in a matter of seconds, so why isn't anyone raising that point?

I don't recall anyone mentioning the piece of paper that Tahrust was holding nor do I recall seeing it at the crime scene.

Seances got a little more complicated as I now have to look out for the size of the words that appear as they indicate intensity of said words pertaining to the victim.
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More the latter imo!
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KCF0107 posted...

We never saw Maya don the Lady Kee'ra robes, and it seems damn near impossible to do so in a matter of seconds, so why isn't anyone raising that point?

they're literally accusing her of being a superhero - of course she can just burst into her costume!
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Something is clearly up with the lantern, but I realized that footsteps' size remained constant despite incense growing. Whew! After struggling with the seance from the first case, I am 1 for 1 so far.

Oh ho ho, the victim was moving. They are trying to say that he tried to attack/stop the person dressed up as Lady Kee'ra, but even though it makes sense on paper given the letter he received and Maya mentioning that he he kept glancing at the sky, that theory doesn't make sense given the position of his hands. An alternative theory, which doesn't make much sense either as things stand, is that he was forcibly moved from his original spot.

Part II of the seance kicked my ass despite knowing that half of the equation was Rayfa's revised statement. I feel dumb, it was the water sound. I am pretty sure that was not in the original seance, so I feel super dumb for not noticing it.

Part III finally brought up the lantern that I found peculiar!
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