Capcom’s E3 2021 was full of exciting announcements, but one of the biggest wasThe Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, which is a compilation that localizes two games previously exclusive to Japan. Directed by Shu Takumi, theAce Attorneyseries pioneered the mystery visual novel genre and helped popularize visual novels in general in the West. Though Takumi is known for theAce Attorneyseries, he also conceptualized a similar game titledGhost Trick: Phantom Detectiveback in 2010.
One of the most underrated games released on the Nintendo DS,Ghost Trick: Phantom Detectivetakes theAce Attorneyformula and puts a unique spin on it with its reverse time puzzles. Unfortunately,Ghost Trick: Phantom Detectivedidn’t receive the fanfare that theAce Attorneyseries did. However, with the renewed interest in mystery visual novels likeAI: The Somnium Filesand theDanganronpaseries, now would be the perfect time for Capcom to bring backGhost Trick.
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The Charm of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detectivewasinitially conceived by Shu Takumi as a new type of mystery visual novelthat would have a different style than theAce Attorneygames. InGhost Trick: Phantom Detective,players control an amnesiac ghost named Sissel who can use a variety of abilities called “Ghost Tricks” to interact with the environment around him. Sissel is also able to possess corpses and travel back in time before their deaths, using Ghost Tricks to try and save the person. Though the basic concept of the gameplay mechanics are fairly simple, the puzzles could be quite difficult.
Much of the charm ofGhost Trick: Phantom Detectivestemmed from its eccentric narrative and the unexpected twists it employs. Though time travel isn’t a unique concept by any means,Ghost Trick: Phantom Detectiveis able to continually subvert player expectations while managing to wrap up the plot in a satisfying way. As players advance deeper into the story, the mystery becomes gradually more compelling thanks to its gripping storyline. Together with its entertaining puzzles and smooth animations,Ghost Trick: Phantom Detectivewas a charismatic approach to the mystery visual novel genre that was able todifferentiate itself fromAce Attorneygames.
Bringing Back Ghost Trick
Unfortunately, despite its charming style and mind-bending narrative,Ghost Trick: Phantom Detectiveflew under the radar at its release, and Capcom attributed the game to low profits during the company’s first fiscal quarter in 2010. Part of the reason was that it was released at the tail end of the Nintendo DS’s lifespan, and unlike many other games at the time, it never received a Nintendo 3DS port. As a result, it seemed that Capcom wasn’t interested in developing a sequel. On the other hand, director Shu Takumi seemed open to the idea, and even stated that he would love to createa crossover game betweenGhost TrickandAce Attorney.
After Takumi finishedGhost Trick: Phantom Detective,he wouldn’t be involved in another mainlineAce Attorneyentry untilThe Great Ace Attorneyduology. With Takumi’s return to the franchise andThe Great Ace Attorney Chroniclesfinally appearing in the West, there’s never been a better time for Capcom to bring backGhost Trick.While Sissel’s story is all but finished, there’s plenty to explore with the Ghost Trick mechanics in another setting or timeline. At the very least, a remake or port ofGhost Trick: Phantom Detectiveto the Nintendo Switch would help bring attention to the criminally underrated game.
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