Episode 1: The Lost Turnabout

Like the first game in the series, Phoenix’ first case in Justice For All serves somewhat like a tutorial, making sure that newcomers won’t get lost. After a severe blow to the head, the ace attorney finds himself fighting a spot of amnesia… just as he is asked to proceed to the courtroom with his defendant.

A court in session is no good place for a defense attorney to draw a blank, so you’ll quickly need to put the pieces together for the trial of Maggey Byrde. The young policewoman is being accused of shoving her colleague and possible love interest to an untimely death. She swears she’s innocent, and has put her fate in your hands.

Prosecutor Winston Payne may not look very intimidating, but – unlike Phoenix - he seems to know what he is talking about, and he quickly introduces his first witness: Detective Dick Gumshoe, superior officer to both the victim and the defendant at the local precinct, brings up the autopsy report and refers to an important piece of evidence. None of these ring a bell to Phoenix, but thankfully the defendant herself steps up to the plate and points out that you can check the Court Record.

The Court Record contains profiles on everyone involved in the case, which definitely helps Phoenix figure out what’s going in. Furthermore it contains the autopsy report, as well as the evidence that was presented in the preliminary hearing. It’s not exactly enough to secure a “Not Guilty” verdict, but it’s a start. About time too, as Detective Gumshoe is just about to continue his testimony with some decisive evidence…

He procures a photograph of the victim, who in his dying moments managed to spell out the name ‘Maggie’ with his right hand in the dirt. When Phoenix gets a chance to cross-examine the witness, he points to the defendant’s profile, where it says “Maggey Byrde”. If the defendant and the victim were indeed lovers, wouldn’t they know how to spell each other’s names?

Gumshoe claims they were a serious couple, even considering marriage. He distinctly recalls Maggey buying a custom-made left-hander’s baseball glove for the victim’s birthday. And that’s when it hits Phoenix – amnesia or not – how could a dying left-handed man write down the name of his killer with his right index finger? Clearly the defendant is being set up!

But just as the judge is about to declare Maggey Byrde ‘Not Guilty’, prosecutor Payne says he’s not finished yet. In fact, he has another witness…


At that point, the court goes into recess, and you’ll have to find out for yourself what happens next. But the first case mostly eases you into the gameplay, and things will get a lot harder from this point onwards! Quirky characters, complicated cases and the series’ trademark superb writing are ready for a comeback. Are you?