Operation Backlog Completion 2026
Sep 272023
 

The recently-released Final Fantasy VII mobile game Ever Crisis is also coming to PC, as recently announced by Square Enix.

The PC version has no set release date yet, but it’s in development.

Now, you might have noticed that even though we’re coming up on three weeks since Ever Crisis launched, I haven’t said anything about it. That’s partly because Ever Crisis forces you to alternate between the available stories. I played through the start of the Final Fantasy VII story, but the next chapter is locked until I play through the start of Crisis Core.

Since it’s just the start for now, I might do it, but I’d rather play the Crisis Core remaster before experiencing its story in abridged mobile game format.

That is my strongest impression of Ever Crisis right now. It gives you shortened versions of Final Fantasy VII scenes to play through, so it’s a fun refresher but not the best way to experience the story. I do find its version of the ATB combat system pretty fun, though.

The gacha hasn’t been too intrusive in the little bit I’ve played, but it certainly does like showing me ads to let me know I could be spending money right now.

Even more than not wanting to start Crisis Core yet, I’ve just found myself not feeling any pressing need to play Ever Crisis. All the gacha game trappings just drain my motivation away and make me want to play a regular JRPG instead, despite liking the combat. I do want to experience the original stories, though, so maybe I’ll get back to it.

Anyway, are you playing or planning to play Ever Crisis? Are you more interested in it knowing it’ll get a PC release?

Sep 252023
 

I mentioned it briefly on Friday, but now let’s discuss it in more detail. During Capcom’s TGS showcase, the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy received a January 25 release day.

I almost joked about the possibility in my post about Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth coming out on January 26, right ahead of Granblue Fantasy Relink and Persona 3 Reload, with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth a month later. I almost joked that the Apollo Justice Trilogy’s “early 2024” window would also mean that time frame.

But I didn’t joke about it, because I thought it would be too unlikely. I figured it would be more of an April sort of “early.”

I tuned in to Capcom’s TGS 2023 show not expecting too much and hoping for a release date. Well, not only is the Apollo Justice Trilogy coming out on January 25, but it also looks to be a fantastic collection.

Worried about the DLC cases? They’re included! (Not Asinine Attorney, though; since that wasn’t even in the mobile port, it’s probably lost to time just like The Great Ace Attorney 2’s similar comedy-focused DLC cases.) Wondering if they’d include the Spirit of Justice prologue anime? It’s part of the Art Library! The Orchestra Hall contains 175 tracks! It has the quality-of-life features The Great Ace Attorney got, like dialogue autoplay and Story Mode. And there’s even a new “Animation Studio” feature that lets you choose a background, character, animation, etc. to create your own scene.

It was more exciting than I expected for a trailer about games I’ve already played.

The official website includes details about all of these things and more.

Now, I can’t help it. When I saw that January release date, my thoughts started churning. What if they’re releasing the Apollo Justice Trilogy so early in the year to clear the way for an Ace Attorney 7 announcement later on?

Then I saw someone online suggest that the new illustration unlocked after completing the whole collection could tease Ace Attorney 7. Apparently Capcom did something similar in a Mega Man collection to hint at Mega Man 11. It’s probably not going to be that, but now I can’t let go of the idea. A piece of art unlocked as you beat each game is logical enough, but also an additional one unlocked after you beat all three? That would be a prime spot to include a sequel tease.

So yes, the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is coming out on January 25, right on top of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and I’m now tempted to replay all of them just in case.

Digital preorders have yet to open up despite there being a spot on the website for them, but Play-Asia listed a physical import for $60 while VGP listed it at $70. Since Play-Asia listed Ghost Trick at $60 before lowering it once the official price came out, it’s quite likely that the same thing will happen here, since it appears the physical edition in Japan is going for closer to $45. Right now, we just have to wait and see. (Edit: Play-Asia has now revised the price down to $42, and VGP to $52.)

What do you think about the new features and bonuses revealed for the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy? Do you think there’s a chance it will tease Ace Attorney 7?

Sep 222023
 

While TGS is still going (with the exciting news yesterday that the Apollo Justice Trilogy will be out on January 25, because of course it is), it’s time to take a break from our video game discussions for some writing news instead!

A new pulp fiction collection starring the classic character Professor Challenger is now available from Airship 27. The Challenger Chronicles Volume One contains four short stories that send the professor and his allies on all-new adventures.

In mine, “The Unseen Star,” Professor Challenger calls upon Edward Malone and Lord John Roxton to help him face off against a fanatical group of researchers who hope to make contact with a threat from far beyond the stars.

It’s joined here in this collection by stories from Gordon Dymowski, Barbara Doran, and Michael Panush. Each of us has written our own addition to the Professor Challenger adventures.

Professor Challenger is a character originally created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, now in the public domain. Unlike the more famous Sherlock Holmes, Challenger is aggressive and hotheaded, which made him a lot of fun to write about. I had a fantastic time writing “The Unseen Star,” and I hope you’ll enjoy it too.

The Challenger Chronicles Volume One is available now in print from Amazon for $16.99, and ebook copies should become available soon.