Summary:
We delve into the development challenges faced during the re-release of Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy, a beloved legal drama game. Kenichi Hashimoto, the game’s producer, shared insights into adapting the game for modern platforms and utilizing Capcom’s RE Engine. We explore the technical hurdles, graphics enhancement, and the transition from action to adventure game engine. Discover the remarkable journey of reviving a classic for the Nintendo Switch, set to launch on January 25, 2024.
Use of the RE Engine in Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy
The revival of classic video games for modern platforms is no small feat. In our exploration of the development journey behind Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy, we uncover the challenges faced by the team and their innovative use of the RE Engine, Capcom’s proprietary game engine.
Development Challenges
1. Screen Adaptation: One significant hurdle in the re-release was adapting the game to larger screens while retaining the essence of the original. The Nintendo DS touch screen controls had to be reconfigured for conventional gamepads. It was crucial to ensure a seamless transition for players.
2. Graphics Enhancement: A key aspect of modernizing the game was upgrading the graphics. However, it wasn’t as simple as stretching the existing assets. Text, in particular, posed a unique challenge as it needed to remain legible. The team had to painstakingly rework the character pixels to maintain clarity.
3. Backgrounds in 2D: The transition to the RE Engine brought its own set of challenges, especially when dealing with 2D backgrounds. In Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, new elements had to be designed for the left and right sides of the screen. This was a departure from previous projects and required the skills of 2D designers.
RE Engine in Adventure Games
1. RE Engine for Action Games: Historically, the RE Engine was associated with action games like Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, and Street Fighter 6. Using it for an adventure game was uncharted territory for Capcom, and it necessitated a fresh perspective.
2. Lighting in Adventure Games: One of the initial questions was how to implement lighting effectively in an adventure game. The team embarked on a learning journey, and the programmers put in significant effort to adapt the engine’s capabilities to suit the adventure genre.
Conclusion
The development of Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy for the Nintendo Switch was a challenging yet rewarding process. Overcoming screen adaptation, enhancing graphics, and pioneering the use of the RE Engine in adventure games showcased Capcom’s dedication to delivering an exceptional gaming experience.
FAQs
- 1. What is the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy?
- The Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is a collection of three legal drama games developed by Capcom, featuring defense attorney Apollo Justice as the protagonist. It includes Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Justice for All, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials and Tribulations.
- 2. When is the release date for Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy on the Nintendo Switch?
- The game is set to launch on January 25, 2024, for the Nintendo Switch, allowing fans to enjoy these classic courtroom adventures on modern hardware.
- 3. What is the RE Engine, and how is it significant in game development?
- The RE Engine is Capcom’s proprietary game engine primarily known for powering action-oriented titles like Resident Evil and Devil May Cry. Its significance lies in its versatility and graphical capabilities, making it a valuable tool for developers.
- 4. How were the graphics in Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy improved for the re-release?
- Enhancing the graphics involved more than just resizing assets. The team had to meticulously rework character pixels and create new elements for 2D backgrounds to ensure the game looked and played well on larger screens.
- 5. Why was the use of the RE Engine challenging for adventure games?
- The RE Engine was originally designed for action games, so adapting it for adventure games required a fresh approach. The team had to tackle questions related to lighting and adjust the engine’s capabilities to suit the adventure genre’s needs.
