Professor Layton Vs Ace Attorney

So apparently Akihiro Hino let it slip that Level-5 are working on getting this released overseas, probably as a digital-only release (considering Inazuma Eleven 3 is being released this year on 3DS eShop, as the 3DS port edition, and both Guild0x games have been released as eShop downloads).

I'm guessing we'll see it next year, given Layton 6 is due this year.

Anyone still excited about this? Chris Kohler marked it as a missed opportunity in his review, where it looks like Level-5 didn't even bother to attempt to true crossover from a gameplay perspective.

I'm not as excited as I first was but I am still intrigued a bit

Yes, I'm still up for this one. Anything involving Layton and Wright separately would be on my radar; together they're a winning combo in my eyes!

March 28th. Fiiiiiiinally. At least I had time to catch up with Wright's adventures beforehand!

Great! Now I have a deadline by which I have to buy and complete Azran Legacies.  / 

Intrigued by this because of the Ace attorney aspect so I must get cracking on with finishing that trilogy.

Also, Shibata in a top hat! 

I'm pretty excited about this despite knowing flaws pointed out in http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/03/layton-ace-attorney-2/, particularly the Wright sections due to Shu Takumi's involvement.

And it looks like it's receiving a retail release too, even if my stack of 3DS games is getting dangerously close to toppling over.

Edit: Found it! http://www.computerandvideogames.com/151981/reviews/calcio-bit-review/

Wrong thread for your edit there Fronk.

See the box art has been revealed and if I wasn't on my phone I'd post a pic

Here y'go: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a546980/professor-layton-vs-phoenix-wright-european-cover-art-revealed.html

I has it! Saved at literally the first opportunity. The Layton models are more akin to the Miracle Mask ones than the far better Azran Legacy ones but that's all I've got so far.

My problem so far is that the Wright segment has been far more appealing than the Layton ones, but I think that's mostly because (a) I prefer the AA games anyway and (b) the Layton segment has revolved around the incredibly boring Espella.  The Wright side-characters are as well-written as they always have been, and - yes - better than AA5's.

Unfortunately, Espella being one of the main characters, I'm worried that things are just going to get worse.  But for now, I'm enjoying the trial hugely, especially the culprit's breakdown.  And Aldente is more than a bit hip-notising.

ALBW is still much much better though.

I won't be picking this up until late May, so I'll be reading everyone's impressions with great interest. Glad to hear the writing's great (even with what is probably a very different localisation team!), I did read that Takumi has done wonders writing another Wright/Maya script. And you know how disappointed I was (and still am) with Ace Attorney 5

All too well.  

Anyway, I reached the end of chapter two last night, and this game has really pointed out to me how much better the Wright games are than the Layton ones at almost everything.  Gameplay, puzzles, integrating the puzzles into the story, drama, and character design.  There's a slight mix of characters around town, and you can really tell which ones are Level-5's and which ones are Takumi's, because Takumi's are so much better drawn.  The Layton character design (very simple, with dot eyes) works fine for its own game, but boy do they clash with Wright, Maya et al.

Also, I'm worried that the Wright-trial prologue might be the best part of the game.  Certainly, its witnesses and prosecutor felt far superior to the Layton-style witnesses and Blackquill-prototype Barnham.  That said, the five-person trial overturned my expectations by actually being great fun, especially when the characters started bickering.  Selecting between them during dialogue is a highlight. If not better than the prologue, it was still hugely enjoyable, not to mention the fanservice of Layton taking part in the trial.

End of chapter 2 spoilers:

Is this going to be another game, like DKCTF, where I'm writing every other post because only about two of us are apparently playing the game?  Whatever, I'll do that if I have to.

Well, there is at least one other here. Except that I've already finished it.

I'd like to hear your thoughts as the game progresses, though.

I'm playing it as well, trouble is I've only done the prologue. Not a fan of Layton's bits as well

Good to know (both that there are other people on it, and that they have the right opinions about Layton bits vs. Wright bits).  Let me know what you think about chapter two's ending (when you get to it in Shanks' case), because it blew my socks off.

EDIT: Oh. Having reached the end of chapter four, it's been spoiled a bit.

Chapter 4 spoiler:

Still hate the sound of Luke's voice I can tell you that much

He is definitely the most boring character out of the four. I'm kinda sad Layton didn't get a chance for any adventures without him.

For some reason, I'm fond of Luke's interactions with animals. Those aside, yup, he's pretty dull.

Three puzzles in. 

As mentioned in the completion thread, this is now done and dusted. I was a bit down on it in my mini-review, but both types of gameplay still work and are fun, albeit easier than their components. I feel like there was a real missed opportunity to mix the puzzles with the standard Wright investigations a bit more - maybe this would lead to more environmental puzzles, as opposed to having to interact with the tedious-as-usual-in-Layton NPCs.

Oh, and there's a thoroughly enjoyable cameo in the very last scene too. Just wish s/he had been in more of the rest of the game.

Ending Spoiler:

I'm starting on this, about three hours in, and would be eager to see how everyone's getting along as we progress through the game. I'd like to take the precaution of reminding anyone who has completed the game to be conscious of any sort of spoiler, no matter how slight they might think it is. I've spent £30 on this, and wouldn't want this being the second Layton game spoiled for me by a frivolous remark on this forum, let alone anyone else.

Wait... what was the first?

Cap, if that was me, I sincerely apologise.

As it is, NPFC's appeal is waning as PLvPW:AA's is waxing. It's the third chapter for me at the moment and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.