Capcom's E3 2021 was full of exciting announcements, but one of the biggest was The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, which is a compilation that localizes two games previously exclusive to Japan. Directed by Shu Takumi, the Ace Attorney series pioneered the mystery visual novel genre and helped popularize visual novels in general in the West. Though Takumi is known for the Ace Attorney series, he also conceptualized a similar game titled Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective back in 2010.
One of the most underrated games released on the Nintendo DS, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective takes the Ace Attorney formula and puts a unique spin on it with its reverse time puzzles. Unfortunately, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective didn't receive the fanfare that the Ace Attorney series did. However, with the renewed interest in mystery visual novels like AI: The Somnium Files and the Danganronpa series, now would be the perfect time for Capcom to bring back Ghost Trick.
The Charm of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective was initially conceived by Shu Takumi as a new type of mystery visual novel that would have a different style than the Ace Attorney games. In Ghost 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 of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective stemmed from its eccentric narrative and the unexpected twists it employs. Though time travel isn't a unique concept by any means, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is 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 Detective was a charismatic approach to the mystery visual novel genre that was able to differentiate itself from Ace Attorney games.
Bringing Back Ghost Trick
Unfortunately, despite its charming style and mind-bending narrative, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective flew 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 create a crossover game between Ghost Trick and Ace Attorney.
After Takumi finished Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, he wouldn't be involved in another mainline Ace Attorney entry until The Great Ace Attorney duology. With Takumi's return to the franchise and The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles finally appearing in the West, there's never been a better time for Capcom to bring back Ghost 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 of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective to the Nintendo Switch would help bring attention to the criminally underrated game.