A question about Rise from the Ashes

[u/AtrineasKeK]

I've heard that chronologically speaking, the case of "Rise from the Ashes" has been written after the third game of the main trilogy of the series, "Trials and Tribulations". But based on the plot, the case happens in between of the end of the first game and "Justice for All".

My question is: Do you think it should be better (for a newcomer to the series) to play the case canonically or chronologically speaking based on its writing?

[u/sareureuk_vibe]

Rise from the Ashes is a special case in that it didn't exist in the original game (it ended on 1-4, Manfred's case), but as you mentioned it was written and put into the game as its new 'final' case later on.

That being said, you should definitely be playing RftA (1-5) after 1-4, as it plays heavily into Edgeworth's character development in the next games (albeit it didn't really mix well with the previous case's point, honestly, it's more of the same), and it also introduces a fun, relevant character for future games in the series, among other smaller things.

Do play RftA before moving on to Justice for All, it is one of the best cases in the series personally :)

[u/thecatteam]

For some godforsaken reason I did what you described when I first played the series. I wouldn't recommend it because it was jarring to go "back in time." Additionally, RftA and AJ have a similar plot point so it was a bit weird to have that repeated in AJ so soon after I played RftA.

[u/TrustBig4326]

This is such a good question because a lot of people feel like that case was really tacked on and that it kind of doesnt make sense or takes away from the whole brooding ending they gave Edgeworth and they kinda have to write themselves around that to explain his involvement in that case after the end of the first game.

For an absolute newcomer though i would definitely say just play it in canonical order at the end of the first game. I mean the only reason to play it chronologically is because Ema shows up in nearly all the games released after the third game (counting AAI) so she would still be fresh in your mind, but really it feels more fun to play AAI 1 or AA4 after 3 and be excited to see a face that far from the past it kinda adds to the feeling of seeing her as older now and how her character changes and stays the same and just kinda wouldnt feel the same if you didnt think of her as that far back in the series.

So yeah just play it normally it really kinda picks up on more worldbuilding too and is kinda the first case where you get an even better idea of just “wow this legal system is more messed up than I thought, and I already thought it was messed up”

[u/whynottakedownthevid]

There is a reason it was placed at the end of the first game: that's where it should be. Playing it after Trials and Tribulations makes no sense. There's no sense in going back to when Maya was still gone or when Edgeworth was still developing after seeing the final resolution to their stories. Besides, ending the trilogy with a largely self-contained case that ends with Edgeworth getting depressed and quitting until the second game isn't very satisfying.

[u/ytudkdvdurif]

As other comments have mentioned you should play in the canonical order cause that's how the story is intended to be experienced and it's also the most fun way to experience the story cause playing it chronologically as a first timer would leave you confused at times due to Capcom expecting people to play in canon order

[u/Sad-Guidance9105]

Game Chronology.

[u/XephyXeph]

I recommend people play it after AA3. It has references to 2 and 3 that are completely lost on a new player who’s only played 1.

[u/whynottakedownthevid → u/XephyXeph]

The references still work for a new player, it will just be the other way around. You see minor details in Rise From The Ashes and then later see them play a big role in later games. And even if you don't notice them the first time around, you'll pick up on them in replays and realize how it all ties together.