Following in the vein of the games of the Layton series, Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney has more than its fair share of fully animated cutscenes. But while seeing Professor Layton in anime form is hardly anything new, this game marks the first time the characters from Ace Attorney have gotten in on the anime treatment. In addition to the usual Layton cast, Hiroki Narimiya and Mirei Kiritani return to their roles from the live-action Ace Attorney movie as Phoenix and Maya respectively—once again bringing the characters to life.
The game's opening movie is a heart-pounding cold opening. We know very little of what is happening: a young girl and a man are escaping from a flying creature through the streets of London. He gives her a letter and says that if anything should happen to him, she should find the man to whom the letter is addressed. Then statues come to life, cars crash, and people die.
We then shift to watching Professor Layton and Luke as they discuss the idea of witch trials, which Layton believes are irrelevant—after all, there is no such thing as magic.
And lastly, we see Phoenix Wright and Maya, flying in to London on their first visit to England. Maya is excited. Phoenix would rather get some sleep. Maya thinks that's a bit of a waste. Humor ensues.
Thus, with all the main characters in place, the story of Professor Layton VS Ace Attorney is set to begin.
Professor Layton VS Ace Attorney was released in Japan on November 29, 2012, for the 3DS in Japan. The game appears to be heading to the West, based on VG247's recent interview with Level 5's CEO. Stay tuned to Kotaku East for our import preview next week.
Update: We contacted Level-5 for conformation on the Western release of Professor Layton VS Ace Attorney. Sadly, Level-5 told Kotaku that "No western release of the title has been confirmed or announced."