Unsheathing the Truth: A Cutting Review of ‘Reverse Swordsman 1&2 Mitsurugi Selection

‘Return Prosecutor 1&2 Mitsurugi Selection’, which is a spin-off of Capcom’s legal battle game series ‘Return Trial’ and lets you experience the activities of Reiji Mitsurugi, who appears as a charming and brilliant prosecutor in the ‘Return Trial’ series, was recently released.

“Return Swordsman 1&2 Mitsurugi Selection” is a compilation of “Return Swordsman” and “Return Swordsman 2”, which were released for Nintendo DS in 2009 and 2011 and were very popular. This edition features improvements and enhancements in various areas to match the definitive version, and has been released on various platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Steam. The price is also cheap.

Mitsurugi Selection of the Reverse Swordsman 1 and 2

The journalist found this edition in the PlayStation 4 version. The first thing that came to mind while enjoying the game is that the graphics of both works in this collection have been improved to Full HD level, making them pleasant to the eye. There was no embarrassment even when watching it on a large TV. It cannot be compared to the Nintendo DS era and is better than the smartphone version that appeared later.

In particular, unlike the ‘Return Trial’ series, which mainly shows the first-person adventure genre, the ‘Return Prosecutor’ series has elements of moving the character by directly manipulating it, and there are also parts where the character’s special movements appear, so the improved graphics are more enjoyable.

The graphics have been improved.

The development team has redesigned all of the game’s approximately 100 characters. The character, which had the appearance of a dot, has been reborn as a cleaner and clearer image. Here, for players who have memories of previous versions, the settings have been set so that they can enjoy the game with dot-based images. In many ways, it seems that it cares about its fans.

We also prepared Korean dubbing for lines like “I have objections,” which comes to mind when thinking about the “revocation process.” It would be better if all the lines were dubbed in Korean, but I think it wouldn’t be easy to find at such a low price as it is now.

<img alt="I like the clear screen” loading=”lazy” src=”https://game.donga.com/media/__sized__/images/2024/9/26/4207386144dd4b3c-thumbnail-1920×1080-70.jpg”/>I like the clear screen

The game generally has an investigation part that collects evidence and information from the scene after an incident has occurred. In the investigation part, you can control various information by directly manipulating the character and also have time to thoroughly examine a specific space. By combining the various information obtained through this, you can get new information. In games, the process of combining information is called logic. Unlike the reverse trial series, the feature of the game is that it is closer to a mystery story that takes place in the field rather than in a courtroom.

Let’s present the evidence!

Next comes the journal, which can be considered the highlight of the reverse trial series. During conversations with suspects, you can interrogate their observations to hear more details, and if there are parts of the suspect’s observations that contradict the information you have obtained, you can present evidence to prove that the observations are false. One of the joys of the game is the reasoning that goes into the process of presenting evidence that reveals contradictions.

The core of the game is to protect information through research and find the truth through newspapers, and in part 2 a new system called logical chess is also prepared. It is a system that compares the conversation situation to the psychological warfare of chess, and depending on the attitude of the interlocutor, sometimes not saying anything can be one of the ways to get new information. If the other person is embarrassed, you need to delve deeper and not miss it.

Logical Chess Course

Of course, if you make a mistake in newspapers or logic chess, the penalty is reduced. Compared to the Comeback Trial series, the penalty bar is quite relaxed and, if successful, it recovers. In most cases, it is difficult to see the game screen due to the depletion of the penalty bar.

In fact, this process is also an extension of the argument. You have to listen carefully to the other person’s remarks and persistently delve into any strange parts. If you are thinking, “That’s a little strange, but it’s not that bad, is it?”, it is usually true that it is strange. Since this is a conversation with the characters in the game, let’s not ignore it, but question it and doubt it. You have to hold your tongue persistently, win the conversation and move toward the truth.

The parts 1 and 2 included in this work both have 5 episodes each and you can play them by selecting each episode. Of course each episode has its own story but is connected to a larger thread, so it is usually best to play them in order. In the case of Parts 1 and 2 in particular, it seems best to play them in order and enjoy the story, since the main characters from Part 1 also appear in Part 2.

When you think of the reverse proof series, there is one that comes to mind.

The game also has various systems to help you progress through the game. Since it is a game that basically requires thinking skills, a story mode is supported that automatically proceeds with the entire game, from the on-site investigation to the newspapers, when the game freezes. The investigation part restarts, but if the game freezes, no matter how far you progress and there is no progress in the story, it might be right to ask for help. On the other hand, it gives the feeling of watching a detective drama.

In addition, the game has prepared albums, character guides, and special materials that allow fans to revisit scenes from the game and also listen to the music. This is something that fans of the series can appreciate. A medal system has also been established here. These are contents such as challenges or trophies.

Various characters also appear.

In fact, the PlayStation version even has trophies that are identical to medals. If you are a Nintendo Switch user, you can immerse yourself in the game 100% and have fun, which I think is useful. Just keep in mind that there are medals that cannot be obtained if you play in Story mode.

‘Return Swordsman 1 & 2 Mitsurugi Selection’, which has returned to be enjoyed on modern console devices and PC after a long time since its initial release, conveys the solid story and charm of the two works, and is a game that can be enjoyed for 40 hours combined. It had strengths in various areas, including volume.​

There are also materials for fans.

I think it can be a good gift for users who never enjoyed ‘Reverse Swordsman’ as well as for fans as it is the definitive version that has been improved in various aspects.