The two games are basically one single game, with complete unity of plot, and as such it must be the most ambitious entry in the Ace Attorney series. The coherence of the plot over the two games is really impressive, with some questions introduced at the start which are only solved at the end. Starting from scratch with new characters allows them to integrate character development and relationships into the plot really well. I liked all the main characters (I found Soseki a bit over the top, but not too bad). The relationship between the two main characters is more developed than in other Ace Attorney games and the way their affection for each other grows while trying to figure out a foreign country gives the game a really sweet atmosphere. Herlock Sholmes is very funny, and mostly the game avoids the risk of making him OP by making him erratic, depressive, forgetful, and overconfident (I think they do fall into the trap a bit at the end, but it doesn't do too much harm). The trials and investigations are almost all interesting (I found Chapter 4 of the first game, particularly the investigation, the weakest and unnecessarily drawn out). The investigation and trial mechanisms work pretty well (it is, somehow, possible to miss reactions from other witnesses in the cross-examinations), and there aren't many points where the inference they expect you to make turns out to be a bit groan inducing. Overall, I really liked it, and I'd love it if they were to make a sequel.

Best Ace Attorney game by a landslide, The story reach the same Epic heights of the mainline series without devolving into the same outlandish territory and manages to stay (slightly) more grounded at the same time.
I honestly can't say even a single character was poorly written, even the witnesses all feel fully fleshed out and the cases are overall more varied than ever before.
More people should give it a chance, despite not being directly connected to the original games it fully captures the spirit of classic Ace Attorney.