This, and what icer said. I don't think it's necessary to bring back EVERY minor character such as Tyrell Badd and Iris, but if they're not going to continue using the more important supporting characters such as Ema Skye or Dick Gumshoe (characters that have actually had significant roles in more than one game), they should at least come up with a storyline reason for why they no longer appear. In most TV series, if an important character or a supporting character no longer appears on the show, the writers typically will "write" them out of the show. Basically, they give them a storyline reasoning for why that character no longer appears. It essentially gives them closure so fans don't wonder why that particular character no longer appears (usually, the character will move away or have something important going on in their lives), not to mention that it gives the writers the option to bring the character back in future episodes if desired.
Like, for example, when Bobby Fulbright shows up, Apollo could ask "Where's Ema? I figured she'd be the detective on this case?" and Fulbright could tell him that she finally got a job as a forensic scientist. That's it. Ema's character would be written out of the game, and writers could always have her make an appearance in future titles if they wanted (but she would no longer be an 'important character'). With Ema being such a big part of GS4, it just feels lazy on the writers' part for not even mentioning her in this game. Gumshoe was detective for Phoenix's cases for 3 years (and was even detective during his final case before he got disbarred), and now all of a sudden he's just disappeared? Come on now. Like I said before, Edgeworth could simply mention that Gumshoe got promoted and is no longer working cases anymore (or maybe he quit the force, got married to Maggey Byrde and started a family). Again, Gumshoe would be written out of the story and it would no longer be 'mandatory' for his character to appear. Hell, even a mention of Larry Butz, who's been a close friend to both Phoenix and Edgeworth, would have been sufficient.
Franziska is different, because I feel like her story got closure in T&T (plus she does appear in the AAI games) and she is one of the few characters I feel doesn't need to be brought back or any sort of explanation. I suppose if there is ever a AAI3, she could return due to her relationship to Edgeworth, but her storyline with Phoenix is essentially done. She no longer harbors a grudge against Phoenix, and I feel like they did a good job of writing her out of Phoenix's story. Maya's story is done as well, but with her it's different because she was such a big part of Phoenix's life during GS 1-3. At least she does get a mention though. Though I have to admit, with as many passionate fans wanting to see Maya's return, the fact that she doesn't appear is kind of a dick move on the writers' part. You have to wonder if Pearl appearing is supposed to be compensation for Maya's absence.
And as far as the storylines regarding Apollo's and Trucy's kinship and the Jurist system basically being abandoned, well I'm sorry but that's just bad writing. Period. The staff should be ashamed of themselves for completely forgetting about important storylines from the previous game. Imagine if JFA continued on with no mention of Edgeworth's character development in GS1 and he just went back to being the evil prosecutor he was in the first game. Or if T&T had continued on without any mention of Pearl whatsoever. It just feels incredibly lazy on the writers' part.
Don't get me wrong though, despite my initial frustrations of the writers, I still intend on buying the game and playing it when it's finally released in the U.S. I just fear that with characters apparently disappearing into thin air and major storylines being completely forgotten about, that the overall plot is going to be very lazily written and not up to par with previous games. Anyways, I'm done ranting and I will no longer derail this thread anymore. PM me if you want to discuss it further.
