It’s challenging to envision that back in 2004, when the Nintendo DS made its debut, smartphones were far from being omnipresent. Interestingly, even before Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone, Nintendo had already been investigating the potential of touchscreen gaming on this unexpected hybrid device. This breakthrough opened up the realm of point-and-click-style narrative adventure games, a genre that had predominantly been confined to PCs, to be enjoyed on the go.
While franchises like Phoenix Wright and Professor Layton have stood the test of time, and the remarkable Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective has recently resurfaced, many other titles have unfortunately been overlooked, particularly in Western markets. It is within this spectrum that we encounter Another Code, originally known as Trace Memory upon its North American release.
_Developed for the DS in 2005, Another Code: Two Memories was followed by a single sequel, Another Code: R – A Journey Into Lost Memories, which landed on the Wii in 2009 but was limited to Japan and Europe. This week, Nintendo Switch users are treated to Another Code: Recollection, presenting fully revamped versions of both games.
Apart from minor narrative adjustments and a noticeable enhancement in audiovisual quality, the most significant change in Another Code: Recollection is the amalgamation of both games into a cohesive narrative flow. Players will accompany the 13-year-old protagonist Ashley Mizuki Robbins through the enigmas of Blood Edward Island (in the Two Memories segment), followed swiftly by the introduction of the 16-year-old Ashley as she becomes entangled in further mysteries surrounding Lake Juliet (Journey Into Lost Memories).
While the graphics of Recollection may not strive for photorealism, they adopt a minimalist yet consistently beautiful art style. The characters and environments are unique and occasionally breathtaking, leveraging the hardware upgrade while paying homage to the original series’ soft visual aesthetic.
The soundtrack of the game mirrors this approach, skillfully matching scenes ranging from mundane to suspenseful with recurring musical themes that never overshadow the experience. Additionally, Recollection features full voice acting—a rare treat for a Nintendo Switch title.
Initially, the controls may feel somewhat cumbersome—the default camera speed is notably sluggish, and Ashley’s walking pace paradoxically lacks urgency for someone frequently facing life-threatening situations. Making slight adjustments, such as increasing the vertical and horizontal camera speeds, can easily rectify this issue. Personally, I opted to boost these speeds from 20 to 60, and when not actively investigating a scene for clues, I typically held down ZR to prompt Ashley to sprint between locations.
The core gameplay adheres to traditional adventure game conventions. Typically, Ashley enters a scene with various interactable elements, be it people or objects. By approaching them and pressing the A button, players can observe, converse, or engage with these elements. The plot predominantly progresses (and resolves) through conversations, often presented via split-screen dialogues. At times, players may need to choose from multiple dialogue options, but the crux of the game’s mysteries lies in specific snippets of dialogue from other characters, highlighted during conversations and subsequently listed for Ashley to utilize as the basis for further inquiries.
Puzzle-solving constitutes another key gameplay element, often requiring players to scrutinize Ashley’s surroundings for clues and add useful items to her inventory. Pressing the Y button allows for a closer examination of items in her possession, which can be rotated to unveil additional clues or significant markings. In some instances, items can even be combined to solve particular puzzles.
What sets Another Code: Recollection apart from similar narrative-driven point-and-click adventures is the incorporation of the DAS (Dual ANOTHER System). Without delving into spoiler territory, the DAS is a versatile electronic device gifted to Ashley by her parents, designed exclusively for her use. It serves various functions, including capturing images of crucial objects, scanning hidden origami swans to unlock additional “lost memories,” and cataloging the characters Ashley encounters along with their interrelations.
The DAS is upgradeable, adapting to the demands of the plot, which effectively enhances the storytelling—especially during the initial phase of the game when Ashley and a ghostly boy named D explore Blood Edward Island in Washington to unravel and comprehend memories tied to their respective personal tragedies. The progressive unveiling of the DAS upgrade modules peels away superficial layers, gradually revealing concealed truths.
Despite the abundance of melodrama—featuring a solitary ghost boy, a mysterious island, and ample family dysfunction—the DAS emerges as a unique and efficient narrative tool. However, upon Ashley’s arrival at Lake Juliet’s campground a few years later, equipped with the DAS, the storyline takes an unexpected turn.
Following an incident where her possessions are pilfered by the roguish Matthew—who eventually replaces D as Ashley’s sidekick in this escapade—Ashley promptly receives another device, the TAS. Initially serving as a universal hacking solution for the electronic locks around the lakeside community, the TAS is soon overshadowed by the DAS itself, which, after an entire game centered on its relation to human memory, inexplicably gains the ability to analyze water for contaminants.
Admittedly, this development strained my suspension of disbelief, but perhaps I am being overly critical in a game world that already accommodates helpful ghostly companions and portable memory devices.
Despite my preference for the Two Memories segment over the Journey Into Lost Memories follow-up, I commend Another Code: Recollection for recognizing them as integral parts of a unified narrative. Moreover, the game ensures that even novices to the adventure genre (or those with limited attention spans) can fully engage with the experience.
Traditional point-and-click games are notorious for stalling progress through obscure puzzles. Missing a single clue or failing to revisit a specific location can impede advancement. While the DAS camera feature mitigates this issue by simplifying the process of capturing potentially helpful images for puzzle-solving, this remake introduces two additional options to further streamline the learning curve.
The navigation assist outlines Ashley with a chalk mark, consistently pointing players towards the next objective—be it a concealed door, a solitary item on a cluttered shelf, or a previously explored room. For those seeking additional guidance, the game offers hints for individual environmental puzzles, starting with general suggestions before eventually providing the solution. However, these aids are entirely optional and can be disregarded by those yearning for a more traditional challenge.
In essence, regardless of one’s preferred playstyle, Another Code: Recollection delves into profound themes surrounding memory, truth, and historical significance. It also subtly underscores the significance of effective parenting.
In all seriousness, had Ashley’s parents offered proper guidance or divulged essential information about their lives as trailblazing scientists, both games would likely have been significantly shorter. The questionable characters they unwittingly welcomed into the teenager’s life are another matter entirely, but I digress.
While not an unequivocal endorsement, enthusiasts of mystery, narrative-driven games, and slightly outlandish sci-fi narratives will discover much to appreciate in Another Code: Recollection. For those unsure of their inclinations toward these genres, or for those simply curious, a free demo is available for download on the Nintendo eShop, allowing you to sample this whimsical exploration of memory.
Review materials courtesy of Nintendo of America. This post contains affiliate links. As always, parental figures bear some responsibility!
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