Another Code: Recollection is a full from-the-ground-up remake compilation of two niche visual-novel / puzzle adventure games. The first game was initially released on the Nintendo DS in the U.S. as Trace Memory, while the sequel, Another Code: R – Journey Into Lost Memories for the Wii, never saw the light of day in the West. In 2024. Nintendo began their first-party lineup with this reimagined whimsical, mysterious adventure.
Ashley Mizuki Robbins. Image courtesy of Nintendo.
The story is virtually unchanged from the original releases. Players take control of Ashley Mizuki Robbins who, on the eve of her fourteenth birthday, receives a mysterious letter from her father (who she previously thought long dead) asking her to visit him at an island mansion off the coast of Seattle. Upon arriving, Ashley is thrust into a decades-spanning mystery and must solve the death of her new ghostly companion D, while unraveling her own clouded past. The second game then finds Ashley a few years after the first. This time, Ashley is invited by her again-absent father to a camping trip, but of course, not all is how it seems. Another Code: Recollection blends the stories of the first and second titles seamlessly, transitioning between them as though the sequel was just the next chapter after the ending of the first.
The game’s overall narrative and voice acting are its biggest draws, despite the painfully and mind-numbingly easy puzzles and excessive wordiness in the later half. The puzzles are well designed and intuitive, but leave a lot to be desired in terms of challenge. Often times you’re just fitting round pegs in round holes, so to speak; clues are usually presented right in front of you, and the game even offers an accessibility feature to lead you directly where you need to go (which can be turned off if you’re looking for a slightly more challenging experience). I never once found myself at a loss or stuck, and was able to breeze through the entire game in roughly thirteen hours.
Another handy feature in these games is the DAS, or Dual Another System, a definitely-not-a-Nintendo-Switch handheld device Ashley uses throughout the games to snap pictures, combine items, and keep track of who’s who in the story. The camera feature is needed in solving some puzzles, as you’re able to access your photo album at any time.
Using the DAS in Another Code: Recollection. Image courtesy of Nintendo.
The game presents its remade story with fresh voice acting, which is one of its best new additions. Ashley is believable as an angsty preteen dealing with familial issues, but she still comes off as mature and level-headed all around. Another quality feature is the music. Throughout the first game’s mansion section, you’re treated to a whimsical, relaxing soundtrack that helps add to the mysterious setting you’re thrust into. I oftentimes found myself leaving the game paused to take short breaks and do tasks around the house while the music played in the background.
The game’s controls are basic and easy to use, although I recommend going into settings and cranking the camera speed up as high as you can. It’s a slog to turn the camera otherwise. Navigating the minimal menus is easy, and they even added a sprint button. One small annoying thing is that, instead of clicking on a door and unlocking it when you finally have the appropriate key, you have to stop, open the menu, scroll down to the key, then use it. Small gripe, but I’m all about easy quality of life fixes.
Solving puzzles is painfully easy. Image courtesy of Nintendo.
Despite the ridiculously simple puzzles, notable lack of any sort of challenge, and some clunky controls, Another Code: Recollection is a good way for Nintendo to start off 2024. The game’s narrative-driven mystery, writing, music, and voice acting help carry its quality; and its short playthrough time is perfect for busy adults or for short spurts on the train or bus. Half of this game never came to the West, so it’s been a treat to finally experience the sequel in a fully remade experience.
Despite the ridiculously simple puzzles, notable lack of any sort of challenge, and some clunky controls, Another Code: Recollection is a good way for Nintendo to start off 2024 thanks to its great writing and voice acting.
Another Code: Recollection is a full from-the-ground-up remake compilation of two niche visual-novel / puzzle adventure games. The first game was initially released on the Nintendo DS in the U.S. as Trace Memory, while the sequel, Another Code: R – Journey Into Lost Memories for the Wii, never saw the light of day in the West. In 2024. Nintendo began their first-party lineup with this reimagined whimsical, mysterious adventure.
Ashley Mizuki Robbins. Image courtesy of Nintendo.
The story is virtually unchanged from the original releases. Players take control of Ashley Mizuki Robbins who, on the eve of her fourteenth birthday, receives a mysterious letter from her father (who she previously thought long dead) asking her to visit him at an island mansion off the coast of Seattle. Upon arriving, Ashley is thrust into a decades-spanning mystery and must solve the death of her new ghostly companion D, while unraveling her own clouded past. The second game then finds Ashley a few years after the first. This time, Ashley is invited by her again-absent father to a camping trip, but of course, not all is how it seems. Another Code: Recollection blends the stories of the first and second titles seamlessly, transitioning between them as though the sequel was just the next chapter after the ending of the first.
The game’s overall narrative and voice acting are its biggest draws, despite the painfully and mind-numbingly easy puzzles and excessive wordiness in the later half. The puzzles are well designed and intuitive, but leave a lot to be desired in terms of challenge. Often times you’re just fitting round pegs in round holes, so to speak; clues are usually presented right in front of you, and the game even offers an accessibility feature to lead you directly where you need to go (which can be turned off if you’re looking for a slightly more challenging experience). I never once found myself at a loss or stuck, and was able to breeze through the entire game in roughly thirteen hours.
Another handy feature in these games is the DAS, or Dual Another System, a definitely-not-a-Nintendo-Switch handheld device Ashley uses throughout the games to snap pictures, combine items, and keep track of who’s who in the story. The camera feature is needed in solving some puzzles, as you’re able to access your photo album at any time.
Using the DAS in Another Code: Recollection. Image courtesy of Nintendo.
The game presents its remade story with fresh voice acting, which is one of its best new additions. Ashley is believable as an angsty preteen dealing with familial issues, but she still comes off as mature and level-headed all around. Another quality feature is the music. Throughout the first game’s mansion section, you’re treated to a whimsical, relaxing soundtrack that helps add to the mysterious setting you’re thrust into. I oftentimes found myself leaving the game paused to take short breaks and do tasks around the house while the music played in the background.
The game’s controls are basic and easy to use, although I recommend going into settings and cranking the camera speed up as high as you can. It’s a slog to turn the camera otherwise. Navigating the minimal menus is easy, and they even added a sprint button. One small annoying thing is that, instead of clicking on a door and unlocking it when you finally have the appropriate key, you have to stop, open the menu, scroll down to the key, then use it. Small gripe, but I’m all about easy quality of life fixes.
Solving puzzles is painfully easy. Image courtesy of Nintendo.
Despite the ridiculously simple puzzles, notable lack of any sort of challenge, and some clunky controls, Another Code: Recollection is a good way for Nintendo to start off 2024. The game’s narrative-driven mystery, writing, music, and voice acting help carry its quality; and its short playthrough time is perfect for busy adults or for short spurts on the train or bus. Half of this game never came to the West, so it’s been a treat to finally experience the sequel in a fully remade experience.
by Myles Obenza
