Nintendo
Another Code: Recollection, a revamped trip down memory lane
20 years after the release of the original, the Another Code series returns to Nintendo Switch with a revamped version of the iconic game.
During the Nintendo DS era, the point-and-click and graphic adventure genres had a strong influence on the console. The portable nature, along with the touch screen and stylus, were elements that helped these types of games and their stories connect with the public more simply and interactively, although in popularity they were cult games. Among these games, a game called Trace Memory, better known in other markets as Another Code, appeared in our continent. 4 years passed and a sequel, Another Code: R was released for Wii, but only in Japan and Europe, leaving America out. Now, almost 20 years after the release of the original, Another Code: Recollection brings us back, and in a new way, these two stories where memory and memories are key.
Memories renewed
Another Code: Recollection is a title that brings together the point-and-click games Trace Memory or Another Code: Two Memories, originally released on the Nintendo DS, and Another Code: R - A Journey into Lost Memories for the Wii. Both games have been reworked to provide a cohesive visual structure and mechanics, offering quality-of-life improvements as well as visual enhancements over their originals that one would expect from a compilation.
The two stories follow Ashley Robbins, a girl on the eve of her 14th birthday who has been living under the impression that her father is dead. In the first story, an invitation takes her and her aunt to a mysterious island and an even more mysterious mansion in search of her father. Two years later, 16-year-old Ashley is invited to a lake where memories of her mother begin to surface.
Access to these two games is linear, so you will need to complete Two Memories to access Another Code: R - A Journey into Lost Memories. In fact, while playing, the jump from the first game to its sequel is automatic, and it even seems that Two Memories is the prologue to its sequel.
Memories rebuilt
In this collection, the title with the most work was Another Code: Two Memories. The leap from the Nintendo DS game to the Nintendo Switch ditches the dual-screen, stylus nature of the original for a game in a 3D environment and one that makes more use of the mechanics established in its Wii sequel. However, this quality-of-life upgrade makes good use of the Switch’s controls but leaves the original’s limitations in evidence.
The story is largely set in a mansion as you conduct a dual investigation into the whereabouts of your father and what happened to the Edwards family who lived there over 60 years ago. The atmosphere of mystery is maintained, which goes hand in hand with the narrative. However, many of the elements that go along with this type of adventure feel very simple. The puzzles that we have to solve are solved in a very simple way, as they do not have a high degree of complexity, and the exploration feels much more agile compared to the original version.
On the other hand, Another Code: R - A Journey into Lost Memories takes Ashley 2 years later on an adventure that leads her to a lake and the mystery of her mother. In this story, we see how the Wii allowed more freedom at the time, giving us many open environments and a greater number of characters and dialog.
Improved reminiscence
We have already mentioned this, but it is worth mentioning the quality-of-life improvements that both versions have, allowing you to have a much more enjoyable adventure than the original. This means that you can finish the first adventure relatively quickly, in just 6 or 7 hours, but the second adventure is much more complex and longer, lasting about 14 hours.
Graphically, the game remains stable, and the way it handles the dialog between characters makes it feel dynamic. Perhaps the only drawback is that when there are dialog options for Ashley, the game seems to load more details than necessary. It must also be said that this is not the strongest section, as there are textures that could have been better-taken care of, especially in the open areas.
On the other hand, if you want an adventure that is more narrative and faster, just activate the guide mode function and Ashley will have a little arrow and a trail that shows you where to go, making the experience much easier.
Another Code: Recollection is a title that focuses on a very specific group. If you played Trace Memory and want to know its sequel, this is a perfect opportunity to relive the original and finally follow Ashley’s story. The same applies if you are a point-and-click fan and never had the chance to play the first installment on Nintendo DS. This collection goes beyond being a window into the past and ends up renewing a cult classic for lovers of this niche.