Another Code: Recollection – Analysis

Walking simulators.

When you read those two words, half of you closed your eyes. tabthe other half immediately went to buy the game, and the third half is writing a long comment about how this is a terrible nomenclature for this genre of games.

And it’s understandable. Walking simulators It’s a funny name for this style of narrative games, but it’s not exactly QWOP. On the other hand, we actually reach a certain point in these games where we do little more than walk from one side to the other, watch scenes cutscenes, and occasionally solve puzzles. None of this, by the way, is a negative point for me. I love walking simulators and puzzle games and visual novels and every combination of these categories. Give me all Gone Home It is Firewatches It is Life is Strange that are out there.

I feel that in a way, the walking simulators are the evolution of classic adventure games point and click to a three-dimensional format, but that’s a separate conversation.

The game I’m here to talk about today is Another Code: Recollectionone re-release/collection for the Nintendo Switch of two games from the same series, the Another Code: Two Memories released for the DS in 2005, and then the Another Code: R – A Journey into Lost Memories released for the Wii in 2009. This analysis will focus on the Two Memories to avoid spoilers.

In this first game, the player takes on the role of Ashley Mizuki Robins, a girl of almost 14 years old. She was called to Blood Edward Island by her father, who she thought had died in an accident with her mother when she was 3 years old. Her father also sends her a Switch-like device, which she uses to solve puzzles, take photos, and record information about the various characters. I have to admit that it’s quite fun to see the protagonist using a device so similar to the one we hold while playing the game.

However, upon arriving at the island, the aunt who accompanied her disappears, and when trying to follow her, Ashley encounters a ghost.

No, this no It’s a horror game.

The ghost is a young boy, who doesn’t remember anything except his nickname, ‘D’. He joins Ashley in an attempt to discover more about her past, including trying to uncover her cause of death.

O gameplay It mostly consists of exploring the Edwards mansion to try to find Ashley’s aunt, as well as trying to understand more about the people who lived there, and trying to find out what happened to D. At the beginning, most of the doors are locked. , but as we explore the mansion, solving puzzles, and seeing cutscenes Ashley and D talking, we’re opening more doors.

Honestly, in terms of atmosphere this game reminded me a lot of Project Zero…but no ghosts. Well with one ghost. That he’s not trying to kill us, so it doesn’t even count! But the central idea of ​​exploring an old mansion in which a tragedy took place (albeit an American-style one, not a Japanese one), of solving puzzles and opening doors and discovering what happened, reminded me a lot of those games.

However, we cannot discount that the target demographic of this game is very younger than the Project Zero, and not just for the horror part. The puzzles are, honestly, super simple. There was only one that gave me problems and it was because I wasn’t remembering a feature of the Switch device-like from Ashley. There is not backtracking, nor the need for a person to remember forgotten doors nor ancient locations. When you complete a room in the game, that’s it. Never go back to that room again.

Another Code: Two Memories is charged, more than for its gameplay, for its narrative, graphic style and voice acting. The story is truly interesting and mysterious, although some of the plot twists are quite obvious (again, young demographics). The way the story is also told, the dialogues always having small and quick-to-read text boxes, makes it not a hassle to watch the cutscenes.

The game’s art, graphics and cinematography are truly top notch, and the game shines here, more than many of its kind. The character designs are clean and vibrant, with strong lines and soft colors. Exploring the mansion is a delight, with every environment created with immense care and attention, and the action in cutscenes, while never too intense, is detailed and well-realized. Finally, the voice acting it is also very good, both in English and Japanese. As an aside, the game does not have a text option in Portuguese, neither European nor Brazilian, although it has two options for Spanish (Spain and South America), and two for French (France and Canada), which I have to admit I don’t think I’ve ever seen.

For me, the best part of the game were the characters. Ashley is a developed protagonist without being banal, with the fears and personality of a 13-year-old girl who finds herself involved in a slightly supernatural and scary adventure, but D and his story absolutely stole my heart. The friendship they develop throughout the game is really nice to see, and will certainly leave your hearts full of warm and cozy feelings.

TL;DR: If you like this type of game, you’ll probably like Another Code: Recollection. It’s not the most complex game in terms of puzzles or exploration, but the narrative and production are strong enough to carry the game, making the experience fun and interesting.