Another Code: Recollection offers a dual remake with modernized gameplay, exploration, and a reworked script, breathing new life into two niche puzzle adventure games. But while it’s great to see a small series like this brought back, the lackluster puzzle design and predictable story prevent it from reaching greatness.
This full-blown remake combines the 2005 DS game Trace Memory and its Wii sequel, Another Code R: Journey Into Lost Memories, treating them as two halves of the same story. Both games follow the endearing teenager Ashley Mizuki Robins as she works to uncover forgotten memories from her childhood.
Another Code: Recollection Screenshots
Recollection introduces a modern third-person perspective and fully explorable 3D areas, making it more appealing to a younger audience. The central theme and relatable main character, Ashley, carry the fairly basic story, but the lack of depth in the overall mystery and the reliance on amnesia tropes hinder the experience.
The storytelling relies on haphazard flashbacks and convenient memory triggers, leading to an exhaustingly predictable outcome. While the reworked ending of Journey Into Lost Memories is a highlight, the gameplay experience feels better suited for a newer audience unaccustomed to similar mystery games.
The puzzle design in Another Code: Recollection falls short, with puzzles feeling more like fetch quests than engaging challenges. The underwhelming puzzles are mitigated by a fantastic new built-in hint system, but the missed opportunity for clever brainteasers is disappointing.
However, the appeal of Another Code: Recollection lies in its excellent vibes and atmosphere. The game captures the feeling of a chapter of childhood coming to a close, and the presentation, from unique comic book style conversations to well-voiced scenes, adds to its charm.