Another Code: Recollection is an adventure puzzle game that's a collection of remakes of the original games by Cing. It’s now being developed and published by Nintendo. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't, and if it’s worth your money.
Another Code: Recollection Review Overview
Another Code: Recollection Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Engaging Mystery Story Fun and Creative Puzzles Impressive Voice-Acting and Music |
Slow and Clingy Third-Person Camera |
Another Code: Recollection Overall - 84/100
Another Code: Recollection is a two-game collection that skillfully remakes Another Code: Two Memories for the DS and Another Code: R: A Journey into Lost Memories for the Wii. The game weaves compelling mysteries that are continuously captivating and engaging, thanks to the likable protagonist, Ashley, the gorgeous character art style, and the all-new revamped puzzles. Despite its brilliance, the game does exhibit minor flaws, such as the somewhat dated environment visuals and occasional annoyance with third-person exploration because of the camera control.
Nevertheless, these minor shortcomings do not overshadow the overall beauty and enjoyment the collection has to offer. With hopes for a sequel in the future, it stands as a magnificent remake that revitalizes the series and provides an experience that both die-hard fans and newcomers can enjoy.
Another Code: Recollection Story - 9/10
Players hold fond memories of the Another Code series due to its captivating narrative centered around a girl's quest to find her father. However, taking the nostalgia glasses off for a moment, does the storytelling in both games hold up by today's standards? The answer is still yes. While the core stories remain unchanged, this time new cutscenes have been added, and in addition, both narratives have been seamlessly woven into one cohesive tale. This structural change results in a more compelling, interconnected, and fleshed-out experience.
Another Code: Recollection Gameplay - 8/10
While the narrative retains its core elements, the gameplay structure underwent a thorough transformation, departing from the top-down DS experience and the side-scrolling adventure of the previous Wii game in favor of a linear third-person perspective. In addition, the puzzles were also completely changed to be more tailored for the Switch. While I’ll miss blowing through my DS mic to solve some puzzles, the new puzzles are notably more enjoyable and can present more challenges to players. The collection successfully retains the classic and distinctive puzzle-solving formula that has consistently made the series highly enjoyable.
Another Code: Recollection Visuals - 8/10
I’m glad to see Taisuke Kanasaki, the art director from the previous games, has returned for this game, and the art style is as beautiful, if not better than ever. I can’t praise the art style enough, as the new watercolor aesthetic is an improvement and is even perfectly captured in the 3D character models. Unfortunately, this high level of quality doesn't consistently extend to the environments, as textures and shadows sometimes appear more low-poly, akin to those in Minecraft. The limitation doesn't lie with the art direction but rather with the unfortunate constraint of a low budget. Nevertheless, it remains a minor issue that doesn't occur frequently, as the environments, especially the Edward Mansion, still manage to capture the watercolor pastel look effectively.
Another Code: Recollection Audio - 9/10
The audio experience has undergone significant improvement, introducing impressive voice acting—a new addition to the series. The soundtrack has been meticulously re-recorded and arranged, incorporating entirely new music. This is quite surprising, given that the original games already featured incredible music. Recollection somehow manages to elevate the already perfect musical score with its noteworthy changes.
Another Code: Recollection Value for Money - 7/10
At $60 for a 20-hour game without a new game plus or optional content, the price might seem steep. However, the game more than justifies the cost with its captivating story and stunning presentation. If buying the game means contributing to the possibility of a well-deserved sequel, it's definitely worth the money. It's important to note, though, that if you're not a fan of slow-burn visual novel-style narratives, this game may not change your opinion anytime soon.
Another Code: Recollection Review | A Beautiful Return to Captivating Mysteries
As a devoted fan of the Another Code games, the announcement of Another Code: Recollection, a total remake of the two games, filled me with delight. While it's saddening that Cling Studios went bankrupt a few years ago, it's reassuring to learn that Nintendo, alongside some former Cing developers from Arc Systems, brought this remake to life.
From the trailers alone, it was evident that this was a passion project crafted by individuals who genuinely loved these games. I'm pleased to report that they succeeded in breathing new life into the games, delivering a beautiful experience that lives up to its name.
The subtitle, Recollection,
serves as both a homonym and a clever play on words, alluding not only to the game's theme of recalling memories but also signifying a collection
of two games. Another Code: Two Memories for the DS and Another Code: R: A Journey into Lost Memories for the Wii are bundled uniquely in Recollection. Instead of treating them as separate games, Recollection combines both into a single narrative, requiring players to finish the first before proceeding to the next.
This approach feels more complete story-wise, portraying the growth and development of our lead character, Ashley, who undergoes the daunting task of uncovering the truth behind her mysteriously vanished parents.
The game excels in enhancing various elements, featuring overhauled visuals, fully explorable environments, new voice acting, puzzles, music, and more. Quality of life improvements for story enthusiasts are also present, with optional hint and navigation systems added to assist players new to adventure games.
Recollection hits a home run with nearly every new addition, building upon the strengths of the original games. The puzzles are entirely new and creative, and strike the right balance of difficulty. The story, already a masterpiece, benefits from amazing voice acting—an essential addition lacking in the previous games. Additionally, new scenes have been incorporated, further fleshing out the narrative.
However, a major concern lies in the third-person camera, which can be cumbersome due how close the camera is to Ashley. Adjusting the camera can become annoying, as it tends to get too close to her, obstructing the field of view and creating a first-person perspective. While this issue could easily be remedied through a patch later on, it remains a notable drawback in the current version.
Pros of Another Code: Recollection
| Things nother Code: Recollection Got Right |
|---|
|
An Engaging Mystery Fun and Creative Puzzles Impressive Voice-Acting and Music |
An Engaging Mystery
Undoubtedly, the stories crafted by Rika Suzuki remain compelling, standing out as the highlight of each game. As a devoted fan, this game truly offers the definitive experience by seamlessly weaving both titles and presenting an English script that aligns more accurately with the original Japanese narrative. In my view, this enhances the realism, personality, and depth of the characters, particularly our protagonist, Ashley Mizuki Robbins.
In the original DS game's English version, Ashley was initially portrayed as being bratty and disrespectful towards her aunt, a departure from the Japanese characterization. While some level of disrespect persists in this game, it delves deeper into Ashley's character, revealing a more loving and caring side. As a teenager, she grapples with expressing her emotions, making her actions more understandable and endearing.
This portrayal contributes positively to her growth as a character, a feat made even better by the game's inclusion of new cut scenes and dialogue. The additions not only remain faithful to the Japanese version but also enhance the overall narrative. Ashley's interactions, particularly with characters like D, the ghost boy encountered in the mansion, become more enjoyable, aided by the impressive voice acting.
The story maintains its excellence, hitting familiar beats from the previous games with a few intriguing surprises. I'll refrain from providing specifics to avoid spoilers, as the narrative is the game's bread and butter, spoiling it would be a detriment. Newcomers are likely to be engrossed, eagerly seeking answers to the mysteries, while long-time fans will appreciate how more polished the story is, and how it’s laid out more like a visual novel compared to the previous games.
While the beginning may seem slow as it establishes the mystery and characters, once the narrative starts going, you'll find it impossible to put down your Switch.
Fun and Creative Puzzles
The game centers around a gameplay loop involving navigation, item inspection, character interaction, and puzzle-solving to advance the narrative. The most enjoyable aspect of this gameplay is undoubtedly the puzzles. These puzzles are entirely new, departing from the original DS and Wii versions that utilized unique aspects of those platforms. The team's decision to create fresh puzzles tailored to the Switch mechanics was a commendable choice, providing a welcome and refreshing change to the gaming experience.
This alteration allowed me to explore the game in a new light, even though the core story remains mostly unchanged. It's interesting to note that the new puzzles influence how scenes unfold compared to the original, now focusing on Switch mechanics. While most interactions use analog sticks, some puzzles incorporate motion controls. Surprisingly, the touchpad of the Switch is never utilized for puzzle-solving, unlike the DS version.
The puzzles exhibit a range of difficulty and creativity, from using motion controls to retrieve an item under a chair to deciphering the correct sequence to open a secret door. Personally, I find the puzzles that require back-and-forth exploration between rooms to gather items for unlocking doors or obtaining secret items particularly enjoyable. They strike a balance between fun and challenge, but even if you find them difficult, the game provides ample tools to assist you.
Firstly, there's the DAS, a handheld device invented by Ashley's father, Richard, as seen in previous games. This mysterious device boasts various functions and abilities to aid in puzzle-solving and uncovering hidden items and clues. It can take photos, help remember patterns in puzzles, and reveal clues for guidance. The DAS also features a database storing key characters and information. Additionally, your bag serves as a storage unit for items and keys.
For players looking to enjoy the game more casually and focus on the story, the game offers a hint and compass system, which can be toggled on or off in the settings. The hint system, located in the corner left of the screen, provides a step-by-step guide on solving puzzles and occasionally offers a direct answer. The compass system assists in navigating the world and determining the next destination.
Even with these systems turned on, the puzzles remain enjoyable and engaging due to their creativity, and the accompanying music that plays when you solve puzzles enhances the overall experience.
Impressive Voice-Acting and Music
One glaring absence in the original games was voice acting, a void that has been skillfully filled in this remake. The voice acting in this game is truly impressive, elevating the stories and characters to new heights and immersing players even further. Particularly noteworthy is Ashley's voice actor, who plays a pivotal role; her exceptional performance is crucial to the success of the entire game. She masterfully breathes life into the character, portraying Ashley as an upfront girl unafraid to speak her mind while also embodying a kind-hearted and empathetic teenager.
The portrayal encompasses a wide range of emotions, capturing the complexity of Ashley's mysterious journey and teenage experiences with precision. Complementing the outstanding voice acting is the music—a blend of new compositions and re-arranged old tracks. A personal favorite is the Blood Edward Island track at the beginning, now taking on a more relaxing and nostalgic tone in the remake.
The beautiful incorporation of electro-synthetic beats harmonizing with a lower bass creates a lofi feeling, enhancing the overall experience. The game's music, primarily featuring the comforting tones of a piano, remains excellent and manages to evoke a sense of nostalgia while introducing new elements.
The music achieves a perfect balance between feeling nostalgic and fresh, akin to revisiting a place you fondly remember—a sensation that, I believe, was intentionally crafted by the developers.
Cons of Another Code: Recollection
| Things That Another Code: Recollection Can Improve |
|---|
|
Slow and Clingy Third-Person Camera |
Slow and Clingy Third-Person Camera
While I prefer the new third-person perspective in Recollection, there is a notable drawback with the slow camera movement when adjusting the field of view. However, this is a minor concern that can be easily addressed by accessing the settings and adjusting the camera speed. I recommend setting both the vertical and horizontal speed to around 82, as the default speed is too slow.
My primary complaint lies in the proximity of the camera to Ashley. It feels overly close and clingy, occasionally hindering visibility and disrupting immersion. Having to readjust the camera frequently can be bothersome. Moreover, when close to a wall, the camera's proximity to Ashley can create an unintentional first-person perspective.
Unfortunately, this issue could have been avoided by placing the camera slightly farther from Ashley, but regrettably, there is no option to adjust this in the settings. Although not a significant dealbreaker, it does prove to be somewhat annoying at times.
Is Another Code: Recollection Worth It?
It’s Worth Buying But -
I say “but” because it’s an impressive game that remakes the original two Another Code games, but the game can also be considered a niche for the average consumer because it’s a slow-paced point-and-click puzzle solver that demands your patience and only really gets going after chapter 3. Not only that, there isn’t a new game plus or optional side content after you finish the story. Once you’re done, you’ve pretty much-seen everything the game has to offer, which can be a downside by today’s game standards.
However, I still retain that it’s a worthwhile purchase because of just how riveting the story is with its complex and thought-provoking mystery that keeps you guessing and has a satisfying conclusion by the end. If you're not a fan of this genre, it might not be the right choice for you, but if you're curious and haven't tried it, the game is most definitely worth exploring. For existing fans of the game, the captivating story alone makes it a must-buy.
Another Code: Recollection Overview & Premise
This game is a remake collection featuring two titles: Another Code: Two Memories
and Another Code: R – Journey into Lost Memories.
Both games follow the adventures of a teenager named Ashley Mizuki Robbins, who embarks on quests to unravel the mysteries surrounding her parents. In the first game, she ventures to the remote island of Blood Edward, searching for her father whom she believes to be deceased. This journey triggers a series of mysteries and glimpses into the past. The second installment concludes this narrative by guiding Ashley to uncover the hidden truth about her mother.
Another Code: Recollection FAQ
When is Ashley’s Birthday?
Rather than adding the player's birthdate like in the first game, Another Code: Recollection already features Ashley's canonical birthdate, which was only shown in Another Code: R - A Journey Into Memories. She shares the same birthday as me—February 25.
Where Can I Play Another Code: Recollection?
Another Code: Recollection is now available on the Nintendo Switch.
Another Code: Recollection Product Information
 |
|
| Title | ANOTHER CODE: RECOLLECTION |
|---|---|
| Release Date | January 19, 2024 |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Supported Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | Adventure, Puzzle |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | Teen |
| Official Website | Another Code: Recollection Website |
