SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories follows Anya Forger in her quest to make a super-duper awesome diary for the sake of world peace! Read our review to see if the game is as good as the manga and anime it was based on, Spy x Family!
SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Review Overview
What is SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories?
Anya is given an assignment from her school to make a photo diary. Take control of Anya as she goes about her day-to-day routine. On weekdays, she’ll go to class in the morning and spend time with her family at night. On weekends, she can have her parents take her to all sorts of places. Help Anya as she fills up her photo diary with great memories.
SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories features:
⚫︎ Based on the Popular Anime and Manga series, Spy x Family!
⚫︎ Play as Peanut Loving Esper, Anya Forger
⚫︎ Take Pictures for you Photo Diary
⚫︎ Play Over 15 Minigames
⚫︎ Customzie Yor, Loid, Anya, and Bond’s Outfits with Over 80 Unique Accessories
⚫︎ Visit Many Iconic Places from the Series
⚫︎ Create Countless Memories with Anya and Friends
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories's gameplay and story.
| Platform | Price |
|---|---|
 Steam |
$49.99 |
 Nintendo Store |
|
 PlayStation |
SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Fully Voice-Acted Elegant Customization Fun Fan Service |
Repetitive Day and Night Cycle Way too Easy Bugs and Frame Dips Lack of Minigames |
SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Overall Score - 62/100
SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories, unfortunately, isn’t very ELEGANT. Unlike the amazing anime adaptation of the manga by Wit Studio and CloverWorks, this game feels like a lazy cash-in on the Spy x Family franchise. I could overlook the somewhat outdated graphics if it had a good story and gameplay, but sadly, it doesn’t really have that going for it. While there are a few redeeming qualities, this game wouldn't earn any Stella Stars at Eden Academy—in fact, it deserves three Tonitrus Bolts.
SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Story - 5/10
Disappointingly, the game doesn’t really have a story. Your main task is to finish Anya's photo diary and go about day-to-day activities. It’s a shame because an original story, like the one in Code White, would have been great. However, if you’re a fan, there are some redeeming factors, such as new dialogue and scenes with Anya and other characters. This game is not newcomer-friendly at all. It assumes you already know who the characters are and doesn't provide any recap or introduction for new players who might be interested in getting into the franchise. Honestly, this is worse than a filler episode.
SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Gameplay - 6/10
The game is essentially a collection of minigames, some of which are fun, but they quickly become repetitive and boring. The minigames are too easy, and with only 15 of them, the limited variety combined with the day and night cycle only makes the repetition worse.
SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Visuals - 7/10
Transitioning 2D anime to 3D models is challenging, but I have to say that Loid, Yor, Anya, and Bond look pretty decent in 3D. However, there are noticeable issues, such as janky animations and low-poly textures in the background. Some areas look good, while others don't fare as well.
SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Audio - 8/10
One thing this game does properly well is that it's fully voice-acted from start to finish by the original Japanese cast, so you get to hear them deliver new dialogue. The music is decent, though not particularly memorable, with the exception of the dodgeball minigame soundtrack, which stands out as the best.
SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Value for Money - 5/10
The game is simply too short, easy, and repetitive to be worth your money. Even for fans, it's hard to recommend because there's not much new content. However, if you're absolutely a diehard Spy x Family fan, you might enjoy the fan service and new outfits for the Forgers.
SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Review: Not So Waku Waku
Spy x Family is easily one of my favorite anime series, and I've been a fan of the manga long before it gained widespread popularity. Witnessing its current massive success is incredibly gratifying, and naturally, I was thrilled about the release of this game.
While the trailers didn't completely sell me, I was still excited about what appeared to be a charming, cozy game centered around my favorite character from the series, Anya Forger. However, this game is a major letdown both for me as a fan and for newcomers who might have been interested in getting into the series through this game.
This game isn't newcomer-friendly because it assumes you're already familiar with the anime or manga and throws you straight into Anya's classroom at Eden Academy without any proper introductions to the world or characters. As a fan, I already knew this, but it bothered me that there's no recap or character bios for those who aren't initiated. So, let me give you a general overview of Spy x Family.
The story follows a spy named Twilight, who needs to build a family
to execute a mission that could save the world. Unbeknownst to him, his adopted daughter, Anya, is a telepath, and the woman he agrees to marry, Yor, is a skilled assassin. Together, they form the Forger family, where none of them except Anya knows each other's secret identities.
Anya Forger attends Eden Academy, a prestigious private school that Loid Forger enrolled her in as part of Operation Strix.
The goal of this mission is for Anya to get close to Damien Desmond, the son of Donovan, who is the chairman of the National Unity Party of Ostania and Twilight's current mission target. Thus, Anya is there to assist in carrying out Loid's mission, known as Operation Strix.
That's why in the game you'll notice Anya constantly interacting with someone she doesn't like. It really bothered me that this wasn't even mentioned in the game.
Setting that aside, I could forgive it if the story was engaging and enjoyable, but unfortunately, there's hardly any story to speak of. Anya Forger's new school assignment is to create a photo diary of memories, and that's about it.
There's no overarching plot or narrative structure to drive the game forward. It's mentioned only a few times throughout the game, which makes the quest feel repetitive and lackluster. It lacks the charm and humor that the series is known for, feeling more like a cheap imitation.
By the end of the game, I was relieved it was over. It honestly feels more disappointing than a filler episode, but what saves it from being utterly horrible are some of the unique new interactions between the characters.
The gameplay might not be as enjoyable, but at least the game is fully voice-acted. There are also some nice fan service moments, like surprises from returning characters or mentions from previous episodes.
So, what about the gameplay? Is it any good? Well, to put it simply, the overall gameplay is just average at best. After Anya returns home from Eden, she informs Loid and Yor about her assignment, and they decide to assist her. The game follows a loose calendar system with a day and night cycle and weekly activities, although there's no actual calendar.
On weekdays, Anya attends classes in the morning and spends evenings with her family. On weekends, the Forgers venture to various places like the beach or art museums in search of subjects worth photographing.
During these moments, you engage in different activities, with photography being the most important. In each location, there are events where you can capture memorable pictures—whether it's something that catches Anya's eye or a significant moment.
This photography aspect is central to the game, requiring you to take photos of Anya and her friends and family at the right moment, angle, and clarity to complete the album. It's quite easy but rather dull, mainly rewarding you with Eureka points (which I'll explain later).
It's also puzzling because Anya is supposed to be the one taking the pictures, yet the player is the one framing the shots for her. This setup contradicts the role-playing aspect since we control Anya but aren't actually playing as her during these moments. It could have been more engaging if this mechanic resembled something akin to Pokémon Snap.
Moreover, the limitation of using the camera only during specific events feels restrictive and misses an opportunity for more dynamic gameplay. Honestly, that’s not the only missed opportunity as the game feels like an overall missed opportunity to explore the characters in meaningful ways. But let's not jump ahead of ourselves just yet.
Remember those Eureka points I mentioned earlier? You can earn them by talking to characters in certain situations and by taking photos. These points can be used to play minigames, which are accessible during evenings or early mornings at the Forgers' home. Initially, you only unlock four minigames: dodgeball, Yor's vegetable cutting, Loid's mission, and Yor's assassination mission. These minigames offer variety, which I appreciate.
For example, Loid's mission involves sneaking to steal paintings while avoiding security, while Yor's mission is a beat 'em up where you face off against multiple guards stage by stage. The dodgeball minigame, on the other hand, is a team game where Anya, Becky, and Damian team up to defeat another team.
Initially, these minigames are quite enjoyable. However, I dislike the fact that you have to repeatedly play them to unlock new content and difficulty modes, as well as to earn tickets (which I'll explain shortly). These minigames are too easy, even on higher difficulties, and quickly become repetitive.
Unlocking additional minigames feels like a drag because you have to revisit locations and fulfill specific conditions, such as completing all activities at the park. It feels like ticking off a checklist and loses its appeal too quickly.
Fortunately, if you want to experience all the minigames quickly, you can access them directly from the title menu. My favorite among them is the Pacman parody minigame. However, it's disappointing that despite having 15 minigames, they feel insufficient due to their short length and simplistic AI.
Now, about those tickets I mentioned earlier. In the game, you can use tickets to enter a raffle. Depending on the box you choose, you can win PPs (store currency) or a random outfit. This raffle system feels like a glorified gacha, where you mostly end up with PPs.
You can use these PPs to buy new outfits for the characters, and I must say I enjoyed dressing up my favorite characters. There's a wide variety of outfits to choose from, and some accessories even have special effects, like boosting your Eureka points. However, I dislike how the game has multiple currency systems that seem designed to limit player activities.
It's frustrating because it feels like unnecessary mobile game mechanics in a full game. While you don't need to use real money, it still feels annoying and somewhat lazy in design.
Pros of SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories
| Things SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Got Right |
|---|
|
Fully Voice-Acted Elegant Customization Fun Fan Service |
Fully Voice-Acted
I was pleasantly surprised that this game was fully voice-acted, especially considering how much of it feels like a cash grab. Fortunately, the Japanese voice actors reprise their roles and deliver solid performances. Atsumi Tanezaki, who voices Anya, does an outstanding job as always, infusing her lines with energy and humor.
Elegant Customization
The customization options aren't extensive, but I don't mind because the game's outfits offer a lot of fun. It's enjoyable to mix and match different combinations and see the characters in new looks beyond what we typically see in the anime and manga. Some outfits are familiar from episodes, while others are new and adorable. Let’s be real, dressing up your favorite anime characters is always a delightful experience.
Fun Fan Service
Fans of the anime or manga will delight in the playful nods and surprises sprinkled throughout the game. Keep an eye out for appearances by characters like Yuri Briar and Nightfall, as well as clever callbacks to memorable episodes that will surely trigger that Leonardo DiCaprio face meme
moment of recognition.
Cons of SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories
| Things That SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Can Improve |
|---|
|
Repetitive Day and Night Cycle Way too Easy Bugs and Frame Dips Lack of Minigames |
Repetitive Day and Night Cycle
This game quickly becomes monotonous and loses its appeal due to its lackluster day and night cycle. Unlike the Persona series, which effectively balances day-to-day activities with variety, this game lacks a proper calendar system and fails to introduce significant events that drive the plot forward. It often feels like living the same day on repeat, akin to the movie Groundhog Day, with little to no progression and too few activities to keep things engaging.
Way too Easy
This game is incredibly easy, even for a child. While there's nothing inherently wrong with being easy, it's rather hilarious that I was able to breeze through most of the challenges and missions without any real effort. Yes, it's meant to be a cozy game, but even cozy games typically include some level of challenge—like collecting all the bugs in Animal Crossing or managing crop growth in Harvest Moon. This game lacks any such complexity; there's no need to engage your brain, which ultimately makes it quite boring.
Bugs and Frame Dips
The game doesn't have the best graphics, so I didn't expect frame drops, but I noticed several instances, particularly in loading screens, where there were dips in frame rate. This wouldn't be a big issue if it weren't for the bugs that oddly make the game easier. For example, in a minigame where I played as Loid and had to steal paintings without being spotted by guards, there was a situation where the guards got stuck in a loop in one area, making it much easier for me to complete the task.
Lack of Minigames
This game is seriously lacking in engaging minigames. To be honest, there are only a few where I actually have some fun, but even those are too short and end too quickly. I wish there were more varied minigames, especially ones that involve other characters and not just the Forger family.
Is SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories Worth It?
No, Not for Newcomers or Fans
I hate to say it, but right now, this game isn't worth purchasing especially for $49.99. It just feels like a blatant cash grab on a popular series and doesn't do justice to Spy x Family, which is currently one of the best modern anime series. Sadly, the game fails to utilize its assets effectively and isn't even welcoming to newcomers who might be interested. If you're a diehard fan, I won't discourage you from buying it; there may be some redeeming qualities that make it worth your while. However, at this moment, I can't recommend this game.
| Platform | Price |
|---|---|
| Steam |
$49.99 |
| Nintendo Store |
|
| PlayStation |
SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories FAQ
Can you play Multiplayer in Operation Memories?
Yes, there is an option in the minigame menu on the title screen that allows you to play the minigames with another player.
Can you play as Loid and Yor Forger
Yes, but you can only play them in their respective minigames.
Game8 Reviews
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SPY x ANYA: Operation Memories Product Information
 |
|
| Title | SPY x ANYA: OPERATION MEMORIES |
|---|---|
| Release Date | December 21, 2023 (Switch Japan), June 28 2024 (PC, Playstation ,Switch Worldwide) |
| Developer | Groove Box Japan |
| Publisher | Bandai Namco |
| Supported Platforms | Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5 |
| Genre | Exciting Outing Adventure, Social Simulation, Slice of Life |
| Number of Players | Single Player, Local wireless(1-2) |
| ESRB Rating | Rating Pending |
| Official Website | SPYxANYA Official Website |
