Another Code: Recollection is yet another treat for fans of the mystery game genre. This collection of DS and Wii remakes has a lot of love put into it, with great visuals, accessibility options, and engaging puzzles that help elevate a classic story.
Once again, fans will be controlling Ashley Mizuki Robbins, a teenage girl who receives a mysterious letter from her father, who she thought died all those years ago. She decides to meet her father on a mysterious island with her aunt, who seemingly disappears not long after arrival. Luckily, she meets an amnesiac ghost called D, and the two form a partnership as they try to retrieve D’s memories, find Jessica, and see if Ashley’s father is alive.
If that plot summary sounds a bit much, don’t let that worry you. This game is paced decently and presents the story in a way where everything makes sense. More of the plot is uncovered as players solve various puzzles and find items, making this a surprisingly relaxing game for anyone to pick up.
We’ve also only provided a summary of the first game since the second one spoils quite a bit, so players will have to reach that story for themselves. Another Code: Recollection doesn’t let players choose which game to play at the start, so everyone begins with the first title, “Two Memories.” Considering how the sequel, “A Journey into Lost Memories,” was stuck in European and Japanese regions for the longest time, we’re sure players won’t mind waiting a bit longer to play this one.
Fans who do want to head straight to the second game might find this bothersome, but the upgraded presentation will quickly turn that frown upside down. Simply put, this is a great-looking remake with detailed environments and great character models. The voice acting is also pretty decent, with strong performances all around, especially from Ashley herself.
Gameplay-wise, Another Code: Recollection is a mystery game, so everything revolves around looking through areas, uncovering puzzles, and how to solve them. This usually means finding a missing item, rearranging statues to uncover new passages, and more staples of the genre. Luckily, this isn’t as repetitive as it sounds, since uncovering each mystery usually reveals something juicy, like more of D’s backstory or surprising secrets for the various characters.
Another change fans will greatly appreciate is that players now have full control of Ashley, so they can fully explore the game’s various areas in 3D. This change seems to be based on the Wii sequel, albeit, with button controls for movement and a couple of motion-controlled puzzles. For the most part, this is a very good change that makes the gameplay a lot more engaging, though we do wish the camera was zoomed out a bit more.
While the pacing for the story is pretty good, the gameplay is a bit of a slow burn, since players are supposed to think their way through everything. This gives players all the time in the world to solve whatever problem is bothering them. Luckily, the game does give out hints with a simple button press, so players are never stuck solving the same thing for too long.
Players who might be unfamiliar with the genre might get stuck longer than others, but Another Code: Recollection does offer ways to make progression easier. Aside from frequent hints, the navigator can be activated by pressing down on the left analog stick, directing players on where to find the next item or doorway. However, while the navigator will help you find missing puzzle pieces and items, it won’t help you with their needed placements, so there’s still some brainwork needed from the player.
Expect to be looking at items a lot and figuring out certain combinations to make progress through the story. For the most part, this plays like a basic point-and-click adventure game, so be prepared to use the left analog stick and press A. There are also a couple of puzzles that use motion controls, which don’t feel the best if we’re being honest.
The navigator will immediately direct players on where to go, but we do advise players to check their surroundings before moving on to plot points. Going through areas and investigating items can lead to some story-rich scenes that players might miss otherwise. While these scenes aren’t the most important, they are great for worldbuilding and adding more character to everything in the story.
Having an optional navigator and frequent tips does make this remake a lot more accessible, which is important for a remake of niche titles. Not everyone likes slow-paced mystery games, so the fact that the devs went out of their way to make Another Code: Recollection look great and a bit easier to play should be applauded. While the point-and-click gameplay might not be for everyone, the accessibility options do make this a great entry point for the genre to see if it's for you or not.
Another Code: Recollection is a fantastic remake of two games that many thought would be lost to time. Having the complete experience on Nintendo Switch is great for long-time fans of this niche series, while newer fans can just enjoy another great mystery title on the Switch. Whether you loved the original games or are just a fan of mystery titles, this is a must-buy.
