I had never heard of Another Code, or its sequel until Recollection was announced only a couple of months ago. The trailer alone though completely sold me, I’m a massive fun of puzzle games, and I was really intrigued by this one. While I could’ve played the original versions of the two games, I chose to wait for this to release, just cause. And honestly, I really loved playing this game. While it is a collection of two games, it feels like it neatly connects the two together, into one complete whole. As well, it’s just really nice, filled with charm and this inexplicable cozy feeling.
When it comes to the actual puzzles of Another Code Recollection, I find them super charming. Most of them, if not a large majority of them are really simple, but I still get that little bit of satisfaction from solving puzzles, even if they’re extremely simple. As well, when the puzzles become even the slightest more complex, they’re really fun. This is definitely seen more in the second half of the game, though it still has the issue of a lot of them being rather simple. There are some mechanics, especially with the DAS that I wish was used at least a little more often, sometimes only being used once in the entire game. The only puzzle mechanic that seems to repeat over time are motion-control puzzles which are really fun, but I am a bit glad they still used it quite minimally. I feel like I would’ve been a bit tired if they were way more apparent. But still, while I do wish the game had more puzzles, the puzzles in the game are still really fun.
The story of Another Code Recollection is interesting. I’ve heard that the first half of the game is basically a faithful adaptation of the DS game, while the second half notably diverges from the Wii game. It bears repeating again that I’ve never played the original titles, I mention it again so it’s known I can’t really compare the two together. I really love the story though, especially the second half’s. Another Code’s story is all about memory, and what it means to remember, forget, to learn, and to be remembered. It’s all about the nature of memories and how it all connects to life, and the human experience. And it’s also the story about growing up in a family that’s far from perfect. The lack of a parental figure, having a complicated relationship with your family, but also learning to love even the imperfections of your family. The story of Another Code is very heartfelt, and while it never goes too complex, it’s still able to really pull at the heartstrings.
And how it’s able to do that is through the characters of the game. Ashley is an amazing protagonist throughout both halves of the game. The dynamic between her and her father is excellent, I rarely see the dynamic between them in other media. And so many side characters are amazing. The entire interconnected story of the Edwards Family, and every single person you meet at Lake Juliet. The characters are all nice and really charming, and each interaction is just really fun.
And yet again, there’s something about the game that I just find really cozy. It may just be the vibes I get, the Another Code games were released around the time I started playing games, so it has that same general feel that those games have. I was particularly reminded of 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, but that’s also mainly because that’s another DS Puzzle game. But I think one aspect of why this game is as cozy to me are the environments. One thing I do know that’s a difference between the recollection and the original games is that you couldn’t physically walk around in the environments. And I think that’s what really makes it cozy for me. The game areas are large, and even when running it takes a while to get from place to place. Because of that you’re really able to take in the sights and sort of be immersed in some regard. A beautiful forest, an old mansion, a lake resort, the environments, even the ones that are meant to be unsettling, are really cozy.
For me at least, it’s hard to get a full grasp on how to review this game in particular. It’s a remake, and to review a remake properly, you should at least have some information on the original titles. In this case, I simply don’t, which is my fault for sure. Even then, I still really loved this game, the characters, the story, and how cozy this game was was really nice. I’m not sure if this is the version I’d recommend, mainly because I haven’t compared it to the original versions, but this still is an amazing game that I’m glad was able to release. I won’t forget this game, I’m glad I was able to play it.
When it comes to the actual puzzles of Another Code Recollection, I find them super charming. Most of them, if not a large majority of them are really simple, but I still get that little bit of satisfaction from solving puzzles, even if they’re extremely simple. As well, when the puzzles become even the slightest more complex, they’re really fun. This is definitely seen more in the second half of the game, though it still has the issue of a lot of them being rather simple. There are some mechanics, especially with the DAS that I wish was used at least a little more often, sometimes only being used once in the entire game. The only puzzle mechanic that seems to repeat over time are motion-control puzzles which are really fun, but I am a bit glad they still used it quite minimally. I feel like I would’ve been a bit tired if they were way more apparent. But still, while I do wish the game had more puzzles, the puzzles in the game are still really fun.
The story of Another Code Recollection is interesting. I’ve heard that the first half of the game is basically a faithful adaptation of the DS game, while the second half notably diverges from the Wii game. It bears repeating again that I’ve never played the original titles, I mention it again so it’s known I can’t really compare the two together. I really love the story though, especially the second half’s. Another Code’s story is all about memory, and what it means to remember, forget, to learn, and to be remembered. It’s all about the nature of memories and how it all connects to life, and the human experience. And it’s also the story about growing up in a family that’s far from perfect. The lack of a parental figure, having a complicated relationship with your family, but also learning to love even the imperfections of your family. The story of Another Code is very heartfelt, and while it never goes too complex, it’s still able to really pull at the heartstrings.
And how it’s able to do that is through the characters of the game. Ashley is an amazing protagonist throughout both halves of the game. The dynamic between her and her father is excellent, I rarely see the dynamic between them in other media. And so many side characters are amazing. The entire interconnected story of the Edwards Family, and every single person you meet at Lake Juliet. The characters are all nice and really charming, and each interaction is just really fun.
And yet again, there’s something about the game that I just find really cozy. It may just be the vibes I get, the Another Code games were released around the time I started playing games, so it has that same general feel that those games have. I was particularly reminded of 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, but that’s also mainly because that’s another DS Puzzle game. But I think one aspect of why this game is as cozy to me are the environments. One thing I do know that’s a difference between the recollection and the original games is that you couldn’t physically walk around in the environments. And I think that’s what really makes it cozy for me. The game areas are large, and even when running it takes a while to get from place to place. Because of that you’re really able to take in the sights and sort of be immersed in some regard. A beautiful forest, an old mansion, a lake resort, the environments, even the ones that are meant to be unsettling, are really cozy.
For me at least, it’s hard to get a full grasp on how to review this game in particular. It’s a remake, and to review a remake properly, you should at least have some information on the original titles. In this case, I simply don’t, which is my fault for sure. Even then, I still really loved this game, the characters, the story, and how cozy this game was was really nice. I’m not sure if this is the version I’d recommend, mainly because I haven’t compared it to the original versions, but this still is an amazing game that I’m glad was able to release. I won’t forget this game, I’m glad I was able to play it.