Another Code Recollection was one of the more obscure games in the Nintendo Library. I had never heard of it until the September Direct of 2023, and from the looks of it, I couldn’t really tell what the hype was, and why such an underground game getting the spotlight was a big deal. Now, after beating both games in the collection, I understand why this game has such a cult following. The memorability of this game alone stands to the test of time, from the DS and Wii era, now reborn on Switch.
Another Code Recollection is a remake of the DS game Trace Memory, and its sequel (that never got localized to the States) on the Wii Another Code R. Both games follow Ashley Mizuki Robbins, uncovering her memories to solve mysteries between her missing father, and her mother’s secrets. Along the way, you join other residents of either Blood Edward Island or Lake Juliet, and in addition to solving Ashley’s past, you solve other unsolved mysteries as well. This is a very intricate story that weaves between the past and present, and with both games, you’re in it for the long haul. Good thing this game has very compelling ways to keep the player locked in until the end.
Firstly, the characters are super memorable. Ashley alone does an excellent job of immersing you into her shoes. Her voice has this innocent tone, yet due to her traumatic past, sounds frail, and is afraid for other things to fall apart. I won’t say much about her character growth in the two games, but she overcomes many challenges, and will have you rooting for a happy ending all the way through. Close to Ashley are her companions. While there is WAY too much about D and Matthew, both give Ashley a boost in characterization, with their ability to bounce off each other’s narratives, and are just cute, plain and simple as that.
Beyond the layered story, the art direction of the game is a notable one too. Looking at the previous games, while I do miss the stylized limited animations of the DS and Wii, the modern look and feel to this game is a much welcomed one. Gone are the jagged and rough looking edges on the game. Here are the cell shaded, polished, vibrant colors of the Switch. I love how they approached this game’s art, it feels almost like a movie, and they nailed the aesthetic on their first try.
While this game does have its ups, it also has its downs. One part is the music. While there are some notable songs I appreciated (Lake Juliet and the credits were fun surprises), a lot is just more ambient Breath-of-the-Wild-esque tracks that you either will adore or wish wasn’t there at all. For me, it’s down the middle. All music serves to provide depth to scenes, and that’s just what this game does. Nothing notable, but there was a bit of hope for more detail, rather than music to just fill in the empty air.
Another part that was a little hard to swallow is the pacing. With the highs and the lows, this game has such great moments, all of them are spoilers to the overall experience, but just know that they will put your heart in a cozy spot. But to get to those parts, you need to do some pretty basic gameplay. It can get kind of bland at times with its gameplay, making it feel dragged on, but it never gets to the point of padding. I understand these scenes are necessary to get to the gratifying scenes later on, but it is kind of rough getting there. If only there were perhaps more in-depth puzzles, or the game didn’t halt the narrative for a puzzle that could be incorporated in the game’s flow. With those points, it wouldn't be as much of an issue.
Overall, I still would recommend this hidden gem on the Switch’s library. It may dip in quality at times, but it never once dipped in expectation or polish. This is the kind of game you do expect a triple AAA studio to handle, and it handles it as well as it can.
I give this game a 7/10.