Recollection Review [Switch] – A Slow Start – Gamezebo

I never played the original titles on Nintendo DS and the Wii, so I really wanted to give Another Code: Recollection a go on the Nintendo Switch. I’m all for narrative-driven games, so I was excited to venture into why it received a full remaster. So, what did I think? Read on…

The Exploration

I still don’t know how I feel about this game in all honesty. Fundamentally it’s a decent game, and I can see why it was a popular title back in the day. But, it just isn’t a game for me, unfortunately. The game struggled to grab me at the start, and I really wasn’t feeling it. However, the plot started to pick up a bit more after a while. I enjoyed venturing through the house, mainly because I like exploring buildings in video games!

But it was also the way each room was decorated and how the light poured through the windows that caught my attention. The game is unexpectedly pretty and it runs quite well on the Nintendo Switch itself in handheld mode. On the topic of outdoor exploration though, I ended up getting a little annoyed while trying to navigate around bushes and stones.

This was due to the odd camera zooming that happens when you sprint or stand close to objects. With the movement speed being quite slow, I relied heavily on running everywhere but was often met with irritating zoom that made it difficult to see where I was.

Lots and Lots of Dialogue…

Another point I want to make, which is entirely subjective, is that there is a lot of dialogue. This is to be expected, with Another Code being heavy on the narrative. I just don’t enjoy stepping forward a few steps and being pulled into yet another cutscene. That and I didn’t find some of the dialogue to be overly engaging, especially at the start. I’m not a fan of skipping cutscenes in games, but I appreciate that this function was included. However, you cannot skip the comic book-style cutscenes, since you need to interact with dialogue options here and there.

The overall storyline is pretty good too, albeit a little slow to begin with. The plot is set up nicely, as new characters are introduced, and new clues become available. The supernatural aspect kept me intrigued, and the backstory of D adds to it, bringing along even more mystery.

Puzzles? Solved!

Onto the quality of life! I reckon the useful tools that are available to utilise instantly improve the game. My personal favourite is the optional hint feature and compass, which lets you know which direction to walk in for certain clues and story progression. The hints are handy for when you’re stumped on a puzzle, which I often was, as puzzle games aren’t exactly my forte. I did find the puzzles to be quite fun and unique though!

I liked the handheld DAS, as it allowed me to brush up on my knowledge and remind myself of certain things. It also has a neat camera function! You can’t just take photos of random things though, as you need the space for photos that you can use as clues and evidence. Or, read Memories by using a smart QR code-type feature, which I thought was cool! I was quite happy when I found out that maps are unlockable. Ashley even makes notes on the map, such as locations, and clues.

Overall, Another Code: Recollection comes recommended to those who love dialogue-heavy games. It’s a relaxing experience, with some head-scratching puzzles thrown in, made all the easier with the brilliant addition of the Compass and Hint functions.

The good

• Nice environments and character models
• Compass and hint functions are helpful for those who don’t want to waste time
• DAS system is a cool way to let players read up on lore
• Decent storyline

The bad

• Very dialogue heavy
• Slow start
• Took a while to grab me