Rediscovering Classics: Another Code: Recollection Brings Cult Classic Mystery Games to the Switch

For a significant stretch of time, mystery game enthusiasts found their haven in the Nintendo DS console. Titles like the courtroom drama of the Ace Attorney series and the detective adventures in Professor Layton dominated the genre. Among these, Cing, a now-closed studio, contributed two standout mysteries with Hotel Dusk: Room 215 and Trace Memory (known as Another Code outside North America). These games have evolved into cult classics, and now, the latter is receiving a second chance through a remastered edition for the Switch, preserving the essence of the original stories while enhancing the experience for contemporary players.

The latest release, titled Another Code: Recollection, is not just a single game but a bundle comprising two distinct titles. It includes Another Code for the DS and its sequel, A Journey into Lost Memories, which originally debuted on the Wii but was never officially released in North America. This marks a unique opportunity for fans, especially those unfamiliar with the sequel, to delve into the complete narrative. Both games are visual novels intertwined with challenging puzzles, featuring intricately locked doors and complex machines reminiscent of the puzzles in the Resident Evil mansion.

The Another Code series revolves around Ashley, a girl who believed her father had passed away during her childhood. Suddenly, a few days before her 14th birthday, she receives an invitation from her supposedly deceased father to meet on the mysterious Blood Edward Island. Here, Ashley encounters an amnesiac ghost named D, visible only to her, and together they explore the island, unraveling numerous secrets. The sequel picks up two years later during a camping trip with Ashley's dad, introducing even more enigmas.

Interestingly, the remaster seamlessly integrates both games, providing a cohesive storytelling experience without separating the titles on the main menu.

While the captivating story remains unchanged, almost everything else in this package has undergone a significant overhaul. Voice acting, fully rendered 3D environments, stylish anime-inspired visuals, and dynamic cutscenes resembling a constantly shifting motion comic are now part of the package. Even Ashley's peculiar gadget now resembles a Switch instead of a DS. These enhancements, coupled with quality-of-life improvements, contribute to a smoother overall experience.

The remaster introduces an optional escalating hint system, allowing players to customize the difficulty level on the fly by providing increasingly detailed hints for puzzles. Additionally, a directional arrow option helps guide players towards their next objective, preventing them from overlooking crucial elements in the game.

In a year already brimming with remakes and rereleases, Another Code: Recollection stands out as an exemplary remaster. It takes games from previous generations, some only available in specific regions, and makes them accessible to a wider audience while giving them a contemporary facelift. Recollection maintains the essence that fans loved about the series while elevating other aspects to modern standards. It leaves enthusiasts pondering: when will Hotel Dusk make its way to the Switch?

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