For some time there, the Nintendo DS was the place to go for thriller video games. Main the way in which had been the courtroom antics of the Ace Lawyer sequence and the puzzle ebook detective tales in Professor Layton. However serving to spherical out the area was a small studio referred to as Cing that has since shut down, which launched a pair of wonderful mysteries for the DS with Lodge Nightfall: Room 215 and Hint Reminiscence (identified outdoors of North America as One other Code). They’ve since turn out to be cult classics, and now the latter is getting a second probability with a remastered version for the Swap that retains all the nice elements (specifically the story), whereas sprucing issues up for contemporary gamers.
The brand new launch — referred to as One other Code: Recollection — is definitely a bundle of two totally different video games. There’s One other Code for the DS in addition to its sequel, A Journey into Misplaced Recollections, which got here out on the Wii however was by no means formally launched in North America. So, for various followers of the unique sport — like me, for instance — that is their first probability to expertise the entire story. Each are visible novels with a healthy dose of puzzles, crammed with intricately locked doorways and complex machines that may make the architect behind the Resident Evil mansion proud.
The One other Code sequence stars a lady named Ashley who grew up considering that her dad died when she was younger. Then, out of the blue, only a few days earlier than her 14th birthday, she will get an invite from her dad to satisfy on the ominously named Blood Edward Island. As soon as there, Ashley meets an amnesiac ghost named D — who solely she will be able to see — and the 2 set about exploring the island to uncover all types of secrets and techniques collectively; Ashley learns the reality about her dad and mom, whereas D uncovers his long-lost recollections. Additionally, there’s a machine that may delete and edit recollections from somebody’s thoughts. Mainly, it’s full of mysteries to uncover. The sequel picks up two years later, with Ashley as soon as once more assembly up together with her dad, this time for a tenting journey within the woods, which brings about much more secrets and techniques.
Apparently, the remaster doesn’t separate the video games. You don’t decide one or the opposite from the primary menu. As an alternative, when you wrap up the unique One other Code, issues simply roll proper into the subsequent sport, making the story really feel very cohesive.
That’s removed from the one change on this bundle, although. Whereas the wonderful story stays the identical, as do — so far as I can inform — a lot of the puzzles, just about all the pieces else has been overhauled. There’s voice performing, absolutely 3D areas to discover, slick anime-style visuals, and dynamic cutscenes that body conversations like a continually shifting movement comedian. Additionally, now, the unusual gadget that Ashley carries round appears to be like like a Swap as an alternative of a DS. All of it appears to be like and sounds nice (and once more, it makes the 2 video games really feel like a extra cohesive bundle), and there are additionally some quality-of-life tweaks that make the expertise a bit smoother.
First, there’s an escalating trace system. It’s elective, however while you flip it on, you will get hints for puzzles that begin out very primary however get more and more detailed should you select. It mainly lets you select your individual stage of problem on the fly. Equally, it’s fairly simple to overlook issues within the sport, so there’s an choice that allows you to activate a directional arrow that at all times factors you towards your subsequent goal. I discovered each of those instruments very helpful throughout my playthrough; on the very least, the directional arrow stored me from searching for out a walkthrough on just a few events.
Very like final yr, 2024 is shaping as much as be crammed with remakes and rereleases; already, there’s The Final of Us Half II Remastered popping out this week and a revamped Persona 3 launching in February. Within the case of One other Code, at the very least, it’s the perfect sort of remaster: taking video games that had been launched just a few generations in the past (and, in some circumstances, solely in choose areas) and making them rather more accessible whereas additionally giving them a recent coat of paint. Recollection doesn’t mess with the a part of the sequence individuals liked however brings all the pieces else as much as trendy requirements. It’s a remaster so good I can’t assist however surprise: when is Lodge Nightfall coming to the Swap?
One other Code: Recollection launches on the Nintendo Swap on January nineteenth.