Another Code: R – A Journey into Lost Memories
Sequel to a 2005 DS title, released on Wii in 2009.
Another Code: R – A Journey into Lost Memories is a point-and-click adventure game from 2009, developed by Cing and released by Nintendo for the Wii. It continues the story from the 2005 Nintendo DS title Another Code: Two Memories. The main character, Ashley Mizuki Robins, returns two years after the first game. She goes to the fictional Lake Juliet with her father to uncover what happened to her mother there.
In terms of gameplay, the player controls Ashley using the Wii Remote. Exploration is divided into outdoor and indoor sections. Outside, Ashley moves along set paths in 3D environments. Inside most buildings, she stays in one spot while the player rotates her view and selects doorways to move between rooms. In both settings, the player can highlight parts of the environment to examine them closely and add items to an inventory. Taking photos is also possible, and these pictures help solve puzzles.
Conversations with non-player characters work like a visual novel: the player advances through dialogue and sometimes chooses a response or presents an item. Puzzles often require the Wii Remote’s motion controls. A device called the "TAS," which looks like a Wii Remote, is used to unlock card-reader locks by completing motion-based sequences. The "DAS," an updated version of the device from the first game (now modeled after the Nintendo DSi), serves as the menu for viewing photos and accessing game options. Despite what the game’s packaging says, the nunchuk attachment is necessary to finish a late-game puzzle.
The story begins two years after the first game. Ashley, now 16, receives a package with a new DAS and a message from her father inviting her on a camping trip at Lake Juliet. After arriving, her bag is stolen, and she argues with her father, Richard. He explains that he came to the lake to learn why her mother, Sayoko, was there 13 years ago. Ashley has been having brief flashbacks since arriving. Richard gives her a "TAS," a remote-like device Sayoko built before her death. He then leaves after an emergency call from his lab.
Ashley meets Ryan Gray, a scientist at J.C. Valley who knew her parents. After camping with him, she encounters a 13-year-old runaway named Matthew Crusoe, who is searching for his missing father, Michael, at Lake Juliet.
- Developer
- Cing
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Platform
- Wii
- Release date japan
- 5 February 2009
- Release date europe
- 26 June 2009
- Genre
- Point-and-click adventure
- Sequel to
- Another Code: Two Memories (2005)
Lore & Background
The story takes place two years after the first game. Ashley Mizuki Robins, now 16, receives an invitation from her father Richard to bond on a camping trip at Lake Juliet. After her bag is stolen and a brief argument, Richard reveals he came to learn why her mother Sayoko was at the lake 13 years ago. Ashley experiences flashbacks upon arrival, and Richard gives her a TAS (True Another System), a remote-like device built by Sayoko before her death. Richard leaves after an emergency call, and Ashley meets Ryan Gray, a scientist who knew her parents, and later a 13-year-old runaway named Matthew Crusoe searching for his missing father. The two explore the lake, recover Ashley's stolen items, and learn Michael Crusoe was framed for polluting the lake. Ashley is called to J.C.
Reader's Guide
Another Code: R received a score of 28 out of 40 from Famitsu and mixed reviews on Metacritic. It was the 11th best-selling game in Japan during its release week, selling fewer than 15,000 copies. Despite mixed reception and lacklustre sales, it has gained a reputation as an underrated game over the years. Chris Schilling of The Daily Telegraph gave it 8/10, praising the puzzles, story, and watercolour visuals. In December 2009, Schilling rated it one of the top ten underrated games of 2009. The game has garnered positive reception after the Wii's lifespan ended. Kate Willaert of A Critical Hit placed it seventh in 'Top 20 Games Nintendo Wouldn't Release In The US', praising its world and cover art. GameCentral on Metro UK called it a 'hidden gem of the Wii', praising graphics, animations, soundtrack, puzzles, and Ashley's character. Chris Scullion included it in his list of the 30 best Wii games. In 2019, Charles Herold of Lifewire called it one of the 'top 5 missing Wii games' due to its lack of an American release. Anthony John Agnello of The A.V. Club praised its storytelling for thriving on boredom, comparing the experience to waking up and realizing the miracle of being alive. Ashley's variation from this game appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Did You Know?
- The game was first shown at Nintendo's autumn conference in October 2008.
- Despite the game's promotion and back-cover claims, the nunchuk is required to play, as it is needed for a late-game puzzle.
- The in-game TAS device is made to resemble a Wii Remote and is used to unlock card-reader locks.
- The game was released in Japan on 5 February 2009 and in Europe on 26 June 2009, but was never released in the United States.
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