Another Code: Recollection brings two cult classic puzzle adventure games to the Nintendo Switch. Containing both the Nintendo DS game Trace Memory (which was titled Another Code: Two Memories over in Europe and Japan) and its Nintendo Wii sequel Another Code: R - A Journey into Lost Memories, this collection represents the very first time that this latter title has been officially released in the US.

Far from being simple ports, however, Another Code: Recollection offers two full-on remakes that don’t shy away from making some pretty surprising changes to their source material. All of the puzzles across the two games have been fully reworked to take better advantage of the Nintendo Switch hardware and a smattering of additional scenes have been added to the first game.

The biggest alterations are evident in the new version of Another Code: R, however, which is substantially shorter than its original incarnation. A lot of work has also been done to try and bridge the gap between what was otherwise two quite mechanically and thematically disparate titles, including a significantly changed ending that, while still very in keeping with the tone of the original, makes it very difficult to declare whether this reimagining should be considered the definitive version.

Short and sweet

Set on the remote Blood Edward Island off the coast of Washington State, Trace Memory sees you take control of Ashley Robbins - a young teenager who has traveled to the island to reunite with her missing father. She’s joined by her aunt Jessica, who promptly goes missing in the grounds of the island’s mysterious ancient mansion leaving Ashley to try and get to the bottom of things.

Armed with the DAS (a suspiciously Nintendo Switch-shaped device that can take photos and store useful tidbits), you navigate around the environment and solve a series of puzzles to progress. You’re soon joined on your adventure by D, a young amnesiac ghost of a former mansion resident, and the pair agree to team up to find Ashley’s family and recover D’s lost memories. 

While the DS game was played from a top-down perspective, Another Code: Recollection shifts the camera to a more modern third-person view with a full 3D version of the world to explore. It’s a major change, but one that seems like an appropriate way to help modernize what would otherwise be an unapologetically old-school adventure game. There are still some clear hallmarks of the portable format, however, like the small cast of characters and focus on compact interior areas.

It’s in some of these interiors that the new camera can become a little awkward, too. It’s extremely slow by default (which can mercifully be adjusted in the settings menu) and often hovers a little too close behind Ashley for comfort. Navigation is cumbersome when her upper body takes up so much screen space and, although it’s by no means a complete dealbreaker, it definitely detracts from the overall presentation at times. 

Dialogue fares much better though, as it plays out in charming visual-novel sequences with shifting manga panel-style boxes and chunky bubbles of text as characters go back and forth. It’s a pleasant visual effect that perfectly compliments the attractive, painterly art direction and greatly enhances what would otherwise be a plain barrage of text. The new addition of voice acting similarly introduces a more cinematic quality to most scenes, though the very occasional instance of less-than-stellar line delivery during major narrative sequences is jarring.

The pace of events is often extremely slow, thanks in no small part to the sheer abundance of explanatory dialogue. However, Ashley and D make for a compelling pair, and the constant trickle of new clues makes it very difficult not to become wrapped up in their mystery if you’re a fan of a more traditional adventure. With supernatural elements and a hearty dose of sci-fi, it all pays off wonderfully in a memorable ending, too.

 Pleasant puzzling 

Given how much Another Code relied on DS hardware for its puzzle solving, making particular use of the stylus and touch-screen, it’s not too surprising that Another Code: Recollection takes things back to the drawing board in this respect. There’s a good variety of mechanics in the changed puzzles here, including the surprisingly frequent use of motion control for everything from tilting a stuck key through a miniature obstacle course to using a candle to uncover a hidden message on heat-sensitive paper. 

These mechanics work well when they appear and the difficulty of the puzzles overall is almost perfectly balanced. Intriguing clues are hidden around the environment and there's plenty of optional character dialogue to help guide you.

If that’s not enough, some new settings do a great job of making the game more approachable. A handful of hints can be displayed on-screen at any time, walking you through each puzzle before finally revealing the complete answer - a great option to have if you’re entirely stumped. There’s also an optional navigational assist mode that highlights key items and adds a prominent compass around Ashley’s body that always points you in the right direction.

These are superb additions for newcomers that could come in especially handy as you move into the much larger environments of the second game, Another Code: R. Set two years later, it takes place in a sunny camping resort called Lake Juliet. You meet an older, stroppier version of Ashley who has been roped into a family camping weekend when she would much rather be at band practice with her friends. Things take a strange turn after she encounters a young runaway, however, and she begins to uncover a conspiracy that’s intimately connected with both her past and the history of the resort.

The more open structure of this sequel gives you a little greater freedom to explore at your own pace, taking in the lush scenery of the forest setting. Several new mechanics are introduced, including the RAS - a wrist-mounted version of the DAS that has you completing quick-time-event style code-breaking sequences to open electronic doors. Most of the puzzles are not hugely different from those found back in the mansion, though some stand-out favorites - like a segment that sees you trying to recover a floating briefcase with a remote control boat - offer more than enough variety to keep things fresh.

The approach taken with the story of Another Code: R is a little baffling, though. While it’s safe to say that the original runtime of over 15 hours was far too long, cutting about nine hours of content and dramatically changing the ending is a bold choice for a remake. Thankfully, the new story elements feel right at home and the cut content consists mainly of quite repetitive sections. However, it’s still easy to see why some might prefer the original version and, while it makes Another Code: Recollection considerably more interesting for returning players, it’s difficult not to think that newcomers are missing out on the ‘true’ experience.

Either way, Another Code: Recollection is still an enjoyable adventure with plenty of puzzles and a narrative that makes it well worth experiencing - especially now that it’s more approachable than ever.

 For more Nintendo Switch game recommendations, see our guides to the best Nintendo Switch games or the best cozy Switch games. 

A Highland Song is an enchanting platform adventure game from developer Inkle that whisks you through the Scottish highlands on a quest to find your uncle by the sea before Beltane - the Gaelic May Day celebration that marks the beginning of Summer. On the surface, it appears as a simple adventure that rewards exploration of its environments, but what lies beneath is a journey of resilience and self-discovery embedded within an immersive atmosphere that sinks its hooks into you from the second your character, Moira, sneaks out of her bedroom window. 

Throughout the adventure, you learn to manipulate depths using background illustrations like rocks or small cliff faces to open up the game’s environment, immersing you further into the game. In addition to this, the protagonist Moira narrates elements of the journey, and retells family anecdotes or stories that Hamish (her uncle) would tell her growing up. As these gently interrupt the calming music in the background, you start to feel incredibly involved with Moira’s internal monologue and once again sink further into A Highland Song. 

While a time limit somewhat restricts the completion of the adventure, you quickly learn that A Highland Song travels at its own pace. It offers something akin to the phrase “the world is your oyster” and allows you to wander until you feel like you can wander no more. This sensation is accentuated by the game’s day/night cycle and Moira’s limited stamina, but, generally, A Highland Song feels like an incredibly open experience.  

Keep to yourself 

The moment you take control of Moira running from her family home, you’re left to your own devices and encouraged to explore the treacherous Scottish highland landscape. From the get-go, one thing A Highland Song doesn’t deliver is any sort of guidance or handholding in terms of which direction to go in, and while this is frustrating at first since the twists and turns of crags and caves are overwhelming, you soon learn that this gets to exactly what the game is about - exploration. Then, once you’ve soothed the frustration, you learn to appreciate just how much detail is put into creating different layers for you to scale and depths for you to discover.

Even though you walk alone, the hills are home to several characters you can interact with along the way. You’re given plenty of opportunities to chat or ask questions, and occasionally these characters will help you by providing a map or unveiling a path you may have otherwise missed. Generally, once you’ve got either a map or a path from them, you won’t need to speak to them again. But asking questions does help develop your understanding of the setting since they sometimes offer fun slices of lore to help you feel more connected to Moira and her reasons for making the journey. 

There are moments when this exploration becomes incredibly difficult. You simply won’t have enough stamina to climb rocks and mountains at points, especially when the weather turns, and you’re yet to rest and nurse Moira back to full health. With a constant timer hanging over you, it can be aggravating to have to constantly stop and take cover under a tree or in a cave mouth since this feels like a waste of precious seconds. But, it is realistic. Moira is a teenager, and while she’s insistent that she’s hard as nails, even she needs to rest now and then. 

A Highland Song’s main objective - getting to Hamish before the celebration of Beltane - feels impossible to achieve in your first playthrough. You’ll get lost in the hills and simply won’t make it to the sea in time. However, you’re free to repeat yourself and retrace your steps in multiple attempts to make it with time to spare. Because of how relaxing the entire experience of trudging through the hills is, I felt inclined to try again rather than give in to frustration and feel the need to throw in the towel, which is part of the charm of A Highland Song. There’s no pressure, but you will feel a burning desire to succeed.  

A musical guide 

Although A Highland Song doesn’t provide a huge number of signposting, there are a few subtle hints that you learn to keep an eye out for. One of these, and something that’s my favorite part of the entire game, is a deer that accompanies you on part of your journey. Once you’re close enough to it, the deer will bolt, and you will sprint alongside it while music swells at the same time, triggering a rhythm game quick time event.  

As you run across the hilltops and the music continues to build, you’re challenged to hit specific keys or buttons in time with the music. These match up perfectly with the melody, making it all the more satisfying to ensure you’re performing well, but if you miss you will also stumble and fall, losing some of your stamina. You’re not punished for missing a beat in terms of having to restart the section, and you have a few opportunities to regain your rhythm before the event ends, but when it does end, the deer will dash ahead, leaving you in the dust and to your own devices once more. 

These musical interludes don’t make up a huge amount of the adventure, but you’re in for a treat when you do come across one. Generally, they’re a great way to tell whether or not you’re on the right track since a deer and an open stretch of hill mean you’re heading in the right direction. Although short, they connect you further with the game’s environment, and with the concentration required to hit each corresponding button at the right time, you feel intimately responsible for Moira and ensuring she gets to the next place without losing too much morale. 

The more time you spend with A Highland Song, the further into its painterly landscape you’ll sink. It’s an incredibly easy game to lose yourself in for hours at a time, with its gorgeous environments, well-paced narration, and gentle musical accompaniment. Mixing this with the laid-back gameplay, rather than pressuring you to complete the journey in a restrictive timeframe, is what helps A Highland Song really shine. Although elements of its exploration are frustrating, and you will lose your way at first, there’s enough charm in A Highland Song to keep you coming back for more to see what secrets you might uncover next.  

We’ve got a list of the best indie games if you’re looking for alternative adventures to lose yourself in. We’ve also got a list of the best cozy Nintendo Switch games which might point you in the direction of another relaxing experience too.