• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Trace Memory IGN review

Z

Zeo

Banned
http://ds.ign.com/articles/652/652873p1.html

6.0

;___;

Plotline flaws and forced game structure aside, Trace Memory isn't entirely a waste. Even with the awkward and sometimes irritating dialogue, it's a good read from beginning to end, and it's a game that will fill the gap as a lengthy bedtime story. The game's dual ending structure isn't enough for true multiple plays through, and the only way to get the "good" ending is to simply be meticulous enough to click on every little thing that appears on the screen. No skill is required beyond some patient reading ability and basic problem solving, and there's not a whole lot of reward for doing things right the first time around. Five hours of playtime is all this game offers.
Click to expand...
 
Seems like the impressions were all correct.
Well, it's Lost in Blue next for the DS then! :D
 
I hear its just short and thats the only rant.. no idea how a short game gets a 4 point deduction.. 7/10 is what most people would rate it i hear.
 
I will buy this :)

I want nintendo to continue original games and not the same old milking... that said I can't wait for the holiday version of nintendogs :D
 
I prefer the "Another Code" name, so does anyone know if there's a reason to pick up the US version (other than maybe saving a few bucks)? Better translation, ala Minish Cap? This bit of the review has me worried:

It's hard to say if these annoying story and plot issues are due to the original Japanese game design, or in the attempts of Nintendo of America's localization team to rewrite situations with much more "western" dialogue.
Click to expand...
 
It was Short and Sorta Held your Hand most of the Game, but It was an Excellent Story and Game
 
I kinda agree with the review although I'd rate it a 7 instead of a 6.
- Very short (took me less than 5 hours)
- Plot aimed at a younger audience
- Plot and gameplay degrades at the very end
- Very easy
+ Good graphics
+ Nice atmosphere
+ Some inventive use of the DS hardware. Sure, it's not terribly hard to come up with these ideas, but they made it fit nicely in the game nonetheless.

I enjoyed it as I played along although I did lament the lack of stuff to interact with per scene and the overall easiness. The writing does make you shake your head from time to time. It made me wish there were more puzzle/adventure games of this sort. LucasArts/Sierra/Myst-like stuff, c'mon let us have 'em.

You'll be reasonably entertained for a few hours, so it's a good rental or you might want to borrow it from someone. Might be worthy of a purchase at a lower price.
 
Musashi Wins! said:
One nice thing about IGN. When they give a game less than the 8+ I expect them to give every title...I know it really sucks.
Click to expand...
Generally true, but I think Craig is a bit more objective. Either way, I don't know anything about this game, but if it's a bedtime story I'm not going to buy it.
 
I think the review´s been too harsh. I mean, this game is geared towards young audience. It´s a point & click adventure for starters and kids/teenagers in general. I don´t understand all the hate in this review. It´s like reviewing MGS too low because it´s got mature content.
 
Musashi Wins said:
One nice thing about IGN. When they give a game less than the 8+ I expect them to give every title...I know it really sucks.
Click to expand...

Then you haven't read Craig's reviwes.

Personally I think this game is 7-8. It's a little too short and the pussels were too small but the game introduced som nice pussle solving using the DS' interface.
 
nine words said:
I think the review´s been too harsh. I mean, this game is geared towards young audience. It´s a point & click adventure for starters and kids/teenagers in general. I don´t understand all the hate in this review. It´s like reviewing MGS too low because it´s got mature content.
Click to expand...

Little kids feel just as ripped off by 5-hour games as you do.
 
Sho Nuff said:
Little kids feel just as ripped off by 5-hour games as you do.
Click to expand...
How long´s first Metal Gear Solid? How long is first Resident Evil? how much did they score? Now, tell me this game got a 6 because of its length

Edit: BTW, five hours? the friend that lent it to me finnished it in eight hours. His gf in almost seven.
 
The girlfriend wants to buy this game, so I'll probably end up getting to play it either way. She tends to dig games in which you aren't threatened with death at every turn, so p/c adventures and the like are right up her alley.

I'm waiting for Castlevania myself.
 
Its short and easy, there are two endings(
D gains his memory, or he doesn't
) and an extra of sorts in the credits(hints of a second part) the story is not that great, and the characters are hardly memorable, i don't think 6 is that harsh, a 7 would be spot on.
 
Raytow said:
Its short and easy, there are two endings(
D gains his memory, or he doesn't
) and an extra of sorts in the credits(hints of a second part) the story is not that great, and the characters are hardly memorable, i don't think 6 is that harsh, a 7 would be spot on.
Click to expand...

Um, HELLO? Ass.
 
Color me bummed out... I mean I normally don't put much stock into reviews -- people poo-pooed all over Polarium and I loved it -- but I'm not sure I can justify a 5 hour game for full price.

Although, I did pay $50 for MGS on the PSOne and I beat that the first time in about 7 hours.

I'm conflicted... This is one of the DS titles I've been waiting for. To those who have played it, I've seen your rating opinions -- ranging from 7 to 8 -- is this game worth buying?
 
Raytow said:
Its short and easy, there are two endings(D gains his memory, or he doesn't) and an extra of sorts in the credits(hints of a second part) the story is not that great, and the characters are hardly memorable, i don't think 6 is that harsh, a 7 would be spot on.
Click to expand...

Goddamnit, some people do plan on playing through the game still, you know?
 
if raytow's spoilers prevent you from spending money on another code, then the end justifies the means.
 
drohne said:
if raytow's spoilers prevent you from spending money on another code, then the end justifies the means. BUY INDIGO PROPHECY INSTEAD YOU FUX.
Click to expand...

I just got Indigo Prophecy today... I am fairly used to adventure games that are short, having played through dozens of them on the PC.

Funny story, though, is that they had no idea what the game was at my EBGames or Gamestop. I hate that "specialty" stores these days don't know what games are if they're not Ultimate Spider-Man or Madden.

:-|
 
length is by no means another code's only problem. reposted for at least the second time:

me said:
another code has a few very clever puzzles, and its chip music, naïve storytelling, and primitive graphics lend it a weird retro charm. but it's also thin on content, and just when it starts getting good, it abandons puzzles and focuses on story to a degree that its writing just can't bear. i suspect it was rushed. think of it as resident evil without the zombies, or a graphic adventure for japanese kids. only...not quite as bad as either of those descriptions makes it sound.
Click to expand...

well, i don't hate it. i don't mean to crusade against it or anything. it's just not worth $30. let alone the $50 i paid. :x
 
...though if i was going to crusade against it, i'd crusade against it because it's a thoroughly conventional genre game that gets credit for originality because it's on ds and has a manga jailbait heroine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

IGN Review: Code Red "is a bad game"
2
76
543
Heimdall_Xtreme replied
IGN reviews the "new" Commodore 64
13
376
IbizaPocholo replied
IGN MGS Delta Graphic comparison/tech review
1
252
Radical_3d replied
Dark Auction Demo Released Today - New mystery game from Hotel Dusk and Another Code/Trace Memory writer Rika Suzuki.
8
420
Danjin44 replied
Digital Foundry: Layers of Fear Switch 2 Review: UE5 Lumen Ray Tracing Targeting 60FPS!
25
482
Danny Dudekisser replied
Top Bottom