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[Mejilan]

Anyone actually playing this? I spent most of the weekend alternating between Trace Memory and Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney, jumping back and forth between these two great mystery/classic adventure titles.

Until I got stuck in both, at the same time! (Then I went back to Castlevania!)

Anywho, I'm in Chapter 3, and I'm stuck in two areas. One is getting the music box in Henry's bedroom to play. I've already placed the Drum Roll doll to complete the doll set, but the only key I have (Golden Bird Key) doesn't fit, nor have I found a use for it!

In a related room, there's a picture frame (with two sides, like a DS tilted on its side) that displays a series of images and lines on black backgrounds. Despite the hint about a "reflection" (that is, viewing the DS through a mirror to get the reflection), I cannot figure out what to do there. Something about a bird and a key, yet...?

Any ideas? Please, no solutions, just hints!

I DID figure out how to use Frannie's stamps. (I'm ashamed it took me a few hours of thinking and switching between games until I figured out how to "stamp" the prints! Great stuff!)

 

[Jonnyram]

For the reflection:

Spoiler

almost close the DS, look inside, and you will see the image reflected on the opposite screen

 

[nubbe]

edit: nm

 

[Xrenity]

Pretty cool game.

Completed it in... june/july I guess. Europe got it first \o/

And well, you have to do what he said ^^

 

[drohne]

that reflection puzzle was awesome. so was the stamp puzzle. otherwise the game was second-rate or worse, but two moments of brilliance are better than none.

 

[Mejilan]

Oh damn! Of course! Reflecting one image on top of the other by almost closing the "picture frame"!! I actually had thought of that, but instead of using the DS as a "picture frame" (and my reasoning was close, wasn't it??), I take a DTS photo of the picture and tried to reflect one copy on top of the other. Not quite.

Many thanks!

Edit - I'm actually liking the game a lot so far. Except in a couple of puzzles, it generally does pale in comparison to the classic adventure games, but it's just so nice to finally get a new entry in the genre, and I hope they do a sequel. The story and setting, so far, are pretty damn good too.

How many Chapters?

 

[Koomaster]

How would you compare this to Phoenix Wright. I'm thinking about getting Trace Memory, but wondering if I should wait for a price drop?_____?

 

[Mejilan]

PWAA is significantly better, but they are two fairly different kinds of games.

PWAA has this whole skewed-humor, murder mystery vibe thing going, whereas Trace Memory has you essentially exploring a puzzle and trick-laden, but otherwise ancient and (mostly) abandoned mansion.

It's got a good mood thing going, but the puzzles aren't particularly hard. Also seems to feature a surprising amount of text, all things concerned. It's got some neat ideas, and I like the control interface much better than PWAA, but PWAA is turning out to be a much better experience so far. TM is, however, much different. I think they compliment each other quite well. I literally switch from one to the other 2 or 3 times a day.

Edit - Then again. This is a Nintendo game. It'll probably never drop in price. ;p

 

[drohne]

trace memory is more of a game. it has actual puzzles for most of its length, and most of them are pretty well executed. phoenix wright, whatever its courtroom trappings, is a digital comic like snatcher: the "gameplay" consists of exhausting conversation trees and occasionally using the right item. both games are rather too fond of their silly anime plots, but trace memory's characters have the decency not to flail their limbs or produce giant sweat drops.

 

[typhonsentra]

I'm so glad someone made a topic for this game finally. I was gonna make an appreciation thread, but kept forgetting. Anyway, I enjoyed it quite a bit, even if the ending is pretty juvenile.

 

[Mejilan]

There was a topic for the Japanese version, IIRC, but I wanted to avoid spoilers, so...

 

[RevenantKioku]

Hah, I'm already stuck. I have a gear, and that metal brush, but since the metal brush netted me jack squat, I have fuck all idea what to do now.

 

[Mejilan]

Hah, I'm already stuck. I have a gear, and that metal brush, but since the metal brush netted me jack squat, I have fuck all idea what to do now.

Spoiler

The gear has to go in the lock mechanism by the main gate, a few screens before. The brush, IIRC, is used to scrape of dust on a sign... near or on the mining equipment, perhaps?

 

[RevenantKioku]

Spoiler

The gear has to go in the lock mechanism by the main gate, a few screens before. The brush, IIRC, is used to scrape of dust on a sign... near or on the mining equipment, perhaps?

I used the brush, it just doesn't net you anything useful. Unless there is more than that one thing you scrape down.
I didn't see that thing for the gear at all, but I'll go take another look.

 

[Mejilan]

If you heard a chime or something, when using the brush, then you did what you needed to do, and the brush should have disappeared from your inventory.

As for the lock mechanism, it needs to gear to even work, IIRC.

 

[RevenantKioku]

If you heard a chime or something, when using the brush, then you did what you needed to do, and the brush should have disappeared from your inventory.

As for the lock mechanism, it needs to gear to even work, IIRC.

*shrug*
I scraped that shit off the sign and it says "Yarr! Gold mine!" or some such shit and that's all I've accomplished there.

 

[MrDaravon]

Trace was a pretty entertaining little playthrough. I missed the "best" ending though. My only problem is that the game is WAY too short; I beat it in five hours my first try not looking at any guides/walkthroughs. That's just shitty. Great rental though!

 

[Tsubaki]

Trace Memory
Adventure - Nintendo DS
Battery Backup - 2 slots
1 player

Ever since I saw a trailer of Another Code ~ Futatsu no Kioku, I knew I had to get this game. The atmosphere and art seemed captivating right from the trailer. And now it's come to our shores as Trace Memory!

If you've read any reviews regarding this game, there's one consistent comment being made - It's short. Yep. The game will probably take around 5 hours. But that's not a huge deal to me. It comes with the genre. I can't think of many straight-up adventure games that are longer than that anyway.

With that out of the way... Trace Memory's story begins with Ashley Mizuki Robbins heading toward Blood Edward Island to meet her father. Thing is, she thought he had been long dead. Ashley realized that most of her life has been a lie. Why is her father alive? Why did he wait over ten years to contact her? Is her mom alive as well? On top of her confusion, she's been having recurring nightmares of the past. Is there a connection?

The point of the game is to unravel all these mysteries. Trace Memory is a traditional adventure game in that you do nothing but do fetch quests and solve puzzles. As long as you don't have any illusions that it's greater than that, then read on.

The dual screen is put to good use with the top screen typically signifying Ashley's view and the bottom screen is a top-down navigation screen. As you walk around, Ashley's perspective changes to help you figure out what you can examine. It's mostly a point and click adventure in that regard.

But Trace Memory could use some work in the puzzles. There's just not nearly enough. Most of the ones that are present, are easy to solve. There were a few that stumped me. I confess: I had to look up Gamefaqs on a couple of occasions. When I looked them up, I realized that those puzzles were pretty clever - maybe too clever. The cryptic nature of the clues can be a challenge or just plain frustrating. Still, I wish there were more puzzles in the game because it would have made the game a bit more interesting. Too much of Trace Memory is spent on examining surroundings.

Some minor quibbles I have about the game: When I first saw the trailer, I thought the game would be dark in tone. But as you play, it's really light-hearted in nature. For instance, the music is very poppy and doesn't shut up. Even though you're walking through dark corridors with spooky atmosphere around you, you hear this happy bgm playing through the speaker and it kills the mood. It could have been more eerie and immersive if they used BGM more sparingly. I also didn't appreciate that you aren't able to skip text. Granted, this is a text-driven game. But when you're stuck and you examine an item (or accidentally click it) for the umpteenth time, there should be a way to bypass the description or fast-forward it.

As with many other adventure games, there really isn't much incentive to play again when you're done. There is a starred save for subsequent playthroughs. But the differences are so minor that they're not even worth mentioning.

Overall, the Trace Memory was as expected. It wasn't phenomenal. Neither was it garbage. Compared with other $30 games out there, it's hard to recommend a purchase. But if you're ever aching for an adventure game with some pretty neat visuals, it's definitely worth a rental.

 

[Mejilan]

I finished it last night with 4:47 on the clock. Short but sweet, I thought. I agree almost completely with the review above except I didn't use gamefaqs (thought I did ask for help here, once, on one of those truly clever puzzles), and I didn't find the music to be all that happy or poppy either. There are maybe a dozen songs throughout the game, and I thought there were forgettable enough that they didn't get in the way.

You CAN fast forward text, btw, just by holding the A button. Still doesn't scroll fast enough for my taste, but it's certainly faster than the default speed.

My only gripe is that the puzzles kinda taper off towards the end and turns into little more than ongoing narrative. In fact, the game is 6 chapters, but in reality, the gameplay ends with chapter 4, and the best of it was in chapter 3. Chapters 4, 5, and 6 are, combined, smaller and shorter than pretty much any of the first 3 chapters individually.

Aside from that, it's a solid effort, if not quite balanced, with some neat ideas and there's room for a more robust sequel, IMHO. The only clue I'll offer in regards to some of the truly unique and clever puzzles are to think about what the DS allows you to do that other systems, particularly handhelds, do not. Heh.

I'd give it a 7.5/10, with nods to attempting to resurrect a stagnant and near-dead genre.

Edit - I didn't think it was a particularly happy game either. It has more violence and dwells more on death than I thought it would, and I didn't feel that it ended on a particularly happy note. From some comments I read here before, I almost thought that it would end with a sappy, too-happy ending, one that reversed all of the wrongs and negativity that happened to young Ashley throughout her life. Nothing could be further from the truth. I found myself pitying her more at the end than I did in the beginning.

I also wanted to add that I absolutely dug the moodiness and art style of the game. Very well done.

 

[anotheriori]

I also agree with that score; between a 7 and an 8. I did find at times that there wasn't enough direction or hints for some of the puzzles, and quite a few were very clever (stamps and reflection). While TM wasn't great I'm expecting the sequel to improve beyond the first one, and the art/story premise is what aroused my interest. The game is also too short, and not even worth a 2nd go around.

 

[Mejilan]

What's the deal with the starred new game +?

I noticed that there were gaps in my inventory. Hell, never found a use for the very first item in the game, the candy.

 

[Tsubaki]

What's the deal with the starred new game +?

I noticed that there were gaps in my inventory. Hell, never found a use for the very first item in the game, the candy.

There's some items in the game that are optional, but most can be used somehow - even if for minor details.

The starred game has these differences if you play it again:

1. Different DTS descriptions
2. A ninja replaces the bird on the animated spin thingie (forget the real name)
3. One final puzzle after the end credits.

Having spent another 2.5 hours to replay the game on the starred save, I can't exactly say that it was worth it.

 

[Mejilan]

Thanks Tsubaki. I'll probably replay it in a year or so, just to see the differences.

Anyone find the "Chronology of the Legend of Zelda" book?

It's not an attainable item, but it made me chuckle nonetheless!!

 

[Javaman]

Sorry to bump a couple day old thread but I was wondering if there is any important information in the manual. I found a POed copy for less then twenty bucks but am hesitant since the book is missing. Usually I could care less if a game comes without the book, but adventure games tend to require the other pack-ins (Startropics?)

 

[Kroole]

Nah. You should do fine without the manual.

 

[May16]

I found the game pretty boring. By the end of Chapter 2, I pretty much quit playing. Maybe I'll pick 'er up again some weekend, but I'm thinking eBay look like the better option...

I found a POed copy for less then twenty bucks but am hesitant since the book is missing.

You'll be fine. The manual won't teach you anything common sense won't.
Ex. "Oh, there's a wheel on the touchscreen. I guess I'd better rotate my finger around on it..."
That kind of stuff.

 

[Javaman]

Thanks guys. I figure since the game has been getting average ratings it would be silly to pay full price.

 

[silver]

It's a good game, but it pales in comparison with the classics. It has its moments of brilliance, but can't keep it up.

I'll buy Another Code 2 if I can control Ashley by pointing and touching. I didn't like the controls, both touch screen and d-pad.

 

[Tsubaki]

I'll buy Another Code 2 if I can control Ashley by pointing and touching. I didn't like the controls, both touch screen and d-pad.

You can play the game utilizing only the touchpad though... But the D-pad makes things a lot more faster IMO.

 

[Ironclad]

I've been interested in picking this one up for a while now. I'll make sure to pick it up very soon.

 

[silver]

You can play the game utilizing only the touchpad though... But the D-pad makes things a lot more faster IMO.

I know. Touch screen only sucks and holding the DS and pressing the d-pad is uncomfortable. So hopefully it'll be more like "tap & go" for Ashley.

 

[jgkspsx]

I picked this up at Target on clearance and finished it last night. And then I ran through the new game + (which was much more entertaining).

I liked the puzzles, but never really got stuck -- the hardest was figuring out I had to

Spoiler

combine the two sprout keys

. From that point on, it was too easy. It had a good plot, for a handheld adventure game. Surely not a classic, but a good way to spend seven hours. I miss this genre.

Never saw the Zelda book. Where was that? Also,

Spoiler

for your sweet 16th

? What?

 

[Walter Matthau]

One of my least favorite DS games. It goes so slow and when it finally does pick up, it abruptly ends. That's no mansion.

 

[Tsubaki]

I picked this up at Target on clearance and finished it last night. And then I ran through the new game + (which was much more entertaining).

Wait what? Why was new game + more entertaining? Aside from a few text changes

Spoiler

and ninjas!

it's the exact same game.

Spoiler

From what I heard, the final puzzle after the credits on New Game+ is different in the Eu/Jp versions.

 

[:Motorbass]

The challenge is to play through the game and find every bit of information about your shallow friend. Then, a slightly different ending appears (if it didn't already your first time through, but I doubt :>).

Spoiler

He gets complete relief.

 

[Beezy]

How much was the game at Target?

 

[Tsubaki]

The challenge is to play through the game and find every bit of information about your shallow friend. Then, a slightly different ending appears (if it didn't already your first time through, but I doubt :>).

Spoiler

He gets complete relief.

Uh actually, I already accomplished that in my first play through. That has nothing to do with New Game +.

 

[jgkspsx]

$20.98.

It certainly wasn't a believable mansion, but it worked for the game. Any longer and it would have dragged.

Tsubaki:The story was more enjoyable. The first playthrough's DTS cards were

Spoiler

anecdotes of canned food.

Woohoo. Also, I missed several crucial bits of information the first playthrough, like

Spoiler

Laurence's diary

.

Also, I was under the impression that you can't get the real ending in the regular new game, according to early reports. You need the all-new set of DTS cards to get the real ending. At least so I read.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

that reflection puzzle was awesome. so was the stamp puzzle. otherwise the game was second-rate or worse, but two moments of brilliance are better than none.

Having played the game a week ago, I pretty much agree. Most of the puzzles were nothing special, but then there was the stamp one that was completely off the wall. Then there were the several that weren't really puzzles, just unfriendly touch screen stops. Like tossing something and getting it to land properly. Or moving around the drawbridge handle early on, where it'd stop moving it your circular motion moved too far away from where it was supposed to be.

The reflection one got me, too.

Spoiler

Making one screen reflect on another

was the first thing I thought of, but from there I was still wondering what to do. I was trying stuff like

Spoiler

making the lines form squares, and then depending on what object the key image was reflected onto, heavily examine the bookshelf area that that object would belong in. A for apple and so on.

Other than that it just wasn't very lengthy and

Spoiler

tries to force replay so I can finish off D's stuff since it simply won't allow me to backtrack

. I do think the two screens work well for a game of this type, so you have a "standard" view, and a "point-and-click adventure" view. It's a template that I'd like to see used to better effect, though.

Edit - Then again. This is a Nintendo game. It'll probably never drop in price. ;p

I bought it for just under $20; I guessed it wasn't selling so hot.

 

[Tsubaki]

Also, I was under the impression that you can't get the real ending in the regular new game, according to early reports. You need the all-new set of DTS cards to get the real ending. At least so I read.

I actually sold off my copy of the game (and amazingly got 25 bucks out of it... I paid 25 for my new copy), so I can't remember exactly.

Spoiler

But when you guys say complete relief, what do you mean? I beat it twice. And both times, ghostdude thanked me for the journey, and then ascended because he was no longer bound to Blood Edward Island. He now knows how he was killed, why he was killed, etc and is appeased. Is the special ending different from this?

 

[:Motorbass]

I actually sold off my copy of the game (and amazingly got 25 bucks out of it... I paid 25 for my new copy), so I can't remember exactly.

Spoiler

But when you guys say complete relief, what do you mean? I beat it twice. And both times, ghostdude thanked me for the journey, and then ascended because he was no longer bound to Blood Edward Island. He now knows how he was killed, why he was killed, etc and is appeased. Is the special ending different from this?

Hum yeah.

Spoiler

The normal ending is like: He doesnt have all memories and stays on the island to keep on searching. You ruled in this game :<

 

[Mejilan]

Spoiler

Yep, I only beat it once, but D ascended to heaven in my game as well.

I think I might be almost ready to start over my New Game + file.