Another Code, Prince of Persia and a bundle of previews
Also, my impressions on the upcoming Bandle Tale, Mecha Break and Open Roads!
Nintendo’s first game of the year is another remake — this time, a completely reworked version of a 2005 DS title and its 2009 Wii sequel. Another Code: Recollection explores lost memories, literal ghosts, a mysterious mansion and an enigmatic laboratory — but above all it’s a story of adolescence for adolescents, as much about growing up as it is about moving beyond past trauma.
I analyzed Recollection this week in the same article that colleague Vinny Acovino reviewed Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a game that’s impressed me even more now that I’m nearly finished with it myself. I concur with Vinny that it cleverly “eases player stress” through “frequent checkpoints, numerous fast-travel options, and the ability to link screenshots to the map to avoid needless back-tracking,” but will add that it’s also just incredibly slick.
The game boasts cinematic parry animations as satisfying as those in the exquisite Metroid: Dread, rivals Ori and the Will of the Wisps’ thrilling traversal mechanics, bursts with platforming challenges worthy of Celeste and weaves actual Persian mythology into a setting nearly as compelling as Hollow Knight’s fallen bug kingdom. While I have a few quibbles, it’s even likely to surpass Blasphemous 2, my favorite metroidvania from last year.
My 2024’s off to a good start and there’s much more ahead. I also got the chance to preview three games releasing later. My full thoughts are on WBUR.org, but here’s the reader’s digest:
Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story (Feb. 21)
League of Legends is much more than one of the world’s premier eSports. It also spawned a multimedia empire with a virtual K-Pop group, a second season of Netflix’s acclaimed Arcane slated for this year and the upcoming indie game Bandle Tale — a party-planning and crafting sim featuring furry folk called Yordles. […] At an estimated 40-60 hours, it’s clearly courting cozy game diehards, but I’d only want to invest that much time if its writing proves to be as clever and sweet as what I found in Stardew Valley or Spiritfarer. I didn’t get a good sense of the game’s characters and dialogue, so I’m curious to see how that will unfold.
Open Roads (Feb. 22)
I couldn’t help but think of Gone Home while watching developers guide a gaggle of journalists through Open Roads. Like that 2013 innovator, the game focuses on intimate family drama while you take your time exploring rooms in first-person. Instead of telling its story purely through environments, objects and disembodied voice-over, however, you’ve got a mom and daughter who’ll frequently break into animated dialogue. […] While I didn’t feel particularly inspired by the story they’ve shared so far, I hope Open Roads really kicks into gear within its opening hour, otherwise it’d be a tiresome journey indeed.
Mecha Break (Release Date TBD)
Teased at The Game Awards in December, Mecha Break looks to have Gundam’s flashy style and Armored Core’s frenetic pace, but much remains unknown since the game doesn’t have a confirmed release date.
Here’s what we do know: the game will feature three different modes with opposing teams of up to six players. The most intriguing of these will also pit you against AI bosses, some of which can be absolutely huge. Erratic storms on this mode’s vast map will gradually force players together until only one team survives, battle royale style.
Here & Now Mastromarino Productions
Not many this week since I was off to New York for my sister’s wedding! Though I did have to spend much of the trip playing, thinking and writing about Another Code: Recollection, despite the presence of far-flung family.
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