Another Code Recollection Thoughts

This is only gonna cover the first 7 chapters/first game.

I do think it is interesting that they remade both games, but are treating it as one game. Like I thought I would be able to choose between playing the first or second game. I think it is an interesting choice and I don’t know how much overlap yet(I mean I have some ideas already), but and interesting choice. Also, for reference I never played the original games. I’ve been meaning to play Tracy Memory, but never got around to it.

Storywise I liked the game! I had fun trying to solve the mystery. Why was Ashley’s Dad hiding on the island and why did he lie about being alive? Who murdered her mom? What’s D’s deal? And so on. I liked that it was fairly simple, but not boring y’know. Though I did get a lil confused with names for a bit, but I’m bad with names lol. I do wish Another was a lil more fleshed out or more looked into a bit. I understand we are playing from Ashley’s pov, but it would have been interesting to see Dad, Mom, and Bill working together more on Another. Or even more information on the DAS.

Another lil story bit I would like to change/add to is D and Ashley’s friendship. Yes, I know Ashley was looking for her missing Aunt and Dad, but I want more cute lil friendship scenes between her and D. Like them trying to play chess or checkers. They would either realize D can’t play due to being a ghost or D tells his moves for Ashley to move the pieces. They could have played during one of the times Ashley is asked to wait around. Or every lil convos about being a kid now vs the 1930-40s. I just really like cute lil character interactions, but I feel it would have also built more of their friendship up than just trauma bonding lol. Another lil thing they would add with fleshing out the DAS, could be explaining what it can do with D. Like I’m surprised her Dad didn’t put at least 1 minigame on there for her to play. Maybe she plays some snake/match 3/tetris/shitty lil minigame and shows video games to D, but you can also play. I just like shitty lil mini games like that so I didn’t expect that, but I do wish for more interaction between D and Ashley being more kiddie. Like I’m surprised she didn’t ask me what it's like being a ghost.

Puzzles weren’t bad either. I feel they were all common sense and didn’t really need to use the hint feature. The only gripe I have is: even if you can solve the puzzle out the gate you have to hit the triggers to then solve the puzzle. The one case that sticks out to me is the fireplace with the moon phases coins. You have to use heat to see these secret drawings. Well I didn’t heat it up enough for the game, but enough for me to see it so I thought the game soft locked me. I was able to weigh all the coins, but was not able to slide the coins into the fireplace. Obvs an easy fix, but it was annoying that it wouldn’t let me solve the puzzle since I didn’t heat up the paper enough for the game to get that trigger. Aside from that, I do like that the game has a build in hint feature and also just gives the answer. If I get problems like above its nice checking that to realize I’m on the right track I’m just missing a trigger.

Controls weren't bad other than the camera. I was constantly fighting the camera to see and walk. I would keep running into shit or not see. I tried messing with the camera speed, but I wouldn’t find that sweet spot. At times I feel like it made me motion sick. Oh the 2 motion control puzzles were annoying. I was playing with loose joycons so it was annoying trying to keep them together to move, but I could have fixed it using it handheld or with my procontroller. Aside from that the controls were fine.

I love the graphics! It looks like what I thought ps2 games looked like as a kid. A lot of the scenery was really pretty and well made and added to the atmosphere of the game. The character models looked good though they did kinda clash with D’s semi-realistic family portraits vs anime character models. Also, Ashley’s model would get so washed out that her hair and features would blend together. Some of the textures are a lil too low for some of the zoom-ins they did, but that adds to the ps2-like lewk. I never had any visual, or any for that matter, glitches too. I do wish the in camera app worked like a photo mode. I wanted to take some pics,but had to have the UI in or sans Ashley which is whatever.

Also, D’s model looked goofy. His design of ghost torso that fades out looks so goofy with his arms being there. I wish they were more transparent or something cause I would end up giggling sometimes when he was on screen. This is also a problem in the original game too he just looks goofy.

Oh and this game has voice acting! I liked the voice acting over all. Some lines were a lil flat or goofy, but i think it added to the ps2/early 2000’s anime vibe. I really liked D’s and Ashley’s vas. Some of Ashley’s lines were meh I do think the voice fit her.

It took me about 7 hours to beat the first story which isn’t bad, but I do wish it was a lil longer. I think it took me about 2-3 play sessions which is crazy since I hardly beat games or takes me YEARS to. I heard the second game is 2-3x times longer which even if it was the same length I wouldn’t have minded too much. I did have to remind myself that this is based on a DS game so of course it’s gonna be on the shorter side. I also didn’t read or find all of the paper cranes. I’ve also read online that they changed a lot of the puzzle(duh going from DS to Switch), but also has changed some of the narrative. I think the latter more for the second game. I would be interested in playing through Trace Memory and watching a LP of Another Code: R to see what they changed. I also hope for more niche remakes or maybe even a sequel/similar games in this vein.

Overall a fun lil mystery game and I’m excited to play the sequel. If I played this game as a kid def would have been obsessed with it as a kid.

TOP GAMES I PLAYED IN 2023

Like the title says these are top games I played in 2023 does not mean they came out in 2023 tho.

Lets start with farming sims since I played those the most. Those include Roots of Pacha, Sun Haven, and Stardew Valley. I did play others like Rune Factory 5 and Story of Seasons Pioneers of Olive Town, but they aren’t top due to me not playing enough or just being mid.

Roots of Pacha was a nice surprise! I feel kinda weird with the cave people set up, but aside from that I like that they made the farming sim thing their own. They have a lot of interesting ideas that weave nicely together. I really like how they did the dungeons and unlocking powers. Tho like most farming sims we got kinda lost on what to do next, but thats a problem I fall with most farm sims.

Sun Haven is for people who like Stardew Valley and downloads the anime portrait modes and just plays it to be a dating sim. It was fun playing and has some of a story, but the Devs def are spending too much into making your harem than the actual game. It also has waaay too many crafting tables. Tho I can saw the background pixel art is sooooooo good the character sprites could use a lil morse work tho. I played co-op and I spent most of the time going on dates while my friend was hacking in shit since we needed so much money to unlock shit. It needs a serious rebalance I feel. I wouldn’t mind playing again solo tho esp since they have had new updates.

Stardew Valley everyone and their mom knows about it. I recently downloaded some mods for a new co-op farm til 1.6 drops. I also have been jumping between that and my switch save. I still hate the fishing minigame tho lol.

Oops I’ll also add Fae Farm since I played a Game Trials. I think its cute but too pricey at the moment. I do want to eventually play more tho. Gives me Fantasy Life vibes just wish it had a bit more too it.

I think I finished all routes of Ai: The Somnium Files this year? I don’t quite remember, but I loved this stupidass game. I’m still playing thru Ai Ni which I enjoy, but I dunno if the same amount or not. Still fun mystery game that can a bit too horny tho lmao.

I know I played other games, but to be honest I don’t remember! I know I played a bunch of Fashion Dreamer,b ut I have more negative thoughts I’ll talk about laterrr.

Fashion dreamer initial thoughts 11/05/23

Fashion Dreamer dropped on November 3rd and it was a day 1 buy for me. I posted a thread on twitter, but I thought I would ramble about it here too. I have now unlocked the 2nd cocoon and made 2 other muses. If you go into this game thinking it is style savvy switch, you will be dissappointed. At least at this state(more on that later). The basic gameplay loop is running around, dressing up people, designing clothes, and taking pics. Which is fun, but has less going on than style savvy missing the shop, contests/fashion shows, and so on. Fashion Dreamer's loop is still fun for me since I love dress up and not having to worry about money/stock. I do wish there was more to the loop or at least side content. An example would be doing hair and makeup/nails for npcs if you got tired of clothes. I also feel like fashion shows/contests is missing esp with this online/influencer setup. Though I do think fashion shows/contests are coming back in some way based on the dlc/updates.

Monthly there will be new clothes/items starting in December. In January there will be an update that adds new ways to play the game and an event. It's listed on the jp site(okay before posting I checked the eng site and they have it too lol) but it makes me both excited they will add new stuff to the game, but also sad that they didn't ship a "complete" game. If it was just free clothes I would say the game is complete, but adding new games modes makes it seem like they didn't have enough time or something. I am interested in what new ways to play mean. I'm hoping for more side content. In my thread, I was wishing for more minigames. Something simple like puzzle league or basic match 3 game. If they had more music(like styling star) they could do a rhythm game. Since its a vitural world they could have a lil tamagotchi/vitural pet you could take car of or dress up. That last one is a stretch, but I wish there was a lil more and I'm interested in what these updates will bring.

Other lil nitpicks I have is wanting more Black/curly hair styles. They def do better than prev style savvy games, but I still want more and tbh just more hair lol. I wish all the clothes would overlap with the two body types. I get why they don't with the thousands of clothes options, but sometimes I wanna have my boys wear dresses. I also wish there was more variety at least in the body types. Again, I get why they are samey, but I want some tits and ass!! Even just having a pear shaped body and a "chubby" body would have been nice. Again, I understand why they don't have it esp with the amount of clothes, but I can dream. Really I can't think of much else, so, I don't know how much of this is due to early game or just missing from the game. I know customizing clothes unlocks stuff and I have looked into that as much. I do kinda miss the plot/storyline esp last playing styling star, but I'll live if the dress up game doesn't have a plot. Maybe I'll make up my own lil fanfiction in place. I hope with the updates we get more photo frames or the ability to add people/npcs into the photo egg to take pics. Maybe that unlocks later if not its a need. At least being able to take pics of your muses together would be nice.

M

My muse as meeee

A while ago I made some idol/influencer ocs and what better game to recreate them in. This is Kei he's the maknae(youngest) of the group and is super shy. I ended up using the girl body (type A) since I wanted him to be able to wear skirts and dresses. He likes looking cute and doesn't believe clothes have gender.

This is Akira and he's also in the idol group. He's part of the older/hyung line. He also has a very androgynous style, but still reads more masc than Kei so I didn't mind being locked out of more "girly/femme" clothes.

You can have only four muses/character which is a good amount, but I want to make all my ocs in this game. Just my boy idol group has 7 members and my girl group has 3...That's not including my other ocs I wanna make. I might end up swapping them out/around, but I want to keep at least 1 boy/type B body to help design boy oc outfits. I wish it had up to 10 muses but I know that would be crazy and four is a good amount. Just sucks since I want to have one "me" character so she takes up a spot. Again, you can change them at anytime which is nice.

Overall, I really like and enjoy this game even in it's current state. I love having a silly game I can make cute outfits and take cute pics in. I wish it was a lil cheaper maybe 30-40bucks, but I don't regret buying it esp with upcoming updates. Add me and dress my lil dudes up! My code is wnx7pMakmp . Maybe once I unlock all the cocoons/get credits or the next major update I'll update my thoughts. If you want to see more of my lil dudes I'll be posting them on twitter and on my gaming tumblr!

Nintendo Direct Thoughts 2/10/23

So Nintendo had a direct a few days ago and holy fucking shit!!!!! New Style Savvy kinda, Ghost Trick, FANTASY LIFE AND PROFESSOR LAYTON?!?!?! I didn't have anything thoughts going into the direct, but man they nailed it for me. I mean all the games I'm excited for are third party other than Zelda, but whatever.

I remember the Style Savvy fanbase have been stalking Syn Sophia's social media and job listing looking for news for the next game. They did find some hints of a new fashion game, but looking more like a moblie game. It still would be fun, but I don't keep up with games on my phone even with pocket camp I use to be so good now it rots lmao. So, I'm extra excited it will be for switch!! Even tho it is called Fashion Dreamer, kinda lame name in my opinion, I'm gonna pretend its Style Savvy 5. Similar animation and same dev I think due to the publisher change they changed the name. Still the fashion looks so cute! I wish they didn't drop the anime style I really liked the art direction for Stylin' Star. I hope they use a lot of Stylin' Star too. I get if they drop the music/idol bit, but I love all of the characters and lil interactions. I hope we get cameos of the girls too...Rosie and Cami going on a date and need matching outfits, Alinatron needs a fit for her her next stream, Yoanda needs evening wear for a party at the hotel, and so on. I do hope we still get requests like that even if we don't run a shop anymore. I also wish we had a release date!!! I hope its not digital only like stylin' Star...

FANTASY LIFE LIVES!! Recently the app game shut down so I was worried Fantasy Life dead for good, but as we can see she lives! Fake fan alert I never finished the first game or played the app game, but I love the game. Maybe I'll finish it I think I'm on the last few chapters anyway. Still! I can't believe a new Fantasy Life! The game looks great and seems fun! The time mechanic seems interesting... I'm just excited to run around and bullshit around and complete the story whenever I want lol. I literally started crying at this point lol I was also sick and on cold meds.

Professor Layton rises from the dead and I'm so excited to be stupid to solve puzzles made for children. I still have the game with his daughter to beat and literally the rest of them lol. If you noticed a running them I don't beat video games a lot... Very excited and hope it breathes new life into level 5. I haven't fully played Ghost Trick. I downloaded a rom and didn't play past the first screen and never touched it again. I hope to play through it on switch!

Overall this direct was great for me at least! I wish there was more release dates for the games I want, but oh well I have Aini and Symphonia to play while I wait. The Zelda trailer was cool I guess I feel like it was more of the same tho and won't live up to the hype. Also GB and GBA games are cool I guess. Uuuuuuuuh I can't remember anything else I don't give 2 shits about fe or the other shit

Currently playing thoughts....01/27/2023

First Starting with games I beat this month/so far! I beat Tales of Vesperia and Ai:The Somnium Files! I was like 2 boss fights away from beating the game so I don't know why I took a 2 year break. I think I'll watch a long play since I don't remember shit other than the key details....I also watched the prequel movie! It was fun def after beating the game and kinda revisting the characters. I wish more of Brave Vesperia was in the movie, but I get why due to timeline shit. The other game I beat was AI:TSF and it was a trip. I really enjoyed it though it was fun trying to figure out the mystery. I also love the cast of characters they are so goofy and fun!! I think Aiba and Date are my favs, but I also love Iris(partly due to me doing her route first... I don't think she would be as high up if I did her route later). I also love the dance number at the end it was so cute. It felt like I wanted a 2000's/2010's anime that you wish more people talked about. It was dumb fun and I can't wait for the next game.

Games I have started are Bravely Default II, Ai:The Somnium Files - Nirvana Initiative. To be honset I hjaven't been playing Bravely Default as much since its so generic...Like I like basic fantasy stories of saving the princess, kingdom in ruin, find the crystal, and so on. But, Bravely Default so far is just too bland and boring so far. I realized to get me hooked I need to like the character(s) and the BDII crew is lacking. Seth/protag is kinda cute and I like Mage and bodygaurd banter, but I dunno... I didn't play thje first game(I know they aren't connected), but I feel like I remember seeing funny screenshots/goofy interactions. So far I'm not seeing it. I do plan on to keep playing tho since I like the Brave/Default battle system.

I've also started Ai:The Somnium Files - Nirvana Initiative(which will be shorted to aini I am lazy and can't spell lmao)! Vague spoilers(?) I'm not very far, but best to play blind! When I has the last 2 routes foir Ai:TSF I ordered a copy so I can pick it right up! I went into both of these games blind other than looking at the tags for fanart (which this fanbase does a good job hiding spoilers or I'm dumb). I know a lot of fans like Ryuki tho so I was excited to finally meet him lmao and I get why. I love Tama (in general) and Ryuki's relationship. I am interested in the direction they are going with unreality theme and the fourth wall breaks. One lil bit I really love about the game is that the QR code actually works and brings up the video from the game! I know for promotion they had an ARG which I haven't looked at, but neat! I hope thjese games sold well enough for a third game or really to make it a series. Since I played the first game and the game asked me It's fun seeing what the crew was up to between games. I wish Date stayed looking like his real self tho and kept the smexy voice lmao. I am excited to keep playing and solve the case! It is crazy how much they added to the game tho the tamagotchi, costumes, more puzzley sections and so on. Also, it seems very hand holdy so far. Like the first somniums were very easy(I'm playing on standard) and the constant popups is a lil annoying. I don't remember if the first game had them or not, but eh. I'll finish up rambling here since I'm still so fresh into the game.

Playing Ai:TSF/NI Makes me was to try and play 999 and that series. I had a ds copy of 999 and got too stressed about getting bad ends I think I traded it in for soemthing else lol. I also had Last Reward I think, but I never started it and traded it in too lol. Also, next month Tales of Symphonia will be out and I'm def starting it as soon as I get it. I also thought of getting P3P or P4G, but I don't know if I have it in me for it lol. I've also been playing Plate Up with some friends which is like Overcooked in ways. Can't think of any new releases Other than ToS I want.

Top 2023 Releases and Top 2022 Games - 12/31/22

Just a list of some of the games I'm excited for and later on some of my favorite games I played this year!

Fae Farm

I love the fantasy life/mysims kind of look to the game. Over 2022 I’ve really fallen and “Got” farming games so I’m excited for more of them esp with cute characters. Lil worried for microtransactions since the people making it have those f2p but with online shops. I’m just excited for another game I could play with my friend :)

Legend of : Tears of a Kingdom

I loved playing BOTW and pretend I have a unique thing to add. I loved running around exploring and taking pics in the fields or riding my horse. I never “beat” the game like th final boss but I got all the beats and other stuff. I mean this is the furthest I’ve gotten in a Zelda game, meaning actual end game, so gud game. I also like the direction of this zelda kinda dark but also cozy and cute. I hope the new one has some cute and cozy moments too.

Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life

Before I “got” farming games I tried playing thru a few harvest moon games. I emulated Animal Parade and bought A New Beginning and FOMT, but did not get far in any of them. I really wanted to play A Wonderful Life, but never got around to it. With the remake on switch I’m so excited to finally get around and play it esp with gay marriage lol. I wouldn’t mind trying some of the older hm/sos games or the more modern ones on 3ds, but we’ll see. I def want to pick this one up tho.

Okay so those are the games I know that are coming out in 2023. There are some games I hope to get announced but I think I'll wait for direct rumors to post my dream games lmao. Onto top games I played in 2022.

Stardew Valley

I’ve had this game for a whiiiile and get to day 5-10 Spring year 1 then turn off the game and never play again. Wait a few months and then restart the cycle. Recently I started playing Co-op with my friend and I made it to year 3!! I also have a few personal saves that I’ve gotten to the end of year 1 or maybe further I haven’t played in a hot min. Surprising to none SDV is a fun game! How open SDV HM/SOS are they were hard for me to get started with the “lack of direction” for lack of better words. I felt like I was playing the game “wrong” since the first event I wouldn’t be able to dance or whatever. I finally got past that mind block lol. The other big thing I hated was the fanbase lmao. I hated that they acted like SDV was the only farming game even tho it was inspired by the biggest farming franchise hm/sos. Such a dumb reason, but it was annoying.

Calico

Cute cat cafe simulator with some soft cute graphics. I enjoy Calico a lot and it was usually the game that gets me out of my gaming funk. Boot it up, maybe change my outfit, run around for a bit, take a few screenshots, and then play something else or go to sleep lol. I am excited to see where the devs go with this game. While I enjoy it it does need some more content or updates. I wish it had some more quests, things to do, customizing options, and so on. It's a small team so I can cut them slack and it looks cute! But it is a bit buggy still I get at least 2-3 good glitches when I play. While this game may be lacking in “content” I do enjoy running around pretty pastel locations and take some pics with my cute cats and pups.

Ai: The Somnium Files

I LOVE this game. It's just stupid anime bullshit and my favorite breed of stupid anime bullshit. I still have a few routes to do, but I love almost everything I’ve seen so far. I also love games that are just basically interactive anime episodes. I would play more vns if I knew they were all dubbed lol. Its also been a while since I’ve played since I lost 2 hrs of progress in a bad end. I hope to get the second one soon after I finish all the routes.

Dinkum

I recently got this game and played this Co-op with my SDV friend. Still in early access, but fun so far. I mostly spend time catching bugs and getting seashells and my friend is buying the needed supplies and progress. I need to look into the game more since I bought the game knowing its Aussie Animal Crossing and pressed play. I’ve also been playing the Co-op island. I haven't started my solo save sooo can’t speak much on the game other than that.

Some other games I’ve enjoyed but haven’t played to the same length are Littlewood, Tales of Vesperia, ACNH, Pokemon: Shining Pearl, and Ni No Kuni II. Littlewood is a cozy easy going life sim. I wish I played the RPG or read a comic of saving the world to feel a bit more of a connection between the characters. Still a cute game to check in and play a few days every now and again. ToV is the first Tales game I played followed by Abyss. I haven’t beaten either of them and I sold my Abyss copy (OTZ) and my xbox red ringed so I got the switch version. I think I’m halfway or 3/4 the way through tho! ACNH is ACNH. I want to redo my island, but I am lazy. I do pop in from time to time to play the dlc. Pearl was my first pokemon game and I actually beat it as a kid! I’m still 50/50 about the art style, but I want to replay with the modern baby qol updates. I know some people hate that the games got easier, but I do like them since I don’t like grinding and I am stupid. Ni No Kuni II I started a while ago, and was really into for a month and haven’t played it since. I wanted to get the first one, but with my mom dying this year I don’t know if I could handle a game about a dying or sick mom.

Maybe I'll update list when more announcements come or make some hopes and wants when direct/e3 rumors start to pop out.