Trace Memory Preview

Japan has actually already seen this new DS game grace their shores, but under the title “Another Code.” It is a seemingly “interactive novel” that claims to truly take advantage of many of the DS’ features to incite an incredibly deep storyline!

While doing various studies on actual human memory for the government’s top secret lab, renowned scientists Richard and Sayoko Robbins mysteriously disappear and are later declared legally dead. Ten years after this happens, the couple’s daughter Ashley receives a letter from Richard claiming that he is still very much alive. He just happens to be secluded in a lab on the dreaded Blood Edward Island. He’s apparently in big trouble too, and is in dire need of your help!

Using the letter, Ashley makes it her number one priority to find the location of this island and investigate what really happened to her missing parents. Once she finally arrives to the island, she actually discovers that the both of them had been working with a bizarre memory-generating computer given the codename “Trace.” But this really leaves more questions than answers because it still leaves the connection between it and the disappearance of her parents a total mystery.

While on the search for her father Richard, Ashley stumbles upon a ghostly figure that goes by the very simple name “D.” He happens to be on a little quest of his own as well. You find out that he has virtually lost all of his memories and has no idea how he died. So until he finds out this information, D is destined to remain on this island.

Since she really has nothing better to do, Ashley chooses to join forces with D in order to attempt to uncover the truths of both their pasts. The game itself is actually controlled strictly with the stylus, no D-Pad here folks! Players of Trace Memory will control Ashley in an overhead environment that utilizes both the 2D and 3D capabilities of the Nintendo DS. So however you use the stylus on the bottom touch screen will determine how Ashley actually moves. The use of the upper screen is for Ashley’s first-person perspective which will help you see what Ashley sees. You will also be able to activate “look mode” which virtually brings that top screen down to the bottom touch screen which will allow you to inspect what Ashley is seeing through her eyes with your stylus! By tapping on various items, you can actually store them in the game’s preset inventory for future use!

The touch screen will also be a vital part when solving the games many puzzles. For example, in the E3 demo, Ashley needs to get herself through a spooky cemetery. But you can only do so if you lift a rock that is blocking the path that you need to take! However, the rock can only be maneuvered in one specific way and players will have to figure that out for themselves in order to progress!

In terms of how the game looks, like stated before, the game utilizes both 2D and 3D elements. However, the actual 3D features in this game are minimal since the developers didn’t have to spend too much time putting effort in that kind of layout. Why? Well it’s rather simple really. Since the camera always remains at a fixed distance above the ground, not a whole lot of resources had to go into the making of the character and various design models. IGN actually says the experience is reminiscent of the original Grand Theft Auto, with tall objects like trees and buildings jutting up out of the ground. You will then see these natural features in a more authentic 3D perspective as Ashley makes her way around them.

So just like stated at the beginning, this game could almost be considered an “interactive novel,” as heavy emphasis has been placed on the actual writing of this game. The character interactions has also seemingly been done extremely well, and in part giving Ashley a great personality. This is an adventure game folks, not a RPG, so Ashley won’t be your typical “no essence” main character! So for those of you who desire yet another unique DS game that focus heavily on its story with great stylus play mechanics, Trace Memory just may be for you!