Another Code: Two Memories

Outbreaks of acne, the discovery of underage drinking and a surging sex-drive - those are the adventures of the average teenager. Amazingly, embarking on a quest to discover your missing parent on a desert island doesn't feature quite so regularly, but maybe things are different in DSland, because that's exactly the challenge presented to Another Code's Ashley when she receives a mysterious package from her supposedly deceased father on the eve of her 14th birthday.

Proving conclusively that teenage girls and boys are different species, Ashley doesn't simply toss the package onto an unmade bed and head off to hang around the shopping centre and scrounge cigarettes. Instead she follows orders, sailing away in search of her father and opening up a rather engaging adventure game in the process.

Playing as Ashley, you are charged with exploring Blood Edward island. Basically you get to chat to anyone you meet en route and solving puzzles in order to discover more about your mysterious missing father and come ever closer to the ultimate goal of catching up on 14 years pocket money back-pay (actually we made that bit up!). Conversation is facilitated not only because Ashley is considerably more sociable than most 14-year-olds but also by a dual screen setup which shows the other character in the top screen and presents a series of questions that can be posed by a jab of the stylus on the lower.

Exploration is similarly straight-forward, utilising a clever use of the screens so that you can guide Ashley via a birds-eye view in the bottom screen while the top shows her perspective of the latest location. A magnifying glass appears when you can examine a location more closely, at which point the bottom screen switches to an interactive viewpoint allowing you to tap items. If this examination reveals a puzzle then you simply touch, rub or circle the stylus on the touchscreen in order to carry out the task (for instance turning the crank to lower a bridge, scraping rust off an old sign or pressing buttons on a gate lock to get the right combination).

While initial puzzles are relatively simple (and in truth they never become too brain-taxing, relying more on simple observation than lateral thinking), the nature of your interaction with the DS becomes increasingly innovative as you progress through the adventure. In part this is thanks to Ashley having her own in-game version of the DS, which she uses to take pictures and store information. To go into much more detail about these interactions would spoil the surprise, but suffice to say you'll need to make use of the ability to superimpose photographs, blow into the microphone and even manipulate the DS's case in order to proceed.

Of course, the promise of intriguing puzzles alone probably isn't enough to make you play through six chapters of an adventure game. What will keep your attention however, is the steady unravelling of a twisted tale that blends modern science and murder with ancient family grudges and ghosts. While you're unlikely to be as moved by each new discovery as Ashley herself, you can't fail to be impressed by the way these revelations are presented with flashbacks, partial memories and the use of distinctly different visual styles.

Admittedly, there are some frustrating lows between these innovative highs. On several occasions, we were left unsure as to what to do next (something which is only compounded by the lack of characters to offer hints and limited number of locales). Worse still, there were several other times when we knew exactly what to do but weren't able to pick up the objects to do it. The problem usually turns out to be that Ashley hasn't yet twigged what needs to be done, requiring you to re-examine all relevant objects and locations again until the penny drops.

It's only a minor annoyance, but doesn't endear you to Ashley's plight, nor does the slight overuse of the double take or overlong conversations. Hardened adventurers might also argue Another Code is a little on the short side (experienced players will probably get through it in under six hours). Most players will find it a genuinely accessible entry to adventure gaming though and the focused nature of the game allows it to be easily broken up to play in short-bursts - something further supported by the handy key-plot summary at the end of each chapter.

So ultimately Another Code does have something in common with many teenaged experiences, at least of the romantic kind. It's eye-catching and oddly compelling at first, attempts to explore further can be frustrating with more conversation than action. But persevere and you'll get your reward... even if does all end a little bit sooner than you'd like. And personally we can't wait for the follow-up.