Trace Memory

 DS
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 54
  3. Negative: 2 out of 54
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  1. BeeSting1
    Jan 1, 2021
    8
    A Bitter sweet story.

    Good - being able to take pictures is very useful for remembering where items are. And for solving puzzles. - the plot starts as a mystery that draws you in - you run into a ghost at first, which really gives an ominous tone to the game. There are also a lot of deaths involved right off the bat which adds to the mystery. - I like how's the game chose a    A Bitter sweet story.

    Good

    - being able to take pictures is very useful for remembering where items are. And for solving puzzles.

    - the plot starts as a mystery that draws you in

    - you run into a ghost at first, which really gives an ominous tone to the game. There are also a lot of deaths involved right off the bat which adds to the mystery.

    - I like how's the game chose a bright Island, paired with peaceful music, despite the plots being quite morbid. It was an interesting dichotomy.

    - I couldn't pick up key items until Ashley was aware that she needed them, which made sense because she couldn't carry around too much stuff, since she was a kid.

    - it's cool being able to stack images together forming a full picture, or a full set of numbers, which helps solve a puzzle. This gave a very strong purpose for using the DTS.

    - during conversations sometimes, Ashley may bring up a random picture that she took that relates to the topic at hand. These pictures weren't mandatory but it added some extra dialogue.

    - great use of the folding screen for puzzles. (Picture frame, wood printing). Even though I got stuck on some of these puzzles, I respect the full utilisation of the hardware.

    - The story, build up, and the ending were so beautiful. Bitter sweet. D's story that went along with the plot worked out so well. Ashley was alone, but not alone because of D's company. They were both in search of answers. In the end, D saved Ashley's father's life, which was an interesting climax to the whole story. Even though it was a happy ending, it's also really sad that I knew D was dead the entire time. Simply finding out the truth for him would only release him from this world. But he needed it, and would be free. I really felt the bond between Ashley and D, despite the overall journey being quite short. Adding to that effect, they were only children, so I felt extra sorry for them. No child should have to go through the things they went through.

    Bad

    - not being able to pick up items before I encounter the puzzle is an issue. It forces me to have to backtrack areas and re-examine objects to see if there is something useful there. For example, I encountered a fireplace but could not pick up anything from it. I later encountered a notepad with indented pencil marks. I know I needed a pencil to shade over it in order to see the writing, but there was no pencil around. So I tried backtracking and re examine everything. Turns out there was some charcoal in the fireplace, but that was not indicated to me until I encountered the notepad. Had I been able to pick up the charcoal when I first examined the fireplace, this would not have been an issue. The puzzle in the research lab had the same issue. I had to re-examine two pictures to get different textboxes. D didn't notice the cut in the teddy the first time, but he did the second time?

    - it's a little weird how the characters are in anime style, but the photos and drawings are realistic looking.

    - I feel the pace of the story is a little bit too slow. I like the mystery, but too little is given to me for the amount of time play. Sure, I find Jessica and the father in chapter 5, but almost none of the questions have been answered. Like who is Franny? Why is the Edward family significant? Why is D here? Why is father being so suspicious?    … Expand
  2. [Anonymous]
    Jun 30, 2005
    9
    Great Adventure! In my opinion the best Adventure for any console. Another Code uses EVERY feature the DS has and most even in a very unique way. No action and only little blood, but a great game!
  3. Raya
    Jul 9, 2005
    9
    A very good point and click adventure. Slickly presented with varied puzzles and makes full use of the DS's abilities. Some of the puzzles aren't very obvious to solve and have wacky solutions such as half closing the lid of the ds to make prints from the top screen to the page displayed on the bottom! Once you realize that you have to use the whole ds to solve some you really A very good point and click adventure. Slickly presented with varied puzzles and makes full use of the DS's abilities. Some of the puzzles aren't very obvious to solve and have wacky solutions such as half closing the lid of the ds to make prints from the top screen to the page displayed on the bottom! Once you realize that you have to use the whole ds to solve some you really realize just how much thought went into this - it shows. Nintendo again has to show other developers the way to go let's hope the likes of Ubisoft and EA actually try and follow this lead rather than the poor quality rushed games they are releasing at the moment.… Expand
  4. OliverW.
    Sep 1, 2005
    9
    There could have been more puzzles and the story should have been longer, but sill a very enjoyable experience. Took me 7 hours to finish.
  5. AzraelS.
    Jul 6, 2005
    10
    I vote this game with a 10, because here in germany it´s the not only the best adventure, but the very best game for the DS in whole germany (where i live). this game is very fantastic, buy it...NOW! Nice Greetings from Germany, Azrael
  6. pablogallon
    Sep 10, 2005
    9
    i really want to have this game now. i want that the 26 of september arrive soon for me to buy this game in my country (colombia). exellent graphics for a ds game good use of mic and touch screen and a very sexy protagonist ( ashley who i want her to be real to fuck her everyday).
  7. KonradM.
    Jun 15, 2005
    10
    Best game ever, in true RPG style.
  8. Tim
    Jun 26, 2005
    9
    I have the english version, which came out on friday :D! This game is awesome!! its really involving, great graphics and music, really different and fun! the only thing i consider a con is that the controls can be a bit fiddly at times.
  9. PetteriK.
    Jul 4, 2005
    10
    This is a really good game. It is short but I enjoyed every second of the game. The puzzles really use all the features of the DS. I think that this game has at least two alternative endings, so you might want to play this through a second time. Tha art is great and the story is intresting, a bit boring in the beginning but when you have played for a while, you just don't want to put This is a really good game. It is short but I enjoyed every second of the game. The puzzles really use all the features of the DS. I think that this game has at least two alternative endings, so you might want to play this through a second time. Tha art is great and the story is intresting, a bit boring in the beginning but when you have played for a while, you just don't want to put the DS down. Really recommend to every adventure game fan, and for others too. A must buy for DS owners.… Expand
  10. RobH.
    Sep 9, 2007
    9
    What a great little game. It's relatively short, but then again, the story rattles along at a fair pace of knots with brilliantly integrated (and ingenious) puzzles, unlike other longer adventure games that leave you stuck and frustrated for hours on end with illogical puzzles that have no connection to the plot. I should also mention that while the story is merely good, the What a great little game. It's relatively short, but then again, the story rattles along at a fair pace of knots with brilliantly integrated (and ingenious) puzzles, unlike other longer adventure games that leave you stuck and frustrated for hours on end with illogical puzzles that have no connection to the plot. I should also mention that while the story is merely good, the characterisation is superb.… Expand
  11. JonM.
    Jun 28, 2005
    10
    It's graphical excellence is overwhelming compared with most other DS offerings (and very similiar in style to N64's Zelda: Ocarina of Time's occasional stunning fixed camera backdrops). The story pulls you in and immerses you with great art direction and solvable but taxing puzzles. It is the adventure game the DS was built for - get this game - you won't regret it.
  12. CynthiaL.
    Oct 26, 2005
    9
    I like it a lot it was fun and cool..
  13. georgefinal
    Mar 29, 2011
    10
    i'm more of a fps gamer, but this game holds a special place in my heart since it was the first adventure game i played... it's one of those underrated japanese games that i tend to ignore on gaming sites and magazines, but sometimes they can be worth the effort
  14. cloudydays
    Jan 18, 2023
    10
    My very first ever DS game, the story is touching and the puzzles are interesting. Putting together pieces of the mystery, it's fun to unravel!

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best DS Game of 2005
16
#16 Most Discussed DS Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 51 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 51
  3. Negative: 1 out of 51
  1. 1UP
    65
    Less avant-garde than "Indigo Prophecy," far less self-important than "Myst V," Trace Memory is the very definition of a safe, comfortable, middle-of-the-road experience.
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  2. NintendoWorldReport
    75
    It's involved, it's long, it's original, and it represents another milestone in console gaming history - the first time that anyone has truly made a PC-style adventure game work on a handheld.
    Read full review
  3. Total Video Games
    70
    If you’re not the biggest adventure fan in the world (like myself) then the various puzzles will often have you slamming the DS shut in frustration, but for some strange and unapparent reason I kept coming back for more.
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