SPYxANYA: Operation Memories

Thanks to a very pleasant visual and sound component (with some hesitations during the more challenging mini games, especially those in the company of Yor), Operation Memories knows well which audience to address and hits the target overall, but it should be played in small doses. In this sense, the Nintendo Switch version is the one most suitable for hit-and-run games: on the other hand, repetitiveness arises quickly if you don't experience the daily life of the Forgers little by little. The idea of ​​immersing ourselves in the lightness of the slice of life aspect of Spy x Family is a winning one, and in this respect Bandai-Namco's work is a constant hymn to good humor, where fan service reigns supreme. However, the somewhat invasive internal currency system and a gameplay loop that quickly tends towards redundancy do not allow Operation Memories to express its maximum potential. With greater care it could have been much more "elegant".

Overall, SPYxANYA: Operation Memories is a game for fans of the anime or manga it’s based on, but not for anyone else.

With all that, what you’re left with is a sort of checklist-style experience. You go to each ooting, fill stuff out, unlock new clothing items and collectibles, and do that over and over again. If you’re the kind of player who finds satisfaction in a low-pressure grind to simply gather a bunch of things until you’re done, that’s the kind of system you’re engaging with here. If you’re a SPYxFAMILY fan and think Anya is insufferably adorable, there’s a lot of fun in simply hanging out with her and snapping photos of her legendarily goofy facial expressions. But if you need a little more substance and goal-oriented action in your games, you won’t really find that here. I found my interest deflating quickly, especially after giving all the minigames their first tries. The game may as well have been over after that point, and any further cravings for this IP were better met firing up Crunchyroll or opening up a book.