Another Code Preview

Another Code Preview

By:

Matthew "Mprunty" Prunty

Throughout the gaming industry, innovation has always played an important role in how a game was and is perceived and played. From plot twists, to the style of Gameplay, to even how the game is played out, Innovation always seems to answer the call of the developer and the gamer who thrives for it. With every new generation of gaming, comes a new style of Gameplay that is to be remembered and to be praised…

With their latest creation, the Nintendo DS, Nintendo sought out to bring something never seen or done within the handheld market. Teaming up a developer, Cing, Nintendo sought to bring a flavor never seen in the handheld market, at least on the DS. This game was first announced last year when Nintendo held a very important conference in reference to the DS and the rest of Nintendo as a whole. Billed as the first “true adventure” game for the NDS, Nintendo hopes for gamers to be drawn into this creation.

The basis of this game is you are in control of a 13 year-old girl named Ashley who goes to Brad Edward Island in hopes of finding her father. Now you may ask, why is she going to the island in the first place? Well here is the reason. Her parents Sayako and Richard, both who worked for a research lab of a secret government organization, got into some serious trouble… to the point where Ashley's mom dies, and her father ends up missing… The reason for her mom’s death and her father going missing is because of a secret project they were working on by the name of “Another”.

This title makes good use of the touch screen in the telling of Ashley finding here estranged father. While the bottom screen displays the game world from a overhead view, the top screen switches between close-ups and points of interest that would help you further the story along. With your choice of using the stylus or the D-pad to control Ashley, you get the best of both worlds. Those who still aren’t comfortable using the stylus and touch screen to control the characters can use the regular controls. But for those who enjoy the innovative features the DS brings, you are in for a treat. Though relatively easy, if you want Ashley to go in a particular direction, all you have to do is to touch the bottom screen with the stylus in the direction you want her to go in.

But just when you thought it couldn’t get more interesting…. the stylus is also used to interact with the game world. While walking around, if you see a territory of interest to yourself, you can tap that area (on the screen) and some on-screen options appears, including an “investigate” option. Taking part in this mode can lead to special mini games composed of simple puzzles

Due to the overhead view, gamers are given a 3D perspective, which includes smooth movements and zooming in/out of the action. And because of the simplicity of design in regards to character models and backdrops, the game goes easy on the eyes, allowing for extensive Gameplay.

So for all those who are interested in the game and cant wait until Nintendo announces a launch date for North America, you can import it from Japan on February 24th, 2005. I don’t know about you, but this will indeed be a title that I will be following further to see if anything else is added, or if there are any changes to this title. This game can truly be a turn for the better in regards of pulling older gamers into the world of the DS.

Total Appeal = 8/10

-MPRUNTY

(Images couresy of IGN)