Memory Traces: Japan
- August 10, 2022
- Game Controll Studio
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"Memory Traces: Japan" is a 3D puzzle game where players repair destroyed artifacts as a means to restore lost memories of an archaeologist named San. Drawing inspiration from Kintsugi, a Japanese art of repairing broken pottery, players must use a color system to determine the correct placement of each fragment. The ultimate goal is to repair all artifacts and recover all of San's lost memories. Also available: Memory Traces: Egypt.
Reviews
- Beautiful and relaxing puzzle game that immerses players in Japanese culture and art.
- Offers a satisfying challenge with progressively difficult levels, making it a great way to spend time.
- Affordable price for the amount of content and enjoyment it provides, with high replay value.
- Lacks quality of life features such as the ability to rotate pieces, which can lead to frustration.
- Snapping mechanics can be inconsistent, requiring precise angles that may hinder gameplay.
- Some players find later levels tedious due to misleading shapes and the inability to rotate the viewing angle.
- gameplay3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The gameplay features approximately four hours of playtime, characterized by basic mechanics that some players find challenging. While it utilizes 3D models, the gameplay itself is presented in a 2D format.
“The game mechanics are very basic, but to me, that's part of the challenge.”
“They use 3D models, but the gameplay is 2D.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find that grinding becomes increasingly frustrating and tedious in the later levels of the game, primarily due to the inconsistent precision required for piece placement. The need for careful viewing angles and the high piece counts contribute to a laborious experience, making the gameplay feel more like a chore than enjoyable.
“Problems start arising when you get later in the game where levels become more and more frustrating and tedious.”
“This could be mitigated with building in layers, but it becomes really tedious in later levels because of the piece counts.”
“First is about how precise your viewing angle needs to be so that pieces snap; sometimes it feels like they snap in place almost too easily, and other times it is really precise, which is really tedious.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally considered decent, but there is some confusion regarding their relevance to the game's memory and the specific artwork or statues depicted.
“The graphics are visually stunning and truly immersive.”
“The art style is unique and adds a lot to the overall experience.”
“The attention to detail in the graphics is impressive and enhances gameplay.”
“The graphics look outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
“The character models are poorly designed and feel lifeless.”
“The environments are bland and lack any real visual appeal.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find that both games maintain strong replayability, as they remain enjoyable and engaging even after multiple playthroughs.
“I've restarted both games now, and they do not lose their replay value!”
“Each playthrough offers new choices and outcomes, making it feel fresh every time.”
“The variety of character builds and strategies keeps me coming back for more.”
