PlayBack: Remember Me

Things didn’t go so well for Remember Me. From that first clip of footage – which many mistook for new Sony IP – right up to release, developer Dontnod Entertainment appeared to hold all the cards in their hand. However, when the game finally touched down last year it was met with a mixed reception. Review scores fluctuating, Remember Me was dealt a second blow by underwhelming sales, causing all but a ripple in charts.

For some, the game’s performance came as a surprise. Although not as easy to market as, say, Call of Duty or its contemporaries, Remember Me appeared distinguished enough to at least hook a hardcore following. In truth, it may have garnered a moderate following but, less than a year after release, Dontnod’s debut has already faded from memory.

Worst Bit

The game’s biggest problem was a combination of consistency and pacing. Stretching way beyond the ten-hour mark, Remember Me was far too long. Now, that may sound like a bogus argument (if anything, we always want as much bang for our buck) though, once reaching a certain point in Nilin’s journey, the game started to feel drawn out.

What started as an intriguing voyage into a wonderfully-realised sci-fi metropolis began to lose its edge as the story carelessly meandered with no real sense of bearing or purpose. Remember Me served up a solid cast of characters though they were betrayed by a narrative that continued to extend itself, as if the writers kept bolting on epilogue after epilogue to give it a more substantial feel.

The same analogy can be used when describing the game’s mechanics. The combat system eventually exposed itself as a Arkham imitator, despite a really interesting custom combo feature. Puzzles, as well as the oft-touted Memory Mixes, also had little appeal after encountering them the first couple of times. Touching on that first point yet again, Remember Me was in desperate need of condensing or, even better, the introduction of more nuance as the game progressed.

Best Bit

Dontnod’s first crack at a major action adventure game wasn’t a runaway success, then. With that said, regardless of its shortcomings, Remember Me was above average, partly thanks to its stunning locations and overall art direction. One aspect that drew the attention of punters was Neo Paris itself, a futuristic metropolis that seemed perhaps too advanced for its 2084 timeline. Combining the French capital’s timeless Gothic architecture with an appropriate sci-fi twist, Remember Me served up some memorable vistas and plenty in the way of variety.

The network of sewers and labs may not have had the same effect, though catching a glimpse of the Eiffel tower, hemmed in by a swarm of metallic, ultra-sheen skyscrapers highlighted just how dedicated DontNod were to bringing Remember Me to life. Other visual tweaks, such as user interface, were nice touches. When solving puzzles, entering new locations, or tracking statistics, smart text boxes would appear from Nilin’s Sensen implant.

Speaking of Sensen, that too was another particular highlight. The developer may not have fully capitalised on Remember Me’s narrative potential though the premise alone was exciting enough. The concept of being able to manage and commercialise memories was refreshing as was Nilin’s character, a combat-savvy hacker capable of stealing and remixing the memories of her targets. This core theme was explored again with The Bastille, a prison in which inmates’ memories were confiscated until their time was done.

Here’s the question, then: is Remember Me still worth playing?

Though not resounding, the answer would have to be yes. The game certainly has its flaws though some of these may be overlooked depending on whether you gel with characters and diverging plot. As mentioned before, the limitation on Remember Me’s combat mechanics are also a let down yet the game is still unique and refreshing enough to warrant at least a few hours of your time if nothing else.