Memoir En Code: Reissue (PC) Review

As is the rule with many artsy indie productions, this is not a game. Despite bits of interactivity here and there, this is meant to be "experienced," not played. The first "level" is an image of a desk, viewed from above. You can click on several items and read short descriptions. The second is a "farewell" dialogue sequence between two people, with multiple choice text bubbles available. The third consists of a person holding an umbrella, a cashier asking something in Dutch, and a scene from a birthday party when the "protagonist" has to congratulate everyone in the room.

This exciting adventure continues with him looking at the mirror, or trying to avoid noise and finish studying, or pass a thread through the eye of a needle, or aimlessly walk on a beach, and so on… And then it all ends and a million question marks fly over your head. What exactly was that? What have you just experienced? Are you stupid for not understanding it? Was this a masterpiece and you've just missed its magnificence? Why do birds suddenly appear every time you are near?

Worry not, because the end unlocks a "director's commentary" sort of feature, which enables opening up an extra window where the developer explains what the purpose of this weird piece of software was… and this is when you realise that this ain't the wonder your hipster friend was talking about. Since this is an autobiography… of sorts, each "level" tries to give the viewer glimpses inside the life of Memoir En Code's creator. The problem is that the narrative technique used fails in almost every possible way.

First of all, without the extra commentary thingy, it's impossible to understand anything. Even after one does, though, why should this be a reason to spend time with this title? The birthday scene, for instance, shows the developer's first encounter with the charmingly weird Nederland custom of congratulating everyone on such an occasion… So!? Even if you have experienced this scene yourself and can relate to the emotion, does this make this an enjoyable, albeit unique, form of storytelling?

It is hard being negative about this (not really), because, besides it being a clear-as-day labour of love, it's also an exercise in self-purification. The man behind it all shares with the gaming community some very personal thoughts, but, looking at this strange interactive memory photo album strictly as a product (and not necessarily a video game), it just isn't worthy of a free pass just because it is what it is, and, therefore, is impossible to recommend it to anyone. Charity, pizza, and beer are far better alternatives for spending a few pounds… and not necessarily in that order.