8Bit/Digi

Welcome to the World of Anima

It usually doesn’t take much for a game to capture my attention. An interesting premise, a captivating world, solid gameplay, and inspiration drawn from one of my favorite series are often more than enough. That combination is exactly how Anima Gate of Memories: I & II Remaster first caught my eye. Even though I never played the original releases, this felt like the right moment to give it a chance.

Based on the Anima TTRPG franchise, this is a remaster of Gate of Memories and Gate of Memories: The Nameless Chronicles brought together as one game. Players take on the role of Ergo and Bearer or Nameless as they venture through the Tower of Arcane and uncover its many secrets. It’s a journey into darkness, where the right actions can unlock the true ending.

It should be noted that I’ve never played nor am I familiar with the Anima TTRPG. As a result, this review will not compare Gate of Memories to the tabletop source material or evaluate how faithfully it adheres to established series lore. Instead, this critique focuses solely on the game’s own merits. I approach the story as a newcomer to the franchise while comparing the gameplay to similar action RPGs.

A World in Chaos

The world of Gaia has plunged into chaos following the collapse of the Sacred Holy Empire of Abel, leaving its former states scrambling for the throne. As this power struggle intensifies, the Order of Nathaniel continues its fight against the forces of darkness. While attempting to broker peace between the warring factions, the Order suffers a devastating blow: the Book of Byblos is stolen. Should it fall into the wrong hands, the consequences could be catastrophic for the world. In response, Ergo is dispatched to recover the book before it can be used for something sinister. This mission leads them to the Gates of Memories, a mysterious realm that holds the secrets of the past.

Depending on the game, players take on the role of either Ergo and Bearer or Nameless as they journey through the Gates of Memories in search of the truth.

What makes sense about bundling these remasters into a single package is that they tell the same story from different perspectives. This isn’t a case of replaying the same game with a different character; instead, each follows a distinct path, with their journeys intersecting at key moments or shifting based on player choices. This structure works to the story’s advantage, as there is much to explore in this world, and player actions directly influence the final outcome. Completing the right tasks and uncovering key secrets unlocks the true ending, but reaching it is no easy feat.

Inner Nightmare

Anima Gate of Memories: I & II Remaster is an action RPG that blends traditional role-playing systems with fast-paced hack-and-slash combat. This hybrid design makes the gameplay easy to grasp, allowing players to understand both combat mechanics and RPG systems quickly. Combat revolves around fighting enemies using a mix of melee attacks and magic abilities. As players defeat more foes, they earn experience points that can be used to enhance character stats and abilities. While players can switch between Ergo and Bearer, each character has a distinct set of skills suited to different combat situations.

I want to dive deeper into the combat, as it strikes an excellent balance between RPG systems and hack-and-slash action. The combat feels on par with NieR: Automata and Devil May Cry 5 in terms of fluidity, with attacks flowing smoothly and giving real weight to each swing of your blade or weapon. You can feel every strike as enemies are cut down through well-paced, responsive animations. Attack combos blend seamlessly with offensive magic, allowing players to dispatch foes efficiently and stylishly. Skill upgrades are also vital, especially when preparing to take on the game’s more demanding boss encounters.

Master of Puppets

I mentioned earlier that I’m not familiar with the Anima TTRPG world nor have I played the original games, so how did Gate of Memories: I & II Remaster spark my curiosity? The answer is simple: the trailer reminded me of Drakengard 3 in terms of gameplay and the setting. I know that sounds like a dumb reason, but Drakengard 3 is one of my favorite games. Yet the similarities are not limited to gameplay or the tone of their respective world. Both games also share some similar themes of challenging one’s fate and how power is a curse in a doomed world.

Yet, what I like about Gate of Memories is not limited to its similarities with Drakengard 3.

I was also hooked by its visual design, which feels reminiscent of early PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 titles that hadn’t fully embraced new hardware, while still resembling an upgraded PlayStation 2 game. I don’t mean this in a disrespectful way, as that style carries its own charm and suits certain types of games, serving as a reminder of another era. The remaster’s visual enhancements bring out finer world details while preserving the aesthetics that define the game’s tone. At the same time, it better highlights the anime-inspired artistic direction the original clearly aimed for.

Finally, if you’re into tabletop role-playing and aren’t familiar with the world of Anima, this serves as a strong introduction. I went in knowing nothing about the setting and still had a great experience. It’s even left me interested in exploring the TTRPG sometime in the future, but at the very least, I now have a solid understanding of what to expect.

Hand of Death

Anima Gate of Memories: I & II Remaster still carries over some shortcomings from the original release. While many issues have been addressed, problems related to performance, difficulty imbalance as the game progresses, and story pacing remain noticeable. A remaster can correct several core flaws, but there is only so much that can be fixed without a full remake. That said, these issues aren’t deal breakers, as they feel more like minor annoyances than real hindrances. Fortunately, the most glaring problems that plagued the original version have been resolved.

Everything You Wanted

Anima Gate of Memories: I & II Remaster not only brings new life to a cult game, but it will also introduce you to a new TTRPG world. It’s a remaster of two games that tell the same story from different perspectives, which will also introduce you to the Anima TTRPG world. It has a compelling and thought provoking story that is brought to life with anime-style visuals that are similar to early PS3 games. It also looks, plays like, and shares similar themes to one of my favorite games, more of a reason why I enjoyed it.

Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Anima Gate of Memories: I&II Remaster (PC)

9

Excellent

9.0/10

Pros

• It will introduce you to the Anima TTRPG world.
• A remaster of two games that tell the same story from different perspectives.
• Looks, plays like, and shares similar themes to one of my favorite games.
• Anime style visuals that are similar to early PS3 games.

Cons

• Some of the shortcomings of the original are still present.