11:11: Memories Retold Review (Xbox, PlayStation & PC)

11:11: Memories Retold illustrates a side of war that we, as common spectators who are reluctantly driven by warped media headlines and torn propaganda, don’t often have the chance to see. It doesn’t mask the truth, nor does it resonate with one individual in an attempt to disregard the other. Instead, it shares both sides of the argument, with two unique perspectives that correspond directly with The Great War. With Elijah Wood filling the role of an optimistic Canadian photographer and Sebastian Koch taking the spotlight as a German engineer, it makes a heartfelt statement about the importance of loyalty, respect, and the need to fight for a nation that doesn’t want to shed bullets, but unify with a peaceful conclusion. It highlights innocence, bravery, and above all, two desperate individuals who simply want to survive in a turbulent world that teeters closer towards a harrowing future.

In as little as four hours, 11:11: Memories Retold captures two vastly different tales, with one telling the story of a photographer who joins The Great War as the underling to a formidable general, and another revealing an engineer’s desperate quest to locate their wayward son on the frontline. Between two worlds and two vastly different perspectives, the game invites you to operate from both sides of the war, with one section of the journey requiring you to photograph specific events and complete various puzzles—aiding a ship through a minefield, for example—and another section that requires you to overcome logical puzzles, such as fixing broken radios, delivering supplies, and communicating with other soldiers to further the tale.

For the record, 11:11: Memories Retold isn’t a fully-fledged game. Well, it is, but it’s also an oil painting with minor interactive elements. See, while it does frequently ask you to tackle puzzles and traverse the world—a task that primarily involves speaking with other soldiers from both sides of the frontline—11:11: Memories Retold finds most of its comfort in the arms of a heartfelt narrative that forces you to think and, more importantly, relate to both factions. On the one hand, you have a Canadian photographer who simply yearns to impress a girl back home, whereas on the other hand you have a desperate soldier who wishes only to travel to the far ends of the earth to find his missing son. In other words, there are no “bad guys” here — only short tales, emotional escapades, and situations that highlight the dark side of war.

To state the obvious, 11:11: Memories Retold does a fantastic job of tugging on your heartstrings. Thanks to a star-studded cast and a melancholic ambiance, it doesn’t just look like a war-themed episodic tale with light assets; it feels like one, too. With oily textures and provoking script changes, dramatic intervals and two completely separate perspectives, the journey is, for lack of a better description, a faithful ode to what is, sadly, one of the toughest periods in human history — and then some. Again, it might not bode well as a full-fledged video game. But as a cinematic experience that has the breathing room to cater to simple puzzles and environmental challenges, it certainly shines bright as a brilliant experience that deserves to be shared among gaming enthusiasts and war buffs alike.

While 11:11: Memories Retold is a rather short game that doesn’t divulge much more than the absolute basics, I have to give credit where it’s due and say that, for what it does bring to the table, it makes for a remarkable and oftentimes emotional experience with a lot for you to write home about. Granted, it still has a couple of loose screws, and certain things do sully the overall experience. For example, characters often walk through inanimate objects, and the clunkiness of the movement can often spoil the immersion ever so slightly. However, if you can look beyond the minor imperfections, then you shouldn’t have an issue with seeing Memories Retold for what it is: a beautiful yet daunting love letter to The Great War and all of its lost stories. Like Valiant Hearts, it doesn’t aim to give you a proper gameplay experience, but instead opts to spin a yarn and tell you a though-provoking story—a tale that forces you to question your every decision and resonate with both parties.

Speaking of decisions, 11:11: Memories Retold does feature its fair share of choices and crossroads, some of which require you to photograph certain parts of the war (and then forward said images to your homely friend to alter their perspective), and some of which force you to act of impulse to help push the story in one of several directions. Of course, I’d hate to spoil it, but for the record, every choice you make here has a consequence of some kind. Granted, the act of making a brash decision might not be a new thing in the world of video games, but it clearly works in this particular context. Don’t ask — just play. You can thank us later.

Verdict

11:11: Memories Retold delivers a beautiful yet grimly detailed masterclass in Great War storytelling, with a brilliantly crafted double-sided narrative and a score that can (and probably will) leave you reaching for the tissues long after the credits shed their final moniker. Although still liminal in regards to gameplay facets, it certainly makes for a unique experience that deserves to be enjoyed by both gamers and historians alike. It might not be the perfect video game, but it is one that taps into the beating heart of a harrowing period in human history and, through the power of captivating scripts and relatable characters, gives you something to think about. That, to me, makes it worth the asking price alone, truly.

If the likes of Valiant Hearts or This War of Mine weren’t enough to quench your appetite for emotional war-romping episodic sagas, then consider 11:11: Memories Retold as an ideal alternative for your mantelpiece. To echo, it isn’t the best game that money can buy, but it is one that you ought to consider adding to your to-do list, if only for its star-studded cast and unique twist on Great War perspectives. Simply put, it’s a work of art that deserves to be marveled at. If you just so happen to have a few bucks to spare, then I strongly suggest unveiling these particular memories the next time you’re looking to shed a few tears.