Spy X Anya: Operation Memories Review - An Adorable Slice Of Life Cozy Game

Summary Spy x Anya: Operation Memories is a cozy slice-of-life game based on Spy x Family, featuring over 15 minigames and 10 outings with Anya and her family.

Players help Anya collect memories and complete a diary project, while also engaging in various activities to earn points for new outfits and accessories.

The game offers a mix of single-player and two-player modes, with local multiplayer available for some minigames. Overall, it's a charming and fun experience for fans and newcomers alike.

Anya Forger steals the spotlight in her new game, Spy x Anya: Operation Memories, the cozy slice-of-life game based on the popular anime and manga, Spy x Family. Published by Namco Bandai Games and developed by Groove Box Japan, the game offers over 15 minigames in addition to its charming story following Anya and her unique family going on 10 different outings. Although primarily a single-player story, many of the minigames can also be enjoyed as two-player versions, as long as both players are on the same system.

In each of the 10 outings (or "ootings" as Anya calls them), players help Anya collect pictures of fun experiences and "Super Cool Items!" to use in completing a diary project for school. Each of the unique memories captured leads to a short scene that draws players in to this cute family, and it is hard not to just fall in love with Anya. In between the outings, players follow Anya through her normal life with adventures at Eden College, helping her family at home, and engaging in several minigames to earn points to purchase new outfits and accessories for all family members.

Spy x Anya: Operation Memories 8 / 10 Pros Large variety of minigames

Adorable clothing options and cosmetics for characters

Ties in well with the series Cons Can feel a bit slow in progression

No English voiceover

Spy X Anya: Operation Memories Is Perfect For Fans Of Spy X Family

But Also Incredibly Cute And Fun For Newcomers

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Whether or not someone is a long-time fan of the Spy x Family series, Spy x Anya: Operation Memories is a charming and fun game to experience a little slice of life with a charming little girl. Of course, this little girl also happens to have telepathic powers, and her family members all hold their own spy and assassin secrets, but mostly the adventures in this game could be activities that any cute, young family could experience. Seeing Anya interact with her classmates, particularly Damian and Becky, and her struggles with homework simply serve to endear her further to the audience.

As Anya talks to the characters in the game, a background story emerges through the dialogues, with character points leveling up through further discussions. Spending time with Loid, Yor, Bond, Damian, Becky, Yuri, and more unlocks little snippets of information about their lives and relationships that would help any person unfamiliar with the Spy x Family series to understand the dynamics and perhaps even inspire them to try watching the anime.

Picture Taking On Outings, Raffle Boxes With Fun Cosmetics, And Minigames Galore

Gameplay Mechanics Of Spy X Anya: Operation Memories

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Playing Spy x Anya: Operation Memories feels as though it is split into several experiences. The titular focus of the game is to help Anya fill out her photo diary by going out outings with Loid, Yor, and Bond and getting pictures from each of the 10 locations, with only two actions/photos completed with each outing, despite having many possibilities, leading to players going on the same outing multiple times.

These outings only take place on Anya's days off, however, which leaves three days in between each outing. The days off include Anya going to school where she interacts with her classmates and Professor Henderson, and then chatting with her family members at home. Anya's school, Eden College, and home both offer picture opportunities as well, which provides a chance for learning more about the characters.

Additionally, a large portion of the game is made up of minigames. Whether snippets of Anya's life, such as playing cards with classmates or helping Yor with dinner, or fantastical dreams and imaginings from Anya's mind, these minigames serve as a way to gain in-game currency to unlock new cosmetics in addition to having challenges to try to beat for raffle tickets.

Truthfully, between dressing Anya in cute outfits and seeing her reactions to things on outings, Spy x Anya: Operation Memories can make it hard not to wish for a daughter of one's own to dress up and take places.

Purchasing cosmetics for all the family members, including Bond the dog, and trying for a chance at pulling unique cosmetics out of Raffle boxes gives even more to shoot for, as it is hard not to want to dress Anya in all the cute clothes. Truthfully, between dressing Anya in cute outfits and seeing her reactions to things on outings, Spy x Anya: Operation Memories can make it hard not to wish for a daughter of one's own to dress up and take places.

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Some Minigames Can Be Enjoyed In Multiplayer As Well

10 Of The Over 15 Games Have Multiplayer Options

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Out of the over 15 minigames available, ten of these games are able to be played in multiplayer mode with one other person in a local play. To access the multiplayer mode, players must back out of the full game and head to the main title screen, where there is a Minigame option. Once there, players can choose to play these minigames in one- or two-player modes, separate from the main game. Unfortunately, this is only local and there is no option for online play.

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Final Thoughts & Review Score

4/5 Stars - "Excellent" By Screen Rant's Review Metric

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While the gameplay can feel a bit slow at times, most of the cutscenes and dialogue in the game can be skipped. There are many times where it feels as though players are just doing the same things over and over to try to earn enough Eureka points to play minigames, or waiting for the next outing, however, seeing the stories progress with conversations with characters and working on small challenges can help alleviate that feeling.

Ultimately, this game is an exceptionally charming and cute look at the life of a little girl and her family, and can tug at the heartstrings. The immense variety in minigames is fun, and there are so many little challenges to accomplish throughout the game that there is always something to work towards. There is a large selection of cosmetics as well, which provides an extra little boost of joy through getting to dress up Anya and do her hair, as well as other family members. Whether or not someone knows Spy x Family well, Spy x Anya: Operation Memories is a true joy to play for a relaxing, cozy experience.