The Great War left a lot of scars. A lot of brave men fought for leaders they never met, a lot of brave men died because they were simply defending what they thought was right. It’s hard to imagine what had to be going on in the minds of these soldiers. Not all of them were trained to become a soldier, a lot of them ended up on the battlefield with false promises of fame or love. 11-11: Memories Retold tries to tell that story. The story of the soldier who’s lost at war, the soldier who’s simply adapting to what the world demands of him. The soldier who would hesitate to kill.
Two stories unfold
In 11-11: Memories Retold, you’ll follow the story of Harry (voiced by Elijah Wood), a young Canadien photographer who was promised fame and love if he joined the general on the battlefield, and Kurt (voiced by Sebastian Koch), a young German father searching for his missing son. None of these men are trained soldiers, this isn’t your typical shooter, this game plays as an interactive drama and from the small portions I’ve played so far, I’m pretty sure it will leave its mark.
Both Harry and Kurt are trying to survive in a world that’s clearly not meant for them. What’s interesting is the fact that both fight for the opposite army. There’s no good or bad in this game, no hero, no enemy, just war. In war, everybody loses and it’s a feeling the game managed to translate extremely well. During my session, I constantly switched between the two protagonists although the events happened at the same time. Imagine taking cover for your life as Harry while you’ll need to refill the ammo of the gun that tried to kill you mere seconds later as Kurt. The game never favors one of the two men, both are equal and both deserve to survive. Since the game is set in 1918, it’s only a matter of time before the war ends but I’m really curious how the two will survive.
When paths collide
The fact that the two men actually meet each other early in the game is rather shocking. It’s clear that this meeting will form the cornerstone for the rest of the game but I was left with a lot of questions. During their accidental meeting, both men saved each other’s life. Interesting to note here is the fact that you learn the truth of the encounter while you’re controlling a cat that’s chasing a pigeon. It’s clear that the cat and the pigeon will become an important symbol and gameplay mechanic in the final game. Controlling a cat in the Great War might sound a bit strange but I think it’s rather smart. Animals don’t care about good or right, they’ll sleep wherever they want and they won’t pick sides. They remain neutral and are able to deliver a neutral look at the unfolding events. It’s extremely unique to use this as a story device but then again, this is a unique game in every way.
An interactive painting
What really elevates the game even higher is its presentation. Aardman managed to create something nobody else ever created. 11-11: Memories Retold plays as an interactive painting and it’s extremely gorgeous in action. You can really see the paint strokes while playing and although you’ll need some time to adjust to this ‘clouded’ world, it’s simply too unique not to love. This in combination with the orchestral music really transforms the overall experience into a true work of art. The developers are handling the heavy theme with a lot of respect and love, they want to show the war from another perspective, they want to understand what men like you and me were going through and I definitely think they are on the right track.
Early conclusion:
11-11: Memories Retold is unlike anything I’ve ever played before and that’s perhaps one of the biggest compliments I can give it. The team really created a piece of art where visuals and soundtrack go hand in hand. It’s a touching story that even managed to fully immerse me into this cruel world in my short time with it. I simply can’t wait to play the final product although I’m sure it will leave me with a bittersweet taste.
