Honestly, if you’re a fan of Tatsuya Endo’s massive hit series, you probably already have a pretty good idea of what life with the Forgers looks like. It’s chaotic. It’s wholesome. It’s full of secrets that everyone is terrible at keeping—except maybe the dog. But when Bandai Namco announced Spy x Anya: Operation Memories, there was this immediate, collective "Wait, what kind of game is this?" from the community. It isn't an action-packed stealth game where you play as Loid infiltrating Ostanian bunkers, and it isn't a high-stakes assassin sim featuring Yor.
It's about Anya. Specifically, it's about her homework.
That sounds boring on paper, right? Wrong. In the context of the Spy x Family universe, a school project is a high-stakes mission. Eden Academy doesn’t do "easy." To complete her photo diary assignment, Anya has to live a life worth documenting. That’s the core hook of the game. It’s a "slice-of-life" diary simulator that feels like a playable version of the anime's most tender filler episodes. It's weirdly addictive.
What is Operation Memories actually trying to be?
Most people go into this expecting a traditional RPG or perhaps a collection of minigames loosely tied together by a menu screen. It’s actually closer to a life-management sim with a heavy emphasis on "Odekake" or outings. You spend your time at the Forger apartment, at school, or traveling to specific locations like the beach, the park, or a museum.
The goal? Take photos.
Anya needs to capture "memories" to fill her diary. But you can't just spam the shutter button. The game uses a focus and timing mechanic where you have to wait for Anya to be genuinely interested in something. It’s a small detail, but it reflects her personality perfectly. If she’s bored, the photo sucks. If she’s excited—usually because of peanuts, Bond, or some perceived "spy" activity—you get the shot.
The Loop: School, Home, and the Great Outdoors
The rhythm of Spy x Anya: Operation Memories is incredibly consistent. You start your day at the Forger residence, maybe play with Bond or talk to Yor, then head to Eden Academy. This is where you interact with the supporting cast—Becky, Damian (Sy-on boy!), and the rest of the colorful students.
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The dialogue stays true to the source material. It doesn't feel like a cheap knockoff script. When Damian acts like a bratty prince while secretly wanting Anya’s attention, it feels authentic. The game relies heavily on these interactions to drive the "vibe." If you don’t like the characters, you won’t like the game. But if you’re invested in the Forger family dynamic, these small conversations are the best part of the experience.
Minigames and the "Special" Training
While the photography is the main objective, the minigames are where the actual "gameplay" variety lives. There are over 15 of them. Some are simple rhythm games, while others are more involved.
Take the "Yor’s Training" minigame. It’s basically a fast-paced action sequence where you’re dodging and hitting targets. It’s a nod to Yor’s life as the Thorn Princess without actually showing her murdering anyone (this is a family-friendly game, after all). Then you have things like Anya’s school tests, which are—predictably—nerve-wracking because Anya is, well, Anya.
- Peanut Bowling: Exactly what it sounds like.
- Bond Riding: A frantic dash through the streets.
- Card Games: Simple, but the AI can be surprisingly stubborn.
The rewards for these games aren't just high scores. You earn points to unlock outfits and accessories. This is the "hidden" endgame of Operation Memories. The customization is surprisingly deep. You can put Anya in a chef’s hat, give Loid a silly pair of glasses, or dress Yor in various casual outfits that weren’t featured heavily in the anime.
The Visuals: Does it Look Like the Anime?
The art style is a 3D cel-shaded look that aims for "high-fidelity anime." It mostly succeeds. Anya’s facial expressions are the star of the show. The developers at Grounding Inc. clearly knew that Anya’s "Heh" face and her shocked "Waku Waku" eyes are the series' biggest memes. They leaned into it.
The environments are a bit more hit-or-miss. The Forger apartment is meticulously detailed—you can see the textures on the sofa and the specific layout of the kitchen. However, some of the outdoor environments feel a bit sparse. It’s a trade-off. Since the game was designed to run on the Nintendo Switch as well as PC and PlayStation, there are some technical limitations in the lighting and background foliage.
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Is it a dealbreaker? No. You’re there to look at the characters, not the grass textures in the far distance.
Addressing the "Low Stakes" Criticism
A lot of critics and hardcore gamers have knocked the game for being "too easy" or "lacking depth." They aren't wrong, but they might be missing the point. Spy x Anya: Operation Memories isn't trying to be Elden Ring. It isn't even trying to be Persona.
It’s a "comfy" game.
It belongs in the same category as Animal Crossing or Story of Seasons. The "difficulty" comes from the time management and the desire to see every possible interaction. It’s designed for people who want to decompress. You put on the game, listen to the upbeat soundtrack, see Anya do something cute, and your stress levels drop. That’s the intended value proposition.
The "Mission" vs. The "Homework"
Loid is always worried about Operation Strix. He’s stressed. He’s calculating. But in this game, Loid’s stress is background noise. You’re seeing the world through the eyes of a child who thinks a trip to the supermarket is an epic quest. This shift in perspective is what makes the game feel fresh compared to the manga. It de-escalates the Cold War tension of Westalis and Ostania and replaces it with the tension of "will I get a gold star on this photo?"
Is it worth the price tag?
This is where things get tricky. At launch, the game was priced as a full-fledged title. For the amount of content provided, some might find that steep. If you rush through the main "diary" objectives, you can see a lot of what the game has to offer in about 10 to 12 hours.
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However, if you are a completionist who wants to unlock every costume and find every hidden dialogue prompt, you’re looking at a much longer playtime. The real value is for the parents who play with their kids or the die-hard fans who want more time with these characters while waiting for the next season of the anime or the next movie.
Expert Tips for Maximizing Your Memories
If you’re diving into the game now, don’t play it like a completionist from hour one. You’ll burn out on the loop.
- Prioritize the Outings: Don't get stuck doing the same school-to-home routine. The outings are where the unique photos live. Save your points and spend them on the high-tier trips as soon as they unlock.
- Experiment with Outfits: This isn't just cosmetic. Different outfits can trigger slightly different reactions or dialogue in certain scenes. It adds a layer of replayability to the photography segments.
- Master the Focus: In the photography mode, don’t just click. Watch the borders of the screen. When the sparkles appear and the focus ring turns gold, that’s your window. High-quality photos earn more "Mery" (the in-game currency), which makes the grind for outfits much faster.
- Talk to Everyone: Even if a character doesn't have a "!" over their head, check in with them. The flavor text in this game is surprisingly witty and often references specific chapters from the manga.
The Verdict on Operation Memories
This game is a specialized tool. It’s designed to deliver a specific feeling: the warmth of the Forger family. It doesn't have the complexity of a tactical spy thriller, but it captures the heart of what made Spy x Family a global phenomenon. It’s about the small moments. The burnt cookies, the awkward walks in the park, and the quiet realization that this "fake" family is actually quite real.
If you go in expecting high-octane action, you'll be disappointed. If you go in wanting to hang out with Anya and Bond for a weekend, you’ll have a blast.
Next Steps for Players
- Check your platform: The game is available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC. The Switch version is great for handheld play, which fits the "diary" vibe perfectly.
- Don't skip the DLC: Some of the additional outfit packs include homages to other characters in the series that are worth the look if you’re into the customization aspect.
- Focus on the "Joy": The game tracks Anya's "Joy" levels. Keep those high by engaging in her favorite activities to unlock the best diary entries faster.