TLDR;
The video is a retrospective review of Digimon Survive, released a year prior. The author expresses their deep appreciation for the game, calling it their favorite Digimon video game and a standout story within the franchise. They discuss the game's unique blend of visual novel and tactical RPG elements, its dark and compelling narrative, and its fresh take on Digimon lore, viewing Digimon as modern Yokai sustained by human belief.
- Digimon Survive is the author's favorite Digimon game due to its story and gameplay.
- The game blends visual novel and tactical RPG elements.
- The narrative is dark, with character deaths impacting the player's choices.
- Digimon are portrayed as modern Yokai, sustained by human belief and digital interaction.
Introduction and Initial Hesitations [0:00]
The author explains why they didn't immediately post a review after playing Digimon Survive, stating that they wanted to keep the experience personal. They reveal that Digimon Survive is their favorite Digimon video game and possibly their third or fourth favorite Digimon story overall, a significant statement considering the franchise's extensive history across various media. This preference is subjective, acknowledging that fans of monster-raising or JRPG gameplay may favor other Digimon titles like the World or Cyber Sleuth series.
Story and Narrative Depth [1:16]
The game's narrative is a nod to Digimon Adventure, featuring a group of kids lost on a summer trip and transported to a mysterious world. The characters mirror archetypes from the original Adventure series but are slightly older, allowing for a darker storyline where characters can die based on player choices. This creates a sense of weight and urgency in finding a way home. The New Game Plus mode provides additional context, world-building, and the ability to save characters who died in the first playthrough, enhancing the overall experience.
Evolution as a Metaphor [2:17]
Digimon Survive handles evolution uniquely, making each transformation a significant event tied to the human character's growth and resolve. Unlike other games where evolution is a simple menu selection, Survive connects it to emotional beats and character development. The game cleverly kept the evolution paths of most Digimon secret before launch, creating a sense of wonder and excitement reminiscent of watching the original anime.
Tactical Gameplay and Design [3:44]
The tactical gameplay, while enjoyable, shows its limitations over time, particularly in the second playthrough. The author wishes for more thoughtful scenario design in the battles. However, the primary focus and strength of the game lie in its story.
Digimon Lore and World-Building [3:57]
The author praises Habu and team's interpretation of Digimon lore, which presents Digimon as modern versions of Japanese Yokai, beings beyond human understanding that have occasionally crossed over into the human world. This contrasts with other interpretations where Digimon are created by humans. Survive explores themes of modernity versus tradition, with the world of the "kogami" (Digimon) sustained by human belief and reverence. The decline of traditional worship at a shrine leads to the kogami world falling apart.
Modernity and the Digital World [5:22]
The game introduces a new way to sustain the kogami world through the internet, where rumors, imagination, and belief spread rapidly. A pivotal moment involves a blurry photo of a Digimon battle going viral, sparking curiosity and speculation about the kogami. This leads to a transformation of the kogami into digital beings, or Digimon, sustained by digital data and belief in the internet age. The term "Digimon" is only used in the final moments of the game, emphasizing this evolution.
Final Thoughts and Hopes for the Future [6:53]
The author expresses disappointment that Digimon Survive never received quality-of-life updates or expansions, noting issues with menu navigation and the absence of a promised PVP multiplayer mode. Despite a quiet launch and lack of pre-release reviews, the game exceeded expectations and became a favorite. The author hopes for a sequel that improves upon the original's UI and tactical battles while maintaining the high-quality storytelling. Even without a sequel, they are satisfied with Digimon Survive, considering it the best Digimon anime season they've had the pleasure of playing.