TLDR;
This video provides a comprehensive overview of the Digimon Story series of video games, contrasting them with the Digimon World series. It covers the evolution of the series from handheld devices to consoles, highlighting key gameplay mechanics, storylines, and differences between the Japanese and Western releases. The video also touches upon the development history and anticipation for the upcoming Digimon Story: Time Stranger.
- The Digimon Story series offers a different gameplay experience compared to the Digimon World series, focusing on collecting and training Digimon through scanning data rather than raising them from scratch.
- The series has evolved from handheld consoles to modern platforms, with the upcoming Time Stranger being the first title developed specifically for consoles.
- Cyber Sleuth is highlighted as a revolutionary title that significantly boosted the popularity of the Digimon Story series with its updated graphics and engaging storyline.
Introduction to Digimon Games [0:00]
Digimon games, starting with Digimon World in 1997, have evolved to cater to a wide range of players. The initial Digimon World focused on raising Digimon in a 3D environment, similar to the virtual pets that inspired the franchise. However, Digimon doesn't stick to one concept and innovated with the Digimon Story series.
Digimon Story Series Overview [0:42]
The Digimon Story series began seven years after Digimon World 1, initially designed for handheld devices before expanding to consoles. While the games were consistently released under the "Story" title in Japan, Western releases often used the "World" moniker to capitalize on the established popularity, until Cyber Sleuth broke this pattern. In Story games, players scan data from encountered Digimon to build their party, unlike World games where Digimon are raised from birth and can die.
Gameplay Mechanics in Digimon Story [2:10]
In Digimon Story games, players collect Digimon by scanning their data during battles, allowing for a more flexible party system compared to the World games. Digimon don't die in Story games; instead, they can be swapped out and managed in a DigiFarm, where they can level up, train, and find items. The DigiFarm also influences the Camaraderie (CAM) level, affecting Digimon evolution.
Digimon Story (Digimon World DS) [3:00]
Released in 2006, Digimon Story, known as Digimon World DS in the West, is set in a near-future where digital life forms called Digimon emerge from computers. The player, as a customizable protagonist, is drawn into the digital world and becomes a Tamer, partnering with a starter Digimon. The story involves quests, an evil entity named Unknown-D (Alphamon), and a plot to revive Chronomon, a powerful Digimon.
Post-Game and Visual Style of Digimon Story [4:45]
After completing the main story, players can continue to explore, scan Digimon, and develop their DigiFarms. The game features pixelated sprites, an isometric perspective, and pre-rendered backgrounds, creating a nostalgic feel. There are 239 obtainable Digimon, primarily centered around the Digimon Savers anime.
In-Game Menus and Options [5:39]
The game's main menu includes options for Digimon management, items, quests, DigiFarm, Tamer info, and saving. The dual-screen DS interface displays Digivice information on the top screen and menu options on the bottom. The Digimon menu allows players to manage their party, view stats, and access techniques, traits, species experience, evolution options, and equipment.
Quests, DigiFarm, and Tamer Info [8:18]
The quests menu lists active, available, and completed quests, providing details on requirements and rewards. The DigiFarm menu offers insights into farm stats, Digimon lists, and installed equipment, but requires accessing the farm through a specific location on the map. The Tamer info menu displays Tamer rank, play time, completed quests, and Digimon, along with a Digimon Gallery and Digi Gallery.
DigiFarm Functions and Encounters [10:02]
The DigiFarm allows players to train Digimon, move them between party, farms, and the bank, and convert scanned data. The game slows down the pace by including Digimon introductions before battles, adding to the nostalgic feel of older DS games. The live Farm View on the top screen shows Digimon training and interacting.
Digimon Story: Sunburst and Moonlight (Dusk and Dawn) [11:13]
Released in 2007, Sunburst and Moonlight, known as Dusk and Dawn in the West, feature parallel storylines from the perspectives of two Tamer teams. The games introduce coronamon and lunamon as mascots and involve investigating a mysterious virus causing Digimon to revert to eggs. The real antagonist is grimon, who uses Chrono destruction.
Digimon Story: Lost Evolution [12:52]
Released in 2010, Lost Evolution was not released in the West but has a fan translation. The story involves a protagonist who helps an Agumon find a human Tamer and restore the digital world. Gameplay changes include a new battle UI and the introduction of bug plates, which must be repaired to restore Evolution trees.
Digimon Story: Super Crossw Wars Blue and Red [14:50]
Released in 2011, Super Crossw Wars Blue and Red were never released in the West and are connected to the Crossw Wars anime. The player controls taii Kudo, and the gameplay revolves around Digimon fusion rather than Evolution. Digimon are obtained by combining existing Digimon or collecting Melodies.
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth [16:31]
Released in 2015, Cyber Sleuth revolutionized the series with its detailed 3D graphics and engaging storyline set in a near-future Japan. Players investigate cyber crimes in the cyberspace Eden, where they encounter eaters and work to stop the Royal Knights. The game features a Digivice for managing Digimon and a digilab for Evolution, training, and item management.
Cyber Sleuth's Gameplay and Features [18:57]
The Digivice in Cyber Sleuth includes options like digil line for messages, keyword storage, and game settings. The digilab allows players to evolve Digimon, convert data, move Digimon between party, farm, and bank, and access DigiFarms. The battle system features a circular control for attacks and skills, and the game includes a new game plus option.
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth Hacker's Memory [22:15]
Released in 2017, Hacker's Memory is a parallel story to the original Cyber Sleuth, told from a different perspective. The protagonist, framed for cyber crimes, joins a hacker team to prove his innocence. The game features the same gameplay as Cyber Sleuth with added mini-games and new Digimon.
Digimon Story: Time Stranger [23:12]
Announced in 2025, Time Stranger is the first Digimon Story game made straight for consoles. It revolves around the Olympus 12 Digimon and allows players to travel to the digital world. The game promises an improved battle system, bonds as a requirement for Evolution, and a heavy roster of Digimon.