TLDR;
This video is a review of the PlayStation game Digimon World 2. The reviewer discusses the game's mechanics, story, and overall experience, highlighting both its positive and negative aspects. He notes the game's slow pace, repetitive gameplay, and complex evolution system, but also acknowledges its engaging battle strategies, cool monster designs, and connections to the original Digimon World. Ultimately, he does not recommend the game due to its many flaws and frustrating elements.
- The game has a complex and grindy evolution system.
- The gameplay loop is repetitive and slow-paced.
- The story has some interesting moments and connections to the first game.
- The reviewer does not recommend the game due to its many flaws.
Intro [0:00]
The video introduces Digimon World 2 for the PlayStation, a game the creator approached with both excitement and trepidation due to warnings about its grindy nature and differences from its predecessor. The creator expresses a mix of nervousness and curiosity, unsure whether he would love or hate the game. He thanks viewers for their patience as he prepared the review.
Box Art and Initial Impressions [1:16]
The box art for Digimon World 2 is considered basic compared to the original game's Japanese version, which the creator still regards as the best. The game shares little mechanically with its predecessor, discarding elements like V-Pets, evolution branches, and home base development. Digimon World 2 was released around the same time as the second Digimon Adventure series aired in America, possibly to capitalize on the shared release. Unlike the first game, Digimon World 2 did not receive a European release. The video then poses the question of why Digimon World 2 took such a different direction from the first game.
Gameplay and Initial Mission [5:06]
The video begins with a pre-rendered FMV that makes a good first impression with well-rendered and animated Digimon. The game quickly introduces the player character being escorted by zudicorn to a facility leader. The player, named Wayne, is on his last training mission to become an official Tamer in Digital City, tasked with destroying Leomon in the boot domain. After a quick briefing from Mission Chief Carol, Wayne enters the boot domain using the Digi Beetle. The tutorial effectively introduces basic mechanics without overwhelming the player. After defeating Leomon, Wayne returns to Digital City, receives his own Digi Beetle (named Squump), and chooses to work under the Gold Hawk team, starting with an Agumon.
Exploring Domains and Managing Resources [11:49]
The main gameplay involves traveling to domains in the Digi Beetle to find and defeat rogue Digimon. Movement within domains consumes EP (energy points), which can be replenished by finding EP packs in chests. However, chests can be trapped, causing damage to the Digi Beetle or other negative effects. Domains are randomly generated to a degree, with floor layouts, chest locations, and traps changing with each visit. Traps can damage the Digi Beetle's HP, confuse the player, paralyze movement, damage Digimon, or break Digi Beetle parts. Obstacles like acid tiles and spores require missiles to destroy. Bugs can also infect the Digi Beetle, causing various negative effects such as draining money, energy, or sending Digimon back home.
Digi Beetle Customization [19:19]
The video emphasizes the importance of understanding and upgrading the Digi Beetle. The engine affects HP, the battery affects EP, RAM affects Digimon capacity, and the toolbox affects inventory size. Parts can be installed to traverse acid tiles, disable mines, disarm traps, and detect hazards. Upgrading the battery is recommended early on to alleviate EP limitations. A bug zapper is essential for dealing with bugs, and various missiles are needed for destroying obstacles. The autopilot allows for a free return to base, and the radar and map aid in navigation.
Digimon Evolution and Training [25:39]
Digimon World 2 uses a more traditional RPG leveling system but adds complexities. Digimon evolve at levels 11, 21, and 31 into Champion, Ultimate, and Mega forms, respectively, but they have level caps. DNA digivolution combines two Digimon into a weaker form, raising the level cap based on a formula. The resulting Digimon retains moves from both parents, increasing base stats. DP (Digivolution Points) determine evolution paths. The process is tedious, requiring constant leveling and combining. Naming Digimon after friends feels pointless due to the game's design, which discourages attachment. Parent A in DNA digivolution affects the base level, while Parent B influences the resulting Digimon.
Recruiting Digimon and Combat Mechanics [37:06]
The Digi Beetle has a shooter gun used to offer gifts to wild Digimon for recruitment. The type and effectiveness of gifts matter, and Digimon must be recruited in the field, not during battles. After filling the heart gauge, the player must defeat the Digimon in battle to recruit one of them. The recruited Digimon are often used as fodder for DNA digivolution. The video emphasizes the importance of gathering annoying texts from enemy Digimon to create a broken team. Losing battles results in a game over, highlighting the importance of saving progress. The video then describes the intricacies of the combat, including guarding, counter attacks, and friendly fire.
Mission Structure and Additional Tasks [46:24]
The game involves calming wild Digimon, recruiting new ones, and upgrading the Digi Beetle. Missions involve exploring and completing domains, with some requiring multiple domains to be cleared. The Black Knights serve as rivals, invading domains and confusing allies. Additional hubs like the meditation Dome and device Dome offer new tasks and upgrades. Security measures in Digital City slow down progression. Fetch quests and Coliseum battles add further padding. The game limits Digimon leveling to one level per battle.
Mid-Game Frustrations and File Island [1:01:52]
The video describes the plot involving the Black Knights seeking the archive Port to reach an older digital continent. The player travels to File Island, a callback to Digimon World 1, and rescues Gigimon. The chaos generals are introduced as antagonists. The domains in this part of the game lack variation. The video then describes a frustrating moment where the reviewer realized that his tyranamon was not capable of evolving into a mega form in this game.
Final Bosses and Ending [1:10:31]
The reviewer finally obtains key Digimon and defeats the chaos Lord. Crimson returns, merging with the chaos Lord to create Neo Crimson, a creature the reviewer praises for its design. After defeating Neo Crimson, the player seeks Gaia and discovers the truth about the digital world. The player defeats Overlord Gaia, and estina creates a backup of the server, saving the humans and Digimon. The humans can now return to the real world, and the player is offered a role in creating a sustainable digital society.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation [1:18:48]
The reviewer reflects on the time and effort spent on the game, noting its disheartening mechanics and repetitive gameplay. He does not recommend Digimon World 2 due to its slow pace, tedious elements, and overwhelming mechanics. However, he acknowledges the game's good story concepts, soundtrack, and battle strategies. He concludes by expressing his disappointment that the game did not live up to the charm and heart of the first Digimon World.