TLDR;
This video reviews Digimon Rumble Arena for the PlayStation 1, a party brawler that's essentially a Smash Bros. clone. The game features characters from Digimon Adventure, O2, and Tamers. While the game has some charm and can be fun with friends, it suffers from slow pacing, unbalanced gameplay, and a lackluster single-player experience. The reviewer also touches on differences between the Japanese and international versions, particularly regarding the music.
- The game is a Smash Bros. clone featuring Digimon characters.
- It includes characters from Digimon Adventure, O2, and Tamers.
- The single-player mode is slow-paced and repetitive.
- The game is more enjoyable as a party game with friends.
- The Japanese version has music from the anime, unlike the international version.
Introduction [0:00]
The video introduces Digimon Rumble Arena, a party brawler for the PlayStation 1. The reviewer acknowledges the game as a "Smash clone" and sets the stage for evaluating its merits and flaws. He contrasts it with other Digimon games and fighting games in general, highlighting its unique position in the Digimon franchise.
Digimon Representation and Title Screen [2:05]
The game pulls its roster from Digimon Adventure, O2, and Tamers, setting it apart from other Digimon games on the PS1. The intro features 3D animated Digimon with 2D images of their Tamers. The title screen always features Guilmon saying the game's name, which the reviewer finds somewhat obnoxious.
Single Player Campaign and Audio Issues [4:06]
The single-player campaign involves choosing a rookie-level Digimon and battling through the rest of the roster. The audio quality for the human characters is poor, with compressed and distorted voices. The reviewer notes the absence of music in his initial playthrough due to emulation issues, later discovering that the original game does have serviceable music. The Japanese version includes music from the anime.
Stages and Digimon Specialties [5:51]
The stages feature hazards specific to each arena. Digimon have elemental specialties (fire, water, nature) that affect their strength against other Digimon and the terrain. The reviewer criticizes this system as needlessly unbalanced. The stage designs are generally uninspired, with missed opportunities to include familiar locations from the Digimon universe.
Gameplay Mechanics [6:51]
The gameplay involves basic attacks using the square button and special attacks tied to the triangle and circle buttons. The reviewer finds the combat simplistic, often boiling down to spamming the square button. There are Digimon cards that provide temporary buffs. Players can digivolve by filling a meter, transforming into their mega forms with enhanced stats and new attacks.
Digivolution and Pacing Issues [8:57]
Digivolving grants access to mega forms, but the animation interrupts the match's flow. The mega form is temporary, and the meter must be refilled after it depletes. The reviewer criticizes the game's slow pacing, with drawn-out encounters and sluggish animations. Matches are best out of three, requiring players to fight each opponent multiple times.
Mini-Games and Final Boss [10:41]
The game includes mini-games like target destruction and basketball, which the reviewer finds unremarkable. The final boss is Reapermon, who provides a slight challenge due to his long attack range. Beating the game unlocks Reapermon and other characters.
Unlockable Characters and Final Thoughts [11:23]
Players can unlock additional Digimon by beating the campaign with different characters, sometimes with extra prerequisites. The reviewer notes a cool feature where the original Adventure cast's images change from their O2 appearance to their younger looks when holding the R1 button. The game is best enjoyed as a party game with friends, embracing its chaotic and uneven nature. The reviewer does not recommend it as a single-player experience due to its dragging pace. He expresses interest in checking out the sequels to see if the formula was refined.
Outro and Patreon [13:18]
The reviewer announces that the next major video will be on Digimon World 2, a hefty game that will take time to produce. He thanks his viewers and Patreon supporters, especially his top-tier patrons. He encourages viewers to support him on Patreon and other platforms.