It’s been a sizzling minute because the final Digimon sport graced our screens, however the wait is almost over – Digimon Story Time Stranger will likely be advancing the sequence in contemporary methods when it hits PS5 on October 3. I used to be fortunate sufficient to spend a while with the monster-taming RPG to seek out out what evolutions await.
An intriguing story, set inside gorgeous sights
My introduction to this new period of Digimon was bookended by two separate story beats. The primary was the opening of the sport, the place I selected Dan Yuki (after which later Kanan Yuki, however my alternative didn’t have an effect on the story) of ADAMAS, a secret organisation charged with investigating and fixing anomalous phenomena. And it simply so occurs there’s one in Shinjuku.
A trek throughout my place to begin in Tokyo led to an encounter with some Digimon inside a dangerous underground part, a damaged and deserted workplace area, and ultimately a fraught battle on prime of a skyscraper.
Whereas this created basis for the sport, the second story part was a comparative explosion of vibrant fantasy, letting me discover the Digital World’s Abyss Space. Positive, Tokyo has its charms, however the Abyss Space’s stunning and unapologetic depiction of the Digimon tradition ranks as one of the crucial spectacular sights within the sequence up to now. Between the clear swimming pools, shimmering rock formations, and a gaggle of Digimon revering MarineAngemon singing and dancing, it was an unforgettable set-up that actually confirmed off the shiny, anime-style visuals.
It has a mature aspect
The Digimon sequence isn’t any stranger to deep themes and matters, so followers will likely be completely happy to listen to that even this curated playtest confirmed indicators that Time Stranger isn’t going to shrink back from massive questions. Between the 2 story sections, there have been already clear indications that there’s an exploration of interspecies warfare between the Digimon and Titans, the stress of societal expectations, and even the navigation of psychological well being once I was visiting Shellmon and making an attempt to find why they haven’t left their dwelling.
There are nonetheless loads of light-hearted laughs
Even when the stakes are excessive, Digimon Story Time Stranger doesn’t overlook its Saturday morning cartoon influences, both. Any brooding is balanced by its want to have enjoyable and ship a lightness of contact, whether or not it’s by way of the idle animations of your social gathering members, its joyful voice appearing, humorous dialogue selections when speaking to NPCs, or the flexibility to gather quite a lot of incidental playing cards and costumes.
To not point out that, sure, you possibly can journey a few of the Digimon in your crew through the DigiRide possibility. Does it make traversing the atmosphere any faster? Solely in some instances. However is it enjoyable to see your agent hop on Leomon’s shoulder as you romp by way of a kaleidoscopic land of marvel? Oh sure.
Beginning out with acquainted RPG components
Digimon Story Time Stranger’s tried and examined battle system has loads of familiarities to get you began. My first encounter with the lovable digital monsters provided me a alternative between the Information mammal Patamon, Vaccine sea beast Gomamon, or Virus little satan DemiDevimon.
As standard, this can be a mild intro to the ‘rock-paper-scissors’ attribute system that units up the turn-based battle mechanic – Vaccine is powerful in opposition to Virus, Virus is highly effective in opposition to Information, and Information is finest in opposition to Vaccine. However on prime of that, they’ll possess 4 different attributes and 11 components corresponding to Water, Plant, and Darkish, which means there are an unlimited mixture of how your 450+ Digimon can form up. Which interprets into different and strategic fight to determine easy methods to exploit your enemy’s vulnerabilities.
DigiAttacks, new Character system, and extra
What’s extra of a shock is the intricacies added to the battle system. For one, enemies are actually seen on-screen, so you possibly can generally keep away from them or set off pre-emptive strikes by urgent R2 for a DigiAttack, which might immediately defeat weaker foes.
I additionally obtained to play with the Character system, which is designed to make every Digimon extra particular person. Relying on the place your beastie traces up inside the 16 completely different character sorts, bracketed into Philanthropy, Valor, Knowledge, and Amicability, you’ll profit from stat and ability perks. For instance, ‘Pleasant’ offers Defence and Assault buffs when coupled with the Gradual Starter character ability, which supplies assault boosts from spherical 4 onward.
These personalities might be modified primarily based on mini conversations you’ve gotten along with your Digimon, too. Throughout quiet moments, you possibly can interact along with your buddies, who will ask curious questions. My Leomon enquired if I used to be being reckless and that perhaps I ought to take a break. After I replied with gratitude, they responded that they merely didn’t need me to break down, which then turned their character to Philanthropy.
One other time, my Dinohyumon requested the surprisingly philosophical query if we will overcome something by being courageous, to which I responded that “different issues mattered, too”. He sighed with “ugh, that’s robust,” and I used to be given the choice to exchange an previous character ability with the brand new considered one of First in Line, so in subsequent battles, he all the time obtained to behave earlier than everybody else. Helpful.
So many mysteries to uncover
Within the close to couple of hours I performed, it was clear that Digimon Story Time Stranger was rife with secrets and techniques. I briefly obtained to discover the In-Between Theatre, a multi-dimensional area populated with odd faceless beings and managed by recurring character Mirei Mikagura. Whereas the Theatre may very well be used to journey to different areas, there have been clearly different makes use of and components it was hiding beneath its luxurious décor.
There have been additionally numerous good little gameplay components to maintain issues contemporary, together with an exhilarating chase sequence the place I needed to escape from a brutal MetalGreymon, and the flexibility to make use of R2 when exploring to blast by way of obstructions and in addition obtain hints when noteworthy objects have been close by.
There’ll be loads extra to find throughout time and area when Digimon Story Time Stranger releases on October 3 on PS5 – and primarily based on my experiences you’re going to have the time of your digital life.
