Digimon Survive is an adventure role-playing game where you play as the main character, Takuma Momozuka, and embark on a journey to go back home together with friends and Digimon. The game was developed by the anime’s creator, BANDAI NAMCO, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Digimon anime.

The game strays away from its predecessor, Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker's Memory, where the gameplay was more Pokemon than Digimon because it feels more collection than connection. This time, the game is more in line with the anime, where the point is to bond with your chosen Digimon. 

Darker story and fewer Digimon

Digimon Survive goes back to its anime roots and focuses more on the bonds of players with their Digimon. However, in turn, the game also has a smaller roster compared to other Digimon games, at about 100 out of the 1400+ Digimon. The game also provides two different styles of gameplay. First, a visual novel where you decide Takuma’s choices. Second, a turn-based strategy battle style.

What’s great about the visual novel element is how your choices affect the final ending of the game and how your Digimon will digivolve. Meanwhile, the turn-based gameplay lets you move your Digimon on a battlefield and fight powerful enemy monsters. Moreover, your ability to digivolve or warp digivolve depends on the strength of your bond with your Digimon. The game also has a darker theme, just like Digimon Tamers.

The design of the game also stays true to its roots, with crisp and gorgeous anime-style graphics. Digivolve and the whole battle arena is also heavy on graphics and animation, but the battles are in 2D and more SRPG style. Hence, the game requires at least a 64-bit processor and operating system. Aside from that, players can enjoy playing as a kid in a new world of monsters and danger.

Nostalgic and highly enjoyable

Since Digimon Survive stuck to its anime roots and brought back the importance of bond and friendship, the game is definitely nostalgic and enjoyable. While it might be a downer that you can only use more than a hundred Digimon, its story and gameplay are both compelling enough to keep you hooked to the game. Best of all, you have control over the story and how your Digimon will evolve.