Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth
- October 18, 2019
- h.a.n.d., Inc.
- 80h median play time
Get on Steam"Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth" is a single-player Science Fiction Turn-Based Strategy game, based on the Digimon franchise, with an engaging plot and impressive game mechanics, resembling CTB from Final Fantasy X. Players can capture and scan Digimons, with outstanding music, but expect lots of grinding. Developed by Media.Vision, it's the fifth game in the Digimon Story series and the first to be released on home consoles.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
PlayStation
Playstation Vita
Reviews
- Engaging and nostalgic story that appeals to long-time Digimon fans.
- Deep and satisfying Digivolution system that allows for extensive customization of Digimon.
- Fun turn-based combat with a variety of Digimon to collect and train.
- Excessive dialogue and unskippable cutscenes can make the game feel tedious.
- Repetitive side quests and environments lead to a lack of variety in gameplay.
- The ABI system requires significant grinding, which can be frustrating for players.
- story1,839 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story in "Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth" and its sequel "Hacker's Memory" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its engaging narrative and character development, though some find it slow-paced and filled with excessive dialogue. While "Cyber Sleuth" offers a classic digimon tale with themes of friendship and adventure, "Hacker's Memory" is noted for its deeper, more mature storytelling that enhances the overall experience. However, criticisms arise regarding the linearity, repetitive side quests, and occasional poor translations, which can detract from the enjoyment of the story.
“Its captivating storyline follows a protagonist navigating between the real and digital worlds, tackling mysteries, forming bonds with digimon companions, and uncovering a conspiracy that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
“With its rich character development, immersive world-building, and strategic gameplay, 'Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth' stands tall as a pinnacle of gaming excellence, appealing to both franchise veterans and newcomers alike.”
“The story is much more serious and somewhat darker than the digimon we're normally exposed to, but it always was a series that pushed beyond the childish, cheerful feel that something like Pokémon did.”
“The story is completely bat crazy.”
“The story is a bunch of good ideas made boring by making it character driven with a cast that I couldn't care for.”
“The pacing of the story is absolutely horrendous, introducing a lot of stuff during the first two hours (that have no connection whatsoever between them) and then turning into the most repetitive, inconsistent and sleep-inducing script ever.”
- gameplay543 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth" and "Hacker's Memory" is characterized by traditional turn-based mechanics, allowing players to control a party of three Digimon in battles that incorporate a rock-paper-scissors system based on types and attributes. While the core mechanics are engaging and offer depth through evolution and collection, many players find the gameplay repetitive and grind-heavy, often overshadowed by lengthy dialogue and cutscenes. Overall, the games provide a nostalgic experience for Digimon fans, blending familiar mechanics with modern RPG elements, though they may not appeal to those seeking a more dynamic or challenging gameplay experience.
“Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth is an absolute marvel in the world of gaming, seamlessly blending nostalgia with modern gameplay.”
“The attention to detail in the vibrant digital landscapes and the evolution mechanics of Digimon make every moment a thrilling adventure.”
“With its rich character development, immersive world-building, and strategic gameplay, Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth stands tall as a pinnacle of gaming excellence, appealing to both franchise veterans and newcomers alike.”
“The gameplay is very repetitive like Pokémon or other similar collect and level type games.”
“Gameplay is grindy and can be repetitive on top of it not always being intuitive, while they have tutorials in game they don't explain things like how to raise certain stats like abi until well after you would have wanted to be grinding it.”
“The pacing of the story is all over the place and the pacing of the gameplay is even weirder.”
- grinding393 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as both tedious and essential for progression. While some enjoy the nostalgic grind typical of JRPGs and find it rewarding to build and evolve their Digimon, others criticize it for being excessively time-consuming and repetitive, particularly in late-game scenarios. Overall, the game offers various mechanics to mitigate grinding, but players should be prepared for a substantial time investment if they wish to fully engage with its systems.
“The RPG elements play exactly like the Nintendo DS versions of Digimon World DS/Dusk/Dawn with great tweaks and improvements to the training and combat; it isn't as tedious to level up or scan for data.”
“The game itself is fairly easy and is mostly story-driven. Gameplay is fun and surprisingly not grindy; in fact, this is probably the first Digimon game I am aware of that you can beat without grinding at all.”
“Not too grindy; you can actually proceed through the story with most monsters. A lot of grinding is required for the strongest Digimons in the game, though.”
“This game is infuriatingly grindy if you want your digimon to become mega, and worse so if you want them to be decently strong.”
“The grinding in this game is fast-paced because there are ways you can cheese getting exp leveling up your digimon and de-digivolving them, as someone who played digimon world ds this game is so much faster and optimized.”
“The game is extremely grindy, and if you do not create platinum numemons, your digimons will level up very slowly.”
- graphics189 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Digimon Cyber Sleuth" are generally viewed as a mixed bag, reflecting its origins as a PS Vita title. While some players appreciate the charming, toy-like aesthetic and the vibrant character models, others criticize the visuals as dated and lacking depth, with frequent frame rate drops and limited graphical options. Overall, the game is considered visually decent for its time, but it does not meet the higher expectations set by more recent titles in the genre.
“It's so nice to have a modern Digimon game with good graphics.”
“Great storyline, lots of Digimons to collect, amazing graphics.”
“The graphics are amazing and the gameplay takes me back to the days of Digimon World: Dawn and Dusk.”
“The graphics are awful, to the point I can't believe it was made as recently as 2015.”
“The game is packed to the gills with mediocre writing and low resolution graphics.”
“The graphics were also pretty subpar in a lot of areas, as it feels like most of the budget went towards the small handful of high quality cutscenes.”
- music157 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its catchy and fitting compositions, particularly those by Masafumi Takada, while others criticize it for being repetitive and generic, especially during prolonged gameplay. Many players appreciate standout tracks that enhance the game's atmosphere, but note that the limited variety can lead to monotony, particularly in dungeons. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, it often struggles to maintain engagement over extended play sessions.
“The music composed by Masafumi Takada is also worth noting; it's really catchy.”
“A stellar soundtrack helps bring everything to life, and I found myself excited to go back to certain zones so I could hear the music again.”
“The music is outstanding, definitely one of the best aspects of the game.”
“The music is so repetitive and generic too, which makes it even worse.”
“You will be playing the same level over and over, and you will hear that dungeon music for hours before you get to the next point of the plot.”
“A mediocre RPG with obnoxiously repetitive dungeons and a bare-bones repetitive soundtrack that quickly becomes grating.”
- humor55 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a blend of lighthearted and dark elements, often drawing on quirky character interactions and absurd situations involving digital monsters. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and entertaining fetch quests, though some find the humor can be hit-or-miss, with moments that may come off as cringe or overly sexualized. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with a compelling narrative, appealing particularly to fans of anime and manga.
“Whoever wrote some of these Digimon's lines down is super funny.”
“Funny and entertaining story, but the translation is poor at times and it can be difficult to parse what the characters are saying.”
“The blend of humor and the dark nature of the game complements perfectly with the storyline.”
“Your character dies, and the version you play in the post-game is a reconstruction of your past self based on the memories of your Digimon. In a moment that's supposed to be funny and sentimental, it just becomes openly problematic when you make the disgusting coffee that she used to make with you.”
- emotional32 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 31 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it deeply moving and heartfelt, particularly in its storytelling and character development, while others criticize the lengthy and tedious narrative that detracts from the overall experience. Many appreciate the emotional weight of certain moments and endings, but the forced progression through a boring story often leaves players feeling frustrated rather than connected. Overall, while the game has the potential for emotional engagement, its execution can lead to a disjointed experience for some players.
“Possibly the most emotional ending a Digimon game can offer.”
“It's not a perfect masterpiece, but it is something so emotionally charged and human.”
“Overall I loved every moment of the game, both stories were heartwarming and I couldn't recommend it more!”
“The worst part about this game is the very boring story, especially since you have to progress it to be able to capture more Digimon and evolve them. You are also forced to do a lot of uninteresting side quests to progress the story, as if you don't complete a certain amount per chapter, you can't move forward.”
“You cannot even have a decent party until you unlock memory ups, which you only get if you slog through a mind-numbingly long boring story.”
“Most of which, unsurprisingly, doesn't even affect the narrative itself, thus it feels extremely forced in for no reason other than to stretch the already boring storyline.”
- character development31 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised, with many reviewers noting significant growth for main characters and some side characters, which adds depth to the narrative. While opinions on character design vary, with some finding it clunky or unappealing, the overall character arcs are highlighted as a strong point, particularly in "Cyber Sleuth" and "Hacker's Memory." However, a few critiques mention a lack of development for certain characters and inconsistencies in the story's coherence.
“With its rich character development, immersive world-building, and strategic gameplay, 'Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth' stands tall as a pinnacle of gaming excellence, appealing to both franchise veterans and newcomers alike.”
“I have been a fan of the show for years and this game has a good story as well as great character development.”
“For the side characters, I really liked that even in a JRPG setting, which usually focuses on main character development, some side characters have distinct characteristics and development.”
“Literally none of the characters presented so far are even remotely likable, and the character designs are an absolute mess.”
“There's no character development whatsoever on your part.”
“It's still a decent story but it's just messy in getting to the point and most of the fluff story that aren't serious barely gives any character development for anyone and are just basically wacky adventures.”
- replayability25 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is primarily driven by its digivolution system and the inclusion of new game plus (NG+), offering players various paths and challenges. However, many reviewers noted that unskippable cutscenes and lengthy dialogues significantly detract from the overall replay value. While some players found the game enjoyable enough to warrant multiple playthroughs, others felt that the lack of incentives and repetitive elements limited its long-term appeal.
“The game finds its replayability in the digivolution system.”
“There is for sure a lot of stuff in this game and it offers a ton of replay value.”
“Great story, strong replay value and well optimized for most decent laptops and PCs.”
“Some annoying things about this game would be unskippable cutscenes and text, which takes away from replayability.”
“There isn't a big incentive for replayability.”
“The game's replayability isn't all that great.”
- optimization16 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for maintaining a smooth 60 fps performance even with numerous models on screen, and it runs well on various systems, including Linux and lower-end hardware. While some users noted minor performance issues related to walking speed in large areas and the porting from the PS Vita, the general consensus is that the game is well-optimized, with fast-paced grinding mechanics that enhance the experience. However, there are some complaints about unskippable cutscenes and dialogue that could detract from the overall flow.
“Regardless of how many models are on the battlefield, there is no drop in performance and battle animations can be shortened in the game's settings.”
“The only saving grace is that so far I haven't encountered performance issues and the game is locked at 60 fps with no dips.”
“It's got great Digimon variety, an engaging battle system, surprisingly good graphics for what was originally a Vita game, and the optimization seems pretty good so far in my experience.”
“All impact on performance has been with the walking speed in big areas, but if you are willing to ignore that, it's incredible.”
“A few cons as all games have them: long dialogues, a handful of unskippable cutscenes, and not entirely optimized for PC.”
“Completing your field guide and getting your Digimon to peak performance will require some grinding, though.”
- stability10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
Overall, user reviews highlight a mixed experience regarding stability. While some players report significant bugs, crashes, and freezing issues—particularly in online multiplayer—others have found the game to run smoothly with beautiful graphics after troubleshooting. The need for backup saves and improvements in online functionality are common concerns among users.
“The graphics look beautiful as they would on these consoles, and I experienced no glitches.”
“Runs great!”
“Not to mention the buggy, laggy mess when you walk into a room, and the blurry pixel walls.”
“It is buggy on PC.”
“The online multiplayer is buggy, with the game crashing every time I tried to access the leaderboards, not to mention I could never find anyone to battle using their matchmaking.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of "Digimon Survive" is characterized by a notable absence of advertising, which has led to a lack of awareness about the game. Additionally, the game does not feature microtransactions, which some players appreciate, while others express a preference for games that include them.
“I appreciate that there are no microtransactions in this game.”
“I enjoy games that offer microtransactions as they provide additional options.”
“There was for sure a lack of advertising as I never would have found this game if I had not done my research after seeing the new game hit the front page of Steam.”
“After seeing the release of Digimon Survive randomly one day, I thought, 'Huh, I remember playing the old games back in the day, but there has never been any advertising for any new games, and it's sad to see this series die out.' Boy, was I right and wrong.”
“No microtransactions :(”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its fitting and enjoyable soundtrack, which complements the cyber setting, despite some repetitiveness. While the battles may feel standard for a JRPG, the engaging story and unique character designs contribute to an overall immersive experience that keeps players satisfied.
“The OST is very fitting to the whole cyber atmosphere and enjoyable, even if it's a bit repetitive at times.”
“The battle itself is just a classic JRPG and not 'that' exciting, but the story and overall atmosphere are great, and there was never a situation where I felt frustrated or let down by the game.”
“I can't believe how each and every one of them is unique in its own way and fits the atmosphere perfectly.”
