Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth
- October 18, 2019
- h.a.n.d., Inc.
- 78h 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 story with interesting twists and character development.
- Extensive Digimon roster with diverse evolution paths and customization options.
- Fun turn-based combat system that allows for strategic team building.
- Excessive unskippable dialogue and cutscenes that can disrupt gameplay flow.
- Grindy mechanics for leveling and evolving Digimon, requiring significant time investment.
- Poor localization with translation errors and awkward dialogue that detracts from the experience.
- story2,522 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story in "Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth" and its sequel "Hacker's Memory" is generally engaging, featuring a mix of light-hearted and darker themes that resonate with both long-time fans and newcomers. While the narrative is often described as lengthy and dialogue-heavy, with some players finding it tedious, many appreciate the character development and plot twists that unfold as the game progresses. However, the pacing can be inconsistent, and the reliance on side quests sometimes detracts from the main storyline, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall execution.
“I love the story and absolutely everything about it. I genuinely think the smaller expansion game beats the main story in so many ways, and think it is one of the better stories in media I have consumed recently.”
“The story is absolutely amazing, very well written, has a lot of twists that I loved, though I will say it does feel a little stretched out at times, and definitely did not need to be 20 chapters.”
“The story is engaging with interesting characters. The gameplay and building of digimon is fun and the storyline is interesting and borders on profound at times.”
“The story is tedious and feels like watching a movie you can't leave, dragging on for hours with predictable plot beats.”
“The writing is lackluster, and the story often feels disjointed, with major events loosely connected and reliant on prior knowledge from the first game.”
“The pacing is terrible, with the story moving at a snail's pace and requiring you to complete numerous uninteresting side quests to progress.”
- gameplay785 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth" and "Hacker's Memory" is characterized by engaging digimon-raising mechanics, turn-based combat, and a rich evolution system that allows for extensive customization. While many players appreciate the nostalgic feel and depth of the mechanics, some criticize the game for being overly dialogue-heavy, leading to a slower pace and repetitive gameplay. Overall, the games offer a solid blend of traditional JRPG elements with unique digimon features, making them enjoyable for both newcomers and series veterans, despite some frustrations with pacing and mechanics.
“The digimon-raising and digivolution mechanics were engaging, and unlocking new digivolutions felt like opening gifts, thanks to the amazing digimon designs.”
“Overall, the gameplay, graphics, as well as easily accessible menu is amazing and I'd recommend it to both new and veterans of the series if you wish to get back into or wish to start.”
“The gameplay in 'Cyber Sleuth' is one of its strongest features.”
“Cyber Sleuth sadly has very little in the way of mechanical depth.”
“The gameplay feels like a final fantasy x and pokemon hybrid.”
“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.”
- grinding537 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting it as tedious and time-consuming, particularly due to the need for extensive leveling and evolving of Digimon. While some find the grinding enjoyable and rewarding, especially for fans of the genre, others criticize it for being overly repetitive and a significant barrier to story progression. Overall, the game is characterized by a heavy emphasis on grinding, which can be mitigated by certain mechanics and strategies, but remains a core part of the experience.
“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.”
“It's not very grindy as you do not require the best or max level Digimons to finish the game, at least for normal difficulty.”
“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.”
“The game is built around annoying grinding and leveling and de-digivolving.”
“The grinding is something that I relax with in the evenings while watching TV in the background.”
“This game is the single most tedious turn-based RPG ever.”
- graphics248 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the character models and animations are appealing, the overall visual quality feels dated, reflecting its origins as a PS Vita title. Some praise the art style and the vibrant depiction of Digimon, while others criticize the limited graphical options and repetitive environments. Overall, the visuals are considered decent for a port, but they do not reach the standards of more modern titles.
“The graphics are amazing and the gameplay takes me back to the days of Digimon World: Dawn and Dusk.”
“The graphics look beautiful as they would on these consoles and I experienced no glitches.”
“The graphics are great! The art style, addicting turn-based combat, beautiful animations, diverse cast of Digimon, and semi-interesting plot easily makes this one of the greatest Digimon games to date.”
“Graphics aren't too impressive sadly, and it has little cutscenes or voice over.”
“Honestly one of the worst PC ports I've ever seen, almost zero graphics settings.”
“The graphics are a mixed bag.”
- music225 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack for its catchy and immersive tracks, particularly those composed by Masafumi Takada, reminiscent of the Danganronpa series. However, several players noted that the music can become repetitive, especially during extended gameplay in similar environments, leading to some frustration. Overall, while the soundtrack is considered a highlight by many, its limited variety and occasional generic themes detract from the experience for others.
“The soundtrack is another highlight, featuring a mix of upbeat and atmospheric tracks that enhance the mood of the game.”
“Each piece of music fits seamlessly into the various environments and scenarios, helping to immerse players further into the world of Digimon.”
“The music composed by Masafumi Takada is also worth noting; it's really catchy.”
“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.”
- humor79 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of absurd Japanese comedy, juvenile jokes, and moments of genuine wit that resonate with players. While some find the dialogue and character interactions hilarious, others criticize the forced comic relief and cringe-worthy moments that detract from the experience. Overall, the humor is appreciated for its variety, though it may not appeal to everyone, especially those unfamiliar with anime tropes.
“The thing I dig the most about this game is how it taps into a wide range of themes within its writing; it can vary from pure nonsense (and hilarious) Japanese humor to complex social problems or some deep web creepy stuff (really, there are some crazy sub-stories out there in this game).”
“Hacker's Memory genuinely has some hilarious moments sprinkled throughout the game, and just about every new character introduced is top notch.”
“The game has a great sense of humor and tends to make fun of stereotypes like anime fans and gamers.”
“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.”
- emotional43 mentions
- 74 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' connections to the characters and impactful storylines, particularly in the final chapters, which evoke strong feelings and even tears. While some reviews criticize the writing and pacing as tedious, many appreciate the heartfelt moments and character development that resonate deeply, making the experience memorable despite its flaws. Overall, the game successfully delivers emotional depth, especially for fans of the Digimon franchise.
“It was beyond what I expected, and I cried at the end of both games.”
“Possibly the most emotional ending a Digimon game can offer.”
“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 to evolve them. You are also forced to do a lot of uninteresting side quests to progress the story, since if you don't complete a certain amount per chapter, you can't progress.”
“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, like I said, it feels extremely forced in for no reason other than to stretch the already boring storyline.”
- character development42 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the depth and growth of main characters and side characters alike, while others criticize the uneven pacing and lack of development for certain characters. Despite some questionable character designs and a few unlikable characters, many reviews highlight the vibrant personalities and heartwarming storylines that contribute to an engaging experience. Overall, while the character designs may vary in quality, the character development is often seen as a strong point, particularly in titles like "Cyber Sleuth" and "Hacker's Memory."
“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.”
“Main characters see some really good character development most of the time (some can be a bit cliché but oh well, JRPG).”
“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.”
“There was one incredibly dislikeable character in the original game, but they went on a large character development arc that's reinforced in Hacker's Memory.”
“Literally none of the characters presented so far are even remotely likeable, and the character designs are an absolute mess.”
“There's no character development whatsoever on your part.”
- replayability34 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, heavily influenced by the digivolution system and the variety of Digimon available, which some players find engaging while others see as limited. Many reviews highlight the presence of new game plus options and the nostalgic appeal for fans, but unskippable cutscenes and repetitive dungeons detract from the overall experience. While some players report high replay value, others feel it lacks significant incentives to replay after the initial run.
“The wide variety of Digimon to collect and customize added depth and replay value to the game, even if some dungeons will get recycled a couple of times.”
“Great story, strong replay value, and well optimized for most decent laptops and PCs.”
“Hours of fun gameplay with replayability make this game an A+ in my book.”
“Replayability is based solely on digivolving, which funnels into plot progression.”
“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.”
- optimization20 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization receives mixed reviews. While many players report smooth performance and a stable 60 fps across various systems, some experience significant issues, particularly with the in-game clock being tied to frame rate, causing gameplay delays. The porting team has been praised for their work, but there are still notable performance concerns, especially in larger areas and on less powerful machines.
“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.”
“In-game performance is fairly bad for such a basic game.”
“Worst of all, the performance issues extend beyond just stutters and jitters; it in fact 'steals time'.”
“My machine might not be the most potent, but with the in-game clock being tied to the fps, every single slowdown because I entered a big area makes time go slower, meaning tasks you've set your digimon to do take longer than real-life time to complete with every performance drop.”
- stability16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 69 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting smooth performance and high frame rates even on low-end PCs, while others have encountered significant bugs, crashes, and graphical issues. Many users noted the need for troubleshooting and backup saves due to occasional freezes, particularly in online multiplayer modes. Overall, while some players experienced a stable gameplay experience, others found it to be a "buggy mess" with frequent issues.
“Runs great even on my super low-end PC at 60 FPS.”
“The graphics look beautiful, and I experienced no glitches.”
“The game isn't buggy considering how you seldom crash (only twice throughout my 239 hours of gameplay) and you don't get glitches at all.”
“Not to mention the buggy, laggy mess when you walk in a room, and the blurry pixel walls.”
“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.”
“Yep, you heard it right, the game sometimes freezes and forces you to reload.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players criticizing it as a cash grab lacking proper advertising and engaging content. While there are no microtransactions, which some players appreciate, others find the gameplay grindy and feel that the absence of microtransactions is a downside. Overall, the monetization strategy appears to be a point of contention among users.
“It can be a little grindy if you're not willing to use exploits, but it's manageable; also, there are no microtransactions (kind of a shame I have to even clarify this).”
“No microtransactions.”
“This game is a super lazy cash grab with a tacked-on garbage story with awful pacing and even worse translation, that's been balanced around a dead-on-arrival PvP feature making single-player gameplay feel slow and boring.”
“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.”
“No microtransactions :(”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised, with a fitting soundtrack that blends upbeat and atmospheric tracks, enhancing the overall mood. While the battle mechanics may be standard for a JRPG, the unique environments and engaging story contribute to a consistently enjoyable experience without frustration.
“The soundtrack is another highlight, featuring a mix of upbeat and atmospheric tracks that enhance the mood of the game.”
“The OST is very fitting to the whole cyber atmosphere and enjoyable even if it's a bit repetitive at times.”
“The story and overall atmosphere is great, and there was never a situation where I felt frustrated or let down by the game.”
