Digimon Survive

Digimon Survive has both a well-made story and a deep combat system that will engage players through each route they may take, but the first few hours are ill-paced with long breaks away from combat.

83%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

83% User Score Based on 1,777 reviews

Critic Score 78%Based on 39 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Digimon Survive" is a narrative-driven, survival strategy game where players follow a group of teenagers who find themselves transported to a mysterious world filled with Digimon. The description, "We had no idea that ordinary life could be taken from us so easily..." highlights the unexpected and dangerous journey the group faces as they try to return home and uncover the truth behind their circumstances. With turn-based battles and multiple decisions that affect the storyline, players must strategize and survive in this challenging world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,777 reviews

story518 positive mentions

grinding75 negative mentions

Engaging and dark storyline that captures the essence of the Digimon franchise.
Well-developed characters with meaningful relationships and growth throughout the game.
Beautiful art style and soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.

Gameplay is primarily a visual novel with minimal tactical RPG elements, which may disappoint those expecting more combat.
Repetitive dialogue and pacing issues that can make the story feel drawn out.
Limited variety of Digimon and combat mechanics, leading to a lack of depth in battles.

story
1,670 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
4%
The story of "Digimon Survive" is a significant departure from traditional Digimon narratives, presenting a darker, more mature tale that resonates with long-time fans of the franchise. While the game is heavily focused on storytelling, with a visual novel format that emphasizes character development and moral choices, some players find the pacing slow and the gameplay secondary. Overall, the narrative is engaging, filled with emotional depth and unexpected twists, making it a compelling experience for those who appreciate story-driven games.
- “The story is engaging and sometimes unexpected, while the gameplay is simple but still challenging on the hardest difficulty.”
- “While there’s more reading than gameplay, the depth of the story and characters makes it a highly recommended experience.”
- “Digimon Survive breaks away from the typical Digimon formula, offering an experience that’s more suited for players who enjoy story-driven games.”
- “The story itself is unremarkable.”
- “The game has multiple endings, and the point where the main story branches out could have been handled better.”
- “Everything feels really padded out in the story so in 9 hours I felt I made very little progress.”
gameplay
550 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
73%
8%
The gameplay in "Digimon Survive" is heavily focused on visual novel elements, with approximately 70% of the experience dedicated to narrative and dialogue, while tactical RPG mechanics make up the remaining 30%. Many players find the combat simplistic and repetitive, lacking depth and strategic variety, which can detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the integration of story and gameplay, others criticize the dissonance between the two, leading to a feeling that the gameplay serves primarily as a means to progress the narrative rather than offering a compelling standalone experience.
- “The tactical gameplay in Digimon Survive added a refreshing layer to the classic Digimon formula.”
- “With its captivating narrative, deep tactical gameplay, and heartwarming bonds, Digimon Survive offers an experience that I will cherish for years to come.”
- “The gameplay is simple but satisfying.”
- “Let me tell you, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a game whose mechanics were so at odds with its narrative.”
- “Unfortunately, while the game tries a lot of new game mechanics, it fails on all fronts.”
- “The gameplay aspect is a fairly generic visual novel style with occasional breaks for a bit of rudimentary combat that offered little in the way of challenge and felt very bare bones, like it was tacked on at the end, or an afterthought.”
music
162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
43%
4%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its beauty and atmospheric qualities, while others criticize its limited variety, noting that the same few tracks are repeated throughout the gameplay. Some players found the soundtrack to be emotionally resonant and well-composed, enhancing the overall experience, but others felt it became monotonous and detracted from immersion. Overall, while the music is often described as beautiful and fitting, a desire for a more diverse soundtrack is a common theme among reviewers.
- “The art style is beautiful, and the music is top-notch, creating an immersive experience that will keep you hooked for hours.”
- “The music is composed so well that you don't ever get tired of hearing it or a different rendition of it.”
- “The music and atmosphere are excellent.”
- “The soundtracks in the game were the same 5 tracks.”
- “Hearing the same 5 songs or so playing on repeat for 40 hours is unprecedented.”
- “The soundtrack is… alright, but nothing special.”
graphics
154 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
45%
2%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their beautiful artwork and vibrant colors, showcasing a blend of 2D and 3D styles that enhance the visual novel experience. While many reviewers commend the high-quality character designs and animations, some note inconsistencies in detail and polish across different segments, leading to mixed feelings about the overall visual presentation. Despite some criticisms regarding certain graphical elements, the art style is generally considered stunning and immersive, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere and storytelling.
- “The graphics quality is good overall, albeit the level of care for details is slightly heterogeneous.”
- “Bandai Namco's dedication to creating an immersive world is evident in the game's beautiful hand-drawn art style and attention to detail.”
- “The art style is beautiful, and the music is top-notch, creating an immersive experience that will keep you hooked for hours.”
- “The visuals are very low effort; the graphics and transitions are very low effort.”
- “Frankly put, the 3D visuals look like dog sh!t.”
- “The graphics of the game portion look like they were made for a smartphone but last second were imported for console/PC.”
grinding
79 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
1%
95%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in the mid to late game. While some appreciate the focus on story over grinding, others feel that the combat and collection mechanics can become monotonous, requiring excessive time spent on farming and leveling. Overall, the game offers a blend of visual novel and tactical RPG elements, but the grinding can detract from the overall experience for those not invested in the genre.
- “I can count the number of times I had trouble during the battles on one hand, even with close to no grinding done.”
- “I'd recommend not grinding for the first playthrough, as you get over-leveled crazy fast.”
- “Might not be everyone's cup of tea since it's a visual novel game with slow progression and turn-based tactical RPG, but I'm sure all Digimon fans would love this game since it's pretty linear and doesn't feel as grindy as other Digimon games.”
- “This game feels tedious and boring... unable to skip through what feels like mundane chat boxes and being unable to go through tutorials quickly/easily... feels very bleh.”
- “Grinding will definitely be necessary at least on your first playthrough in order to beat some of the end-game bosses.”
- “The combat eventually becomes just plain tedious.”
emotional
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
7%
The emotional aspect of "Digimon Survive" is highlighted by its deeply engaging and often heart-wrenching narrative, which explores complex themes such as trauma, loss, and personal growth. Players report experiencing a wide range of emotions, from heartwarming moments of character development to gut-wrenching scenes that can evoke tears. The game's ability to convey emotional weight through its writing and voice acting, combined with the player's choices impacting the storyline, creates a uniquely immersive experience that resonates with both fans of the franchise and newcomers alike.
- “Digimon Survive is an emotional, gripping, action-filled adventure that kept me invested from the moment I entered the digital world.”
- “Witnessing these relationships grow and strengthen throughout the game was heartwarming, reminiscent of the powerful connections portrayed in the anime series.”
- “I had some truly meaningful moments, and some other heartbreaking ones in my first playthrough, and I got truly invested in the story itself.”
- “The emotional depth of the story is lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “I found the emotional moments to be forced and unconvincing, which detracted from the overall experience.”
- “The game tries to evoke feelings but ends up feeling shallow and uninspired.”
atmosphere
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
41%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, immersive quality, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack that complements the tense and creepy narrative. Reviewers highlight the effective use of visual elements, such as dynamic lighting and detailed backgrounds, which contribute to a gripping ambiance that draws players into the story. Overall, the combination of strong writing, sound design, and visual aesthetics creates a compelling atmosphere that resonates with players, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “Excellent tone and atmosphere; the game manages to submerge you in its own terms and revels in the creepiness inherent in its franchise.”
- “The story and atmosphere of the game is just too good to pass up on.”
- “The music and atmosphere are excellent.”
- “The atmosphere of the visual novel overall and the lighting and shadowing for the art makes me combust.”
- “While I feel the Digimon aspect of this Digimon game were the least effective parts of the story, the characters and atmosphere were worth the ride; visuals have some strong points like the sprites but could be better in areas.”
- “These kids are in over their heads, trying to survive in a strange world and finding their way home, and the dialogue does a great job of building tension and establishing a mysterious atmosphere with some elements of horror.”
replayability
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
59%
11%
Replayability in this game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the multiple endings and character choices that encourage multiple playthroughs, others find the slow pacing and repetitive elements diminish the overall experience. Many reviews highlight that while there is potential for replay value, particularly for fans of the genre, the effort required to explore different routes can feel tedious, leading some to prefer watching alternate endings online rather than replaying the game. Overall, the game's design does offer replayability, but its execution may not satisfy all players.
- “It is a really fun game that has a ton of replay value.”
- “Has a lot of replayability due to the different routes.”
- “This game was designed with replayability in mind; to get the true ending, it is necessary to play at least twice.”
- “There is 0 replay value even though you can decide how the game ends... it just doesn't feel worth it.”
- “This makes replayability a painful, slow, and boring experience.”
- “Unfortunately, the story was pretty cliché and weak with little desire for replayability, so I will likely just look up the other endings on YouTube.”
character development
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
67%
11%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the growth of characters and their Digimon in relation to the story and player choices, others criticize the lack of depth and consistency in the children's development. The art and character designs are generally praised, enhancing the overall experience, but some feel that character arcs can feel abrupt or ignored at times. Overall, the game offers a blend of strong character progression for some while leaving others feeling underdeveloped.
- “The character development is an A+ for me; this is due to your choices affecting your friends' morale and mental health.”
- “While this game may not be for everyone, I can say it is absolutely gorgeous and drags you into the story with their beautiful music and deep character developments as you play along, without ever feeling like it's a chore.”
- “The game handles character development well as some characters you'll be hating at the start and you will end up loving at the end.”
- “The children get little, if at all, character development.”
- “There is little character development of the cast.”
- “The lack of character development across the board makes it hard to care about a lot of the characters, and it's not until New Game Plus that the characters causing problems start to develop into likable people.”
stability
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
90%
The stability of the game has received significant criticism, with many users reporting frequent freezes, particularly after the first cutscene, rendering the game unplayable for some. While a few players have experienced no issues, the prevalence of glitches and visual bugs, along with a lack of timely patches, has led to frustration among the community. Overall, the game's stability appears to be inconsistent, with many urging potential buyers to wait for fixes before purchasing.
- “Outside of a couple of technical issues with some video codecs, the game runs great and is amazing artistically. The combat is engaging and has a more than decent story.”
- “Been great so far, no freezes, crashes, or errors.”
- “Plenty of glitches, visual bugs, and other issues that aren't getting patched or cared about at all. The game's been out a month, and the infamous 'Takuma's portrait and name are not shown for this line' is still there. The writing is atrocious, which for a visual novel, you'd hope to be the main allure, but the characters are flat, pieces of information are repeated ad nauseum, hiding key pieces of information for no reason. It just goes on and on.”
- “Can't progress past the prologue because of a cutscene hard freeze, and the time spent troubleshooting means I can't refund either.”
- “Game freezes immediately after the first animated cutscene.”
optimization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while it maintains solid performance and stable frame rates during gameplay, users report noticeable frame rate fluctuations when loading new areas. Some players find the lack of extensive graphics options limiting, and while the game runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck, there are specific issues with animated cutscenes that detract from the experience. Despite these concerns, many players feel that the game is enjoyable and performs adequately for its genre.
- “Game doesn't suffer from any optimization issues, loads up fast and fps is solid; however, there are not many options to adjust graphics outside of vsync and resolution.”
- “Performance is excellent, maintaining 60fps throughout both visual novel and strategy RPG portions without much issue.”
- “Considering the missing controller prompts is a minor annoyance at most, the game is very playable on a Steam Deck, with great performance at a lower wattage.”
- “This feels rather unoptimized, but due to it being a visual novel and fights not being a major thing, I guess that's fine.”
- “This is definitely not optimized for the Steam Deck, but it appears that the issues are mostly with the animated cutscenes and immediately after.”
- “For what this game is, I think besides some optimizations that hopefully come with some patches, it's doing it well.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its blend of humor, featuring cute and funny characters like Agumon, and moments that evoke laughter through both intentional comedy and translation quirks. Players appreciate the humorous predicaments presented in optional battles and the overall charm that these elements bring to the experience, despite some minor translation issues. The combination of dark storytelling and lighthearted moments contributes to a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere.
- “The Digimon are very funny, though they talk like they eat rocks.”
- “I just love how cute, funny, and awesome Agumon is to the entire game.”
- “But it also has a lot of funny moments, either by bad translation or intentional; it all adds to the charm and is overall the best game I've played this year so far.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with some players feeling that the advertising was misleading, suggesting a more gameplay-focused experience akin to tactical RPGs, while in reality, it is primarily a visual novel with extensive dialogue and cutscenes. Despite this, the game's visual appeal is praised, indicating that the marketing may not fully align with the actual gameplay experience.
- “The advertising is a bit of a bamboozle, but the game is truly a visual novel.”
- “I think the advertising for this game was a bit misleading from the trailer; I was hoping for a game like Final Fantasy Tactics but with Digimon.”
- “I think the advertising for this game can be a bit misleading from the trailer; you will spend a lot of time in dialogue and cutscenes.”