Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth Review (PS4)
Introduction
This is a turn-based RPG featuring Digimon and human characters in Japan. It is highly recommended to install the latest update as well as get the free Seven Great Demon Lords DLC for additional content. The latest game update also includes several new Digimons, which you can acquire in the game after meeting certain conditions.
Story
This game takes place in Japan, specifically at Tokyo. You will play as a hacker, who often goes to cyberspace to chat about things. Later, you will encounter monsters called Eaters, who devours the digital avatars of the cyberspace users. You will also encounter digital monsters who can fight these entities, called Digimons.
The story has interesting premise, but not executed well. The pacing is slow, and it takes about halfway in the game for the story to get more interesting. Some of the characters are decently portrayed, but not all of them have good character developments. The story also gets darker later on, as well as darker implications in the game's optional Cases later on. There is also a lot of references to Japanese culture in this game, such as Internet.
Gameplay
1) Exploration and Progression Section
Exploration is simple, as you can travel around the real-world, Cyberspace EDEN, and other digital-based dungeons as well. You can interact with NPCs for information, buy items, and etc. Dungeon exploration is straightforward as well, but you may have to use certain hacking abilities to progress, such as unlocking a digital barrier.
Progression is also straightforward like other JRPGs. There are two types of cases you can take in this game, which are the story Cases and optional Cases. Story Cases are quests that must be completed in order to advance the game's story. Once you have completed enough story cases, you can proceed to the story-related areas and complete the necessary story objectives. You may also complete optional cases for additional rewards as well.
2) Leveling and Customisation Section
The game's leveling system is simple, as your Digimon gain experience points by winning battles in the game. Once you have achieved enough experience points, your Digimon will gain a level, increasing their stats and possibly learn new Skills. However, each Digimon's level is capped to a certain number, based on the DP amount that Digimon has.
DP can be increased by both Digivolution and De-digivolution features available in the game. Digivolution allows you to transform a Digimon to a different form in higher class of Digimon, and De-digivolution allows you to transform a Digimon to a different form in lower class of Digimon. For example, Digivolution allows you to transform an Agumon into Greymon once it has fulfilled the necessary requirements.
Digivolution is not exactly a straightforward process, as you may need to fulfill other conditions such as having sufficient levels and certain stats before doing it. There are many other ways so that you can transform your Digimon into more powerful forms, such as training them via Digifarm.
3) Combat Section
The game uses random encounter system, as you will randomly fight battles as you explore in the digital-based dungeons in the game. The game's battle system is turn-based battle system, where each of your Digimon and enemy Digimon have different waiting turns based on how fast they are.
Once your Digimon has a turn, it can do many things such as attack an enemy with physical attacks, skills, guarding, or use items. Some actions may delay your Digimon's turns, so players should take note of that.
Not only that, you must also take into consideration about Digimon types, which are Vaccine, Data, Virus, and Free. Each Digimon has their own type, and each type has advantage on the other type and disadvantage on the other type. For example, Vaccine Digimon can deal increased damage against Virus Digimon, but takes increased damage by Data Digimon. Not only that, elements also play a part in this that if a Digimon has both type and elemental advantage on the opponent Digimon, it can deal up to double damage against it.
Different Digimon has different stats, appearances, and abilities, so raising a variety of Digimon is a good idea. You can only obtain a Digimon by scanning them by battling them. You can only obtain a Digimon once you have scanned them at least 100% of data, however.
4) Gameplay Conclusion
The gameplay is good, with good amount of side-content such as large roster of Digimon to be acquired, great boss fights, great Digimon customisation and adjustable difficulty. The variety of Digimon is simply great, and I am happy that a lot of my favourite Digimon appear in this game. The boss fights are also well-done, with many of them have different gimmicks. My particular favourite boss fights include the Seven Great Demon Lords DLC, as well as the Royal Knight boss fights. The customisation of Digimon such as Digivolving them into different forms, as well learning different sets of uncommon skills in a Digimon are fun as well.
Unfortunately, the game has some issues. The progression is pretty much linear and lack of variety of progression methods, so don't be surprised if you are bored playing the game after 30 hours of solving cases. The dungeons have average designs as well, with not many puzzles or obstacles testing your brain. Regardless, the gameplay is great with some issues.
Graphics
The game has anime-styled graphics, with good looking characters such as humans and Digimons. Environments and dungeons are bland-looking, but stay true to the game's theme and story such as the cyberspace setting. There are also bugs in this game, such as the Digiline bug where you can't receive any replies back after sending a message to a sender. Also, some of the dialogue boxes have poorly aligned English text, making your dialogue choices incomprehensible at most. They do not affect much in the gameplay, but it is noticeable.
Sound
The Japanese voice acting is decent, fitting the characters well. However, there are no English dub in this game, so players who are not fluent in the language must rely on the english subtitles and text to understand the game's story and mechanics.
The soundtrack is pretty decent, although there are not many likable tracks that I really like. The only track that I really enjoy in this game is the Royal Knights battle theme.
Replay Value
This game has high replay value. You can play the game again in New Game Plus mode after installing the latest game update, play online battles against online players, collect every single Digimon in the game, or collect all DigiMedals. With the free DLC and update, you can also acquire new Digimon as well as fight more tougher boss fights via Seven Great Demon Lords DLC.
Conclusion
I love this game, as it combines Digimon, RPG and turn-based combat really well. The deep customisation of Digimon, the boss fights, the easy-to-learn battle system, and pretty visuals are the major highlights of the game. Keep in mind that this game still has issues, such as the slow-paced story, some weak characters, and monotonous progression. This is a good fanservice game for Digimon fans, and it can be played by players with varied skill level. An underrated RPG that deserves more exposure.
Score
Story: 7/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 8/10
Story: 7/10
Final Score: 7.5/10 or 30/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Interesting story premise.
- Great variety of Digimon to be acquired.
- Good battle system.
- Great customisation and leveling features.
- Great boss fights.
- High replay value.
- Free game update with new Digimon.
- Free DLC with more challenging boss fights.
Cons
- Slow paced story.
- Many stereotypical and unlikable characters.
- Monotonous progression.
- Average dungeon designs.
- Some bugs.
**Images are from RPGFan and official PlayStation game page.
This is a turn-based RPG featuring Digimon and human characters in Japan. It is highly recommended to install the latest update as well as get the free Seven Great Demon Lords DLC for additional content. The latest game update also includes several new Digimons, which you can acquire in the game after meeting certain conditions.
Story
Play as a hacker who can befriend Digimon.
The story has interesting premise, but not executed well. The pacing is slow, and it takes about halfway in the game for the story to get more interesting. Some of the characters are decently portrayed, but not all of them have good character developments. The story also gets darker later on, as well as darker implications in the game's optional Cases later on. There is also a lot of references to Japanese culture in this game, such as Internet.
Gameplay
1) Exploration and Progression Section
Explore in both real-world and the cyberspace.
Progression is also straightforward like other JRPGs. There are two types of cases you can take in this game, which are the story Cases and optional Cases. Story Cases are quests that must be completed in order to advance the game's story. Once you have completed enough story cases, you can proceed to the story-related areas and complete the necessary story objectives. You may also complete optional cases for additional rewards as well.
2) Leveling and Customisation Section
Digivolve your Digimon to fight tougher enemies in the game.
DP can be increased by both Digivolution and De-digivolution features available in the game. Digivolution allows you to transform a Digimon to a different form in higher class of Digimon, and De-digivolution allows you to transform a Digimon to a different form in lower class of Digimon. For example, Digivolution allows you to transform an Agumon into Greymon once it has fulfilled the necessary requirements.
Digivolution is not exactly a straightforward process, as you may need to fulfill other conditions such as having sufficient levels and certain stats before doing it. There are many other ways so that you can transform your Digimon into more powerful forms, such as training them via Digifarm.
3) Combat Section
Fight hostile Digimon with your Digimon.
The game uses random encounter system, as you will randomly fight battles as you explore in the digital-based dungeons in the game. The game's battle system is turn-based battle system, where each of your Digimon and enemy Digimon have different waiting turns based on how fast they are.
Once your Digimon has a turn, it can do many things such as attack an enemy with physical attacks, skills, guarding, or use items. Some actions may delay your Digimon's turns, so players should take note of that.
Not only that, you must also take into consideration about Digimon types, which are Vaccine, Data, Virus, and Free. Each Digimon has their own type, and each type has advantage on the other type and disadvantage on the other type. For example, Vaccine Digimon can deal increased damage against Virus Digimon, but takes increased damage by Data Digimon. Not only that, elements also play a part in this that if a Digimon has both type and elemental advantage on the opponent Digimon, it can deal up to double damage against it.
Different Digimon has different stats, appearances, and abilities, so raising a variety of Digimon is a good idea. You can only obtain a Digimon by scanning them by battling them. You can only obtain a Digimon once you have scanned them at least 100% of data, however.
4) Gameplay Conclusion
Good gameplay.
The gameplay is good, with good amount of side-content such as large roster of Digimon to be acquired, great boss fights, great Digimon customisation and adjustable difficulty. The variety of Digimon is simply great, and I am happy that a lot of my favourite Digimon appear in this game. The boss fights are also well-done, with many of them have different gimmicks. My particular favourite boss fights include the Seven Great Demon Lords DLC, as well as the Royal Knight boss fights. The customisation of Digimon such as Digivolving them into different forms, as well learning different sets of uncommon skills in a Digimon are fun as well.
Unfortunately, the game has some issues. The progression is pretty much linear and lack of variety of progression methods, so don't be surprised if you are bored playing the game after 30 hours of solving cases. The dungeons have average designs as well, with not many puzzles or obstacles testing your brain. Regardless, the gameplay is great with some issues.
Graphics
Nice anime-styled graphics.
The game has anime-styled graphics, with good looking characters such as humans and Digimons. Environments and dungeons are bland-looking, but stay true to the game's theme and story such as the cyberspace setting. There are also bugs in this game, such as the Digiline bug where you can't receive any replies back after sending a message to a sender. Also, some of the dialogue boxes have poorly aligned English text, making your dialogue choices incomprehensible at most. They do not affect much in the gameplay, but it is noticeable.
Sound
Decent Japanese voice acting and soundtrack.
The Japanese voice acting is decent, fitting the characters well. However, there are no English dub in this game, so players who are not fluent in the language must rely on the english subtitles and text to understand the game's story and mechanics.
The soundtrack is pretty decent, although there are not many likable tracks that I really like. The only track that I really enjoy in this game is the Royal Knights battle theme.
Replay Value
High replay value.
This game has high replay value. You can play the game again in New Game Plus mode after installing the latest game update, play online battles against online players, collect every single Digimon in the game, or collect all DigiMedals. With the free DLC and update, you can also acquire new Digimon as well as fight more tougher boss fights via Seven Great Demon Lords DLC.
Conclusion
A very good Digimon RPG game.
I love this game, as it combines Digimon, RPG and turn-based combat really well. The deep customisation of Digimon, the boss fights, the easy-to-learn battle system, and pretty visuals are the major highlights of the game. Keep in mind that this game still has issues, such as the slow-paced story, some weak characters, and monotonous progression. This is a good fanservice game for Digimon fans, and it can be played by players with varied skill level. An underrated RPG that deserves more exposure.
Score
Story: 7/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 8/10
Story: 7/10
Final Score: 7.5/10 or 30/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Interesting story premise.
- Great variety of Digimon to be acquired.
- Good battle system.
- Great customisation and leveling features.
- Great boss fights.
- High replay value.
- Free game update with new Digimon.
- Free DLC with more challenging boss fights.
Cons
- Slow paced story.
- Many stereotypical and unlikable characters.
- Monotonous progression.
- Average dungeon designs.
- Some bugs.
**Images are from RPGFan and official PlayStation game page.
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