Digimon World DS

"Very few flaws"

I got this game as an import from the US last February (as we in the UK have to wait a lot longer to get stuff T_T) and I've been playing it ever since. Obviously, being a Digimon game, it's a monster-collecting RPG in a similar style to Pokemon. But that's where the similarities end. People will just compare this game to the Pokemon RPGs on the basis that they both involve monster collecting, and have the word ‘mon' in the title. They are, in actuality, very different.

Gameplay – 8/10
Movement of the main character Digimon World DS is very fluid, and simple, and not restricted to four directions. Like in Digimon World 2003 (or Digimon World 3 in the US), you will have up to three Digimon following behind you. However, the addition of another three backup Digimon makes longer battles a lot easier. The game's difficulty really depends on what type of Digimon you use. If, like me, you use your favourites, it can be harder than if you use only stronger ones. The amount of Digimon in these games is great. All of my favourites are involved (with the exceptions of Magnadramon and Halsemon), so raising Digimon in Digifarms is that much more fun. Digifarms are probably my favourite part of this game. You have elemental-based farms, where you leave Digimon, and they will level and grow while you go on adventures. And each Digimon will have a unique personality (prissy, graceful, wild, etc.), and talking to them enables the Digimon to show their personalities. One of the few flaws in the gameplay is that the game is dungeon-based. Instead of journeying from one town to the next, or whatever, you are simply transported to each repetitive dungeon. My opinion is that this is the only aspect in which Pokemon is superior.

Story – 7/10
While the story is fairly uninspired and predictable, it helps you concentrate on raising Digimon in farms without worrying about where the story is headed next. The story's outline is that you're sucked into the Digital World through a PC (just like the anime Digimon Zero Two) and wind up witnessing a lesson on Digimon being taught by ClavisAngemon. You're recruited as a tamer, and the rest of the story follows the usual bad-guy-tries-to-destroy-the-world routine. But the game does seem to focus more on the monster-raising aspect.

Graphics – 7/10
While not perfect, the graphics are cute and colourful, with most Digimon in original poses (i.e. not card game or official pictures). Arukenimon and Birdramon's sprites have to be seen to be believed! However, I am not so keen on some of the smaller, character-following sprites. Raremon, for instance, has had his bulk reduced, so he now looks like a bluish-grey Numemon, and my all-time favourite Digimon, Rosemon, looks a little too muscular in both small and large sprites. But the majority of the sprites are excellent. The dungeons at the beginning of the game do look good, but as the game progresses, all the dungeons start looking the same. The Ruined Belt, for instance, almost drove me crazy.

Sound – 6.5/10
The game's least interesting factor. Many dungeons have music that matches the type of area, but I would suggest playing your own music while playing the game, as it's just a bit repetitive. The music shines through during Digivolutions or Degenerations, when the music does sound very good.

Play time and replayability – 10/10
Wow. And they said Pokemon was replayable. This game will keep you occupied for days. My current play time is 45 hours and 32 minutes, but most of that comes from raising Digimon, collecting them, and completing personal quests from the Digimon themselves. The main storyline could be completed in several hours, but collecting all of the Digimon, completing all the quests, and making your Digimon as strong as possible could take an unlimited amount of time. No flaws in this section.

Recommendation
NEVER rent this game. If you rent it, chances are you will only have it for up to a week. Digimon World DS requires, and deserves, to be owned. Although it's not a journey-style RPG, it is a fun one. I wouldn't recommend to the average gamer under 12 or so, as it is a game that requires patience, concentration, and even a level of maturity. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in Pokemon, to show them the alternative.

Superior to Pokemon?
Definitely. The gameplay is a lot more intense, and individual. While the newer Pokemon are dull and uninspired, the newer Digimon (e.g. Raramon, Gaomon, Kamemon etc.) are interesting, with good evolution lines. Compare these to the Pokemon Bidoof. See what I mean? The evolution is also much better in Digimon. With a few exceptions (e.g. Eevee and Tyrogue), Pokemon evolution lines are very stationary. Whereas, in Digimon, an in-training Digimon can have up to three rookie forms, which each also have up to three champion forms, etc.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/03/08

Game Release: Digimon World DS (US, 11/07/06)