Digimon Survive
Image: Bandai Namco

While most of the focus last week was on Xenoblade Chronicles 3 within the Nintendo community, Bandai Namco also finally released Digimon Survive - a unique mix of strategy and visual novel gameplay.

Reviews have admittedly been a tad slow to surface online, but there are now enough to share a round up. Nintendo Life has also been able to review the game and thought it was a great experience - awarding this new Digimon title 8/10 stars.

With that out of the way, what did other outlets think? Here's a round up of some of the reviews so far:

Pocket Tactics gave it 8/10 as well - and while it enjoyed the game, it didn't quite scratch the Digimon "itch" quite like the World games. In saying this, it still thought it was a "truly impressive" game:

"The vibrant colours, dynamic soundtrack, and suitably grim story make Digimon Survive a truly impressive game. It doesn’t quite scratch the digital itch I have for the series like the World games do, but it does what it sets out to do fantastically."

PlayStation Lifestyle gave the game 7/10. It enjoyed the story, combat system and graphics, but but wasn't able to overlook some other things:

"Though not as successful as Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth, Digimon Survive has the workings of a cult classic mainly for Digimon fans. The story, despite a few insufferable characters, explores a darker reinterpretation of the original series to its favor, and the combat system is executed moderately well for as simple as it is. The game’s art style and music have its moments too from composer Tomoki Miyoshi and artist Uichi Ukumo. However, many plot points drag on longer than necessary, the Karma system is forced, and the UI is lackluster. Developer Hyde has a spark of a good idea here, but it might not last long enough to merit a sequel."

Sirus Gaming awarded another 8/10 - noting how the issues of the game are rolled and stomped by its greatness:

"Overall, Digimon Survive is a really good game and has the potential to be a unique storytelling game for Digimon fans. With the use of a light novel system and mixing it with RPG-style elements, I truly believe this game can appeal not only to Digimon fans but to gamers as well."

And GamerBraves went as far as awarding the game 9/10 - labelling it the "best Digimon game of all time" but also one of the best mystery Visual Novel titles:

"If you’re a fan of the previous Digimon games, you have to know that this is NOT a JRPG. This isn’t a grind-heavy JRPG like World 2 or 3, World DS, World Dawn/Dusk or Cyber Sleuth. This also isn’t a raising simulator like the original World, Re:Digitize or Next Order. This is a Visual Novel first, SRPG second. Sure, I’ll love a new JRPG or raising simulator, but Survive is such an incredible story-driven experience that makes it worth the development hell it was in."

When more reviews are published, we'll add them to this round up. What are your own thoughts about Digimon Survive so far? Are you enjoying your time in the digital world? Leave a comment down below.

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