Bandai Namco Entertainment's Digimon Survive has been a very long time coming for fans of the digital monster franchise. It was originally announced in 2018, with a release date of 2019. Needless to say, several factors from the COVID-19 pandemic to a total development restructure caused the game to miss a number of targeted release windows. It wasn't until earlier this year when Digimon Survive's release date was finally confirmed, much to the joy of the fans.Digimon Survive combines visual novel and turn-based strategy gameplay, utilizing a massive narrative that can lead to multiple endings too. This involves the player juggling the relationships with the human cast along with their Digimon. With these aspects being the main draw of the game, Bandai Namco released a recent trailer for Digimon Survive that highlights them.This Digimon Survive trailer starts with the exploration, where players move around to different areas on the island via a World Map, with one being a School and Forest at the start. The player can use their in-game phone to scan the environment, looking for glitches, which can reveal Digimon that are in hiding. The trailer also notes that choices made during these visual novel segments are final and can affect the affinities the player has with certain characters and the Digivolution process as well.
The trailer then highlights the turn-based strategy gameplay, where if the characters talk to their Digimon partners in battle, it will give the Digimon a benefit, such as boosted stat or even healing them. Talking to enemy Digimon can also allow a player to recruit them, similar to the negotiation mechanic in Shin Megami Tensei. This requires the player making the correct dialogue choices in order for the enemy to join their roster.
Digimon Survive's combat was also shown, where positional awareness, items, and special attacks can all lead to victory. Digimon can also Digivolve in the middle of battle, turning into a number of classic creatures such as Togemon, WereGarurumon, and even the powerful WarGreymon. Players who get the game at launch will be able to get a free Guilmon for their team and an HP Support item. Fans are incredibly hyped to see the game has survived development hell and will be released later this month.
Digimon Survive is scheduled to launch on July 29 for PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
