Digimon Survive Nintendo Switch 2 Deep Dive Review and Guide

Hello everyone, I'm Lao Wang, a Nintendo Switch game player and reviewer with over a decade of experience. Today, we'll be diving deep into a work that blends visual novel and strategy RPG elements – "Digimon Survive." This game was initially released on the Nintendo Switch and is expected to land on the future Nintendo Switch 2 platform. I will review this game from multiple perspectives and share some tips and strategies.

1. Introduction to "Digimon Survive"

"Digimon Survive" is a survival strategy role-playing game developed by Witchcraft and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game tells the story of Takuma Momotsuka and his friends who get lost in a different world during a camp, and work together with their Digimon partners to survive. Unlike traditional Digimon games, this game focuses more on plot and character development, adopting a large number of visual novel elements and incorporating a strategy RPG battle mode. The player's choices directly affect the story's direction and even determine the life and death of characters, making it a work with both depth and strategy.

2. "Digimon Survive" Game Review

2.1 Gameplay

The Gameplay of "Digimon Survive" is mainly divided into two parts: visual novel and strategic combat.

• Visual Novel Section: This part takes up a large proportion of the game, where players need to advance the plot through dialogue, exploration, and choices. The choices in the game affect the characters' favorability, which in turn affects the Digimon's evolution path and even determines the characters' life and death. This butterfly effect design increases the game's replay value. However, the pace of the visual novel section is a bit slow, which may require some patience for players who are used to fast-paced games.

• Strategic Combat Section: This section adopts a classic strategy RPG mode, where players need to control Digimon to move, attack, and use skills on the map. In battle, factors such as the Digimon's attributes, skills, and terrain will affect the battle situation. The evolution system is the core of the battle. By meeting specific conditions, Digimon can evolve into more powerful forms. The difficulty of the battle is moderate, but it requires players to think strategically.

2.2 Graphics

The graphic style of "Digimon Survive" is inclined to Japanese anime style.

• Scene Design: The scene depiction is relatively delicate, and the forests, ruins, caves, and other scenes in the other world present a mysterious and dangerous atmosphere. The design of the battle map is also relatively exquisite, and different terrains will have different effects on the battle.

• Character Modeling: The character modeling restores the style of the anime, and the design of the Digimon is also faithful to the original work. The cutscenes use Live2D technology, making the characters' expressions and movements more vivid.

• Performance on the Nintendo Switch Platform: On the Nintendo Switch, the game runs smoothly, but the graphic details are sacrificed to some extent. If it can run on the future Nintendo Switch 2, I believe the graphic performance will be significantly improved, such as higher resolution and smoother frame rate. Considering the nintendo switch2 price may be higher than the original version, many players are willing to pay for it for a better gaming experience.

2.3 Sound Effects

The sound effect performance of "Digimon Survive" is remarkable.

• Background Music: The background music matches the atmosphere of the game. In the visual novel section, the soothing music creates a relaxed atmosphere; in the battle section, the intense music enhances the tension of the battle.

• Voice Acting: The game provides full Japanese voice acting, and the voice actors' performance is very good, giving the characters a soul.

• Sound Effects: The battle sound effects are also relatively realistic, and the sounds of Digimon attacks, skill releases, etc. are immersive.

2.4 Story

The story of "Digimon Survive" is one of its biggest highlights.

• Story Background: The story background of the game is set in a mysterious and dangerous other world, where the protagonist and his friends need to survive in the other world and find a way to return to the real world.

• Character Development: The characters in the game all have distinct personalities and backstories. Through interaction with them, players can gradually understand their inner world.

• Story Direction: The direction of the game's story is determined by the player's choices, and different choices will lead to different endings. There are multiple branches in the game, and players need to play repeatedly to experience all the plots. The plot is relatively dark, involving themes such as death and sacrifice, which is suitable for players who like deep plots.

2.5 Operation Feel

• Visual Novel Section: The operation of the visual novel section is very simple. Players only need to make choices and interact through the joystick or touch screen.

• Strategic Combat Section: The operation of the strategic combat section is also relatively intuitive. Players can control the Digimon's movement, attack, and use skills through the joystick or touch screen. However, some misoperations may occur when selecting targets on the battle map.

2.6 Analysis of Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages:

  • Engaging plot and character development
  • Strategic battle system
  • Exquisite graphics and sound effects
  • Rich replay value

• Disadvantages:

  • The pace of the visual novel section is a bit slow
  • Misoperations may occur when selecting targets on the battle map
  • Some plots are relatively dark

2.7 Comparative Analysis with Similar Games

Compared with classic strategy RPG games such as the "Fire Emblem" series and "Final Fantasy Tactics," "Digimon Survive" is slightly inferior in terms of strategy, but its unique plot and character development, as well as the blessing of the Digimon IP, make it uniquely attractive. In addition, the visual novel elements of this game also distinguish it from other strategy RPG games.

2.8 "Digimon Survive" Game Score

Based on the above analysis, I give "Digimon Survive" a score of 7.8/10.

• Reason: The game performs well in terms of plot, graphics, and sound effects, and the strategic combat system also has a certain depth. However, the pace of the visual novel section is a bit slow, and there is still room for improvement in terms of operation feel.

• Authoritative Reference:

  • IGN: IGN Digimon Survive Review (This link is just an example and needs to be replaced with the actual IGN score link)
  • Metacritic: Metacritic Digimon Survive (This link is just an example and needs to be replaced with the actual Metacritic score link)

3. "Digimon Survive" Game Guide

3.1 Beginner's Guide

• Familiarize yourself with the game system: Before starting the game, be sure to familiarize yourself with the game's visual novel and strategic combat systems. Understand the attributes and skills of different characters, as well as the evolution paths of Digimon.

• Choose carefully: The choices in the game will affect the story's direction and even determine the life and death of the characters. Be sure to consider carefully before making a choice.

• Make good use of S/L Dafa: If you are not satisfied with a certain choice, you can use S/L Dafa (save/load) to re-select.

• Interact with characters more: By interacting with characters, you can increase favorability and unlock new plots and events.

3.2 Advanced Techniques and Strategies

• Attribute Restraint: There is an attribute restraint relationship between Digimon. In battle, you should make rational use of attribute restraint, which can achieve twice the result with half the effort.

• Skill Combination: Different Digimon have different skills. You should combine skills rationally according to the characteristics of the enemy.

• Terrain Utilization: There are different terrains on the battle map. You should make good use of the terrain to increase the defense or attack power of your Digimon.

• Evolution Route Planning: The evolution route of Digimon is determined by the character's favorability. You should plan the evolution route in advance so that you can cultivate the Digimon you want.

3.3 Walkthrough of Specific Levels or Challenges

Since there are many game levels, it is impossible to list them all. But in general, the key to clearing the level is:

• Understand the level goals: Different levels have different goals. You must first understand the level goals to formulate appropriate tactics.
• Reasonable team configuration: According to the characteristics of the level, configure the team reasonably. For example, for levels that require ranged attacks, you should configure more ranged attack type Digimon.
• Flexible use of skills: In battle, you must flexibly use skills. For example, you can use control skills to limit the enemy's actions, or use recovery skills to restore the life of your Digimon.

3.4 Recommended Best Equipment and Skill Combinations

Since the game's equipment system is relatively simple, there is no complicated equipment combination. However, in terms of skill combination, you can refer to the following suggestions:

• Attack Type Digimon: Prioritize high-damage skills, such as fire skills, lightning skills, etc.
• Defense Type Digimon: Prioritize defense skills and recovery skills, such as defense enhancement, life recovery, etc.
• Assist Type Digimon: Prioritize control skills and buff skills, such as paralysis, acceleration, etc.

3.5 Speedrun Techniques and Hidden Elements Guide

Currently, the speedrun techniques and hidden elements guide of "Digimon Survive" have not been fully discovered. But based on experience, here are some potentially useful techniques:

• Choose the shortest route: In the visual novel section, try to choose the shortest route to save time.
• Avoid unnecessary battles: In the strategic combat section, try to avoid unnecessary battles to save time and resources.
• Use game loopholes: Some games may have loopholes, and using these loopholes can clear the game faster.

4. "Digimon Survive" Game Recommendation

4.1 Recommend Suitable Games Based on User Preferences

• Players who like the plot: Recommend "Digimon Survive," its plot is engaging and the character development is distinct.
• Players who like strategy RPG: If you are a strategy RPG enthusiast, you can also try "Digimon Survive," its battle system has a certain depth.
• Players who like the Digimon IP: If you are a fan of Digimon, then "Digimon Survive" is definitely not to be missed, it faithfully restores the Digimon world view.

4.2 Provide Game Purchase Suggestions for Different Budgets and Types

• Players with limited budgets: You can wait for the game to be discounted, or choose to buy used cartridges.
• Players who like physical editions: You can buy physical cartridges, which have a higher collection value.
• Players who like digital editions: You can buy digital editions, which are convenient to play at any time.

4.3 Analyze the Game's Cost Performance

The cost performance of "Digimon Survive" is moderate. The game's plot and battle system both have a certain depth, but the pace of the visual novel section is a bit slow, and there is still room for improvement in terms of operation feel. If you are a fan of Digimon, or like plot and strategy RPG games, then "Digimon Survive" is still worth buying.

4.4 Pay Attention to New Game Release Information and Give Predictive Evaluations

With the upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2, I believe more and more games will be optimized for the new platform. If "Digimon Survive" can launch an optimized version on the Nintendo Switch 2, I believe the graphic performance and gaming experience will be significantly improved. Considering that the nintendo switch2 first look has already demonstrated more powerful performance, we have reason to expect "Digimon Survive" to be reborn on the Nintendo Switch 2. And considering that nintendo switch2 compatibility may be compatible with Switch games, then the Switch version of "Digimon Survive" may also have some improvements when running on the Switch 2.

5. Summary

All in all, "Digimon Survive" is a work with both advantages and disadvantages. It has an engaging plot and character development, a strategic battle system, but the pace of the visual novel section is a bit slow, and there is still room for improvement in terms of operation feel. If you are a fan of Digimon, or like plot and strategy RPG games, then "Digimon Survive" is still worth a try. I believe that this game can be better performed on the future Nintendo Switch 2.

Hope this review and guide is helpful to you. If you have any questions, please leave a message in the comments section. Lao Wang will try his best to answer. Thank you for reading!