The wait forDigimon Surviveis still ongoing. Now set for 2022,Digimon’s fans have no further indication when they willactually seeSurvivecome out. It certainly seems to be taking a long time for this hybrid survival strategy-RPG and visual novel to come out. This was likely due to internal development struggles, perhaps related to the branching narrative, compounded with a slowdown from the pandemic. Hopefully, this delay will be its last.
However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.Digimon Survivehas spearheaded theDigimonbrand’s console games since its announcement in 2018. Aside from a collection of bothCyber Sleuthgames on modern platforms, there hasn’t been much news on that front. It could be that Bandai Namco is committed to getting this project out the door before it commits to any furtherDigimongames. OnceSurvivefinally comes out, fans could seeDigimongames come back in a big way.
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Digimon Survive Will Only Be The First Upcoming Digimon Game
Chances are likely that, after all this time, moreDigimongames are in production by other teams. AlthoughDigimon Surviveis partially a strategic RPG, the amount of staff crossover between it and priorDigimongames is likely minimal. Bandai Namco definitely has other teams available to work on a differentDigimongame.Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memorywas the last majorDigimongame release in 2017, and its developer Media.Vision has onlyreleased the 2018Valkyria Chronicles 4since then, so it could be working on anotherDigimongame.Survive’s release will allow Bandai Namco to focus its resources and marketing materials elsewhere without an outstanding project hanging over its head.
The publisher and license holder has good reason to keepDigimonaround, too. After a divisive era withApp MonstersandDigimon Tri, classicDigimonis back on television with the original cast starring in a new anime. New games may not necessarily use the human cast, but they can definitely capitalize on there beingan airingDigimonanime. Popular Digimon and locations could be featured prominently in a brand new game, and it would be good for the franchise to make it appear active and synergized. It feels about time for another big push or reinvention forDigimon, so it will be interesting to see what kind of game it puts forward as part of that.
What Games Could Follow Digimon Survive
Digimon Survivewas always meant to be an experimental title. TheDigimonseries has plenty of other avenues to go down after it when it comes to video games, and that includes reviving existing sub-series. TheDigimon Worldline of monster-raising action RPGswould be a welcome sight. The series briefly returned in the form ofDigimon World: Next Orderfor the Vita and PS4, but has lain dormant since then. It’s a uniquely intimate gameplay experience thatPokemonhas taken some elements from in its 3D entries, and it would be nice to see it return once again.
Of course,Digimonis not without a pure turn-based experience of its own. TheStoriesseries, particularlyCyber Sleuth, is ripe for further entries, and fans would be happy to see it return. TheCyber Sleuthgames also received a lot of acclaim for being a sort of liteShin Megami Tenseiexperience. Digivolution is much more flexible and branching than linearPokemonevolution, so skills could be bounced around differentDigimonand different forms. The more mature story for bothCyber Sleuthswas also a highlight for many players. A similar game taking advantage of modern consoles would be a great direction forDigimonto take.
Digimon Surviveis set in 2022 for PC, PlayStation 4, Switch, and Xbox One.
