Bandai Namco debuted the teaser trailer, first gameplay footage, and new details for Digimon Survive during its Digimon Thanksgiving 2018 live stream today.
In Digimon Survive, the protagonist Takuma Momotsuka, whose name cannot be changed since he talks and others will call him by name, is mysteriously transported from camp to another world. He and others will survive in this world at close quarters with death while exploring and making various choices. One of the game’s key features is “growth that changes based on choice.” The multi-ending story and digivolutions will change based on those choices, and several characters may even die. According to Digimon game series producer Kazumasa Habu, he wanted to incorporate “the digivolution of partner Digimon through character development” as seen in the Digmon Adventure anime into the game system.
The story develops through drama parts consisting of exploration, conversations with characters, and events, while turn-based strategy RPG battles play out through battle parts. Digimon can digivolve during battle by meeting certain conditions and consuming Energy. Energy can be recovered by attacking enemies and talking to Digimon during battle. The latter can also extend digivolution time. While there are about 100 playable Digimon, Habu noted that Digimon Survive places more emphasis on the story than it does collecting Digimon. Also, unlike the Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth games, there are essentially no sci-fi elements in Digimon Survive.
Also during the live stream, Digimon game series producer re-confirmed that a new Digimon Story is currently in development. Habu first mentioned the new Digimon Story game in December 2017.
Digimon Survive is due out for PlayStation 4 and Switch in 2019 in Japan.
Watch the footage below.
Teaser Trailer
Gameplay
Drama Part
Battle Part
Update 10:05 p.m.: The Traditional Chinese version of the teaser trailer reveals that Digimon Survive will also be released for Xbox One and PC via Steam outside of Japan. A localization announcement will likely happen soon.