Digimon World: Next Order

Last updated
Digimon World: Next Order
Digimon World Next Order.jpg
European cover art
Developer(s) B.B. Studio [1] [lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s) Bandai Namco Entertainment
Producer(s) Takayuki Shindo (Vita)
Kazumasa Habu (PS4)
Takahiro Yokota (Switch/PC)
Artist(s) Taiki
Composer(s) Toshiyuki Kishi
Series Digimon
Engine Unity [2]
Platform(s)
ReleasePlayStation Vita
PlayStation 4
Nintendo Switch
  • WW: February 22, 2023 [6]
Windows
Genre(s) Role-playing, digital pet
Mode(s) Single-player

Digimon World: Next Order [lower-alpha 2] (stylized as DIGIMON WORLD -next 0rder-) is a role-playing video game in the Digimon franchise and the sixth game in the Digimon World series. The game is developed by B.B. Studio and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game was released for PlayStation Vita in Japan on March 17, 2016. The game would later release for PlayStation 4 in North America and PAL regions in January 2017, and in Japan on February 26, 2017 as Digimon World: Next Order International Edition. Nintendo Switch and Microsoft Windows versions were released on February 22, 2023.

Contents

Gameplay

The player interacting with their two Digimon partners Digimon World Next Order PS4.png
The player interacting with their two Digimon partners

Digimon World: Next Order is a role-playing game set in an open world environment and played from a third-person perspective where players take control of a human character who is accompanied by two partner Digimon. [7] The player chooses from ten possible starting companions at the beginning of the game, who grow and evolve throughout the course of the story by taking part in battles and interacting with their owner. If the partner fails to meet the requirements for any of its next possible stages within a set amount of days, it collapses, dies, and is reborn into an egg of the player's choosing, each time with a slight boost to its stats. Players can increase the bond between their Digimon and themselves by praising, scolding, feeding, or offering items. Together, they travel through various environments completing objectives and advancing the story by interacting with non-player characters and battling enemy Digimon they encounter in the field. [8]

Battles themselves take place in real-time when an enemy creature is touched, which causes a circular-shaped battle area to appear which each partner is free to move within. The companion Digimon act automatically through an assigned AI strategy while the player can halt combat to issue commands or use restorative items. Players can switch between either partner in battle to issue specific commands or instigate a special evolution where both Digimon temporarily merge. After battle, their Digimon's stats are increased, making them stronger. A total of 217 obtainable Digimon creatures are available in the Japanese version of the game. [9] with a further 15 added to the western version of the game, taking the total to 232. The localized Nintendo Switch version removed the ability to play the game with Japanese voices. [10] After complaints, the voices were patched back in on 11 April 2023. [11]

Premise

The game's story centers around two potential main characters: Japanese third-year high school students Takuto (タクト) [12] and Shiki (シキ). [13] Takuto was once a passionate Digimon fan in his youth, even becoming runner-up in a national tournament, but has since become more concerned with adolescent life and wondering about his future. He and Shiki are transported to the Digital World, where they meet their Digimon partners, including Agumon, Gabumon, Biyomon and Palmon. [12] They are joined on their journey by classmates Kouta Hirose (広瀬コウタ), whose partner is Guilmon he nicknamed "Yukimura", [13] and Himari Oofuchi (大淵ヒマリ, Oofuchi Himari), who is partnered with a Salamon she nicknamed "Rikka". [14]

Development

Digimon World: Next Order was first announced in a July 2015 issue of V Jump magazine, along with a tentative release date of 2016 in Japan for the PlayStation Vita. [15] A trailer for the game was showcased at the 2015 Tokyo Game Show the following September, alongside an English trailer for Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth . [16] The game's promotional materials and character designs were done by Japanese artist Taiki. [13] In early November, Japanese singer Eir Aoi uploaded a promotional video in which she announced she would be working on the game's opening theme "Accentier" (アクセンティア), which was released as a single on March 2, 2016. [17] Later that month, Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed that Digimon Adventure tri. 's Meicoomon would be available as downloadable content for the game. [18] All of the original Japanese DLC was included in the base game for the west, whilst new DLC including new Digimon and quests were released a week after the games' western release. [19]

The game's music was composed by Toshiyuki Kishi, and an official commercial soundtrack called the Digimon World / Digimon World: Next Order Original Game Soundtrack was available exclusively as a digital-only release in North America as a pre-order bonus, and in Europe from the Bandai Namco online store. It contains 33 tracks from the game, along with 36 tracks from the original Digimon World released on the PlayStation in 1999 composed by Koji Yamada and Yuko Ishii. [20]

Reception

The PlayStation Vita release of Digimon World: Next Order earned a 33 out of 40 score from Japanese Weekly Famitsu magazine, based on individual reviews of 8, 8, 9, and 8, [24] while the English PlayStation 4 version received average to mixed reviews from Western critics with a 68 out of 100 average score on aggregate review website Metacritic. [21] Alisa McAloon of Destructoid took note of the title's graphics, which she felt suffered from the console version being a port of the handheld PlayStation Vita release, and that it "is littered with small little hiccups that remind players that what they're playing isn't taking full advantage of the platform they purchased it for." [23] The reviewer ultimately felt that the game would appeal more to long-time fans of the series after nearly a decade of unlocalized Western releases, stating that it "isn’t without flaws, but it's exactly the kind of game the Digimon World series needed after a regional hiatus," calling it "an impressive effort." [23] Derek Heemsbergen of RPGFan commended the game's high number of included Digimon partners that gave it variety, but panned the title's repetitive gameplay, "banal" story, and unintuitive controls, calling its menu and battle system "messy on almost every conceivable level." [25] PlayStation LifeStyle 's Martin Patiño likewise criticized Next Order's "endlessly grindy" gameplay that required players to perform repetitive tasks to advance, but commended it for the large amount of content, including side quests and raising the player's Digimon companions. [26]

Sales

The PS Vita version entered the Japanese Media Create sales charts as the 2nd highest-selling game in the region during its debut week with 64,218 copies sold, [27] and would go on to sell a total of 77,758 copies by the end of 2016, becoming the 98th best-selling software title that year. [28] The PlayStation 4 version debuted at number 13 on Japanese charts, selling 5,930 copies within its first week. [29] In the United Kingdom, Next Order was the 24th highest selling game in the week of release. [30] The Switch port debuted at number 13 on Japanese charts, selling 7,140 copies within its first week. [31]

Notes

  1. ↑ Ported to Nintendo Switch and Windows by Hyde.
  2. ↑ Digimon World: Next Order (Japanese: デジモンワールド -next 0rder-, Hepburn: Dejimon Wārudo Next Order)

Related Research Articles

<i>Digimon World</i> 1999 video game

Digimon World is a video game by Bandai on the PlayStation, released in 1999, about the Digimon virtual pets. It was followed by various sequels released for the PlayStation and other platforms. The story focuses on a human brought to File City on File Island by Jijimon to save the island. Digimon have been losing their memories and becoming feral and the city has fallen into disarray. The goal of the player, who is represented by an unnamed young boy, is to save the island by helping Digimon recover their memory and return to the city.

<i>Digimon World Re:Digitize</i> 2012 video game

Digimon World Re:Digitize is a 2012 video game for the PlayStation Portable developed by tri-Crescendo and published by Bandai Namco Games on July 19, 2012. The fifth entry in the Digimon World series, itself part of the Digimon franchise, the game features a return to the gameplay mechanics introduced in the original game. An enhanced port was released for the Nintendo 3DS on June 27, 2013 under the title Digimon World Re:Digitize Decode.

<i>Science Adventure</i> Video game series

Science Adventure is a multimedia series consisting of interconnected science fiction stories, created mainly by Mages, Nitroplus, and Chiyomaru Studio. The main entries mostly take the form of visual novel video games, but side entries span across several different mediums.

<i>Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth</i> 2015 video game

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth is a role-playing video game developed by Media.Vision and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment that was released in Japan on March 12, 2015 for PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4. Part of the Digimon franchise, the game is the fifth installment in the Digimon Story series, following 2011's Super Xros Wars, and the first to be released on home consoles. The game would be released in North America on February 2, 2016, becoming the first installment of the Digimon Story series to be released in North America since 2007's Digimon World Dawn and Dusk, and the first to be released under its original title.

<i>Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate</i> 2010 roguelike video game

Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate is a roguelike role-playing video game developed by Chunsoft. It is the fifth main entry in the Shiren the Wanderer series, which is a subset of the larger Mystery Dungeon series. It was originally released for the Nintendo DS in 2010 in Japan.

<i>The Caligula Effect</i> 2016 video game

The Caligula Effect is a role-playing video game developed by Aquria. It was released for the PlayStation Vita in Japan in June 2016, and by Atlus USA in North America and Europe in May 2017. A remake of the game, The Caligula Effect: Overdose, was released for the PlayStation 4 in Japan in May 2018, and worldwide by NIS America in March 2019 for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows. An anime adaptation of the same name premiered in April 2018.

<i>Root Letter</i> 2016 video game

Root Letter, stylized as √Letter, is a 2016 visual novel adventure video game developed and published by Kadokawa Games for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows, Android, and iOS. It is the first entry in the Kadokawa Game Mystery brand, and was followed by Root Film in 2020.

<i>Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana</i> 2016 video game

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is a 2016 action role-playing game developed by Nihon Falcom and published by NIS America. A part of the Ys series, it was first released in Japan by Falcom for the PlayStation Vita in July 2016, with later worldwide releases for PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Luna, Stadia and PlayStation 5. An abridged version for Android and iOS, Ys VIII Mobile, is also scheduled for release. Ys VIII had sold over 500,000 copies by the end of 2018. The game was followed up by Ys IX: Monstrum Nox in 2019.

<i>Yomawari: Night Alone</i> 2015 video game

Yomawari: Night Alone is a survival horror video game created and developed by Nippon Ichi Software for the PlayStation Vita and Steam. The game was released in Japan on October 29, 2015 and in English in October 2016. Two sequels, Yomawari: Midnight Shadows and Yomawari: Lost in The Dark were released in the following years.

<i>Omega Labyrinth</i> 2015 video game

Omega Labyrinth (オメガラビリンス), stylized as ω Labyrinth, is a 2015 roguelike dungeon crawler role-playing video game developed by Matrix Software and published by D3 Publisher for the PlayStation Vita. The game follows a group of girls as they explore a dungeon in search of the fabled "Holy Grail of Beauty", which is said to be able to grant any wish. Protagonist Aina Akemiya searches for the Grail in order to increase her chest size, as she feels uncomfortable about her small breasts. Omega Labyrinth has been noted for its heavy fanservice content and was released on November 19, 2015, in Japan.

<i>Moero Crystal</i> 2015 video game

Moero Crystal, full name Genkai Tokki Moero Crystal, is a 2015 dungeon crawler role-playing video game developed by Compile Heart for the PlayStation Vita. It is the third game in the Genkai Tokki series, following Monster Monpiece and Moe Chronicle, and preceding Genkai Tokki: Seven Pirates. Like the other games, Moero Crystal places emphasis on ecchi and fanservice content, and follows protagonist and "lucky lecher" Zenox as he searches for monster girl bras in order to "save the world". The game was released on September 25, 2015 in Japan and in greater Asia with Chinese subtitles in 2016. The game was released on September 5, 2019 for the Nintendo Switch in Japan and worldwide in September 2020.

<i>Akibas Beat</i> 2016 video game

Akiba's Beat is an action role-playing video game for the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4 video game consoles. It is the third entry in the Akiba series, after the Japan-only Akiba's Trip for PlayStation Portable and the worldwide release Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed, though it is the first entry that plays as a JRPG. The game was released on December 15, 2016 in Japan, and on May 16, 2017 in North America and May 19 in Europe, published by Marvelous USA and PQube.

<i>Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star</i> Video game in Fate franchise

Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star is an action video game developed and published by Marvelous. The game is the third installment in the universe that began with Fate/Extra and the second one to be released outside of Japan. It was first announced in March 2016 and released in Japan in November 2016 for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita consoles; its release in North America and Europe occurred in January 2017. Nintendo Switch and Microsoft Windows versions were released in July 2017 for all three regions. The game's plot involved the conflict between two factions led by Nero and Tamamo from Fate/Extra fighting each other over control of the Moon Cell and the Holy Grail. They are soon joined by a third faction led by Altera who has the intent of destroying civilization as well as Saber from Fate/stay night who wishes to stop the conflict between the three factions. A direct sequel titled Fate/Extella Link was released for PS4 in Japan in 2018, and later worldwide for PS4, Switch and PC in 2019.

<i>Steins;Gate: Linear Bounded Phenogram</i> Japanese visual novel game

Steins;Gate: Linear Bounded Phenogram is a visual novel video game developed and published by 5pb. for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PlayStation Vita in 2013, and later ported to iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Microsoft Windows; the PlayStation 4 and Windows versions were released internationally by Spike Chunsoft in 2019. The game is part of the Science Adventure series, and a spin-off from the 2009 game Steins;Gate. It consists of ten side stories set in different realities, and follow different Steins;Gate characters. Unlike previous entries in the Steins;Gate series, the game is nearly devoid of interactive narrative.

<i>Steins;Gate: My Darlings Embrace</i> Japanese visual novel game

Steins;Gate: My Darling's Embrace is a visual novel video game developed by 5pb., originally released for the Xbox 360 in 2011. It has since been ported to several other platforms, and was released by Spike Chunsoft in English for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Microsoft Windows in 2019. It is part of the Science Adventure series, and a spin-off from the 2009 game Steins;Gate. The game is a romantic comedy set in a different world from the one in the original Steins;Gate, where the player builds romantic relationships with Steins;Gate characters. By making certain choices and interacting with the player character's cell phone, the player can affect the direction of the plot.

<i>The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II</i> 2014 video game

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II is a 2014 role-playing video game developed by Nihon Falcom. The game is a part of the Trails series, itself a part of the larger The Legend of Heroes series, and serves as a sequel to The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel.

<i>Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hackers Memory</i> 2017 role-playing video game

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker's Memory is a role-playing video game developed by Media.Vision and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. It is the follow-up to 2015's Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth, part of the Digimon Story series, and based on the larger Digimon franchise. The game shares elements and locations from its predecessor, while featuring a new story set during its events.

<i>Yomawari: Midnight Shadows</i> 2017 video game

Yomawari: Midnight Shadows is a survival horror video game developed and published by Nippon Ichi Software for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita and Microsoft Windows via Steam. The game is a sequel to Yomawari: Night Alone, which originally released in 2015 in Japan. It was released in Japan on August 24, 2017 and in western territories in fall 2017. It was released in Asia with Traditional Chinese subtitles under Sega.

<i>Digimon Survive</i> 2022 video game

Digimon Survive is a visual novel with tactical role-playing game elements developed by Hyde and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One.

<i>Spirit Hunter: Death Mark</i> 2017 video game

Spirit Hunter: Death Mark is a horror visual novel adventure game developed and published by Experience, and is the first entry in the Spirit Hunter series. It was originally released in June 2017 for PlayStation Vita in Japan, and was later ported to PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. The game was published worldwide by Aksys Games in October 2018 for the same platforms except Xbox One, and was additionally released for Microsoft Windows in both English and Japanese in April 2019. It is followed by two sequels: 2018's Spirit Hunter: NG, and the upcoming Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II.

References

  1. ↑ Romano, Sal (16 September 2016). "Digimon World: Next Order coming west for PS4 2017". Gematsu.
  2. ↑ Bart (February 10, 2017). "Digimon World: Next Order – Review". 3rd-Strike.com. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  3. ↑ Romano, Sal (July 14, 2015). "Digimon World: Next Order announced for PS Vita". Gematsu. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Romano, Sal (17 November 2016). "Digimon World: Next Order launches January 31 in North America, January 27 in Europe and Australia". Gematsu. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  5. ↑ Romano, Sal (19 November 2016). "Digimon World: Next Order for PS4 launches February 26 in Japan". Gematsu. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 Romano, Sal (October 20, 2022). "Digimon World: Next Order for Switch and PC launches February 22, 2023 worldwide". Gematsu.
  7. ↑ "Digimon World -next 0rder- Storyline Detailed in September 2015 V Jump". Tamer Union. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  8. ↑ McAloon, Alissa (March 30, 2017). "Digimon World -next 0rder- Review". Destructoid. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  9. ↑ Eisenbeis, Richard (April 28, 2016). "All 217 Digimon in Digimon World: Next 0rder". Kotaku . Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  10. ↑ Nintendo Life: "Digimon World: Next Order Doesn't Include Dual Audio On Switch"
  11. ↑ Digimon World: Next Order Japanese VO Patch Now Live On Switch (Europe)
  12. 1 2 Sato (August 18, 2015). "Digimon World: Next Order's Protagonist Finds A New Found Love For Digimon". Siliconera. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 Sato (August 19, 2015). "Digimon World: Next Order Introduces Its Female Protagonist Named Shiki". Siliconera. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  14. ↑ Sato (October 21, 2015). "Digimon World: Next Order Shares More On Its Game System And Two Heroines". Siliconera. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  15. ↑ Sato (July 14, 2015). "Digimon World: Next Order Announced For PlayStation Vita". Siliconera. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  16. ↑ Luster, Joseph (September 17, 2015). "VIDEO: "Digimon World: Next Order" and "Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth" Previewed in New Trailers". Crunchyroll. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Aoi Eir is a Huge Digimon World Nerd". Tamer Union. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  18. ↑ "You Can Download Meikuumon in Digimon World -next 0rder-". Tamer Union. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  19. ↑ "Free Post-Launch Digimon World Next Order DLC Revealed". 22 January 2017.
  20. ↑ "Digimon World / Digimon World: Next Order Original Game Soundtrack". VGMdb. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  21. 1 2 "Digimon World: Next Order for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Digimon World: Next Order for Switch Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  23. 1 2 3 McAloon, Alisa (March 30, 2017). "Review: Digimon World: Next Order". Destructoid . Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  24. 1 2 Romano, Sal (March 8, 2016). "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1423". Gematsu. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  25. 1 2 Heemsbergen, Derek (February 23, 2017). "RPGFan Review - Digimon World: Next Order". RPGFan. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  26. 1 2 Patiño, Martin (February 11, 2017). "Digimon World: Next Order Review". PlayStation LifeStyle. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  27. ↑ Romano, Sal (March 23, 2016). "Media Create Sales: 3/14/16-3/20/16". Gematsu. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  28. ↑ Lite_Agent (12 January 2017). "Japan: Famitsu sales for 2016 (Top 100 Software, Top 5 publishers, more)". Perfectly Nintendo. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  29. ↑ Romano, Sal (February 22, 2017). "Media Create Sales: 2/13/17 – 2/19/17". Gematsu. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  30. ↑ "GFK Chart-Track". Archived from the original on 2018-11-28. Retrieved 2018-06-04.
  31. ↑ Famitsu Sales: 2/20/23 – 2/26/23 [Update
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.