Info about Digimon World: Next Order:

Official game description:
Bonus Content
=============
Purchase Digimon World: Next Order and get the following bonus content:  
• Omegamon Ult. Digivolution Item: Summaequetrine  
• Imperialdramon PM Ult. Digivolution Item: Sacrimperine  
• Parameter Boost Set  
\- HP Chip Mini x2, MP Chip Mini x2, Strength Chip Mini x2, Stamina Chip Mini x2, Speed Chip Mini x2, Wisdom Chip Mini x2
About the Game
==============
The Digital World has run rampant with Machinedramon and is now in a state of utter chaos. As a Digidestined, it’s up to you to restore order to the world in Digimon World: Next Order, a monster-collecting RPG.  
Find and recruit as many faithful Digimon companions as possible to rebuild the Digital World. Will you be able to balance both training and exploration to stop the virus-infected Digimon from causing complete destruction?  
• ENDLESSLY ENGAGING FUN  
Choose between a male or female protagonist and seek adventure with over 200 Digimon to collect! Explore the world with, not one but, TWO Digimon companions for the first time ever.  
• TAKE CARE OF DIGIMON  
Form a strong bond with your Digimon by caring for them: feed, train, discipline, and Digivolve them. The stronger the bond between you and your Digimon, as well as between the two Digimon companions, the greater the chance of victory in battles!  
• BUILD A THRIVING TOWN  
Expand and manage your town, Floatia. Recruit new Digimon, upgrade buildings, grow crops, and more as you grow into a sprawling Digi-metropolis.  
• EVOLVED AI BATTLE SYSTEM  
Train your pair of Digimon to fight cooperatively in AI battles. Issue commands and cheer them to victory!

Release date: 21 Feb, 2023

Categories: Monster Collecting, RPG, Base Building, Character Management, Single-player, AI Companion System, Character Progression


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Excellent Spiritual Successor to Digimon World 1 (weight 1): Players overwhelmingly praise the game as a faithful and improved spiritual successor to the original Digimon World on PS1. It successfully captures the essence of the classic, evoking strong nostalgia while enhancing core mechanics and adding new content. Many consider it the best modern take on the Digimon World formula.
- Engaging Digimon Raising & City Building (weight 0.85): The core gameplay loop of raising, training, and caring for two Digimon simultaneously is highly enjoyable and addictive. Players appreciate the depth of the evolution system, the satisfaction of seeing their Digimon grow stronger through generations, and the rewarding city-building aspect where recruited Digimon contribute unique services and expand the town.
- Improved & Accessible Gameplay (weight 0.83): The game offers significant quality-of-life improvements over its predecessors, making it more accessible and user-friendly. Features like clearer evolution conditions, the ability to manage two Digimon, and streamlined tedious aspects enhance the overall experience. The combat system is also noted as more engaging and strategic.
- Fun & Rewarding Grind (weight 0.76): Despite its grindy nature, players find the game's progression loop to be fun and satisfying. The continuous cycle of raising Digimon, exploring the world, and rebuilding the city provides a sense of accomplishment. The game offers substantial content, including post-game activities, appealing to completionists.
- Solid Technical Performance (weight 0.11): The game generally performs well, with smooth gameplay and good audio design. It is also noted to run perfectly on portable devices like the Steam Deck, adding to its accessibility and appeal.
- Enhanced by Community Mods (weight 0.04): While enjoyable on its own, the game's quality of life and overall experience are significantly improved with community-made mods. These mods often address tedious aspects like gathering materials and movement speed, making the gameplay even more fluid and enjoyable for many players.

Common complaints:
- Excessive Grind & Tedious Gameplay (weight 0.92): Players consistently report that the game is excessively grindy, requiring many hours of repetitive tasks for progression, especially for stats, materials, and achievements. This leads to a tedious and slow-paced experience, making the game feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable adventure. The constant need for farming and the slow movement speed exacerbate this issue.
- Weak & Unengaging Story (weight 0.84): The game's story is widely criticized for being flat, unmemorable, and lacking depth. Players find the plot unengaging, often short, and sometimes confusing, with many side quests feeling like repetitive filler that detracts from the main narrative. This contributes to a general lack of motivation to continue playing.
- Clunky & Repetitive Combat (weight 0.84): The combat system is frequently described as slow, tedious, and lacking player control, often feeling like an 'auto-battle' or 'Digimon auto-chess'. Special attack animations are unskippable and repetitive, further slowing down battles. The camera in combat is also a mess, and the overall system is seen as unconvincing and unsuited for modern tastes, diminishing strategic depth.
- Dated Graphics & Unpolished Visuals (weight 0.82): Many players feel the game's graphics are severely outdated, resembling titles from the PS1 or PS2 era rather than a modern release. Models are often described as rough, textures are low-resolution, and environments can feel empty and uninspired. This lack of visual polish contributes to a perception of low budget and a general feeling of the game being 'dated'.
- Lack of Quality of Life Features (weight 0.8): The game is missing several standard quality-of-life features, most notably an auto-save function and an in-game load command, forcing players to quit to the desktop to load a save. This, combined with other issues like slow movement speed and poor menu navigation, creates an inconvenient and frustrating experience.
- Poor Map & Quest Design (weight 0.79): The game's map design is criticized for being empty, uninspired, and often leading to tedious traversal due to slow character movement and winding paths. Side quests, particularly those for recruiting villagers, are repetitive fetch quests that feel like filler and disrupt the main story's pacing.
- High Difficulty & Poor Tutorialization (weight 0.78): New players find the game unforgiving due to a steep learning curve, overwhelming mechanics, and a lack of clear tutorials or in-game explanations. This leads to frequent early-game deaths and difficulty spikes, making it hard to progress without external guides. The game expects players to master complex systems without adequate guidance.
- Inferior to Previous Digimon Titles (weight 0.71): Many long-time Digimon fans express disappointment, feeling that the game is a step backward compared to previous titles like Digimon World 1 or Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth. It is perceived as lacking the charm, depth, and quality-of-life features of its predecessors, failing to modernize effectively or offer significant improvements.
- Frustrating Digimon Lifespan System (weight 0.6): The Digimon lifespan and reincarnation system is a major source of frustration. Players dislike the constant death and rebirth of their Digimon, which resets progress and forces repetitive re-training. This mechanic diminishes the sense of attachment to partners and makes the overall experience feel punishing and unfulfilling, especially when it interrupts story progression or requires re-grinding for specific evolutions.
- Poor PC Controls & UI (weight 0.2): The game suffers from extremely poor keyboard and mouse support, with many players finding the controls unintuitive, awkward, or even unplayable. The game's interface and tutorials are clearly designed for controllers, displaying console button prompts instead of keyboard bindings. This lack of PC optimization significantly hinders the user experience. Additionally, the UI itself is often described as confusing, ugly, and poorly designed.
- Expensive & Scarce Healing Items (weight 0.04): Healing items are reported to be excessively expensive and scarce, especially in the early game, leading to frequent financial struggles and making battles more frustrating. This scarcity removes much of the fun from combat and forces players into additional grinding for money.
- Unclear Digimon Information (weight 0.03): Players struggle with a lack of clear information regarding Digimon mechanics, such as evolution requirements, stat meanings, and enemy levels. This ambiguity makes it difficult to strategize effectively and often leads to unwanted evolutions or unexpected defeats.

Gameplay feedback:
- Core Digimon Raising Loop (weight 0.58): The central gameplay revolves around raising two Digimon partners, managing their needs (feeding, bathroom, sleep), training them, and guiding their evolution. Digimon have a limited lifespan, after which they die and are reborn as eggs, inheriting some stats to make the next generation stronger. This cycle of raising, dying, and rebirth is fundamental to progression.
- Indirect Combat System (weight 0.19): Combat is largely automated, with Digimon fighting on their own. Players provide limited input through commands like cheering, using special moves, or defending, which consume 'Order Points'. The system emphasizes stat-stacking and strategic timing of commands rather than direct control.
- Evolution Mechanics (weight 0.11): Digimon evolution is based on meeting specific stat requirements and conditions, which are initially hidden but gradually revealed through gameplay. Players can influence evolution paths and even block unwanted evolutions, allowing for more control over their Digimon's forms in later stages of the game.
- Difficulty and Accessibility Options (weight 0.11): The game offers multiple difficulty settings, including a 'Beginner' mode that significantly eases the experience by lowering enemy stats and boosting stat gains. The 'Normal' difficulty is often perceived as challenging, especially early on, with 'Hard' mode unlocking after story completion. Difficulty can be changed at any time.
- Extensive Content and Replayability (weight 0.1): The game offers deep content, including a vast number of Digimon to raise (over 200), a substantial story, and significant post-game activities. The cyclical nature of Digimon raising, combined with various evolution paths and city-building, contributes to high replayability.
- Tamer Skills and Progression (weight 0.07): Beyond Digimon raising, the player character (Tamer) also levels up and gains 'Tamer Points'. These points can be invested in various skill trees to unlock permanent passive abilities and boosts, such as increased training efficiency, longer Digimon lifespans, or improved combat commands, aiding overall progression.

Performance notes:
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.05): Many players report frequent game crashes, leading to significant loss of progress, sometimes hours. This issue makes the game unplayable for some, with crashes occurring even during the intro or after showing creators.
- Missing V-Sync option (weight 0.02): Players are experiencing permanent screen-tearing due to the lack of a V-Sync option in the game's settings. This is a significant graphical issue for many.
- Limited resolution options (weight 0.02): The game's resolution is limited to 1080p, with no option for 1440p or other higher resolutions. This restricts visual fidelity for players with high-resolution monitors.
- No autosave feature (weight 0.01): The absence of an autosave feature, coupled with only three manual save slots, is a major concern for players, especially given the frequent crashes reported.
- Long loading screens (weight 0.01): Players report frequent and long loading screens, particularly during transitions and when entering large areas, which disrupts the flow of gameplay.
- Limited graphics controls (weight 0.01): The game offers very few options for adjusting graphics settings, which limits player control over visual quality and performance optimization.
- Minor frame rate drops (weight 0.01): Some players experienced occasional frame rate drops, though this was not a widespread or severe issue.
- Lack of game updates (weight 0.01): The game has not received any updates and remains on version 1.0.0, suggesting a lack of ongoing support or bug fixes from the developers.
- Minor graphical glitches (weight 0): One player reported a brief graphical glitch during combat where the camera behaved erratically, but it quickly resolved itself.

Recommendations:
- Primarily for Digimon World 1 Fans (weight 0.4): This game strongly appeals to fans of the original Digimon World on PS1, offering a nostalgic experience and similar monster-raising mechanics. Newcomers or those expecting a different style of Digimon game (like Cyber Sleuth) may find it less enjoyable.
- Consider Sale Price for Purchase (weight 0.33): Many players recommend purchasing the game only when it's on sale, citing that the full price is not justified. This suggests that while the game has merits, its value proposition is significantly improved at a discount.
- Not for Everyone; High Difficulty (weight 0.12): The game is not universally recommended and can be frustrating for many, especially those new to the genre or the Digimon World series. Its unique mechanics and difficulty curve can lead to early abandonment.
- Quality of Life Mods Recommended (weight 0.05): Players frequently suggest using mods to improve the quality of life, particularly for tasks like resource gathering and movement speed. This indicates that certain base game mechanics can be tedious without these enhancements.
- Controller is Essential (weight 0.04): The game is best played with a controller, with many reviewers stating it's almost a requirement for a good experience. Keyboard and mouse controls are generally considered inferior.
- Cyber Sleuth as Alternative (weight 0.03): For players seeking a different Digimon experience, particularly a more traditional JRPG or a game focused on collecting and raising Digimon without the 'pet-care' aspects, Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth is often recommended as a superior alternative.
- Gameplay Tips Provided (weight 0.02): Reviewers offer specific tips for new players, such as avoiding strong wild Digimon early on and optimizing training methods. This suggests a learning curve that benefits from player guidance.
- Play on Easy Difficulty (weight 0.02): To mitigate frustration and reduce grinding, many players advise starting the game on beginner or easy difficulty. This allows for a more enjoyable experience, especially for those new to the game's mechanics.
- Hopes for Future Series Entries (weight 0.02): Some players express a desire for future installments in the Digimon World series, hoping for continued development and improvements. This indicates a strong attachment to the game's core concept despite its flaws.

Other player notes:
- Strong Nostalgia & Franchise Loyalty (weight 0.21): Many players are long-time Digimon fans, particularly of Digimon World 1 on PS1, and appreciate this game as a spiritual successor. They express strong support for the franchise and hope for more innovation and new titles, often comparing it favorably to Pokémon.
- Unique Digimon World Mechanics (weight 0.19): The game is recognized for its distinct 'Digimon World' mechanics, focusing on taming, raising, and the cycle of Digimon dying and being reborn. This contrasts with the turn-based combat of 'Digimon Story' games like Cyber Sleuth, and appeals to players who enjoy nurturing monsters and town management.
- Mixed Digimon Designs & Animations (weight 0.16): While some Digimon designs are praised for being detailed and unique, others are criticized for feeling old, having awkward animations, or being simple recolors. The game has fewer Digimon than Cyber Sleuth, but each has unique vocalizations.
- Appreciated Soundtrack (weight 0.13): The game's soundtrack receives positive feedback, with players enjoying its blend of energetic battle themes and atmospheric tracks. It also evokes nostalgia by reminding players of the original Digimon World.
- PC Port Quality & Modding Potential (weight 0.1): The game is a port from PS Vita and PS4, and some players note a lack of PC-specific optimizations, such as proper control displays without a controller. However, the PC platform allows for quality-of-life mods that can address issues like grind and rendering distance.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.26): Players found satisfaction in the game's fluid gameplay, deep content, and balanced difficulty, often comparing it favorably to Digimon World 1. The monster-raising mechanics, city-building, and the sense of partnership with Digimon were frequently cited as enjoyable, especially for long-time fans of the franchise.
- Frustration (weight 0.2): Frustration stemmed primarily from excessive grinding, slow character movement, and the repetitive nature of the Digimon lifespan mechanic requiring constant re-training. Poor UI, bad map design, frequent crashes, and a janky or unintuitive combat system also contributed significantly to player annoyance.
- Disappointment (weight 0.14): Players expressed disappointment with the game's flat story, repetitive quests, and dated graphics, feeling it didn't live up to its potential or the legacy of Digimon World 1. The reincarnation system, lack of modern features, and overall unpolished execution were also major sources of letdown, particularly for those expecting a significant improvement.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.09): A strong sense of nostalgia was a key driver for many players, as the game frequently reminded them of Digimon World 1 and other classic PS1 Digimon titles. The game's connection to the original virtual pet experience, iconic Digimon, and familiar characters evoked cherished childhood memories.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Enjoyment came from the addictive gameplay loop, the chill experience of raising Digimon, and the strategic digivolution system. Exploring the Digimon world, improving the city, and the overall fun of the monster-taming genre contributed to a positive experience, even for those who acknowledged the game's flaws.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement was generated by the game's engaging content, strategic battles, and the thrill of training two Digimon simultaneously. Players also expressed excitement for future Digimon World games and the emotional impact of powerful evolution sequences, especially when enhanced by mods.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Joy was found in the happy breeding times, seeing creatures evolve, and the overall fun and chill nature of the game. Many players expressed deep affection and considered it a favorite, particularly enjoying the calm process of caring for their Digimon partners.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger was primarily directed at the game's poor keyboard and mouse adaptation, numerous bugs, and frequent crashes leading to lost progress due to a lack of autosave. Players also expressed anger over perceived poor game design, the removal of beloved features, and the high price for a seemingly unpolished port.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Players expressed hope for future Digimon World games, desiring a continuation of the series and new entries in the same style. There was also hope for additional content, future improvements, and the modding community to enhance the game experience.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arose from inconsistent enemy strength, unclear game mechanics, and difficulty understanding Digimon needs, evolution, and stat systems. The game's interface and initial lack of straightforwardness contributed to a steep learning curve for many players.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom was caused by repetitive mechanics, uninspired map design, and unengaging combat. The excessive grinding for minor variations of Digimon and a lack of captivating narrative elements also led to players losing interest.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players expressed love for the game as a spiritual successor to Digimon World 1, appreciating its core mechanics and the Digimon franchise itself. The game's overall quality, well-written characters, and unique partner system fostered deep affection.
- Caution (weight 0.01): Caution was expressed as a warning to potential buyers about the game's grindy nature, the constant Digimon lifecycle system, and its difficulty for new players. The initial grind and specific game mechanics were highlighted as potential deterrents.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance stemmed from constant Digimon notifications, repetitive deaths during training, and graphical issues. Playing without a controller, persistent Digimon hunger, and a terrible camera when Digimon were large also contributed to player irritation.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players were surprised by the game's unexpected challenge, even on easier modes, and its ability to convert non-Tamagotchi fans. The game running well on low-end PCs and being better than anticipated also led to positive surprise.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement was found in the game's simulation of parenting digital monsters, the chaotic nature of caring for virtual pets, and humorous writing. Specific in-game events, like a Digimon pooping in its sleep, also provided lighthearted moments.
- Appreciation (weight 0): Players showed appreciation for the Brazilian Portuguese localization, the game filling a specific niche well, and the improvements made over the original. The quality-of-life change where Mega Level Digimon no longer needed to use the restroom was also noted.
- Anticipation (weight 0): Anticipation was driven by the desire for more evolutions in future games and the benefits of later Digimon generations starting with better stats. New players trying the two-partner system and the progression of the skill tree also built excitement for what was to come.
- Relief (weight 0): Relief was experienced when players found ways to improve the game experience with external tools or guides, overcoming initial difficulties. The use of mods to alleviate frustration and finally finding solutions to technical issues, like changing the game language, brought a sense of ease.
- Affection (weight 0): Affection was expressed for the 'Slice of Life' aspect of living daily with Digimon partners and the overall Digimon series. Players showed deep fondness for the game, often despite acknowledging its perceived flaws.}