Summary
WhenDigimonis brought into conversation,everyone brands it as aPokemon-esque franchise, but underneath the barebone similarities is a franchise that is vastly different from the pocket monsters in every sense. The franchise has expanded itself into various different mediums, including video games, but unlikePokemon, Digimongames vary a great deal.
From the genre and mechanics involved to the storyline, getting into the world ofDigimonis a rough path — especially if a newcomer decides to experienceDigimonthrough video games. However, it is not like it is entirely impossible to enjoyDigimongames as a newcomer. With that said, this list details the bestDigimongames for newcomers to the franchise to help them have the best experience in the fascinating world ofDigimon.
Platform(s)
Nintendo DS
SayingDigimon World Championshipis a newcomer-friendly game would be partially wrong, but it doesn’t mean newcomers cannot start their journey in this franchise from this title.Though a bit dated,Digimon World Championshipis a different game in its own right. Instead of playing as an RPG, world championship is more similar to a virtual pet simulator.
The game involves the player hunting, raising, and leveling up the Digimons. Being a pet simulator, the majority of the time spent by players is on their Digifarms, overseeing the growth of their Digimons. Taking care of a Digimon is a time-intensive task, and players need to do everything correctly if they want proper growth for their Digimons. The combat of the game plays like an auto battler, which gives more emphasis on the raising part, as this is the part where the training pays off.
The game is not particularly engaging or complicated, but the reason why it is mentioned on this list is that the game can be used by newcomers, in particular, to have a good understanding of Digimons, Digivolutions, and virtual pet mechanics like feeding, cleaning, training, dying, and rebirth.
Bandai Namco Holdings, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, B.B. Studio, BEC
Publisher(s)
Bandai Namco Holdings, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games America Inc.
When talking about what could be the best place for a newcomer to start a video game series, there cannot be a better general answer than the first title of the series. This applies to theDigimongames as well, and theDigimon World DSis a stellar choice to begin one’s adventure in this world.
Digimon WorldDSis a short game, which means players can complete it rather quickly as they learn the basics of the franchise and get used to the mechanics of the game. The dungeons are not very complex in the game either, making it a beginner-friendly game. However, this is where the good part ends. One thing this game does pretty badly is the grind.With a high enemy encounter rate and tedious journeys back and forthto complete quests, things for players become rather annoying. The game also has its fair share of bugs that may frustrate players when encountered. Despite these issues, the core gameplay loop remains engaging. While the player would need to consult a guide to get all the basics, it is not that bad of an entry point to start an adventure in a digital world.
Playing the DS version ofDigimon Worldis recommended for beginners as it is easier and more streamlined when compared with the PS1 version.
PlayStation
Digimons stepped into the video gaming dimension from theDigimon Worldseries. The series consists of plenty of titles, but despite being named under the same umbrella, each game in the world series barely shares any resemblance with the others. If the first game in the world series is a virtual pet simulator, then the second game is a turn-based dungeon crawler, and the fourth one is a top-down hack and slash.
Of all the games in the world series featuring different types of gameplay, the game that fits the best for a youngling in the world of digital monsters would beDigimon World 3. The simplest reason for this game to be on this list is because it is the onlyDigimongame that shares a sharp resemblance with thePokemongames.
Digimon World 3stands out as the most beloved entry in theWorldseries — not simply for itsPokemon-inspired mechanics, but for the unique fusion of technology and nature within its world. With creative concepts, charming visuals, and a story full of twists, it continues to hold up as a solid title even today. The game doesn’t spoon-feed players and expects them to learn things through trial and error on their own. At times, it can feel unnecessarily padded, making progression a bit tedious. However, fornewcomers willing to put in some time and effortalong with following a guide while playing would pay off, almost as if they are Digivolving alongside their partners.
When playingDigimon World 3, attempt to play the EU version instead of the US version of the game. The US version doesn’t have some end-game content.
A sequel to the 2000 Playstation 1 hit,Digimon World: Next Orderis a love letter to the firstDigimon Worldon a modern console. While one might think that a sequel as an entry point for a newcomer is weird, the game takes place in an alternate timeline after the events of the first game, making it more of an indirect sequel, giving enough room for newcomers to begin their journey.
Featuring modern visuals that appeal to contemporary audiences,Digimon World: Next Orderdraws closer to the franchise’s rootsrather than following the path set by newer titles likeDigimon Story: Cyber Sleuth. Instead of being a traditional JRPG, the game focuses onDigimon’s virtual pet mechanics as it requires players to do more than just battle, as they care for their Digimon’s well-being and manage their life cycle.
While this caretaking system can somewhat discourage newcomers, the beginner mode and the dash feature help players to finish the game swiftly and with ease, as it does a good job at preparing players to get into relatively harder games to get into with its fun and challenging gameplay.
Fighting game, Action game
PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox
Digimonis a versatile franchise that can not be confined to a single video game genre. It has successfully taken the form of turn-based RPGs, card games, mobile gachas, and more. For newcomers stepping into the world ofDigimon, theRumble Arenatitles — falling under the fighting game genre — are a good starting point for newcomers.Rumble Arenagames are best suited for players familiar with the mechanics of a platform fighter, but players who enjoy fast-paced action will have a fun time playing the game as they are introduced to the diverse cast ofDigimon.
Digimon Rumble Arena 2is aSmash Bros-style fighting game starring the iconic cast of Digimons, each coming with their own unique movesets. Newcomers to the franchisewho are familiar with the controls ofSmash Bros-like games can have a good timewhile playing it. While the game is a bit dated, and with the bare bones of a story mode, it succeeds in delivering the thrill ofDigimonbattles. The game is at its best when players sit down to play it in PvP against other players as they shout out their attack names at the top of their lungs every time a move is executed.
One of the most recentDigimongames on this list isDigimon Survive,a hybrid visual novel with tactical RPG elementsset in the world of Digital monsters. In the classicDigimonstyle, the story ofSurviveis a standalone one, making it a good game for fresh faces. Following the classicDigimontrope,Survivetells a dark tale about friendship and survival with plenty of twists and drama to maintain the player’s curiosity till the end.
The game, for most of its part, plays like a visual novel, and the player’s choices can lead to different endings for the game. For the remaining half of the game,Digimon Surviveplayssomething similar toFinal Fantasy Tactics-style gameplay. While the combat of the game isn’t fleshed out on the gameplay side, the story side of the game shines brightly. However, the game, despite being newcomer-friendly, isn’t meant for everyone — especially for an audience who despises reading in a video game for the majority of the time. But, if one does not find a robust narrative a hindrance,Digimon Surviveis definitely a good spot for a greenhorn.
For a newcomer who hasn’t tapped into theDigimonfranchise,Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Editionis the best game to start their adventure. Featuring two full games,Cyber SleuthandHacker’s Memory, in the complete edition,despite being a part of theDigimonstory series, it has a self-contained story, making it the best starting point, especially for people who are not familiar with the franchise.
Playing as a silent character, players investigate different cases as they converge together, unfolding an event transcending the human and the digital world. While everything starts on a rather light note, things turn dark rather quickly inCyber Sleuthin a classicDigimonfashion. Players thinking of a childish story with lighthearted elements would be surprised by the content of the game as time passes by.
The main story and side quests of the game are engaging as they seamlessly integrate with the battle system and narrative of the game, creating an immersive environment that allows hours of fun gameplay. In terms of the core mechanics of the franchise,Cyber Sleuthdoes a good job at exposing a new system to beginners in the franchise. The game presents a smooth difficulty curve that keeps the game engaging but not overwhelming.
With a diverse roster of Digimons with their vast skill trees, there is plenty of room for experimentation as players figure out the perfect team composition for themselves. With all being said,Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Editionremains a greatDigimongame, especially for beginners, and the fact that it delivers two greatDigimongames makes it an excellent onboarding to the franchise.
