Digimon Surviveis already establishing itself as a rather unique game in the franchise due to its narrative, which can take a few dark turns depending on the choices players make throughout the chapters. This is because this story tackles themes of survival, empathy, and how morals or direct action can change the course of the events, sometimes even leading toDigimon Survivecharacters being killed, shaking up the party and impacting the ending. This feature alone provides the game with high replayability value, as players can be warier and act differently in another playthrough to explore the possible diverging storylines the game has to offer.
AlthoughDigimon Survive’s choice system can be predictableand is far from perfect, the approach to the game and the franchise as a whole makes it feel like a more mature entry in the series, something thatPokemongames could stand to explore as well. Apart fromPokemon BlackandWhiteand their Gen 5 sequels, mainlinePokemongames are known for their more child-friendly narrative that doesn’t dwell on heavy themes or impactful choices, butDigimon Surviveproves that this can change. A universal story of bonding between humans and their monster companionscan allow itself to be challenging, and that’s whatPokemoncan learn fromDigimon Survive.
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Digimon Survive’s Darker Narrative and Choices Could Fit New Pokemon Games
Digimon Surviveis a darker spin on the series, which otherwise often features children as its human protagonists, whereas the newest entry in the franchise tells a story where the characters are young adults. This may be one of the reasons whyPokemon BlackandWhiteorPokemon Black 2andWhite 2resonated with players more, as the characters were not the usual 10-year-olds from other mainline games; instead, they are outspoken about wanting to be treated like adults.
Gen 5Pokemongamesare more of a coming-of-age story than the rest of the franchise.Digimon Survivefeels similar, as it’s about a group of friends that deal with the hardships of life in a world that’s not always fair and just. Instead, the harsh reality ofDigimon Survive, alongside its visual novel approach guided by a choice system, is what makes the game stand out from its kind, and that’s why a Pokemon game that draws inspiration from it could do the same. Characters dying or the protagonists barely surviving an unwelcoming world don’t have to be part of thePokemonuniverse, but impactful choices could.
There are manysad moments inPokemongames, but they are often hidden in side quests or in dialogues from otherwise unimportant characters, and while they are a good way of handling these themes, they are not enough for older audiences to be invested in the story. APokemongame that also puts a bit of emphasis on the story is long-overdue, andPokemon Legends: Arceusalready used a darker story and approach to gameplay than the mainline games ever did.
It only makes sense to apply the same concept to similar games moving forward, even as a one-off experiment for a non-mainline title, or something that’s more akin to the tones of somePokemon Mystery Dungeongames. A choice system that still explores morality, not dissimilar from that ofDigimon Survive, could be of great value to thePokemonfranchise. At the moment, there are rumors thatPokemon Scarlet and Violetcould resembleDetroit: Become Humanto a degree through branching story paths. If true, this single feature could revolutionize the franchise and add more replayability value to Gen 9 games than ever before, making them similar toDigimon Survivein how they operate.
Digimon Surviveis available for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
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