the sense of accomplishment that comes from collecting them all — these experiences only work if the monsters themselves are compelling.


Digimon is often compared to Pokémon, even though the two series in my mind are about quite different things. Do you sometimes wish those comparisons would go away? There are certainly similarities when it comes to the monster collection aspect, and it’s true that many players enjoy both franchises. So in that sense, comparisons are understandable and even expected. However, as you pointed out, Digimon and Pokémon


Simply delving into the appeal of powerful Digimon like the Olympos XII would only resonate with existing Digimon fans, so we made sure to introduce several mysteries at the beginning of the narrative — designed to spark curiosity and encourage all players to move forward with interest. As the story progresses into the middle chapters, we


gradually explain what Digimon are and how they fit into the world, aiming to build a natural sense of intrigue and engagement. Regarding the Digital World, we intentionally avoided


sending players there right from the start. Instead, we allow them to explore the real world for a while first, which helps enhance the overall sense of immersion when they eventually transition into the Digital World.”


How did designing for newcomers change your approach? In this title, the protagonist is an agent of a secret organization that investigates anomalies. At the start of the game, they are not yet aware of the existence of Digimon. This narrative choice was made deliberately to enhance the sense of immersion we discussed earlier. Players will be guided through the experience with clear


explanations about what Digimon are, how they grow stronger through training, and how to interact with them. Our intention is for players to explore the mysteries of the story and the Digital World alongside the protagonist — sharing their sense of discovery and curiosity throughout the journey.


What do you think are the most important things to get right when making a monster collecting RPG? Ultimately, we believe the true appeal of the game lies in the monsters themselves — and in the passion and technical effort required to bring them to life at a consistently high level of quality. The joy of discovering your own unique partner among hundreds of monsters and helping them grow stronger, or


16 | MCV/DEVELOP October/November 2025


are fundamentally different in their core concepts and appeal. Each has its own unique strengths. We believe that these differences will naturally become apparent as players experience this title. Our hope is that this game serves as an opportunity for more people to discover and appreciate what makes Digimon distinct.


This is the first Digimon Story game since the ‘reboot’ to not have roots on a handheld system like the PlayStation Vita. What opportunities has more powerful hardware provided to the series, and how have you made sure you’re taking full advantage of it? We placed particular emphasis on the quality and expressive range of each Digimon. With that foundation in place, we feel that the capabilities of modern hardware allowed us to significantly enhance the overall representation of the Digital World. In the previous title, due to limitations in map structure


and processing power, we were unable to place many models in the field, and battles were primarily triggered through random encounters. In this installment, however, we’ve been able to populate a vast and visually diverse Digital World with a wide variety of Digimon. This not only enables symbol encounters, allowing


players to engage in battles at their own pace, but also contributes to a richer sense of world-building. For example, in areas like Central Town, we’ve increased the density of Digimon to convey a lively atmosphere and a sense of daily life within the world.


As a Digimon fan I have to ask this one … What’s next for the Digimon brand after Time Stranger? Are there other games currently in the works? While we do have aspirations for what could come next, everything ultimately depends on the success and reception of Time Stranger. As long as we continue to receive support from our fans, we intend to respond to that enthusiasm with our full commitment. We hope players will continue to look forward to what the Digimon game team has in store.


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