DIGIMON STORY: TIME STRANGER – THE REVIEW
It’s here, Tamers! After nearly a decade in the digital wilderness, Digimon Story is back — and it’s packing serious heat. Time Stranger isn’t just a return; it’s a time-bending, monster-raising, nostalgia-fuelled explosion that hits you right in the feels while levelling up everything you thought you knew about the series.
Let’s dive in, unpack the hype, and see whether Digimon Story: Time Stranger really earns its spot as one of the standout RPGs of 2025.
A New Era Begins: Why Time Stranger Matters
Eight years. That’s how long we’ve waited since Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory. Eight long years of wondering when Digimon would step back up and show us why it still deserves a seat at the JRPG table. Well, that wait’s over — and wow, it was worth it.
Time Stranger doesn’t just pick up where the series left off. It catapults you through a twisting, emotional story about time travel, memory, and what it means to truly connect with your Digimon. It’s the kind of game that manages to blend old-school heart with modern polish, and that’s no easy feat.
And the community? Already going wild. It’s shattered previous player records on Steam and has fans across the globe buzzing. The digital world is thriving again — and we’re all here for it.
Story & Setting: Time Travel, Twists, and Tears
So, what’s the setup? You’re a field agent for ADAMAS — a secret organisation investigating weird temporal anomalies across the real world. Then… boom. A mysterious explosion throws you eight years into the past, leaving you to piece together the mystery before both the human and Digital Worlds unravel.
Expect a rollercoaster of story beats — from chilling conspiracy threads to heart-tugging moments between human and Digimon partners. Olympus XII, the guardians of the Digital World, play a huge part, and the way their story intertwines with yours is pure JRPG gold.
It’s a proper Digimon story — emotional, mysterious, and just a little weird in the best way.
Sure, the pacing slows here and there, but that’s part of the charm. You’ll actually want to take it slow, explore, and soak in the emotional weight of every choice.
Gameplay: Deep, Dynamic, and Delightfully Addictive
Now let’s talk about where Time Stranger really flexes — the gameplay.
This isn’t your average “catch, evolve, repeat” system. Battles are turn-based but packed with tactical punch. You’ll run a squad of up to three Digimon (plus a guest), and every encounter feels like a chess match with energy beams.
Some standout features that’ll make you grin:
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Preventive Attacks – strike first to dodge full-scale fights.
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Fast-forward battles – speed things up when you’re grinding or just showing off your over-levelled squad.
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Build meter specials – chain your Digimon’s attacks for devastating combos.
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Analysis & Conception – forget Pokéballs; here, you scan and generate your Digimon after encounters.
It’s fresh, fast, and satisfying — especially when you line up a perfect combo and wipe out an enemy team in one go.
And the quality of life changes? Absolute game changers. No more random battles, more XP per fight, and evolution paths that actually make sense. It’s clear Bandai Namco listened to fans and dialled the grind way down without killing the challenge.
Still, if you’re new to JRPGs, the number of menus and options might feel a bit much early on. Stick with it though — once it clicks, it’s magic.
Exploring the Digital World
Exploration’s had a proper glow-up too. The environments are vibrant, detailed, and bursting with personality. One minute you’re wandering neon Tokyo streets; the next, you’re deep in the lush, data-driven wilds of the Digital World.
You can feel the developers’ love for the franchise in every design choice. Digimon feel alive — they emote, react, and bring personality to the world around them.
That said, not everything’s perfect. Some dungeons fall into the classic JRPG trap of feeling a bit “corridor-y” — long stretches with repetitive layouts. But when the story and battles are this good, you barely notice.
Visuals & Sound: Style Over Sheer Power
Let’s be real — this isn’t a graphical juggernaut like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. But Time Stranger nails something more important: style.
The character art pops, the Digimon models look sharper than ever, and the use of light and colour gives every world its own vibe. Even if you’re not maxing out settings on PC or PS5, it looks good.
And the soundtrack? Straight fire. Emotional piano tracks mix with high-energy battle themes that’ll live rent-free in your head for days. Reche’s main theme, “Wherever You Are,” absolutely slaps — emotional, nostalgic, and perfectly Digimon.
Voice acting’s another win. Japanese voices deliver real heart, especially during those intense partner moments that make you go, “Yeah, this is why I love this series.”
The Highs and Lows
What Time Stranger absolutely nails:
- Epic story that blends nostalgia and originality
- Strategic combat with real depth
- Gorgeous soundtrack and cinematic flair
- Smooth progression and reduced grind
- Fan service done right
What it could still improve:
- A few dungeons feel copy-pasted
- Frame rate drops in busy scenes
- Story pacing slows near the middle
- Mechanics can overwhelm at first
Even with those gripes, it’s easy to forgive when the game hits so many highs.
Who’s This Game For?
If you’re a long-time Digimon fan — this is your moment. It’s built for players who grew up battling with Agumon and Gabumon but want a more mature, layered story.
But even if you’re fresh to the series, Time Stranger works as a perfect entry point. It’s modern, streamlined, and respectful of your time. You don’t need to know every past plotline — it stands tall on its own.
If you’re the kind of player who loves deep turn-based strategy, emotional storytelling, and customising every last stat, this one’s calling your name.
Final Thoughts: The Digital World Is Back, Baby!
Digimon Story: Time Stranger is a proper comeback story — and it’s everything we wanted it to be. It’s heartfelt, it’s bold, and it’s proof that Digimon can still go toe-to-toe with the biggest RPGs out there.
Sure, it’s not flawless. But what is in the world of Digimon? It’s got the heart, the challenge, and that spark of childhood wonder that keeps you playing “just one more quest.”
