Digimon Survive might finally have a release date--at least, in Japan. The game was first announced way back in 2018 and was then delayed to 2019, then 2020, then 2021, and finally 2022 thanks to a combination of development troubles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in direction for the game. But four years later and the finish line is finally in sight.
According to Ryokutya2089.com, a Japanese site quoting local magazines (and via an eagle-eyed ResetEra user), Digimon Survive is set to arrive on July 28. Japanese RPGs are typically released locally before a worldwide version, so this might be the game’s Japan-only arrival date. We’ll have to wait for word from Bandai Namco before we can confirm when Digimon Survive will hit global shelves.
Digimon Survive is a tactical role-playing game where you take on the role of a group of high schoolers on a camping trip who accidentally stumble into the world of Digimon. After being attacked by several hostile Digimon, the students discover there are friendly Digimon too. However, merely having a Digimon on their side doesn't mean they're safe, and depending on the player's choices, one or more characters could be killed.
We got our first good look at Digimon Survive's gameplay last month in a new teaser trailer that mostly served to introduce us to the main characters and Digimon. Little actual gameplay was shown beyond a brief scene where we see the characters take out their cell phones to bring up the game map and take pictures. Combat against other Digimon is said to be in turn-based tactics format while navigating the overworld allows players to train their Digimon, collect items, and advance the story.
Digimon Survive’s troubled development has delayed the game several times, with at least one change in development team. Producer Kazumasa Habu apologized for the delays at Digimon Con 2022, but now it looks like he can stop apologizing as Digimon Survive gears up for release.