Although 2022 was shaping up to be a big year for Digimon, some unlucky timing may turn out to be its downfall. The highly anticipated visual novel and SRPG hybrid game Digimon Survive was originally announced in 2018, and features multiple endings, different Digivolutions for the Digimon cast depending on choices the player makes, Digimon training, and even survival elements. Characters may die depending on players’ choices throughout the game, giving it a darker atmosphere.
Unfortunately, Digimon Survive has seen no fewer than five separate delays since its announcement. These have come about from a variety of factors, including changing the game’s engine, changing the developer from Witchcraft to Hyde, and the overall impact of COVID-19 pandemic delays. Digimon Survive’s release was looking to be indefinitely delayed once again, until a recent announcement finally gave the game a concrete release date of July 28 in Japan, and July 29 worldwide.
This should be a matter of celebration, but Digimon Survive has inadvertently set itself up against other JRPG powerhouses that will likely overshadow its release entirely: first is the HD-2D remake of the beloved JRPG classic LIVE A LIVE coming to Nintendo Switch a week prior to Digimon Survive on July 22. Second, and more directly impactful, is the long-awaited continuation in the Xenoblade Chronicles series, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, releasing on July 29 directly alongside Digimon Survive. In an act that is almost never seen, Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s release date was moved up from its initial release window of September. After such an arduous journey to be released, Digimon Survive will face overwhelming competition from its release neighbors.
Digimon Survive Releases The Same Day As Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Digimon fans will likely still prioritize purchasing Digimon Survive after such a long wait for its release, but players who are on the fence or haven’t picked up a Digimon game or ventured into its multimedia worlds in quite some time may not be as easy to sway. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is another highly anticipated JRPG release after Xenoblade Chronicles 2 in 2017. As a Nintendo exclusive title, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will only see release on Nintendo Switch, while Digimon Survive can reach Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC audiences. Still, despite Digimon’s innate monster-collecting appeal and popularity, a visual novel and SRPG hybrid game that has gone through so many delays will naturally have a far more niche audience than the likes of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and its hastened release.
As disappointing as this unexpected overlap in release dates is for the potential success of Digimon Survive, it’s still heartening to know that the game’s release is finally in sight. Although the release may be dampened by its competition, it’s still a promising time for Digimon fans. The fanfare may be drowned out, but it will be there all the same.
