Digimon World: Next Order is finally available on non-PlayStation platforms, having just launched for PC and the Nintendo Switch. The newest ports of Bandai Namco's popular open-world JRPG arrive shortly ahead of the game's seventh anniversary, offering its most feature-complete version to date.
Seeing how it was initially designed for the PlayStation Vita, Digimon World: Next Order is arguably perfect for the Switch and Steam Deck. That said, its 2017 PS4 port also demonstrated the game can work on non-portable platforms, making its newly released PC version another compelling proposition for JRPG fans. Doubly so for anyone interested in modding, given how Next Order is powered by the Unity engine, which fundamentally makes it a fairly mod-friendly game.
The PC and Switch ports are both based on Digimon World: Next Order International Edition for the PS4, which added around a dozen additional digital monsters for a total of 232, some new quests, multiple language options, and minor graphical improvements. On top of that, these versions also introduce a Beginner difficulty mode, as well as the ability to dash during overworld exploration.
The gameplay of Digimon World: Next Order combines open-world exploration with Pokemon-like monster collection and real-time battles. Players are able to train, feed, and otherwise interact with their digital familiars, progressively strengthening their bonds and allowing them to Digivolve into even stronger combatants. The developers also threw some complex city-building mechanics into the mix, which can provide a nice change of pace from Next Order's conventional JRPG gameplay loop whenever one is needed.
Between the opportunity to tame and train some of the best-designed Digimon of all time, explore a massive open world, and even engage in management sim activities such as growing crops and building out a digital metropolis, Next Order is still the most varied installment in the Digimon World series to date. Of course, it also happens to be its last, though that might not be the case for much longer.
Namely, Bandai Namco has previously confirmed there are multiple new Digimon games in development, and while the publisher is still mum on the details, the fairly successful launch of Digimon Survive and the recent revival of the classic Digimon Adventure anime are both reasons for the fandom to be excited about the future of the franchise. In the meantime, Digimon fans can pick up the new and improved version of Next Order via Steam or Nintendo eShop.
Digimon World: Next Order is available now on PC, PS4, PS Vita, and Switch.
Source: Steam, Nintendo eShop