Digimon Story: Time Stranger, the turn-based RPG focusing on collecting digital monsters, is slated for release on October 2nd. A free demo is set to arrive soon, and players won`t have long to wait to try it out.
The demo will be available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S starting September 11th. Steam users will get earlier access, with the demo becoming available as early as September 10th.
Notably, the console versions of the demo will be released simultaneously, while the PC version will unlock at different times depending on the region. Below is the release schedule for the demo across various regions:
Demo Release Schedule
For PS5, Xbox Series X|S:
- September 11th
- 12:00 AM ET (Eastern Time)
- 12:00 AM CEST (Central European Summer Time)
- 12:00 AM JST (Japan Standard Time)
For Steam:
- September 10th
- 3:00 PM PT (Pacific Time)
- 6:00 PM ET (Eastern Time)
- September 11th
- 12:00 AM CEST (Central European Summer Time)
- 7:00 AM JST (Japan Standard Time)
A key question for many fans is whether progress made in the demo will transfer to the full game. As of the time of writing, there is no answer to this. No other details regarding the demo`s content or the possibility of saving progress have been revealed yet.
In a recent three-hour preview, writer Jess Reyes was impressed by how Digimon Story: Time Stranger`s improved battle system and monster-raising elements seamlessly combined to offer a promising return to the digital world. Producer Ryosuke Hara stated that the team aimed to enhance the game`s battle system for better balance. As a result, Reyes described it as potentially the franchise`s most comprehensive battle system to date.
Those interested in the game do not need to have watched older Digimon shows or played the previous Digimon Story installment, 2016`s Cyber Sleuth, to grasp its narrative. The story follows a secret agent investigating a mysterious city-destroying explosion, which is somehow connected to the digital world. For players more keen on raising their digital companions, Time Stranger will feature over 450 unique Digimon.
Digimon Story: Time Stranger will launch on October 2nd for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Various preorder bonuses are available, including Black Agumon, Black Gabumon, and new costumes. A digital deluxe edition includes the game`s season pass and a Cyber Sleuth-inspired costume set.