Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth was a fantastic game released on PS4 involving a detective solving the problems in the digital world. This game was stuffed to the gills with Digimon and fun, but Hacker’s Memory is out to fill it with even more. Hacker’s Memory unlike many second games in a series is not a true sequel, it is, in fact, a midquel. This is an interesting idea as it takes place in the world of the first game. While in the first game the player ran around as a true hero; this one casts you as somewhat of an antihero.
Keisuke Amane is a good person whose identity is stolen and made out to be a villain. He’s a normal student who just wants to get through school, flung into a chaotic situation when he is thrown out of school for hacking. Of course, he never took part in such activities, so he decides it’d be best to fix things. The digital world EDEN which has merged with the real world is the stage that this adventure is set on.
Keisuke joins up with a group called Hudie to take down the hackers and learns how to hack himself. Of course, unlike other hackers, Hudie is out to save the day. Using their hacking skills this team takes requests and helps anyone who asks. Keisuke might not be thrilled at first to join in but he has to save his life somehow.
If the player has played Cyber Sleuth then interacting with older characters will be a treat. The cast of the first game returns in this one as it is set amidst the time of the first game. This game jumps in around the middle of the first game so things haven’t gone to hell in a handbasket yet. This might just lead to things playing out a little differently which is, of course, a good thing.
This game has 320 Digimon for the player to rear and collect which is 70 over the last game. This will certainly lead to players making different teams as the player rounds up their favorite Digimon. The digi farm returns from the last game allowing players to train their Digimon . This game also lets the player’s Digimon raise themselves which is often a good thing. The battles are also an important aspect of the game as this is where the most training is done.
In battle, the player will choose moves and lead their friends to attack. Taking down enemies will allow the player to gain access to the different Digimon they face. It might seem a little strange, but with every encounter with a Digimon, the player fills a certain percent of data. This allows the player to create the Digimon and use the creature for themselves. This is decisively different from other monster-raising RPG’s and that’s a good thing. Usually, a monster capture RPG involves a simple capture and the monster is yours. This adds just another layer to the intricate web of how this game operates and makes it special.
Battles are an important aspect of this game, and it will take a good deal of the player’s time. If the player has any wish to grind, this game has a few systems in place to make that easier. There is an auto-battle system that could save a some time if used correctly. While it might make things faster, the player needs to be aware of their friend’s health as the Digimon will only auto attack. If the player is into grinding, playing like this can certainly help as it lets the player do other tasks.
There really isn’t a perfect rhyme or reason to how Digimon actually digivolve and that’s a cool thing. It’s always thrilling finding new Digimon and seeing how they actually digivolve. Bouncing the Digimon from their different stages will also give the player access to new Digimon. While it might seem crazy to dedigivolve a mega to a rookie, the player might find a Digimon that they like even more. While it might often take a long time to assemble a team of the player’s favorite Digimon, it’s a lot of fun.
Digimon Hacker is, at its core, an adventure game, and if the player has spent any time at all playing Cyber Sleuth they should enjoy this game. This game is great because it ties up loose ends the first game left. In fact, Keisuke knows the other protagonist’s boss, Kyoko Kuremi and is the reason she actually wants an assistant in Cyber Sleuth. Just this simple fact, makes this game worth playing, especially if the player enjoyed the first game. It really is interesting watching the characters live even fuller lives simply by inserting new characters into the mix!
The artwork in the game is still as amazing as it ever was in the first game. The anime cutscenes are fantastic and the new characters fit in perfectly with this crazy version of Japan. Like any JRPG that takes place in Japan, it is definitely a treat to roam the streets of a city like Shibuya. Personally, I find it exciting to do, even if so many other games make use of the city.
Digimon: Cyber Sleuth-Hacker’s Memory is certainly a game that should appeal to a wide variety of Digimon fans. It truly is one of the few games that allow players to amass an army of their favorite Digimon. The story is great and if paired a playing with Cyber Sleuth, should help to tie up all the loose ends. This game is perfect for any digi-destined as well, new fans and old should certainly appreciate this excellent JRPG. If hacking your way to save the world with Digimon is appealing at all, pick a Digimon and play Hacker’s Memory!
Disclaimer: A review code was given for review