Digimon World Next Order Review (Steam)

by Jim Smale · March 28, 2023

For our Digimon World Next Order Review, where The Digital World has run rampant with Machinedramon and is now in a state of utter chaos. As a Digidestined, it’s up to you to restore order to the world in Digimon World: Next Order, a monster-collecting RPG.

Digimon World Next Order Review Pros:

Anime graphics.
6.88GB Download size.
Steam achievements.
Steam trading cards.
Graphics settings – resolution, screen mode, anti-aliasing, and depth of field.
Controller settings – Invert axis and sensitivity sliders.
Three save slots.
Can rebind controls for the keyboard.
Three difficulties – beginner, easy, and normal.
Full controller support.
Two protagonists – Takuto and Shiki.
Rename your character choice.
Anime-style cutscenes.
Full 3D camera control.
Good voicework.
Arena-based combat – Digimon attacks automatically and you can issue orders for more direct control.
Two Digimon are in battle, the left and right bumper is assigned to each one.
The opening tutorial section of combat with ongoing pop-ups.
ExE is the attack that has both Digimon combine into a powerful being and do immense damage.
Earn combat points by fighting to spend on orders and support items when Digimon is fighting.
Multiple choice questions.
Huge cutscenes when activating special attacks and abilities.
Choose your starting Digimon for both left and right. You can rename them.
Save when you want.
The field guide fills in with Digimon you interact with and show basic info and evolution.
As you fight the Digimon gain new moves, evolve, and get state increases.
Find material and items within the world.
Training is a fun little mini-game where you pick what part to train in (hp/mp/etc) and then you press the button to stop the marker in a reaction-based game. (you set training for each individual)
Digimon needs constant care like eating, sleeping, praise, scolding, etc so it’s like a Tamagotchi mechanic.
You see enemy Digimon walking around.
Not all Digimon in the world is evil and you can in fact make friends and have them joined the city.
Enemy’s power level show above their head before you engage in battle.
Simple controls.
Set battle options for your Digimon like using mp moves targeting a certain enemy, etc.
Day/night cycle.
End of combat breakdown of rewards and stats.
Vending machines allow you to spend your currency (bits) on items.
Getting Digimon into the city adds new shops and features.
Find and use fishing spots.
Zoom the camera in and out.
All Online battling is done via the dimensional box.
Earn network points to buy unique and rare items.
Level up and improve the town.
Central storage box.

Digimon World Next Order Review Cons:

The mouse cursor stays on the screen.
For new players, you don’t get a lot of info about Digimon when choosing your starters.
Slow starter.
Choices feel redundant as you still have to do what the story says regardless.
You cannot rebind controls for the controller but you can select and get locked into rebounding.
So much to take in, especially for new players.
The tutorial pop-ups feel a bit behind.
Combat takes some getting used to.
A lot of annoying little sound effects and callouts from Digimon.
Never sure what all the icons and needs of a Digimon are.
Combat is very drawn out.
You cannot buy multiple items in vending machines.
Healing and fixing up Digimon are so many steps.
Picking up items in the world is slow.
The story never really grabbed me.
Traversing the world is not always smooth sailing.
The reactions from the Digimon is so unpredictable and all over the place.