DigimonStory Hackers Memory: PSVita Review

(By Vic, head of Facebook Handheld Gaming Network)

Over the years there have been a variety of Digimon games spanning many genres, varying from RPGs to card games to MMOs. But fans were eagerly awaiting the release of the new generation of Digimon games. In February 2016 their patience was rewarded: Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth was released. It proved to be a great game which is now followed by Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth Hacker’s Memory for the PS4 and PS Vita in America and Europe.

I recently completed Hacker’s Memory on the PS Vita. And I loved it! I felt they really improved a lot of things and added a lot of variety. My review will be written to assume you have played the first game and I will keep it as spoiler free as I can.

As I mentioned, Hacker’s Memory follows on from the first game CyberSleuth. In fact it takes place at the same time as the first game but from a different perspective. There are new characters, new locations, new Digimon and a lot more cases to solve. You do need to play the first game before this one, as they are linked. Plus, you see a lot of familiar faces and locations from the first game.

The internet café is your base

The main premise of this game is that you have had your EDEN account stolen and you join a hacker team, Hudie, to find out who has stolen it. Your base is an internet cafe this time, not the detective agency. You sit down at your computer and log in to access EDEN, the Digilab, Digimarket (you can purchase low level Digimon), Hacker’s Memory (analysing files) and of course to accept cases. I felt this was a lot more organised and I liked having everything in one place. The cases are no longer jumbled up on a board.

The main character is more likeable and relatable and I liked the other main characters more as well. They have more depth to them. You can also choose to take someone along with you (sometimes 2 people) on certain cases, and access a scene with them to get closer to them. These cases are usually the new Territory Battles and Domination Battles.

Territory and Domination Battles

Territory Battles involve taking over 4 or 5 locations usually (within an URL in EDEN) and once you have done that you can battle the hacker team leader. By taking control of the areas it gives you an advantage in the end battle, such as raised attack or poisoning the enemy team at the start of battle.

 

Domination Battles involved standing on a grid and strategically moving around the grid gaining points when you land on a square. The points are worth 1, 5 or 10 points. For example you may have a victory condition of gain 30 points in 30 turns, bear in mind their turns count in your limit so really you get 15 turns for example. You are usually up against 3 others who will be trying to get points.

If you want a enemies square you must attack them. If you defeat their Digimon you steal their points. Be prepared before these battles as you can only use your 3 main battle Digimon and you can’t use any items. I enjoyed these new battles a lot, as well as bonding with my team afterwards and receiving items from them.

Conclusion: a perfect score

The story flows at a steady pace with a total of 18 chapters to play through. 2 less than the first game but the chapters are longer in Hacker’s Memory. I had around 70 hours logged when I finished. The story and dialogue are better and the cases are a little darker at times. This is a must-have game.

Other new features in the game include changing your outfit – I spent a lot of money on new clothes! And putting accessories on your Digimon via online play.

I didn’t want to go into too much detail with this review to avoid spoiling the game. If you loved the first game you have to get this one. I cant really find any fault with it and would score it 10/10.

Thanks for reading!

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