The first Digimon game I played was Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth on PS4. That was originally a PS Vita game ported to PS4 for its eventual Western release by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Digimon World: Next Order, is a game I bought day one on PS4, but never played much back then, because I was hoping to play it on a portable. It was never released in the West on PS Vita. Fast forward to today, the monster collecting simulation RPG has been ported to Nintendo Switch and PC worldwide, making it finally playable on a portable in the West for the first time. For my Digimon World: Next Order Switch and Steam Deck review, I’ll be covering the game itself, the port, how it compares to the PS4 original, and whether it is worth your time right now.
Digimon World: Next Order contents compared to the original
The PC and Nintendo Switch versions of Digimon World: Next Order include a new beginner mode and run feature. They also include a set of bonus content detailed below:
- Omegamon Ult. Digivolution Item: Summaequetrine
- Imperialdramon PM Ult. Digivolution Item: Sacrimperine
- Parameter Boost Set: HP Chip Mini x2, MP Chip Mini x2, Strength Chip Mini x2, Stamina Chip Mini x2, Speed Chip Mini x2, Wisdom Chip Mini x2
Digimon World: Next Order PC requirements
Digimon World: Next Order is based on the PS4 game from 2017 that itself was based on the PS Vita game from 2016. It is a very light game that runs great on both Switch and Steam Deck with almost no major issues out of the box.
Digimon World: Next Order PC minimum requirements
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10 (64 bit only)
- Processor: Intel Core i3-2100 or AMD FX-4300
- Memory: 4GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 with 1GB VRAM or AMD Radeon HD 6870 with 1GB VRAM
- DirectX: Version 9.0
- Storage: 7GB available space
Digimon World: Next Order PC recommended requirements
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10 (64 bit only)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-2400 or AMD FX-6350
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti with 1GB VRAM or AMD Radeon HD 7850 with 1GB VRAM
- Storage: 7GB available space
Digimon World: Next Order PC graphics options and controls
Digimon World: Next Order lets you adjust the resolution up to 1920×1200, toggle screen mode (window, borderless, fullscreen), toggle anti-aliasing, and toggle depth of field. The frame rate is capped to 60fps. On the controls side, I couldn’t get the game to display PlayStation button prompts regardless of Steam Input or how I connected my DualSense controller to my laptop. Barring that, it has keyboard support, but still shows controller prompts.
Digimon World: Next Order on Steam Deck – Verified on Deck
I’ve been playing Digimon World: Next Order on and off on both Switch and Steam Deck since launch. I’ve had no issues with it on Steam Deck from the start with its 60fps target. I was actually surprised it took so long for it to get the Verified branding from Valve. Just make sure you set the resolution to a 16:10 resolution in the settings when you play it, because the game runs perfectly. Everything runs great, and it even invokes the on-screen keyboard correctly. The only issue I had was some minor frame pacing in certain parts of the game during the first time I played it. I’ve not had any issues since.
Digimon World: Next Order PS4 vs Nintendo Switch
We’ve had some mediocre Switch conversions based on PS4 games in the past, but Digimon World: Next Order is one of the better releases. It has a 1080p 60fps target docked and isn’t changed too much from the PS4 version. It also looks good in handheld mode on the OLED screen on my Switch. The frame rate isn’t locked though, and despite it having the same 1080p target as the PS4 version, the latter looks a bit better overall. The new beginner mode option, while welcome, isn’t as nice as the dash button. I just wish the dash was faster than it actually is. A proper turbo mode like we see in the Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure Switch versions from PH3 would have been great to see here. If you skipped the PS4 version for a portable release, the Switch version is a great way to experience Digimon World.
I’ve seen some discussion about Digimon World: Next Order not having Japanese voices in the Switch version. I can’t comment on how it is outside North America, but the North American release I have includes dual audio. The Steam version also has dual audio.
Should you buy Digimon World: Next Order on Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck?
You can regularly find the PS4 version at a huge discount on the PlayStation Store making this late port at full price a tough sell for those who own multiple platforms. If the PS4 version on a discount isn’t an option for you, and the game loop is interesting, Digimon World: Next Order will be something that keeps you busy for a while. It isn’t for everyone, and it might even disappoint Digimon fans hoping for another Cyber Sleuth, but it delivers for Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck owners who wanted a simulation RPG to play on the go.
Digimon World: Next Order would have benefited from a demo on both PC and Switch. If it doesn’t get one, I’d recommend waiting until it drops to a price you’re ok with, because the blend of Digimon and Tamagotchi with more simulation RPG mechanics is a formula that works very well for a specific kind of player. For everyone else, it might feel like too much of a grind. It has taken over half a decade, but I’m glad that Digimon World: Next Order is finally available on not just one, but two portable systems with a good out of the box experience. Hopefully my Digimon World: Next Order Switch and Steam Deck review helped you decide if it is worth grabbing this new port.
