The latest entry in the Digimon Story series, Digimon Story: Time Stranger, has officially launched on Steam today, October 3, 2025, marking the end of an eight-year hiatus for the RPG franchise. Fans who pre-ordered the game began downloading it in the early hours, with the release timed for around 11 p.m. BST on October 2 in some regions, effectively rolling into the 3rd depending on your timezone. Indeed, this staggered rollout led to a bit of confusion online, as players in Australia and Europe reported access slightly later than expected, around 5 a.m. local time for many.
Developed by Media.Vision and published by Bandai Namco, the game dives into a narrative spanning the human and Digital Worlds, where players collect and raise Digimon to unravel a global mystery. It's available now on PC via Steam, alongside console versions on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S that dropped a day earlier in Japan. However, physical copies have been scarce right out of the gate—pre-orders reportedly exceeded Bandai Namco's projections, leaving some retailers scrambling. Moreover, the digital launch includes a demo save transfer feature, which has been a welcome touch for those who sampled the opening chapter last month.
Critics and early players are buzzing about the polished cinematics and stellar soundtrack, though some note the turn-based combat feels familiar from past titles like Cyber Sleuth. Still, with over 200 Digimon to train and a story rich in emotional beats, it's clear Bandai Namco aimed to refresh the formula without alienating longtime fans. The Season Pass, offering additional episodes and creatures, is also live for those wanting more post-launch content.
Yet, not everything's seamless; a launch patch addressed minor bugs and added quality-of-life tweaks, but a few Steam users mentioned download delays in the initial rush. All in all, Time Stranger arrives at a packed time for monster-taming games, but its blend of nostalgia and innovation might just carve out its space.
As players dive into this digital adventure, one wonders how it stacks up against the evolving landscape of RPGs today.