The long-awaited Digimon Story: Time Stranger has finally launched on Steam, marking a fresh chapter in the beloved franchise after an eight-year gap since the last mainline entry. For PC players, the game went live around midnight UTC on October 3, 2025, though timing varied by region—hitting 11 p.m. BST on October 2 in the UK, which meant some eager fans in Europe could dive in a bit earlier. Consoles, by contrast, saw their rollout at 5 a.m. local time on October 3 for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, creating a staggered global debut that left Steam users in North America waiting until the wee hours.
Indeed, the release has been a bit messy, with Steam discussions lighting up over pre-load confusion and slight delays—some downloads didn't trigger until an hour past the expected mark. Bandai Namco confirmed the full game is now available, complete with a launch patch that adds save transfers from the demo version, which had already hooked players with its opening chapter. The RPG follows a time-bending mystery across human and Digital Worlds, letting you collect and raise over 200 Digimon in turn-based battles that feel polished yet familiar.
However, early reports highlight a few hiccups: physical copies in Japan sold out faster than expected due to overwhelming pre-orders, potentially frustrating collectors stateside where digital dominates. On Steam, the game's page boasts a "Very Positive" early reception, praising the stellar soundtrack and emotional storytelling, though some critique the grindy elements echoing older titles. Moreover, the Season Pass, bundling extra Digimon packs and episodes, launched alongside, tempting fans to expand their adventure right away.
It's clear Bandai Namco underestimated the hype, leading to these supply snags and time zone quirks. As players boot up and unravel the plot's twists, one wonders how this entry will stack up against the Cyber Sleuth legacy in shaping Digimon's gaming future.