Unveiling the “Prelude” Short for Digimon Story: Time Stranger
Fans of the Digimon universe have a new treat to look forward to. The official YouTube channel for Bandai Namco Entertainment America has released a captivating anime short titled “Prelude” for the upcoming game, Digimon Story: Time Stranger. This short film is available in Japanese with English subtitles, offering a glimpse into the world of Inori and her younger brother before the main events of the game unfold.
The “Prelude” short is a heartwarming introduction to the characters and the emotional depth that the game promises. It features the game’s theme song, “wherever you are,” performed by the talented singer-songwriter reche, setting the tone for the adventure that awaits players.
The short was directed by Taku Kimura, known for his work at Studio Lemon and his contribution to “Star Wars: Visions” with the episode “Tattooine Rhapsody.” He also handled the storyboards, ensuring a seamless and engaging narrative. Teruhiro Shimogawa, renowned for his work on “Ace Attorney – Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit,” served as the screenwriter. Shinobu Isoko took on the role of character designer and chief animation director, bringing the characters to life with intricate detail and charm.
Digimon Story: Time Stranger launched on October 3 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The game invites players to embark on an epic journey that spans across multiple worlds and timelines. Players will collect and raise a variety of Digimon, engaging in turn-based battles while exploring the deep bond between humans and these digital creatures. The ultimate goal is to unravel the mystery behind the collapse of their world and save it from impending doom.
A demo for the game was released on September 11, offering players a taste of what to expect. The demo includes two parts: a prologue where players investigate a disturbance in Shinjuku as an ADAMAS agent, and a second section that allows exploration of the Digital World Iliad, featuring a mission and quest. Only data from the prologue section can be transferred to the full version of the game.
Bandai Namco Entertainment has a rich history with the Digimon series, having released the original Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth for PlayStation Vita in Japan in March 2015. The game later became available for PlayStation 4 and PS Vita in the Americas in February 2016. The sequel, Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory, was released for PS4 and PS Vita in Japan in December 2017 and in the West in January 2018. The Complete Edition, featuring both games, was released for Switch and PC via Steam in October 2019.
In addition to the Cyber Sleuth series, Digimon Survive, a hybrid visual novel and tactical role-playing game, launched for PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and PC via Steam worldwide in July 2022. The game is also compatible with PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Kazumasa Habu, a longtime producer for the Digimon games, announced in February 2024 that he would no longer serve as a producer for the franchise, marking the end of an era for many fans.
News Source: Animenewsnetwork.com
