[NOSTALGIA] - an introspective look at Digimon World (Chapter 2 - Innocence Lost)

[@batmabel]

Amazing video, really. I think this series has been some of the best content about this game ever produced, if not the best. I already subbed and I'm waiting for chapter 3! Just a quick side note, pooping is not a care mistake on the original virtual pets, only in this game. The only things that count as care mistakes are the ones that light the "call" icon, so that's an empty hunger or strength meter and sleep time. When the light goes on, you have some time to answer the call (20 minutes on the original one, but more recent vpets have different timers) and if you don't, you get a care mistake. Pooping doesn't light up the call light, but most vpets will make your digimon sick if you let too many poop add up on screen. Anyway, just a small detail that doesn't detract anything from your video. It's awesome to have so much information about this game in one place - I've seen some of this stuff before, but never so well presented - and I'll definitely use it as reference in the future lol. Thank you for making this, Digimon World is one of my favorite games of all time (I have a similar story with it, pirate copy, not understanding English and all) and it's so cool to see some well-made content about it. Keep up the great work :)

[@Hodyna]

Hello, thank you for watching the video, I'm really glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for taking the time to write a comment - it's a really nice feeling to find people with similar stories about the game (or people who, just like me, simply REALLY enjoy the game). And wow, that's embarrassing and hypocritical from me that I pointed out (really smugly) that people are CONSTANTLY getting it wrong about what counts as a care mistake in Digimon World 1 and what doesn't when I haven't done enough research on V-pet and got it wrong. I was SURE that getting four poops on the floor results in a care mistake, but nope (even in the pre-20th Anniversary models)! Thank you for pointing that out, I'll be sure to make a note about it when I'll be making the "complete" cut once I’m done with every chapter. I hope I won't disappoint you with the future chapters! Cheers, Chodyna

[@batmabel]

@@Hodyna Don't worry, I think the reason a lot of people are constantly getting it wrong is exactly the fact that each iteration of the system has different rules, and the game works differently than the source it was based off :P

[@Rooboid]

Oh man, listening to Red Vox during an existential crisis? I've been there. And I totally agree with you, what makes the game so memorable, and your connection with your partner digimon so special, is the fact that time marches on. Seeing each Digimon you raise live a better life makes you realise how you, and the city, is improving in the game. Both Digimon World and Monster Rancher taught an entire generation of kids about the fleetingness of life...just by using the most surreal and nightmarish death animations possible. Thank you for capturing so much of what makes this game a little spooky but also special once again, another banger episode. It's amazing to hear the intricate game mechanics explained so clearly. (Taking notes for my next Drimogemon son...) P.S. Is there any way we can support you for your work, like a Ko-Fi or a Patreon? You're doing Gods work, I'd love to contribute a few bits if I could.

[@Hodyna]

Ah, a fellow man of culture! Memento Mori just fit so well here that I had to put it in. Hope that Vinny won't mind! I'm really glad that you enjoyed this part as well! I tried to explain mechanics as clear as I could, but I have to admit with how obtuse (and sometimes COMPLETELY BIZARRE) they can be, it might ended a little bit rough in places. I hope it will be of use to you! As for the support... I would actually feel really bad about accepting any money. I mean, it's really, really nice to hear that anyone would want to go out of way to reward me for my work, but it would be weird to spend money from others on stupid things. My job pays me well enough that I can spend money on frivolities each month, pay for everything and even get some savings, so I'm in a quite good position! Your enjoyment, watchtime and comments are the best reward I can get! I just wanted to make content I would like to watch, that's all, there never was any monetary side behind it. It's really nice to hear! I hope the rest of this series won't disappoint you!

[@ginoshie]

Very glad to see the work SydMontague and me did has helped you out! :D Keep at it dude!

[@Hodyna]

Oh jeez. It's a weird feeling to receive a comment from someone you admire so much. Thank you, both for encouraging words and all the work you did with making Digimon World a little more understandable. You guys are legends! Cheers from your biggest fan.

[@ginoshie]

@@Hodyna haha it's strange for me to read this as well haha!:D I mean here you are making these unique videos and by doing so giving the game the much desired love, attention and critique it deserves. We are quite similar really. :D Lets keep the nostalgia alive and hope we get a new game that is a mix between re digitize and DW1. :D Id love to see an expanding city like File City and some more complexity in evolution criteria combined with user friendly gameplay. So keep posting and enjoying the game! :D

[@Hodyna]

Damn. There's a lot of pressure on me now, huh? Haha. Personally, I would love a new Digimon raising game with simplistic 2d characters like the ones Digimon World 3/2003 or like the ones in 'tactics' phase of Digimon Survive. It would keep the game relatively cheap to made so Bandai would allow for more "experimenting". Digimon World series was always quite bold when it comes to changes, so I'm interested what they would pull out this time. But yeah, a cross between the original and re:digitize would be perfect. Once more, thanks for your time!

[@ginoshie]

@@Hodyna ohh you like three and one? Thats a rare taste I believe. :D I only like one and re digitize. I played 2 with my mate with whom I played one and when I streamed I played 3. But never liked them. But Im such a sucker for the ever changing File City mechanic haha. Its just such a rush to see a new change and then ending up with a bustling city. Not to mention random and unexpected evoltions or finally hitting that evo that you're aiming for. :D Gah!! This game is so special hahaha. :D Also, thank you for sharing your passion for the game!:D

[@RaineyDaysStudio]

Awesome stuff so far!

[@Hodyna]

Thank you! I'm really happy that you like it! Hope that you won't be disappointed with the rest of it!

[@RaineyDaysStudio]

Also I read in a comment that you think you're not funny, and that your voice is grating. You ARE funny, it's more subtle than the KZbin norm but its there, and definitely resonates with me more than some kid screaming and clipping his mic in overblown YT antics! Anyway, isn't it bizarre that DW1 gets as much love as it does online? How did this janky, seemingly nonsensical game lodge itself so permanently in our heads? THIS game of all games! I'll probably leave a few comments as I work through the video. Subbed already btw, cheers!@@Hodyna

[@Hodyna]

@@RaineyDaysStudio I agree. It's really interesting how Digimon World affect everybody who actually gave it a chance. Despite its technical problems, insanely unintuitive mechanics and overall dubious decisions, EVERYONE can say that this game was a fruit of love and passion. The developing team, while inexperienced, did everything they could to provide the players with something new, fresh and interesting. And they did. Also... when returning to the game... we are reminded of simpler, more innocent times - with the goofy and light-hearted atmosphere. And let's not forget about the mystery and complexity of the game, tickling our curiosity. I never expected to have even the 10% of views and subscribers I have. Hearing that people are actually enjoying your work is the best thing in the world. ...but I'm sure that you already know it, seeing your content! Thank you for your support! I'll be awaiting your comments and thoughts patiently!

[@valkyrasonara1797]

Gear Savannah and Amida Forest are my favorite Soundtracks. (Beside the Boss Battle Themen) ❤

[@Hodyna]

I agree. Gear Savannah (Night) is so incredibly beautiful that it's not even funny, while both Amida Forest's tracks are SO GOOD for a transitional location, like... they didn't have to make them AS good as they did. To be honest, even weird, ambient tracks grew on my while making this project (Drill Tunnel still can go to hell). Thanks for your comment!

[@iamberzer]

I might of missed this when watching the vid but... Don't you just battle Otamamon at the swamp. Get taken by the Gekomon to ShogunGekomon and then he cast a spell so you can't get lost in Misty Trees?

[@Hodyna]

Hello! There are two ways to deal with Misty Trees: -brute-forcing - you simply walk around the Misty Trees, praying that you'll finally enter the Cherrymon's screen, so he can lift the fog for you or -battling Otamamon, getting taken to ShogunGekomon who then cast the spell that lifts the fog, enabling you to travel painlessly. Battling Otamamon is optional, but it will save you time (and sanity) in the long run. I recorded both on two separate playthroughs. If you get to ShogunGekomon AFTER meeting Cherrymon, he will reward you with DigiSeaBass for your trouble. i hope this anwers your question? Thanks for watching by the way!

[@iamberzer]

@@Hodyna Thanks for the info mate :D

[@Hodyna]

@@iamberzer No problem mate!

[@allbl4ck616]

Once you know how evolution works it's a pretty decent system (minus the priority score calculation when you qualify for multiple digimon) that could maybe use small tweaks. If only the game gave you a bit more information so you had a rough idea what you're aiming for and some more feedback on what you're doing. Without the information on the internet you're completely lost and with it the experience is honestly sort of ruined. It's a shame

[@Hodyna]

Next Order did Digivolution really good in my opinion (tbh that game feels like it was made by people who were annoyed by the shortcomings of the first game and wanted to fix it themselves) - by taking a good care of your Digimon you unlock bits of information about how to get certain digivolutions (and how you can basically manipulate the whole process). It was a really cool idea. Too bad that special digivolution (mostly) got axed. ...and that, thanks to how bloated the roster was, many Digimon felt samey. I agree. It's a curious example of when lack of information is a good thing (it creates mystery/propagates rumors/increases curiosity and makes players cooperate in order to find out the intricacies of the game's system) and bad thing (trial and error WITHOUT any feedback isn't fun, as you said). Digimon World's mechanics fascinate me with how obscure they are but... ugh, they really are a mess. Priority score is a confusing mess (or maybe I was simply too stupid to understand it) but I kind of can see WHY they did what they did? It just could have been done a lot better (like most mechanics). Many solutions made by the designers are so wonky and weird that its truly fascinating. To this day I wonder why. Probably because the team MOSTLY consisted of fresh programmers who weren't all that skilled, so they had to improvise? Beats me. It nearly drove me insane, but hey, at least I can say with near certainity that I fully understand Digimon World's Digivolution mechanics. Once again, thanks for your comment and for being a part of this series!

[@allbl4ck616]

​@@Hodyna I've seen a little bit of that game but havent played it, sounds like a good solution. I feel the same about the mechanics. You can see they had all the right ideas, just the implementation is botched. Probably some errors and lack of testing contributed to it too. Too bad there's no documentation on the development, at least I didnt find anything online. Cheers

[@ginoshie]

@@Hodyna Wow, I share the same ideas and opinions haha. Also, this is a great nuanced talk going on! Great breakdown of the game. :D

[@Hodyna]

I still like Next Order really, really much and I think that it's probably the BEST Digimon World games from the technical standpoint and it shows that its creators put a lot of heart and thought to it (I wouldn't be surprised if some kids who played the original then worked on Next Order and did everything they can to fix things that annoyed them). There will be a "side chapter" about other Digimon World games (both the numbered "non-raising" games and the direct successors, so I'm spoiling it a bit right now, but oh well :P

[@ginoshie]

@@Hodyna True that! NO is amazing and its a true successor to DW1. I really hope it results in yet another game like that in the series. Though honestly.. I doubt it. :-/