Unlike so many traditional random battles that are one of the hallmarks of RPGs, the battle system is what really makes this game shine. It's more intense than the first game, but you had better like this battle system because you're going to be in a hell of a lot of fights. The enemy is more closely matched to your ability so strategy is tantamount to winning. There are five different zones in the field which require different attacks. Positioning of your Digimon requires careful consideration, since the combat is turn-based.

The leveling-up process can be a little complex if you're not familiar with the series. Digimon can be Digivolved or Devolved depending on the situation. By combining two Digimon's DNA, you can create a new, more powerful creature. The stats will be reset to level one, but that gives you the abililty to further increase your creature's abilities as you continue to level-up. There are a lot of elements to take into consideration when transforming Digimons. Your personal relationship with the creatures, the level, the number of available points, and the inter-species dynamics all affect this process. It's this kind of depth and attention to detail that will entice or repel players.

Online you can train, mate, and trade your creatures. But more importantly, you can enter into online battles. These battles are turn-based, and you'll be rewarded with trainer points that you can use in the single-player mode. The online mode was nearly flawless in comparison to the single-player mode, but that's nothing to shout about in the first place. The environments and character models look good, but the animation is worse than the cheesiest anime you've ever seen. The character models glide around the environment like ice skaters, which is in contrast to the choppy animation of the cutscenes and other in-game animations. There are plenty of tunes that highlight various gameplay elements. From the adrenaline-fueled battle tunes to the laid back incidental background music, the soundtrack is worth noting for its diversity.

Digimon World: Dusk/Dawn will be best enjoyed by rabid fans of the original. The online trading will allow you access to Digimon in both the Dusk and Dawn version. If you're a fan, expect a lot of game.

By Cole Smith
CCC Senior Writer

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