After years of anticipation and setbacks,Digimon Survivehas finally launched on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Announced all the way back in 2018, thevisual novel and tactical RPG hybridhas been pushed back several times due to unforeseen issues like the Covid pandemic. While the dust is still settling on its release and branching narratives, so far the atmosphere surrounding the franchise’s latest virtual outing has been mixed. While some fans have been left disappointed, just as many have seemingly been enamored by its story.
Due to the delays that the game’s developer Hyde has experienced, it’s worth pointing out thatDigimon Survive’s release has actually ended up coinciding with a significant milestone for the series. That’s because in 2022, the larger multimedia franchise that isDigimon, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Unsurprisingly because of this timing,Digimon Survivecontains plenty of call-backs to the past. One that’s caught the attention of its fan-base in particular, though, is the dinosaur monster named Guilmon.
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Guilmon’s Origins
Among a cast of hundreds of monsters, Guilmon has managed to stand out from most of the crowd ever since its debut back in 2001. Introduced as one of the stars ofDigimon’s third anime season, subtitledTamersin Japan, multiple Guilmon have taken up prominent roles in games, TV shows, and media adaptations since that point in the franchise’s history. It’s fair to say that the first depiction of the Rookie-level dinosaur has remained its most endearing, though.
Takato Matsuki’s partner Guilmon inDigimon Tamersestablished several staples for the monster, such as its attributes and personality, that have remained part of its identity during most of its follow-up appearances. Despite its Virus-typing, Guilmon is often subsequently portrayed as a friendly and kind goofball that likes to talk in the third person. Based on all of this, and the fact thatDigimon Tamerscelebrated its 20th anniversary in 2021, Guilmon’sappearance inDigimon Survivehas been more than earned.
Accessing Guilmon in Survive
Unlike the other 100 or so Digimon that can be found and recruited inSurvive, Guilmon is unique when it comes to its accessibility. That’s because as it stands right now, there’s only two ways for players to unlock access to the dinosaur in-game. The most reliable is via the‘Digital Month One Edition’ of the game, which can be purchased on each of the digital storefronts that it’s currently on. Bandai Namco has revealed that this version ofDigimon Survivewill only be available till the end of August though, which makes Guilmon a limited-time bonus.
Players in the US should also be able to also find a download code for Guilmon on their receipts, if they buy a physicalcopy ofDigimon Survivefrom GameStop. However, this method has so far proven to be controversial online, as several customers have reported that their code was nowhere to be found. It’s also worth pointing out that no other retailer in the US, and no retailers at all in Europe, are offering Guilmon as a bonus with physical purchases of the game. All of these factors point to the Digimon being something of a rare oddity, unless Bandai Namco makes Guilmon purchasable separately as DLC further down the road.
Guilmon in Digimon Survive
Thankfully,unlocking Guilmon inDigimon Surviveis far more straightforward than buying access to it. Once players have beaten the game’s opening prologue, and have progressed past the Equipment Tutorial, they’ll be able to press the ‘Receive Bonus’ button in the main menu. Provided the download code has already been inputted and installed, Guilmon should be waiting for them there. After this process has been completed, players will be able to add Guilmon to their parties whenever they enter battle withinDigimon Survive.
When it comes to Guilmon’s abilities inDigimon Survive, players with access to it will be thankful they have the monster on their side to combat the horrors that await in-game. In a lot of respects, Guilmon functions as aVirus-type version of Agumon, only with greater range thanks to its Fireball attack. Being able to deal fire damage 4 squares away isn’t the only benefit though, as Guilmon’s increased usefulness is evidenced further by its impressive resistance and Special Attack stats.
In terms of evolutions,Guilmon has access to the same formsthat were introduced alongside it inDigimon Tamers. After finding and using the right item on it inDigimon Survive’s menu, players can digivolve Guilmon to its Champion-form Growlmon. After that WarGrowlmon awaits at the Ultimate-stage, before the Royal Knight Gallantmon is unlocked at the Mega-stage. Using Guilmon in any of these forms, in combination with the Crystal–D item players are given alongside it, will help to even the odds in-game.
Digimon Surviveis available for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
