Two vital changes to the Digimon World formula keep this game from sinking into the doldrums; the first being the faming system If a Digimon, for some reason or another, can't quite conform to a battle party, you can set up a custom farm to nurture them and make them feel more comfortable. This might sound boring but it really adds some customization to the game, instead of simply relying on random choices made by the computer.

The second are the Wi-Fi Connection options. You can hook up with each other online, earning points in battle, mating with other Digimon and trading up with fellow players to make their Digimon party stronger. Online play works decently enough, although the inability to communicate with your opponents hurts the chances of trash talking someone after taking out their team.

It helps to have a mild knowledge of Digimon before getting into Dusk. Unfortunately, the game assumes that you have an extensive knowledge of the creatures and their skills. Don't even bother getting online until you grow accustomed to your party and what they bring to the table.

With its tedium-filled gameplay and its lackluster presentation, Digimon World Dusk doesn't quite have the sparkle necessary to run alongside the Pokemon series. However, fans of the franchise will admire the changes to the farming system and its online options.