WONDERSWAN - Digimon Tamers: Brave Tamer
Release date: December 2001
Digimon Tamers: Brave Tamer is the last game in the series of four with Ryo as the main character. The game features characters from all first three Digimon seasons and Ryo meets them by entering different universes/dimensions/timelines.
STORY SYNOPSIS:
The story continues after the explosion - caused by Millenniummon in the previous game - blew Ryo away in the world of the digital past, while Millenniummon flew to the future. Millenniummon has a new plan of world domination - he will destroy the world's first computer, the ENIAC, which will delete all existing digital world and he will be able to build a new one just for himself. With the help of Monodramon and ENIAC Ryo must try and stop Millenniummon for good.
Special thanks to Canal Do Zeno who played the game and uploaded it to YouTube so that I didn't have to play it myself.
The visuals of the game are a bit disappointing from the last one that had some really beautiful scenes, however the story itself might be the most interesting one. Incorporating real computer history (the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), its reliance on the 10-digit decimal system that is also shown in the game, and Atanasoff) was fascinating and did excuse the plain blue visuals.
Ryo himself was a bit weird in this game - we see him talk to other people and Digimon but we never see what he says. I guess it does add to Ryo's confused state of mind, since he's lost his memory.
Fights look a bit different than before, very two dimensional, while the player chooses Digimon cards to help their Digimon fight - in Digimon Tamers fashion.
The quotes are taken from Yesterday's amazing script translations. I've only changed the names of the Digimon because I just cannot not stick to the dubbed ones.
The game starts with the explosion from D-1 Tamers and Ryo waking up in this blue looking Digital world that we later learn is the past, the beginning of computer technology.
Monodramon appears, tells Ryo he's been waiting for him ("You came at last! You're a digimon tamer, right? Didn't you come to fight for us?") and brings him to the ENIAC, the "core computer of the Digital World" that has instructed Monodramon to bring Ryo to it.
Ryo meets ENIAC behind metal doors, looking like a light with rotating spheres around it on top of a pillar.
It turns out Millenniummon was not defeated in their final fight and managed to escape to the future from where he's planning to destroy the ENIAC, world's first computer. Ryo however doesn't remember his fights with Millenniummon and ENIAC instructs Monodramon to help him save the old Digital world.
The perspective shifts to ZeedMillenniummon, sitting on a throne connected with wires that send sparks into him. They seem to be quite painful to him, making him scream. He's once again plotting to be the master of the entire network - this time trying to do it by actually creating a Digital world from scratch, not just taking over an already existing one. A scene shows a Digimon floating in a cultivation tank and then cuts with a silhouette of a Kuwagamon.
Meanwhile Monodramon is still sceptical of his new mission ("I can't possibly win against Millenniumon! Right?") and even calls out Ryo for not saying anything to it ("Why won't you say anything? Are you mute because you lost your memory or...") ((it did feel strange not actually hearing any of Ryo's replies to anyone during the entire game))
A sudden earthquake makes Ryo and Monodramon run outside where they see a black spark hit the ground and turning it dark.
This changes it for Monodramon and he decides to help Ryo afterall ("Win or lose, I'll go along with Ryo's skillful commands.")
They walk around the place, talk to other Digimon (that all know about Ryo's memory loss), go fight some evil ones in the dungeons and after defeating Kuwagamon he tells them he's only one of many Milleniummon's minions.
Calumon appears and tells them that some doors are opening inside the ENIAC and they should go in once they open. Monodramon is sceptical of Calumon but they go to ENIAC anyway, where the computer is doing some calculations.
A door opens and Takato and Guilmon's voice can be heard from it. It seems like they're in need of assistance and Calumon carelessly flies inside to help. Ryo and Monodramon follow.
They turn up in another world. It's a forest and there are Takato, Guilmon, another Calumon and Impmon with a bunch of Pagumon terrorizing the three (Guilmon: "Takato! Guilmon fight! We won't lose to Impmon!").
The appearance of a second Calumon confuses everyone a bit but Monodramon fights Impmon and wins. It is then that we find out this Takato hasn't met Ryo yet:
Monodramon informs them they have to get back to the ENIAC to "do battle with Millenniumon to protect everyone". Takato knows Millenniummon from the card game (Takato: "You mean the digimon that's the synthesis of Chimeramon and Mugendramon? That's a super rare card!") and he and Guilmon agree Guilmon should go back with Ryo and Monodramon to help save the world. Takato then gives Ryo his D-Power and tells him to use digimon cards to make his Digimon stronger.
Ryo suddenly experiences a series of flashbacks of his fights with Millenniummon.
Sparks that seem to be powered by the resistance still inflict pain to ZeedMilleniummon. Two SkullSatamon turn up to report to their master ("The resistance is tougher than expected..."). Although this means that the ENIAC is not under Millenniummon's control yet, he seems quite impressed by Ryo again.
The Digimon we saw earlier in the cultivating tank is now a fully formed Deathmon that Millenniummon wants to send to ENIAC against Ryo next. SkullSatamon have some doubts the Digimon will be strong enough against Ryo but Millenniummon is convinced Ryo hasn't regained his full power yet and could be defeated by him.
A new black spark appears in the ENIAC world, causes an earthquake and another dark dungeon. Ryo, Monodramon and Guilmon go there to defeat Deathmon. After being defeated Deathmon reveals Millenniummon's continuos (sort of) respect towards Ryo: "As expected of one Millenniumon-sama approves of as an enemy..."
This time two doors to another world open in ENIAC's chamber. Voices needing help can be heard from both but the player can only choose one door. This time it is either Tai or Davis.
It is revealed that these Digidestined and their Digimon are from the same universe as previous games.
1) Saving Davis and V-mon:
After Davis explains to V-mon that Ryo is fighting the revived Millenniummon in a paralel universe, V-mon leaves with Ryo to help him once again.
2) Saving Tai and Agumon:
Tai lets Agumon go with Ryo (TAICHI: "I can't cross over to that Digital World, but surely you can go to Ryo's world!").
Meanwhile Millenniummon sees through Ryo's plan of obtaining more Digimon to help him fight and sends more of his minions his way.
After Ryo defeats the newly sent bosses, a portal opens in ENIAC and Calumon flies straight through it. Ryo follows him and lands back in his past - in the Anode world or in ENIAC's words "the first Digital World [he] laid eyes on". There Ryo gets the chance to buy some cards and other usefull items.
Back at ENIAC three new doors are open and the player must help Sora, Yolei and Rika, all three of them from different dimensions (Adventure, 02 and Tamers).
Sora recognizes Ryo from their time in Anode/Cathode (Sora: "It's been a long time, Ryo..."), while Yolei hasn't met him before but they both lend him their Digimon.
The third door leads to a street where Rika and Renamon are fighting Indiramon but Renamon is injured in the fight. Ryo interupts them and Indiramon knows straight away that he's not from this dimension.
Once again it's clear they haven't yet met in this universe (not even in card game tournaments? I guess there's no use overanalysing this short segment of the game). She's also polite to him.
Back in the future we see Millenniummon talking to Zambamon and Lampmon, both hinting it would be best if their master left Ryo to them.
ZAMBAMON: La- Lampmon! How can you speak like that... ...However, Lord Millenniumon, this is my request: If we defeat Ryo, then there will be no problems. Please!
Millenniummon sort of amused of his minions' selfconfidence ("Heheheh... Fools.") sends them to the past and although they mock Ryo ("This is Ryo? Isn't he a tiny guy?") they lose the fight.
Ryo follows Calumon into the Cathode world, where it is revealed that there is always a Ryo fighting a Millenniummon in different universes (Anode and Cathode universes being two of them).
Back in ENIAC's chamber three new doors appear, it's time to help Matt, Henry and Ken (three years must have passed since it's Adventure 02 Ken).
Ryo returns to the ENIAC world with Gabumon, Terriermon and Wormmon at his disposal, while Millenniummon sends them a black digi egg that further spreads the dark infection. The time that player needs to get to the new dungeon boss determines which Digimon hatches from the egg. After defeating him, Ryo uses a digiport to transfer him into the Tag Tamers world, where Gennai is waiting for him.
After the explanation the player can choose to play a game with Gennai and win a valuable card from him.
Back at ENIAC's new doors are open - to Izzy (who apologizes to Ryo for misleading him at the D-1 Tournament), Joe and Cody.
After they are saved Millenniummon is shown again, this time with three cultivation tanks where he's raising Tai's, Davis' and Takato's clone (Millenniummon: "They will become my ultimate victory when they are completed.").
ENIAC sends Ryo to the dungeon again where he fights several Digimon and faces other different dangers. After defeating the boss, a clone of Digimon Kaiser appears, another of Millenniummon's creations.
After the fight Ryo follows Calumon to the D-1 Tournament world where he talks to the players that he met back then. Back at ENIAC's it is time to help T.K., Kari and Mimi, who is again a bit flirty with him (Mimi: "Mimi: Hey, Ryo! Once you defeat Millenniumon, come back to this world to play! I'll be waiting!").
Back in the past ENIAC is in serious troubles.
Millenniummon sends his three clones ("Go! Unleash all your power to destroy the ENIAC!") and the Digimon in the past mistaken them for the real Tai, Davis and Takato, sent to help them fight, however Monodramon (literaly) smells there's something off with them.
DARK DAISUKE: We are created from programs now as proof that friendship and the like are unneccessary for battle.
The screen shakes and it seems like ENIAC is shutting down. Millenniummon is already celebrating but ENIAC has one more solution - he sends Ryo to the world of Atanasoff.
ENIAC: The Atanasoff and I were produced almost simultaneously... However, it is continuously said that the historical origin of the digital age is ENIAC. The Atanasoff became my shadow and continues protecting the Digital World...
Ryo must now protect Atanasoff, however Millenniumon sees through ENIAC's plan and sends his evil Tai, Davis and Takato clones there. After a series of battles in each of the clones' dungeons Ryo wins and saves Atanasoff from being destroyed.
ENIAC gathers all its remaining powers to open the gate to the future so that Ryo can once again fight Millenniummon and save the DigiWorld. However more digital power is needed to enable Ryo's return from the future or else he might "become lost and vanish". Ryo has to choose which Digimon cards and thus Digimon converted to pure energy he will sacrifice for it. Per ENIAC's instructions he has to take Monodramon with him as he will be "the final trump card".
Millenniummon feels Ryo approaching and is excited by them meeting again.
The final battle takes place and it is revealed that Millenniummon cannot be defeated in battle.
Millenniummon continues showing respect for Ryo, talking to him like he's an equal.
Monodramon is desperate from what he hears, however Millenniummon gives him an idea - if the two of them jogress, DNA digivolve into another Digimon, they become partners. This is the first time Millenniummon shows a trace of fear.
The plan works and when Millenniummon loses a lot of his strength in their next battle, he and Monodramon jogress and Ryo is left with their digiegg. Ryo has finally won and the world of ENIAC is at peace again.
Back at ENIAC's Digimon are celebrating and saying goodbye to their friend. (Guilmon: "Goodbye, Ryo. We need to return to our world. But, I think we'll surely meet again somewhere.").
Ryo says his final goodbye to ENIAC, who thanks him for his help ("This world, and the world's futures, have all been restored to their original time.") and tells him he can still feel the good Monodramon in the digiegg.
The game ends with Tamers helping to restore the ruined DigiWorld.
