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Cyberpunk For 10-Year-Olds: Let's Play Digimon World 3
What is this game, anyway?
Digimon World 3 is a turn-based RPG in which you play as a kid called Junior, who plays the hot new game Digimon RPG in the Digital World. It differs significantly from its predecessors, a monster-raising simulator and a dungeon crawler RPG. While Digimon World 3 netted middling scores from most reviewers for the obscene amount of grinding necessary to advance, it still maintains its classic Digimon charm, with a catchy soundtrack and well-aged graphics (if you completely ignore the 3d battle models). It also features a more mature story than previous - and future - Digimon games, as hinted at by the title. Though this isn't saying much.
What about the current Digimon World Dawn LP? Is this anything like that?
Not quite! The two games are fundamentally different - Dawn is heavily Pokemon-influenced, while this game is much more "old-school RPG". I'd recommend checking out both threads, especially to see the widely different turns the franchise has gone in.
So, what kind of LP is this?
This will be a comprehensive hybrid LP, which means that I will be going in-depth about all this game has to offer - and boy, does it have a lot. The fleshed-out card battle minigame/metagame is just the tip of the iceberg, as far as spergery goes. The weird thing is, despite this game being vaguely like Pokemon and almost a decade old to boot, there really hasn't been much mechanics observation or in-depth examination of this game. So, in that sense, it'll be a learning experience for everyone involved. (Don't worry though, I still know way too much about this game)
Please, no spoilers! Whether they be related to story or mechanics, I'd prefer that we try to keep spoiler-ish discussion at a minimum.
Updates:
Update 1
We begin with a totally badass intro movie that doesn't resemble the actual gameplay in any way.
Intro Movie
From here on out, in-game text will be in normal lettering and commentary will be in italics.
When playing the game, you'll be seeing this screen a lot - you will die, and there are no in-game continues. This sucks when you're a little kid who doesn't know what memory cards are for.
The beginning of the game is also the most annoying: it's terrifically long, and unskippable to boot.
"We won't have time to play Digimon Online..."
"I didn't want Ivy to come, but Teddy and his big mouth told her."
"They should have gotten a Login Pass ahead of time..."
"International Police, S.A.P have located the European HQ of the crime group A.o.A."
"Together with the army, they raided their headquarters at midnight last night..."
"And have arrested the leaders of the A.o.A inside the compound."
"Officials believe these arrests will connect recent internet terrorism to the A.o.A."
"Internet terrorism"? They're probably just talking about, I don't know, Anonymous of America.
"I can't believe anyone would make Digimon do bad things!"
In case you ever forget you're playing as a 10 year old.
"About time Teddy!"
"And why is Ivy here in the first place?"
"You always say that Digimon are for kids!"
"Hey, I'm interested in Digimon Online, OK?!"
"...and I never said that I hated Digimon!"
Teddy is the most 
thing in the game.
"Yeah, this is the Matrix System!"
"It digitizes our ideas and thoughts and sends them to the net."
"I wonder how it works? I want to see what makes it tick."
There's a lot of oddly transhumanist concepts for a kid's game.
"Come on, let's set up an account and login to the Digital World!"
"This service is for those traveling into the Digital World."
"Is this your first time playing Digimon Online?"
"Before we set up your account..."
"...you will have to choose your partner Digimon."
Oh boy oh boy oh boy
"Each pack has three types of Digimon."
"A is a Balanced Pack: Kotemon, Renamon, Patamon."
"B is a Powerful Pack: Monmon, Agumon, Renamon."
"C is a Maniac Pack: Kumamon, Guilmon, Patamon."
"Which of the three would you like?"
"Just pick a pack that has a Digimon you like!"
"Which Digimon don't you like, then?"
"Don't get the pack that has Digimon you don't like, and pick!"
"I love all Digimon!"
Kids are either super-impulsive or super-indecisive... I feel like we got the short end of the stick.
"Well, if you like all Digimon, then you don't have to worry!"
"Come on - choose, and let's go to the Digital World!"
"Junior! You still haven't made up your mind?"
"You better make up your mind or I'm going ahead!"
"Junior! I'm really going to leave you here."
"We will begin registration of your online account and partner Digimon."
"The account name will be your name in the Digital World."
"Please choose your partner Digimon from one of the three Starter Packs."
"We will now start the process."
At last, we get to do something! I'll be putting the name up to a vote.
The Balanced Pack:
Kotemon
Kotemon (from the Japanese word kote, which means the gauntlets used in kendo) is a Rookie Reptile Digimon. It's a Digimon based around physical offense, but can hold its own magic-wise. Overall, a balanced Digimon, though it has the most "weaknesses" out of all the starter Digimon. (This will be explained in a following post.) Kotemon digivolves into Dinohumon at level 5.
Renamon
Renamon (from the French renard, or "fox") is a Rookie Animal Digimon. By far, it's the best magic user of the bunch, with a whopping 200 MP and the highest starting Spirit (the stat used to calculate "magical" damage). However, what it packs in offense it sadly lacks in defense, making Renamon a very glass-cannon character. Renamon digivolves into Kyubimon at level 5.
Patamon
Patamon (from the Japanese onomatopoeia for flapping, patapata) is a Rookie Beast Digimon. It, too, is more suited for magical combat than physical, but its real importance comes from its ability to learn healing skills, which few other Digimon do. Healing skills are invaluable in the early game, where Digimon on the very first screen can and will kill you. Patamon digivolves into Angemon at level 5.
Overall, the Balanced Pack is the easiest for inexperienced players, as it has all its bases covered.
The Powerful Pack:
Monmon
Monmon (from "monkey") is a Rookie Beast Digimon. Its strengths lie in a fairly high Strength and the fastest base speed of all the starter Digimon. In addition, it levels the fastest, which is a godsend when stuck in the middle of Grind Heaven. It digivolves into Hookmon at level 5.
Agumon
Agumon (from the Japanese onomatopoeia for biting, aguagu) is a Rookie Reptile Digimon. While it is by far the slowest, it makes up for that with equally high Strength and Spirit, making Agumon a well-rounded attacker. It digivolves into Greymon at level 5.
Together with Renamon, this pack is exactly as it's named: a pack for people who like powerhousing through their opponents. Fortunately, Monmon and Agumon don't have the downfall of a low Defense, so this pack also does well in that regard.
The Maniac Pack:
Kumamon
Kumamon (from the Japanese kuma, or "bear") is a Rookie Beast Digimon. (Fun Fact: Kumamon also shares its name with a very different Kumamon, and has had its name changed back to Bearmon in most North American materials.) It starts off with a very high Strength and Defense, but that's about as good as it gets. Kumamon also levels at a snail's pace, making it difficult to keep it up to snuff with your other Digimon. Overall, probably the most unenjoyable Digimon to play. Kumamon digivolves into Grizzmon at level 5.
Guilmon
Guilmon (from "guile") is a Rookie Reptile Digimon. Guilmon is odd in that it has a high Strength and Wisdom (the stat for "magical" defense), but a low Defense and Spirit. It's about on the same level of usefulness as Kotemon. Guilmon digivolves to Growlmon at level 5.
Patamon is a strange third choice, but a useful one. Let's face it, this pack is challenging and kind of annoying to play, since its choices are so haphazard. However, it's also my favourite because Guilmon is cool, okay.
Of course, the pack we choose will also be up for a vote.
Junior is kind of a dick.
"I can start playing the game... This is exciting!"
"It's Junior!"
"...Confirmed. Thank you."
"Please enter the Chamber Capsule over there."
"OK!"
"Junior, wait up!"
This is some real Matrix-level stuff. Also, in case you didn't notice, when you first walk into the centre you're standing on top of stacks and stacks of these pods. Eerie!
Entering the Digital World
"Wow, so this is the world of Digimon Online?"
"Please retrieve your Digimon data at the lobby."
We just picked them out a second ago how could you forget
"Oh, I understand. I'll go right now!"
Asuka City! Here we'll leave off, and in the next update, we'll get to learn the ins and outs of Digimon Battle! As previously mentioned, there will be a vote for both name and starter pack, so feel free to go hog-wild.