I'm surprised this game hasn't accumulated a cult following.
Also, it is a family favorite. Again, I'm surprised there isn't at least an official site for this game; there is just so much to it. My sister is a Fisher. My brother is a Mercenary. I'm a Gatherer. Other than that, you can either be a Store Clerk, a Professional Fighter, or live off of "welfare" (the daily food they give you). It all depends on how you keep your digimon alive and well, and each lifestyle has it's advantages.
Caring for the digimon itself is it's own game, not to mention recruiting digimon for multiple gains, including both job oppurtinities and general game progress . In fact, moving toward completing the game is not only a worthy challenge, but often takes a backseat to the very essence of the gameplay. It's easy to forget the primary goals when you're so busy making up your own, you see!
As for raising your digital monster, you'll need to feed it when it's hungry, tell it to sleep when it's bedtime, take it to the toilet when it needs to go, let it rest when it gets tired, give it medicine when it gets sick, give it a band-aid when it's injured, respond to the latter two by scolding it when it refuses these items, keep it's weight in check (make sure it doesn't become anorexic; this can be common in rookie stage), watch your mistakes carefully, train according to your digimon's next stage...
...Oh yes, didn't I mention that it would digivolve? Choose an egg, then it's baby, in-training, rookie, champion, and ultimate(if you get lucky). Each digimon is endlessly complex, possessing their own type, internal clock, temperaments, and abilities. Digimon live for 15 days total, leaving you with just enough time, when ready, to globe-trot the world as a sort of 10-day "vacation", if your heart or your digimon's does so desire.
THE GOOD
Areas are beautifully designed, and you'll find yourself stopping various times to ask, "What's that? Why is it here?", and discover that the answers are very clever indeed. For instance, I once came across an unplugged tree. Only in the digital world, folks.
The sound is said to be repetitive and annoying, but I like it a lot. It's well-suited to each environment. Enter the canyon, and there is solely the sound of wind; excactly what you'd expect at such desolate heights. Go into the ice sanctuary, and the soothing sound of organs and a very lightly played xylophone will make you both peaceful and proud of how far you've come just to be there.
A plentiful number of lost city-goers, the ever-present task of owning the battlefield, and rare items you may never even have heard of will keep you coming back for more with this game. I don't feel like I touched on everything in this review, but then, maybe I don't need to. You have a right to figure those things out for yourself.
THE BAD
Glitches up in the Drill Tunnel and on your way to Industrial Town, two very alluring places. If you can, play it on PS2. If you can't, the game still has much to offer.
FINAL VERDICT
And now it's up to you. If you don't like detail-oriented monster raising games, stay away from this game. All the same, I recommend you at least borrow it, rent it, or pick it up cheap. Fans of this genre, get it while it's available. This is a very old game.
Oh yeah, and one more thing. STAY AWAY from the other games in the series. If you want to base your idea of Digimon World on games #2, #3, and #4, you're beyond help. I've gotten #2 and #3, and I am outraged that the creators of the original could fall so far, even which each sequel.
Happy travels!