Check your guns, get your mech suits ready, but your ice cream and prepare to dive into a post apocalyptic world of Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion!
Story of Daemon X Machina
Daemon X Machina kicks the story in full throttle straight from the jumping in point, you begin on a space station and are quickly informed that you get to get off and out with your comrades in arms, Nerve. Upon fighting your way out, you end up being shot down in space and landing on the planet’s surface. Shortly after this you are greeted by Toby, a mechanical boy who requests your help to save his father, called Forge. The duo takes you in and offers repairs to your mech suit in return for saving them, as well as recruiting you to join them to fight back against the immortals and Axiom (the antagonistic forces of the game).
The story was fantastic. It deals with a fair few themes that some considered edgy for the sake of it, where I like to think it went for just a more mature theme. For example, there’s a mission mid to late game that had you rescuing survivors that the Axiom had rounded up to conduct experiments on that force evolved the humans to become immortals (mutant beasts). Arguably, some of the dialogue itself, or rather the characters involved, do come across as overly edgelordy, such as Ash. Even after beating the game, I still can’t stand him as he mentions multiple times while he joins you on missions that he lost his arm saving his sister.
Gameplay
The main meat and meal of Daemon X Machina is the gameplay, and let me tell you, there is some fantastic stuff. Daemon x Machina is now an open-world game, so no more sitting in a hub, accepting a mission, then returning upon completion. You are fully in control of exploring the map and making discoveries for gear. Whether you enjoy the story or not, the gameplay stands strong as one of the shining pillars.
As you may have noticed earlier, I mentioned that we were in a mech suit rather than a full mech like its predecessor, Armored Core. While being an interesting choice, I prefer it as it places you closer to the ground, making the bigger beasts and opponents feel more intimidating due to that size difference. However, all the customisation is still intact, with weaponry and armour being fully customizable and at your discretion.
You can even change the appearance of the armour if you want your suit to have a particular look, but with specific armour, skills, and perks attached to it. The other bonus of being in a mech suit is that it also gives you the freedom to ride mutant horses, trucks, and even unlock a personal bike (that transforms into a shoulder-mounted laser cannon) to save your femto (flight fuel resource).
The World Of Daemon X Machina
If you thought the customisation stopped there, you would be so wrong. As you explore the open world and defeat enemies, you will pick up genetic codes. These codes are used to bolster your arsenal with various buffs and attack patterns, assuming you have collected the correct combination for the skills to trigger. Such skills include a passive healing skill or the ability to throw your melee weapon like a boomerang.
With Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion taking a more open-world approach, the way in which missions have also been revised from its predecessor. The main critical path has you go to various points; however, the hub/base is where you will accept side missions to then speak to the relevant quest giver in the open world, and then return after completion to claim your reward.
Base of Operations and Map Features
Yes, you read that correctly, you absolutely still have a hub/base of operations. However, this now takes the role of your shop, customisation station, and accepting side missions from the terminal, along with various other utilities.
Being open-world, there is a map which allows you to make pins and waypoints for things of interest, as well as hunt beacons (drops from enemies that, when repaired, lead you on a treasure hunt) to find a variety of loot within. On top of doing what you would expect a map to do in an open-world game, there is an enemy location list complete with what loot will drop, allowing you to find the enemy in question to begin a farming run for your desired item.
As a little fun titbit, just when you thought you’ve seen all theatre Daemon X Machina has to offer, after a few hours, you will continue to unlock things right up until late into the story, which is always a nice surprise to see.
Sound Design
I adore the score and sound design. The score itself has a fantastic blend of metal/industrial/techno music for nearly all the fights. Whether that be a small skirmish in the open world or duelling against a giant beast, the soundtrack really felt like it was made to get you moving. Of course, there are also more sombre piano-based melodies which are often used during moments of sadness and defeat. I felt like it elevated those moments, especially after heavy metal riffs or electronic headbopping tracks.
As for the voice acting, wow, everyone absolutely brings their A-game. Each character’s dialogue is beautiful, whether sombre moments or moments of sheer anger; the range is great. The only exception is Ash, the easily hatable edgy character, and I did not care for him. All his lines felt like over-the-top teenager reactions to any given situation. On the flip side of this, I did like Raven and Forge’s voice acting, which, to my surprise, were also JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure English Voice actors playing Polpo and Abbacchio in the (respective order) from Golden Wind.
The sounds of combat are exactly what you expect from each weapon that either fires a shell, lands a melee attack, or unleashes any form of general damage. The enemies’ roars when returning fire and taking damage are all hard-hitting and punchy in an almost visceral way.
Visual Design
Visually, Daemon X Machina is a stunner. The art direction remains in its anime roots, yet has seemingly dropped the cel-shaded anime style in favour of a more gritty tone. This isn’t just with the general mechs and character design, but extends into the environments as well as the foes you will be facing.
Along your journey, you will explore dilapidated ruins, beautiful deserts, foreboding-looking marshes, and even a meat tunnel or two, with the more fleshy and moist-looking areas/creatures looking just as gross and fleshy for an anime title.
Final thoughts for Daemon X Machina
I have enjoyed every aspect of Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion, and even with Monster Hunter Wilds (being a series I fully love) releasing earlier this year, I stand by what I say when I tell you this is currently my favourite game of 2025. Unfortunately, I have yet to play the coop side of the game due to no one I know owning the game, but I am aware that you are able to do the campaign as a team. You can also explore much of the post-game content, tackling everything from random dungeons to big immortals or mechs to craft that gear you so desire.
One of my earliest issues with Daemon X Machina was the load times between fast travelling; however, that has since been quickly patched out. With a team so on the ball and seemingly player-focused, I am excited to see what is in store next year. We already have confirmation that between now and December, we will be getting six new bosses to fight along with a paid DLC, with only speculation and wonder about what next year will bring.
10/10 great combat, fantastic world, killer soundtrack, and beautiful visuals.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows
Developers: FIRST STUDIO, Marvelous
Publisher: XSEED Games
Genres: Adventure game, Shooter Video Game, Fighting game
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