Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion

Genre: Open-World Action-RPG

Players: 1-3 Co-Op (Online)

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Review:

(Note: This review has been directly sponsored by a kind donation from Jamie and His Cats. Thanks again for your generous contribution!)

When the original Daemon X Machina provided Nintendo Switch with a surprising exclusive, it was unfortunately not well-received by many, and so I expected that to be a one-off game, a footnote in the history of Nintendo’s hybrid console. Imagine my surprise when the Nintendo Switch 2 was announced, and among the earliest confirmed games was a full sequel to Daemon X Machina, and one that didn’t merely make a second attempt at the same formula as the first game, but aimed for something far, far more ambitious.

To be perfectly honest, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion, released in 2025 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, feels like a completely different game than its predecessor, with no need to know anything about the first game’s story, mechanics, characters, and so on. Moving and fighting in mechs feels different to me in this game, and the nature of the story and overall gameplay loop are quite different too. Of course, much of this is due to what is undoubtedly the biggest change here – unlike the first Daemon X Machina, Titanic Scion is an Open-World game.

Players are introduced to the overarching conflict of the game in a prologue where… and here’s where I typed up a long explanation before realizing it doesn’t matter. You’ve got the snobby superior enhanced human types residing in space, the normal humans below, and amidst their friction you, one of the enhanced types, escapes being experimented on and joins the resistance with the normies, with the aim of gradually gearing up so you can return to space and rescue a comrade of yours who couldn’t escape with you.

I can’t say I cared much about the story, but once you get down to Earth, you settle into the game’s main gameplay loop, which has you gearing up in town, heading out to explore or go on missions, then returning either with loot of more parts and weapons with which to outfit your mech. There’s just enough variety in the missions and enemy types to keep them from getting too monotonous, and enough variety in parts and weapons to make each downed enemy a bit of an exciting moment of “ooh, what did I get this time?”

As Open-World games go, this is decent but unspectacular, due to a lack of truly compelling exploration elements that you tend to find in the best Open-World games. And because I think it’s probably an important comparison to make for Nintendo fans, I will say that I much prefer the more straightforward and easy-to-understand action-focused gameplay of Titanic Scion over that other Nintendo Open-World mech game, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, but Xenoblade Chronicles X has this game beat in terms of depth. Plus, I think Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is a more impressive showcase for its platform.

Don’t get me wrong, I think Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion looks good on Nintendo Switch 2, with really nice-looking detailed mechs. But with plenty of pop-in and occasional framerate issues, it definitely doesn’t look “next gen” in a way that justifies its $70 price tag. Plus, I did find myself getting tired of this game’s dusty locale after dusty locale.

The voice acting here is at least decent, and the soundtrack is superb, with a mix of great anime-esque themes, orchestral, techno, and metal, with plenty of energy and gravitas, like the Daemon X Machina theme, Liberators, Way to Go!, Overbullet, Overkill, Gaze, Bullet, Yaiba, Remember Our Vow, Turning Point, The Garden, Iris, The Ruler, the placid and moving An Ordinary Day and Despair, and the extremely tonally-dissonant yet catchy Ice Cream.

Overall, I really like Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion. I think it is a massive improvement over its predecessor, but saying that does it a disservice because this is so much more ambitious of a game. That said, I wish the Open-World elements were more developed, I wish the presentation were more polished, and I wish it didn’t come with a $70 price tag that’s honestly too steep for what’s on offer here. However, if you enjoy Open-World Action-RPG games and can get this game for sale at a good price, I absolutely recommend it.

tl;dr – Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is an Open-World Action-RPG that is far more ambitious than the original Daemon X Machina, to the point where I feel like they’re two very different games. This game offers good action and some excellent mech customization, but is lacking in its Open-World elements, has some rough spots in its presentation, and doesn’t quite feel like it earns its $70 price tag. However, if you enjoy solid Action-RPG titles and find this on sale at a good price, I definitely recommend it.

Grade: B

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This game has been nominated for one or more of eShopperReviews 2025 Game Awards:

Winner:

Most Underrated (69) – While overpriced and certainly not without its flaws, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is a huge step above its predecessor, and a truly enjoyable Open-World Action-RPG that deserves far better than the low ratings other reviewers gave it.

Runner-Up: Best Action-RPG, Best Sequel, The “Wow, this game was way better than I expected!” Award

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