It was quite a happy surprise to see Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion during Nintendo’s April 2025 Direct, because it was honestly a game I didn’t think would get a sequel. Despite eventually finding its way to the PC in 2020, the original Daemon X Machina felt like this big, bold title that was meant to show off the Nintendo Switch’s relative power despite its small size. And while it was a very good game, it always felt more like a Switch showcase than something that would spin off into its own series.
I’ve long been a fan of giant robot games, and as such, I loved the first Daemon X Machina, so I was genuinely excited for more when I saw the initial trailer for the sequel. However, what I didn’t expect was just how radically Marvelous First Studio would shift the feel and style of the game. Daemon X Machnia: Titanic Scion is a game that maintains the DNA of its predecessor but makes things tighter, faster, and much more stylish
When I saw the initial trailer for Daemon X Machnia: Titanic Scion, I assumed the suits this game’s Outers were stepping into were just a normal kind of power armour. After all, the first game allowed players to run around on the ground if their Arsenal got destroyed, maybe this game was giving players a bit more of a boost if that happened. But no, this is Daemon X Machnia: Titanic Scion’s new gameplay development.
Arsenals are now scaled down to fit the player character, maintaining the same variety of upgrades and equippable parts—but in a much more personal way. I actually found it funny that a game with the subtitle Titanic Scion would bring the action down to a more grounded form of combat. That said, the game doesn’t sacrifice its sense of scale or visual impact.
If Daemon X Machina was comparable to Armored Core, then I’d say Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is closer to Xenoblade Chronicles X. This is largely due to Titanic Scion shifting from the original’s contained arenas to a large, open world that invites exploration. Players take on missions and engage with both monsters and mechas. And while it plays like an action game, it feels far more like an RPG—with a few interesting twists.
Players can engage enemies in the field with an assortment of weapons; however, if downed enemies have loot to retrieve, players are only able to choose one item to take. It creates an interesting dynamic where players need to be considerate about what they’re grabbing from enemies and blends nicely with the style of a Mecha Game, as players still need to assemble their Arsenal in a way that is both effective and suits their preferred playstyle.
“…the combat is what really makes Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion stand out.”
On top of their Arsenal, players can unlock genetic mutations by defeating powerful enemies. These mutations grant special abilities tied to specific weapons, enhance combat performance or provide passive upgrades. But there’s a catch—using them can alter your character’s physical appearance in strange, sometimes monstrous ways. While this ties into Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion’s narrative to some extent—and some players might enjoy having a character that looks like a demonic horror—the appearance changes can be reset. Just be prepared to pay a hefty in-game fee if you want to return to normal.
I’ve touched on it already, but the combat is what truly makes Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion stand out. While its predecessor featured fast-paced, high-octane battles, it was still somewhat limited by the scale of its giant mechs—which, by design, had to move and handle in a way that felt heavy and intimidating. Titanic Scion captures that same mechanical weight but keeps things fast, fluid and incredibly engaging by making the player character human-sized.
What’s more, where melee weapons in Daemon X Machina often felt like secondary tools compared to ranged options—much like in Armored Core—Titanic Scion gives bladed weapons the spotlight. They now feature extensive combo potential and even allow players to “clash” with enemies for a tactical advantage. The result is a combat system that’s not just deeper, but more intense and exciting. You can dash across the battlefield, pepper enemies with bullets from afar, then close in for a satisfying slash to finish the job.
While this preview build had a few visual and technical hiccups, with a month to go before launch, I’m confident Marvelous First Studio will deliver the same level of polish they brought to the original. As it stands, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion feels dramatically different from its predecessor—but just as deep and even more fun to play.
