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Though FromSoftware’s Armored Core series was once a favorite among mech enthusiasts, few games have successfully captured its essence since. Marvelous’ Daemon X Machina, released five years ago, managed to capture some of the spirit but fell short due to an forgettable story and other issues. The sequel, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion, promises to improve on these aspects.
Set hundreds of years after the original game, Titanic Scion explores similar themes like the colonization and independence of the blue planet from Earth Prime, and further develops the Outers—humans with special abilities fueled by Femto energy. The Outers’ rejection led to a revolution and the establishment of the Sovereign Axiom. The rebel Reclaimers fight against this regime, facing other violent consequences of Femto exposure known as Immortals. The player can join the Reclaimers, including their own created character, who seeks revenge for the pain caused by the Axiom.
Although I’ve only played the first three hours, the story’s potential is evident, and I am interested to see how the war between the Reclaimers and the Axiom will play out. The game’s gameplay has shifted from mission-based to a mix of open-world mechanics, with an emphasis on Arsenal customization and combat suits.
Marvelous struck a good balance by offering a mission-based progression system within an open world setting, complete with convenient traversal through fast travel points. The map features enemies like Immortals and Axiom forces, along with random events that add unpredictability. This setup reminded me of the gameplay in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Arsenal customization is extensive, with different parts determining capabilities and weight, various weapon types, and movement options including evasive maneuvers and Boost abilities powered by Femto energy. Combat becomes more engaging with mechanics like grabbing enemies after damaging them and Fusion Skills, which significantly impact playstyle.
Combat is enhanced further through Grabbing, allowing players to damage enemies and throw them, opening up many possibilities. Fusion Skills provide a wide range of options, from passive buffs to defensive skills like deflecting bullets. A Heavy Armor system reminiscent of the original game’s Arsenal can be summoned, adding depth to combat.
Co-op multiplayer and switching weapons in mid-combat add further variety. Overall, Titanic Scion offers a much deeper experience than its predecessor, promising to edge closer to the gameplay style of Monster Hunter and God Eater series.
After playing the first three hours, I am interested to see what else the game has to offer in terms of mission variety and combat mechanics. The open world setting enhances mission-based gameplay, and the war between Reclaimers and Axiom is an intriguing narrative thread.
Thankfully, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion launches on September 5, 2023, on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. The PC version was tested using a preview build provided by the publisher.
