8Bit/Digi

A New Battle in a Familiar World

Daemon X Machina first caught my attention as a mecha game developed by Kenichiro Tsukuda, best known for his work on the Armored Core series. While it had its flaws, it was still a solid game and, at the time, felt like this generation’s answer to Armored Core. That was until Fires of Rubicon launched in 2023. With the iconic mech series having made a comeback, Daemon X Machina needed an overhaul to stand out and prove its potential for growth. Titanic Scion has become the answer to that challenge.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is both a continuation and a bold new direction for the series. While it still uses the mech genre as its foundation, nearly everything else has been radically reimagined. What may seem like a red flag at first glance proves to be a necessary evolution, executed so effectively that it ultimately works to its advantage. The result is not only a masterpiece in its own right but also a statement of the series gaining the freedom to forge its own path moving forward.

Welcome to the Blue Planet

Three hundred years after the events of Daemon X Machina, humanity has abandoned the Red Planet, once known as Earth, and colonized the Blue Planet. Tensions soon erupted between ordinary humans and the Outers, individuals born with abilities altered by Femto exposure. Resentful of persecution, the Outers seized control of the orbital defense satellites known as the Gardens. They have established dominance through their military arm, the Sovereign Axiom. This forces the humans on the surface into a life of struggle and poverty. Making matters worse, they must also fight to survive against a race of organic-mechanical creatures known as the Immortals. In response, the resistance organization called the Reclaimers has emerged to challenge the Axiom’s brutal rule.

Players step into the role of a Centurion, a soldier engineered by the Sovereign Axiom to serve as a living weapon. With the help of their ally Nerve, they manage to escape from a Garden and crash-land on the Blue Planet. However, Nerve is left behind during the desperate fight, forcing the Centurion to continue the struggle alone. Teaming up with the Reclaimers, they must sharpen their abilities, weaken the Axiom’s iron grip, liberate the planet’s people, and ultimately rescue Nerve.

The first question newcomers might ask is whether they need to play the first game. The answer is no. Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is a direct sequel, but its story is set so far ahead in the timeline that it functions almost like a self-contained narrative. The narrative does an excellent job of introducing players to the current world while delivering an engaging story for all. By the end, you’ll feel emotionally invested in the Blue Planet and driven to fight alongside its people to free it from the Sovereign Axiom. Compared to its predecessor, this is a much stronger story, one that allows the series to forge its own path rather than remain in Armored Core’s shadow.

Gear Up Your Arsenal

The concept of a mecha game inspired by the Armored Core series remains the foundation of the gameplay. However, Titanic Scion abandons the idea of traditional mechs in favor of power armor as the primary weapon. What makes this unique is that the purpose of the Arsenal still functions like a mech. You can still customize your armor, gear, and loadouts based on their pros/cons, along with your fighting style. Upgrades and new equipment can be purchased at the base, collected directly from the battlefield, or earned after a successful mission.

Besides the switch from classic mechs to power armor, the next major change is the open world setting. Daemon X Machina featured massive levels perfectly suited for intense mech combat. In contrast, Titanic Scion embraces an open world that is both rugged and perilous, teeming with hostile biodiversity. This shift makes power armor ideal, allowing you to feel like a person battling the elements while still preserving the sensation of piloting a mech. Despite its barren appearance, the Blue Planet offers plenty to discover, including settlements, abandoned cities, and hostile bases. At the same time, it holds natural wonders that invite players to pause and appreciate their beauty.

The combat mechanics deliver exactly what fans of mech games crave. The Arsenal is easy to control thanks to a user friendly setup that ensures a smooth experience. Battles are fast paced and intense, while mission parameters dictate your overall strategy. Objectives range from assaulting enemy encampments to supporting fellow Reclaimers, exploring the Blue Planet, and facing towering bosses. Players must experiment with diverse playstyles and tactics, adapting constantly to the evolving battlefield.

Joining the Reclaimers

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion completely reinvents itself from its predecessor. It leans heavily into science fiction elements I’m not especially fond of and borrows ideas from titles that struggled to succeed. At the same time, it feels like an entirely different game, so much so that it barely seems part of the same series. Yet I can’t be upset, because it executes everything so flawlessly. I credit this to its “fun first” approach. While other games with power armor and hostile alien worlds felt bare boned and prioritized live service features like loot boxes and microtransactions, Marvelous Inc. instead focused on making a fun game.

At the same time, it’s clear why this new approach was necessary moving forward. One of Daemon X Machina’s biggest selling points was its role as a spiritual successor to the Armored Core series. However, that angle was no longer viable after the critical and commercial success of Fires of Rubicon. If the series were to continue, it needed to forge a new path while breaking out of the shadows of the Armored Core series. This new approach not only achieves that goal but also gives the series the flexibility to grow over time without being weighed down by the legacy of another franchise.

Finally, players can choose to go solo or team up with a friend. The gameplay is a careful balance, ensuring that both approaches deliver a full experience. Whether playing alone or cooperatively, no part of the game feels neglected or diminished.

MISSON FAILIED

No game is ever truly perfect, yet Titanic Scion has so few flaws that they feel almost trivial. Most issues stem from unclear instructions and certain gameplay elements relying on unusual button configurations that can be confusing. However, these quirks become less frustrating once players spend time adjusting to the control scheme. There are also major changes that might make fans of the first game hesitant, but once you play it, you’ll quickly be won over. Ultimately, the minor shortcomings are easy to overlook, leaving Titanic Scion an engaging experience overall.

A Free World

Marvelous Inc. took a major risk by completely changing everything about the original game for Titanic Scion. It was a necessary shift, but also a bold gamble that ultimately paid off. The end result is one of the best mech games I’ve played since Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is a radical departure from its predecessor, yet it allows the series to forge a distinct identity moving forward. It’s a direct sequel, yet the lore is set far enough apart that new fans can easily jump in. The mech genre remains the foundation of the gameplay, though it has been radically altered while keeping the intense combat. Players can explore the Blue Planet and engage in battles solo or with a friend without any drop in quality. Overall, the game strikes a strong balance between accessibility for newcomers and depth for returning fans.

Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion (PC)

10

Masterpiece

10.0/10

Pros

• The game is still a mech game at its core, but one that is radically different.
• A direct sequel, yet the lore is set far enough apart that new fans can easily jump in.
• Easy to learn gameplay and combat that is intense and fast paced.
• Quality balance between single player and the co-op experience.

Cons

• Minor gameplay issues are present, but they can be easily overlooked or quickly adapted to.