When envisioning mechs, one often pictures colossal machines, perhaps the size of a building, akin to the iconic 65-foot Unicorn Gundam in Odaiba. Daemon X Machina`s mechs, known as Arsenals, aren`t quite as gargantuan, but they still necessitate a pilot inside a cockpit. However, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion, the highly anticipated sequel, introduces a significant evolution: Arsenals are no longer traditional mechs, but rather advanced mech suits. This distinction is crucial, as it creates an immersive sensation of direct, unhindered movement, whether you`re rocketing across the terrain or engaging in close-quarters blade combat. Surprisingly, my initial hours with Titanic Scion evoked strong resemblances to Anthem, and I mean that in a positive way.
While comparing it to Anthem might seem unconventional, consider the shared premise: piloting a customizable, powerful mech suit as a personalized avatar in an expansive open world, with the option to undertake missions alongside other players online. Yet, unlike BioWare`s ill-fated venture, Titanic Scion doesn`t feel like another misguided attempt at a live-service loot-grinder. Instead, it feels like a genuine leap forward from its predecessor, which, despite its striking visual style of vibrant reds and metallic hues reminiscent of both anime and heavy metal, was constrained by the Nintendo Switch hardware.
Titanic Scion opens with an extensive introductory narrative, highlighting key terms like `outers` – beings who have surpassed humanity, often exploited due to their outcast status. You create your protagonist, customizing hair, body type, and voice, only to wake up in a space facility called the Garden. Before being transformed into a `centurion,` an escape mission throws you directly into the action.
Your escape is facilitated by Nerve, a familiar figure to the protagonist. Together, you commandeer Arsenal suits. Each Arsenal can wield a weapon in either hand, allowing for fluid weapon swaps to adapt to various combat scenarios. The left trigger controls the left-arm weapon, and the right trigger the right-arm weapon. Whether it`s a long-range rifle or a melee sword, attacks lock onto enemies, enabling swift lunges for close-combat engagements.
A quick evade maneuver, assigned to the right bumper, consumes stamina. Separately, a `Femto` gauge fuels abilities like boosting and flying. However, the initial escape proves overwhelming, with numerous enemies, including a formidable crimson Centurion, in pursuit. This leads to separation from Nerve, and you plummet to a red planet below, where you encounter new allies: Forge, another Arsenal user, and his seemingly robotic son, Toby.
This desolate, hostile desert wasteland harbors another threat: Immortals. These beasts are corrupted outers, infused with Femto energy. Early encounters are easily dispatched, yielding valuable parts. Interestingly, upon defeating an enemy that drops loot, you can only collect one item before the rest vanish. This encourages strategic decision-making: do you prioritize new gear, a crucial consumable, or materials for future crafting?
Following the perilous escape from the Garden, the immediate need for better equipment becomes apparent. As you accompany Forge and Toby to their home base, you can scavenge materials by demolishing red `femtrees` for Femto or mining environmental nodes for ore, in addition to salvaging gear from defeated Immortals.
A built-in scanner greatly aids exploration of the open world. A particularly welcome discovery was the ability to activate jet boots with a simple double-tap of the jump button, eliminating the need to traverse on foot. This allows for effortless aerial traversal across the map, with additional Femto consumption providing a speed boost. Engaging airborne enemies becomes a seamless experience, and the exhilaration of flight combined with strategic positioning makes aerial combat as satisfying as ground battles. You can halt your momentum mid-flight or resume flying from a freefall, offering a rewarding blend of speed and tactical advantage.
Upon reaching the home base, the core structure of Titanic Scion becomes clear. This acts as your central hub, where you accept missions, upgrade facilities, and even enjoy ice cream to gain temporary perks. Unlike its predecessor, where missions were always initiated from the hangar, Titanic Scion allows you to select multiple missions simultaneously before venturing into the open world. These missions can be tracked on the map, and fast travel points become accessible as you discover them.
Missions can be undertaken in online co-op with up to three players, or solo offline. While I didn`t get to test online co-op during my preview, I observed intriguing asynchronous elements even when playing alone. For instance, you might stumble upon wreckage from other players` fallen Arsenals, which you can salvage for gear. Furthermore, you can construct supply bases at various points, using credits to restore health or modify your loadout without returning to the main base. When online, you can even utilize supply bases established by other players. The preview didn`t clarify whether dismantling another player`s supply base negatively impacts them or just removes a potential resource for yourself.
Beyond airborne movement, the mech-suit design offers additional versatile interactions. While high-speed aerial movement is undoubtedly a highlight, I found it amusing to discover the ability to mount and ride corrupted, yet non-hostile, horses on the ground. Later, you even get to man a turret, efficiently mowing down hordes of immortal beasts. The most impactful skills, however, are reserved for Arsenal combat: staggering an enemy to grab and hurl them against a wall or into another foe, or engaging in intense melee duels where blades clash and quick button presses decide who gains the upper hand. These mechanics exude the energetic vibe of a late 2000s action game, and I`m thoroughly enjoying it.
Intriguingly, the “factors” system, introduced late in the preview, allows for gene alteration, unlocking new skills or passive benefits. While the depth of this system remains to be seen, the most captivating aspect is the physical cost of increased power: visible mutations will appear on your body, from new skin markings to a drastically less human facial appearance. Although resetting these changes is possible, the early-game cost is prohibitive, forcing players to carefully weigh the trade-off between power and physical transformation. The preview did not detail any tangible gameplay effects linked to this transformation, but if such effects exist, the decision becomes even more profound.
The initial hours with Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion feel like just a glimpse into its potential. I eagerly anticipate witnessing the full scope of the game upon its release for PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on September 5.