Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion bullet point impressions

Or, just go grab the demo.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion will be released for Nintendo Switch 2 on September 5th. And if this isn’t one you had on your launch-window radar, add it.

Marvelous (XSEED) provided us with an early access key, so I’ve spent the last few weeks, running, riding, and flying across a hostile planet, battling countless hostile enemies along the way. My verdict? Well, we’ll save that for the full review. In the meantime, here are my preview impressions of the game so far, handily arranged, as always, in 11 easily digestible bullet points.

• This is one of those games that purposely overwhelms you at the onset, but hang in there; you’ll be allowed to catch up after a bit. And although this serves as a sequel to 2019’s Daemon X Machina, there’s no need to worry if you haven’t played it. I didn’t, and I was able to pick things up quite quickly.
• The avatar creation/customization interface is refreshingly easy to use. You can go with a preset or design your own from scratch. Either way, you should be able to land on something you like in no time. If not, you’ll soon get the ability to change your appearance in-game.
• The tutorials do a solid job of getting you started. Combat is mostly handled from within your mech suit, called an Arsenal. You can equip ranged or melee weapons in each hand, add shoulder-mounted and auxiliary weapons, etc. Titanic Scion does a good job of telling you how to use them.
• It doesn’t, however, do as good of a job helping you with equipment strategies. There is a lot to learn about effectiveness against specific enemy types, upgrading and accessorizing, how/when to swap, etc. You can save your Arsenal buildouts for a quick return to a favorite kit, but story progression will be slow-going in the early hours of the game as you retreat to regenerate or try out armor/weaponry better suited for the job.

• But the developers knew that, and gave you plenty of ways to get better. You can practice at your base and re-engage boss battles, but I found it more fun to increase my combat skills and weaponry knowledge out in the field. In fact, let’s focus on the field for a bit.
• The planet on which you find yourself is massive, although mostly closed off at the start. Story-based missions will have you unlock new areas, but a straight line twixt A and B is not the route of choice between them. The in-game map will constantly distract you with items to scavenge, minerals to mine, etc. And you just know there has to be a loot container or two in those derelict buildings, right? Honestly, fans of Xenoblade Chronicles X are going to be right at home navigating this world.
• Except that unlike with XCX, you’re given the ability to access almost everything from the start. Your Arsenal is there. The ability to fly is there. Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion doesn’t ease you into gameplay, it tosses you in head first and then gives you the methods and materials required to get better.
• The methods of applying those materials, unfortunately, could use an overhaul. The UI is cumbersome and confusing at the start, and certain changes can only be made at certain locations. The game really makes you feel like a newbie with upgrades and maintenance.
• Thankfully, each new area you reach gives you the ability to warp back to your base to make these changes…although you may not want to. Driving and horseback riding are a blast. Warping also prevents you from acquiring items you may want. And, of course, this is a stunning world to explore. You’ll quickly realize why this game was only released for the graphics power of the Switch 2, and you’ll applaud the decision.

• One of the more unique features of Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is that you can play the story mode online with up to two other online players. I haven’t tried that yet, but hope to before my final review. If playing alone, your combat teammates are controlled by AI, and I found them to be pretty effective.
• Ice cream is a weird way to get temporary stat boosts.

That’s not nearly enough to cover everything Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion has to offer, but it’ll do for now. I’m only nine chapters into the game, after all, so there’s much more to learn and master before its release on September 5th. Watch for our full review in the coming weeks.

Before then, head on over to the Nintendo eShop to add Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion to your wish list or, even better, to grab the newly released demo. For more information on the game, visit na.daemonxmachina.com/titanicscion/.