It feels like there’s been something of a resurgence in the mech genre over the last few years. Following the acclaimed release of Titanfall 2, the scene went quiet for a while. However, in more recent times, the launches of Armored Core 6 and Mecha Break have sparked renewed interest in all things giant robots.

Daemon x Machina was also part of this new wave of mech games. It was first released in 2019 as a Nintendo Switch exclusive, receiving a mixed reaction from both fans and critics alike, but according to Marvelous, the game performed “very well” on the platform.

It did so well, in fact, that its sequel, Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion, is abandoning Switch exclusivity and is set for release across multiple platforms in just a few short days. I got to go hands-on at Gamescom this year, speaking to producer Kenichiro Tsukuda in the process, and there was a lot to like about the mecha action title.

Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion Is Fast, Flashy, And Full Of Combat

After running around Titanic Scion’s hub world for a few minutes, which is where you design and customize your mechs before embarking on missions, I was sent out into one of the game’s open environments. While I was given a core goal — to find and destroy the area’s boss — I found plenty to do during my journey.

Rather than make a beeline for the boss, I took the time to explore. I found hidden caves to loot, and a handful of side-quests to occupy my time, but the primary focus of Titanic Scion is clearly combat and mech customization.

The world was littered with an array of different enemy types; some were ground-based living organisms, while others were mechs that weren’t afraid to take to the sky, keeping combat varied.

This is the type of game in which getting used to combat might take a little while. The mech I used was extremely rapid, at times hard to control, and the array of tools it had, alongside the flying abilities, meant there was a lot to juggle.

I had every conceivable instrument in my arsenal you’d want from a mech game. I could lock on with my rocket launcher, had a giant laser sword for close-quarters combat, and could fly around to get the jump on my opponents, or escape in a flash. Once I got into the flow of things, though, it was a blast.

There will be around 300 different pieces of equipment to help create the perfect mech.

Upon defeating enemies, I was able to harvest their resources and research them. These are the core components of upgrading and customizing your mechs.

While I didn’t get to try this element of the game, I was assured by writer and producer Kenichiro Tsukuda that there will be around 300 different pieces of equipment to help create the perfect mech.

It was at this point that I realised just how passionate Tsukuda was about mechs and creating great games within the genre. “It’s easy to design all this stuff when you love the genre, but it can be difficult balancing the performance with the looks,” he tells me. “Often I’d send my designs to the art director, who would tell me, ‘Yeah, that’s not good to be honest.’”

Tsukuda told me that, to him, mechs are more than just giant robots, but conveying this point can be difficult. “I think it’s really cool when you see turrets on top of tanks and they rotate, but people who like robot anime don’t feel the same. I’m trying to help them see that.”

Same-Same, But Different

One of the major complaints players had with the original Daemon x Machina was the story. At TheGamer, we said the narrative was “lost in a bad script with very mediocre characters.” It transpires, Tsukuda tells me, that the original title’s lead writer fell ill during development, meaning the team had to scramble to finish the narrative, something that won’t be the case this time around.

“We created the story first to ensure nobody got sick,” he laughs. “We wanted to make it easy to understand, but full of RPG elements.”

We'd like to introduce PvP for this one, too.

Along with major story changes, Titanic Scion is dropping the PvP mode that was one of the original game’s most popular.

“We'd like to introduce PvP for this one too, but we're going to release it first and see how the reaction goes,” Tsukuda says. “Instead, we are pushing co-op mode for this one, because you can play together and help each other. If we were to introduce PvP mode, I'd like to lower the bar as low as possible so that anyone can try.”

It seems like while the fundamentals of Titanic Scion will be the same as its predecessors, Marvelous is making small changes that it feels are for the better.

“If you didn't play the previous one, you’ll still really enjoy this one,” Tsukada finishes. “The adjustments we’ve made make the game feel much better, and the story is something that you can still enjoy, even if you don't know the previous one.”

Like Follow Followed

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion

Action Shooter Open-World Exploration Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 69/100 Critics Rec: 57% Released September 5, 2025 ESRB Teen / Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Marvelous Publisher(s) Marvelous Engine Unreal Engine 5 Multiplayer Online Co-Op
Where to play Close

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
Powered by Expand Collapse