The moon has fallen and a poisonous substance, Femto, has swept across the Earth. Humanity survives but struggles to take back the planet. Rogue AI and machines threaten humanity’s existence. To fight this new menace, humans became more than human. From MARVELOUS! game studios and designer Shōji Kawamori comes Daemon X Machina, a Nintendo Switch exclusive and new IP for the console. Following the earlier prototype demo early this year and subsequent feedback, the final game has arrived for players to enjoy and the end result is an immensely satisfying heavy-metal adventure, despite a few scratches in the armor.
Daemon X Machina is a third-person action shooter with a focus on mech combat. In Daemon X Machina, players are known as “Outers” or pilots of their own mech unit which are known as Arsenals. An Arsenal is a walking weapons platform, capable of being equipped with a plethora of primary, secondary, and auxiliary weapons with shoulder weapons as well. At the beginning of Daemon X Machina, players can customize their avatar, able to choose from gender, skin color, and several other options. These settings are not permanent and can be customized later on in the game. The first few missions teach players how to operate their Arsenal, as well as how to fight in one. Players are equipped with a basic rifle and a shield as well as a basic shoulder-mounted rocket launcher. Players can run, boost, and fly in wide battle areas, using their reflexes to successfully flank and down enemies. Over time, players can collect new weapons and tools as well as new customizable parts for their Arsenal.
On the battlefield, players can loot other downed Arsenals for parts. They are automatically transferred back to base, unless a player has no weapons, in which case, they are equipped for combat in the mission. In addition to being able to purchase new weapons and parts, players can also research new parts and weapons in the factory at their main base. Additionally, the use of Femto is wrapped into the game mechanics. Certain weapons and abilities are powered by Femto and after several hours of play, there is a large assortment of options for players to choose from. Daemon X Machina allows for a wide abundance of different choices to make, without terribly compromising the player. Whether players wish to fight close-range with a blade or long-range with a bazooka, it is entirely their prerogative.
The enemy of Daemon X Machina is mechanical and relentless. Normal humans cannot fight this war, and so upgrades are necessary. Daemon X Machina introduces the idea of enhancing characters through cybernetic augmentation, turning them into cyborgs. At first, small augmentations are made, such as replacing eyes with fiber optic sensors and limbs with fully cybernetic arms. Though, as the game progresses, Daemon X Machina allows players to go all-in with their cybernetic enhancements. The entire body can become a synthetic and cybernetic weapon with cerebral augmentations, spinal replacements, and torso enhancements. Each enhancement grants players new abilities, such as increased health, faster maneuverability, and more. This is essential, as some missions require the player to leave their arsenal and defend themselves against the AI hordes.
Daemon X Machina gives players a variety of options for missions and as the game features online co-op, there is plenty to enjoy in Daemon X Machina. Most missions involve destroying absolutely every enemy unit on-screen, from enemy Arsenal units to AI armies. When everything comes together, the gameplay of Daemon X Machina is tight, responsive, exhilarating, and fun. Fighting in a customizable Arsenal at fast speeds feels incredibly solid and the game’s visual presentation provides a strong impression. Daemon X Machina feels like an anime or living manga, with cel-shaded graphics stylizing the action on-screen. The combination of weapons provides something new to the table and each new challenge feels like a refreshing reward when accomplished. Daemon X Machina challenges the player, especially when fighting the larger-than-life bosses, known as Immortals; the challenge is firm but fair.
Where Daemon X Machina falls back is in its story which, while passionately acted and interesting, is rather messy. It isn’t super clear what is happening, though the story becomes solid enough after several hours and things begin to make a bit more sense. It’s not the most concise, but it is interesting enough, and the story could have been greatly improved if it remained more focused. The story centers around the players and a group of mercenary Outers fighting to protect humanity, as long as the price is right. With the assortment of “Houses” available, each House vies for control as well. The voice actors passionately act as their respective characters and each character feels distinctly different from the next. The drawback is that there isn’t much room for these characters to develop. The player never sees their history or reasonings for fighting beyond the surface level. Story sections are told during missions, via texts and abrupt pauses. A Hub World, with cutscenes or story segments, would have been incredibly beneficial.
Additionally, there was a huge missed opportunity in regards to the transhumanism featured in Daemon X Machina. As mentioned before, the player can fully augment themselves into a combat machine, with the entire body being replaced with wires, circuitry, and synthetic muscles. While this brings about new abilities, it does beg the question if it is worth losing that definition of humanity to become something more. I also would have loved to have seen the story change as the player, or characters, augment themselves. {erha[s seeing a change of behavior or affection for other characters change with each augmentation could have gone a long way into making for a fascinating story. That level of interaction of being stronger and smarter via cybernetic augmentations could have made for a different array of storytelling. What we have is serviceable, but a missed opportunity overall.
All in all, Daemon X Machina is a solid, mech-action experience that wears its anime influences on its sleeve and goes to town delivering an exciting, fun, and engaging action game. While the story is unfocused, the potential is there, and should a sequel be made, I would love to explore this world more. Daemon X Machina is heavy metal anime action that will excite mech enthusiasts and Armored Core veterans. Strap in for the fight against the Immortals!
More information on Daemon X Machina can be found on the official website and there is a free demo for Switch players to try. A Switch copy was purchased by the reviewer.
For more review content, check out my take on on space shooter Subdivision Infinity DX or our look at Disco Elysium, a well-written detective RPG with a unique take on the genre.
