When Daemon X Machina first launched in 2019, it stood out as a love letter to the mech genre, blending arcade-style action with anime-inspired storytelling. With Titanic Scion, Marvelous brings the series to a new generation, aiming to expand its scale while refining its formula. The result is a sequel that embraces bigger worlds and larger-than-life boss fights, but one that still wrestles with pacing issues and mechanical complexity. For fans of fast-paced mech combat, it’s a clear step forward, though not without caveats.
The narrative continues in familiar fashion, dropping players into a fractured future where mercenaries pilot customizable Arsenals to confront colossal threats. The story carries a darker tone, mixing philosophical undertones with factional conflicts. While it adds intrigue, the pacing is uneven, with long stretches of exposition sandwiched between bursts of action. The cast of eccentric characters and political intrigue still feel very “anime” in both strengths and weaknesses – energetic, colorful, but occasionally melodramatic. It’s engaging for those invested in the lore, but newcomers may find it meanders before the main stakes fully crystallize.
Gameplay is where Titanic Scion makes its boldest leaps. Missions now unfold across wider, more open zones, allowing players to transition seamlessly between ground combat, aerial dogfights, and even horseback traversal in certain regions. The freedom is exhilarating, especially when taking on the massive boss encounters that define the experience. These battles demand both quick reflexes and smart loadout choices, creating a sense of scale and danger that few mech games capture. On the flip side, the chaotic nature of some fights can make it difficult to parse what’s happening, with visual clutter occasionally overwhelming clarity in battle.
Customization remains one of the franchise’s greatest strengths. From swapping weapons looted off fallen enemies to crafting entirely new systems, your Arsenal feels like an extension of your own playstyle. The expanded X-Weapon system and new mobility options open up deeper strategies, rewarding experimentation. At the same time, the sheer volume of systems – from skill trees to salvage mechanics – can feel intimidating. Veterans of the first game will welcome the complexity, but players expecting a more streamlined action game may bounce off its layered progression.
Controls on PlayStation 5 are responsive, with smooth transitions between flying, shooting, and melee combat. The game does an impressive job of making your Arsenal feel both powerful and agile, though mastering its full suite of abilities takes time. Some of the default button mappings can feel awkward until tweaked, particularly during high-speed engagements where juggling multiple functions is required. Still, when everything clicks, the sense of mobility is unmatched, making aerial battles one of the game’s standout features once you’re past the learning curve.
Visually, Titanic Scion strikes a balance between sharp mech designs and vast environments. The art direction leans into stylized sci-fi with vibrant colors and striking enemy models, ensuring that even chaotic encounters remain visually distinct. Performance on PlayStation 5 is generally stable, though occasional dips occur in the busiest moments. The soundtrack complements the action with pounding electronic tracks, and the sound design gives real weight to weapon fire and engine roars. However, the voice acting can be hit-or-miss, with some performances adding energy while others feel stilted, undercutting dramatic moments.
Taken as a whole, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion feels like an evolution rather than a reinvention. It builds on the foundation of its predecessor with larger arenas, more customization, and spectacular boss fights, while still carrying over some of the series’ old flaws like uneven pacing and overwhelming complexity. For dedicated fans of mech action, it delivers the spectacle and freedom they crave. For newcomers, it’s an ambitious but sometimes daunting ride into a world where style, speed, and firepower rule above all.
Score: 7.2/10
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