Daemon X Machina Review (Switch)

good
key review info
  • Game: Daemon X Machina
  • Platform: Switch
  • Show system requirements
  • Gamepad support: N/a
  • Reviewed on:
Daemon X Machina key art

It looks like Kenichiro Tsukuda couldn't stay away from the mecha-based genre. After producing the Armored Core series, Tsukuda comes full circle after 12 years with the release of Daemon X Machina, another mecha-based game developed by a new studio called Marvelous, fully supported by Nintendo.

I don't think I should explain any longer that the Japanese culture is obsessed with giant robots. It's how the mecha genre was given birth and why it's so popular in Japan more than anywhere else. Unfortunately, there haven't been many important mecha games lately, which is why Marvelous' Daemon X Machina comes to fill a huge void for those who love this genre.

In the true spirit of mecha titles, Daemon X Machina is a game about huge mechs called Arsenals. Even though the exposition at the beginning of the game feels interesting and quite intriguing, the story takes a back seat to combat and Arsenal customization.

In Daemon X Machina, you play as a mercenary who commands an Arsenal mech, which can be customized in the Hangar, the game's main hub. The premise of the game may feel forced for the average player, but it's pretty standard for the Japanese culture.

After a large chunk of the Moon is destroyed, a mysterious energy called Femto dropped on Earth and turned artificial intelligence against humanity. On the other hand, the Outers, a group of pilots who command mechs, gained special abilities after being affected by the energy.

The Outers are the good guys and will act as humanity's protectors and guardians throughout the entire game. Your fiercest enemies are the so-called Immortals, huge Arsenal mechs controlled by the AI, which should be very tough to beat.

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Naturally, you start with a basic Arsenal mech, which you will be able to upgrade by looting various parts from opposing mechs, purchasing new parts or simply complete missions for different factions and being awarded pieces of gear.

The game features two types of missions – story and optional. The latter is meant to offer players some extra resources in case they struggle with the story missions, but I've never felt that the main quests are too tough, on the contrary.

Combat and movement are very fluid and even though the graphics are top-notch for a not so powerful console, there are no frame drops whatsoever. Flying your mech over buildings and taking out Immortals, tanks and drones feels amazing and I wished the rest of the game would be just as good.

Alas, Daemon X Machina has serious issues when it comes to storytelling. It's not just that the story isn't compelling enough, but the way it is served is frustrating. There are tons of dialogues between characters before and during story missions, which don't offer too much insight about the plot. Characters are underdeveloped and pretty forgettable, so most of the time I felt there's no reason to invest time and read everything they say, especially that I couldn't wait to jump into my Arsenal mech and do battle with the A.I.

Daemon X Machina is not a very long game, it takes about 12 hours to finish it if you're not the type of player who likes to grind for resources. Honestly, I've never felt that I need lots of money for upgrades or more powerful gear throughout my playthrough, probably because the A.I. isn't as smart as it should. Also, most of the time you'll outnumber the enemy, so there's no reason to take too many side missions.

Despite all that, there's enough to the story to keep you on your toes until the end of the game. More so if you're the type of player who doesn't play Daemon X Machina for the story and prefers to do battle as often as possible.


The Good

  • Flawless combat mechanics
  • Interesting customization options for your Arsenal
  • Nice graphics and soundtrack

The Bad

  • Uninspired story
  • Dull characters
  • Dumb A.I.

Conclusion

Daemon X Machina is a flawless mech-based game only hampered by a disjointed story, flat characters, and dumb A.I. Although the gameplay is so good, there are sub-par aspects of the games that take a large chunk of your playtime.

The game's uninspired story and boring characters can take a toll on some, so I would suggest skipping any dialogues before and during each mission if you don't want any distractions from what's about to happen on the battlefield.

What Daemon X Machina gets right is the feeling that you're in control of a huge mech and wrecks havoc on the battlefield, and that's certainly no small feat. Unfortunately, developers seem to have focused on refining the combat mechanics to perfection but forgot that the game does have other parts that need their attention too.

If you can get past all the negatives, Daemon X Machina is a very refined mecha game that truly catches the spirit of the genre but falls flat when it comes to narrative and characterization.

story 5
gameplay 8
concept 7
graphics 8
audio 8
multiplayer 7
final rating 7
Editor's review
good
 
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Daemon X Machina screenshots (13 Images)

Daemon X Machina key art
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