Daemon X Machina
Switch eShop artwork, featuring the playable character
Developer(s)Marvelous First Studio
Publisher(s)
Director(s)
  • Ken Awata
  • Ken Karube
Producer(s)Kenichiro Tsukuda
Designer(s)Noriaki Maruyama
Programmer(s)Yuta Kawano
Artist(s)
Composer(s)
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platform(s)
Release
  • Nintendo Switch
  • September 13, 2019
  • Microsoft Windows
  • February 13, 2020
Genre(s)Action
Third-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player
Multiplayer

Daemon X Machina is a mecha third-person shooter action game developed and published by Marvelous. It was originally released for the Nintendo Switch on September 13, 2019. It was later ported to Microsoft Windows on February 13, 2020. The game received mixed or average reviews upon release.

A sequel, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is in development.[1][2]

Gameplay

In the game, the player controls a custom character, who commands an Arsenal mech and engages in battle with other mech enemies. The player avatar's stats, abilities, and appearance can be customized in the Hangar, which serves as the game's main hub. The Hangar is also the area where players create their custom Arsenal using body parts bought or collected throughout the game. It is also the place where players browse through different missions for both single player and online cooperative multiplayer.[3][4]

Plot

After a moon collided with the Planet, it radiated a special energy that turned artificial intelligence against humanity. The Outers, a group of pilots who command mechs, gained special abilities after being afflicted by the mysterious energy. They act as humanity's protectors and guardians as the war with the Arms of Immortals (AIs) rages on.[3]

Development and release

The game entered production around mid 2017.[4] It was announced at E3 2018.[5] Kenichiro Tsukuda, who produced the Armored Core series, served as the game's producer, while Yūsuke Kozaki provided character designs.[3] A limited time special demo was released on February 14, 2019.[6] The game features a more vibrant color palette in comparison to Armored Core, a choice made by the development team to ensure that the game could be visually appealing and unique. The development team also included inspirations of rock and metal elements into the game's music, created by several composers including Junichi Nakatsuru and Rio Hamamoto of Bandai Namco.[7][8]

The game was released on September 13, 2019, published by Marvelous in Japan and Nintendo worldwide.[9] To help promote the release of Daemon X Machina on the Nintendo Switch, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate hosted a special five-day limited event where players could obtain four spirits featuring characters with their mechs from the game.[10]

A port of Daemon X Machina for Microsoft Windows was released on February 13, 2020. While this version does exclude some of the licensed downloadable content, it otherwise contains all other content released from the Nintendo Switch version.[11][12] In December 2020 an update allowed for the transfer of save data between the Switch and Windows versions.[13]

Reception

At launch, Daemon X Machina received "mixed or average reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic.[14] The game has since improved through post-launch content and updates.

Sales

Daemon X Machina launched at #4 on the Japanese charts,[28] and #19 on the U.K. physical charts.[29] As of October 2019, the game has sold more than 42,217 physical copies in Japan.[30] Marvelous has stated that Daemon X Machina has done "very well" on the Nintendo Switch.[31]

Sequel

In September 2021, Kenichiro Tsukuda confirmed a sequel was in the works on a livestream marking the game's second anniversary.[1] Its title, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion, was announced during the Marvelous Game Showcase in May 2023.[2][32]

References

  1. ^ a b Vuckovic, Daniel (September 14, 2021). "Looks like Daemon X Machina is getting a sequel". Vooks. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Doolan, Liam (May 26, 2023). "DAEMON X MACHINA: Titanic Scion Announced, Here's The First Teaser". NintendoLife. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Devore, Jordan (August 23, 2018). "Takeaways from 30 minutes of Daemon X Machina gameplay". Destructoid. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Toilto, Stephen (July 13, 2018). "Nintendo Switch Exclusive Daemon X Machina Is Made For People Who Like To Take Machines Apart". Kotaku. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  5. ^ Alexander, Julia (June 12, 2018). "Daemon X Machina is a new mech action game for Nintendo Switch". Polygon. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  6. ^ Craddock, Ryan (February 14, 2019). "Daemon X Machina Demo Is Now Live On Switch eShop". Nintendo Life. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  7. ^ Stark, Chelsea (June 19, 2018). "Daemon X Machina was the most metal game at E3". Polygon. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  8. ^ Naudus, Kris. "'Daemon X Machina' brings stylized mechs to Switch in 2019". Engadget. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  9. ^ Wilson, Jason (11 June 2019). "Daemon X Machina's mech action launches September 13". The Verge. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  10. ^ Doolan, Liam (September 24, 2019). "Five-Day Smash Bros. Ultimate Event Adds Four New Daemon X Machina Spirits". Nintendo Life. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  11. ^ Romano, Sal (February 3, 2020). "Daemon X Machina coming to PC on February 13". Gematsu. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  12. ^ Devore, Jordan (February 3, 2020). "Daemon X Machina is getting a surprise PC release". Destructoid. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  13. ^ Doolan, Liam (December 10, 2020). "Daemon X Machina is getting a surprise PC release". Nintendo Life. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Daemon X Machina for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  15. ^ "Daemon X Machina for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  16. ^ Schmädig, Benjamin (October 1, 2019). "Test: Daemon X Machina". 4Players. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  17. ^ Andriessen, CJ (September 11, 2019). "Review: Daemon X Machina". Destructoid. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  18. ^ "Daemon X Machina review - a clanking Armored Core successor with moments of magic". Eurogamer. 11 September 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  19. ^ Miller, Matt (September 19, 2019). "Daemon X Machina". Game Informer. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  20. ^ "Daemon X Machina Review - Machine Earning". GameSpot. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  21. ^ Swalley, Kirstin (September 19, 2019). "Review: Daemon X Machina". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  22. ^ Skrebels, Joe (September 11, 2019). "Daemon X Machina Review". IGN. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  23. ^ "Test : Daemon X Machina : une déception à la mesure de l'attente suscitée". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). September 12, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  24. ^ Scullion, Chris (September 11, 2019). "Daemon X Machina Review". Nintendo Life. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  25. ^ Jones, James (September 11, 2019). "Daemon X Machina (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  26. ^ "Daemon X Machina Review - Robots Fighting Behind A Soap Opera". Screen Rant. 11 September 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  27. ^ "Daemon X Machina - Review". The Games Machine. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  28. ^ Craddock, Ryan (September 18, 2019). "Japanese Charts: Monster Hunter Still Reigns Supreme As Daemon X Machina Grabs Fourth". Nintendo Life. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  29. ^ Craddock, Ryan (September 16, 2019). "UK Charts: Nintendo Loses Out As Borderlands 3, Gears 5 And PES 2020 Take Charge". Nintendo Life. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  30. ^ Romano, Sal (October 9, 2019). "Famitsu Sales: 9/30/19 – 10/6/19 [Update]". Gematsu. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  31. ^ Wright, Landon (May 13, 2020). "Marvelous Entertainment Touts Strong Sales For Their Switch Lineup". Gaming Bolt. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  32. ^ Romano, Sal (May 25, 2023). "Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion announced". Gematsu. Retrieved May 26, 2023.

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