All aboard the Titanic Scion

The 2023 Summer of Streams�kicked off yesterday with a bang (or was it a whimper) with the Sony presentation that highlighted some hotly anticipated games and reminded this writer that Dragon's Dogma II was actually in development. There were some highlights to the show, but the only stream I've been focused on this year is the Marvelous Game Showcase. Marvelous and Xseed Games are one of my favorite developer/publisher combos out there, so when they have new games to announce, I pay attention. And I'm glad I was paying attention to the stream today because Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion capped off the showcase.

//youtu.be/N4NGndJUuMY?t=1693

Okay, so it's one of those terrible pre-rendered teaser trailers that I usually make fun of. But at least this game is happening. And why shouldn't it? According to Marvelous, Daemon X Machina sold "very well" on Nintendo Switch. While work on a sequel was confirmed back in 2021, the Marvelous Game Showcase was our first sorta-look at the title. A supplementary email that was?? sent out after the presentation didn't provide any extra information other than to say more ?details will be made available at a later date.

If you've never heard of Daemon X Machina, the game is a wonderful experimental mech action game with outstanding gameplay bookended by a story you'll likely forget about the moment you set down the controller. Even if it w?asn't my favorite g??ame of 2019, it was one I came back to often because I could always rely on it for a good time.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is now in development at Marvelous First Studio.

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Updated Mech-anics

XSEED Games' sci-fi mech battler Daemon x Machina has just received a neat new update that allows fo??r cross-saving bet??ween the PC and Nintendo Switch editions of the game.

Players can use Steam Cloud in order to seamlessly transfer save data back and forth, allowing fans to fire through machines in their custom Arsenal units on PC, before transferring to Nintendo Switch should they wish to continue their apocalyptic actions whilst on the go. ?The smart feature ensures that there is truly no rest for?? the domineering Immortals.

Having celebrated its first anniversary back in September, Daemon x Machina continues to entertain players with its fast-p?aced action and future-fantasy universe, alongside a steady string of drip-fed content and features. If you are yet to give the futuristic third-person shooter a spin, now might be just as good a time as any.

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Dust off your Arsenal

It's been a whole year since the release of Marvelous' post-apocalyptic mech fighter, Daemon x Machina. To celebrate 12 months of robo-bashing action, Marvelous is getting set to release a new? update for the game, adding several new ?goodies for your next jaunt into The Outer Rim.

The new update, whi?ch will go live on PC and Nintendo Switch in November, will include a "Grossfeiern" Arsenal skin, a "Grandemon" pilot suit, three new Arsenal decals and three new Preview backgrounds. A new order is also incoming, "Eclipse RT: Omega Destruction Strategy," which will see h?ardened players do battle against a super-powered Immortal known as "Eclipse Q."

You can get a sneak peek at the new content in the gallery below. Daemon X Machina is available now on PC and Nintendo Switch.

Daemon x Ma??china 1st anniversary update launches in November [Gematsu]

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Mechnology

Back when Marvelous' epic mech adventure Daemon X Machina was first ported to PC, p??layers who picked up the game within the first month of release bagged themselves a free "Prototype Arsenal" DLC set, a bonus of sorts for early ado??pters.

Well, for those who missed out, this rare set has now returned to the Steam platform as paid DLC, and can be purchased fo?r around $7. This set gives your Arsenal and pilot a distinctly basic look, with the impression that it is the first con??cept Arsenal ever designed, and a stripped-down pilot's uniform to match.

Marvelous has also noted that the previously released "Me??tallic Equipment" set - another free bonus offered for early purchases - will rem?ain an exclusive item and will not be sold in the future.

Daemon X Machina is available now on PC and Nintendo Switch.

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The more Switch games on Steam the merrier

Marvelous is bringing its Nintendo Switch mech game Daemon X Machina to Steam on February 13, 2020, and that's definitely not a sentence I ??expected? to write this morning. Get it, Marvelous!

It's cool to see another Nintendo-published game make its way to PC after Octopath Traveler.

The PC port of Daemon X Machina is skipping "some licensed DLC," but everything else – "including new Arsenal gear, cosmetic options, Colossal Immortal battles, and a co-op Exploration Mission mode" – made the cut for Steam. Best of all? The p?rospect of better ??stability and a higher frame rate.

Other new-for-PC features include "visual upgrades, customization? options, and support for gamepads as well as keyboard and mouse," according to publisher XSEED Games.

In his review of Daemon X Machina on Switch, CJ brought ?up issues with the AI, filler missions, and the story, but he called the combat "amazing." Another bright spot: your sense of movement as a mech pilot. "Whether in the air or skating across the ground, there was never a moment I didn't feel I had total control of my mech and complete awareness of what was happening on the battlefield," he said.

The game costs $60 norm??ally, but there's a 20 percent pre-purchase discount in effect right now, and during launch week, there will be a 10 percent discount. If you end up buying this before March 13, 2020, you'll get a pair of bonus digital items: the Prototype Arsenal Set?? and the Metallic Equipment Set.

I'm not sure how many of you will double dip (correct me if I'm wrong!), but for those of you who let Daemon X Machina s??lip through the cracks on Nintendo Switch, how does the PC version sound?

Mods could be a mech lover's dream come true.

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Available now

Marvelous and Nintendo have given owners of Daemon X Machina many reasons to keep returning to the game week after week. Free content updates have added a lot of value to the package and the developers haven't been shy about pushing out new skins. Not long ago, the anime Eureka Seven got some representation in the game and today, it's The Witcher 3's turn.

The Geralt and Ciri skins are available right now in the?? eShop for free, however, at the time of this publication, you can't download them from the Nintendo ??website. You have to access the eShop from your Switch.

Daemon X Machina [Nintendo]

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Version 1.2.0

Daemon x Machina was deployed just a few months ago on Switch, and has been getting a decent amount of traction from mech fans. So much so, in fact, that the series is hosting multiple crossover events in Japan, including appearances from famed anime series Code Geass and Eureka Seven. The next colla?boration may have been delayed to December 5, but it exists (again, in Japan).

As for the rest ??of the world, we're getting ve??rsion 1.2.0. It's kind of a small update in terms of fundamentals, but big on content. We're getting a new boss (Zelcroa), as well as more Colossal Immortals (four in total, in Omega forms) and equipment. Note that the Omegas are basically remixed editions of existing enemies.

In addition to that aforementioned anime content in Japan, we're also getting more missions as the team over at Marvelous First Studio continues to add free stuff. Given the flaws with pacing, Daemon X Machina is a perfect game to occasionally pick up and play, and this free DLC only augments that strategy. I'm usually gripped enough to keep playing nonstop, but Daemon ended up being a "once o??r twice a week" affair for me.

Daemon X Mach??ina version 1.2.0 up??date now available [Gematsu]

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Why are you buying clothes at the soup store!?

Earlier last week, Daemon X Machina revealed that its first crossover DLC would be with the popular Eureka Seven. While that DLC has yet to leave Japan, despite being on the international roadmap, this hasn't stopped M??arvelous from revealing its next collaboration.

Japanese players will be receiving Code Geass-themed conte??nt today. However it won't be based on series protagonist Lelouch. Instead, his right-hand man Suzaku, alongside the Lancelot he pilots, will be representing the anime franchise.

You can check out the clothes shopper in the trailer below.

If you remember the specifics of the Eureka Seven DLC, then you know the drill here. All of the free content is purely cosmetic, there are no items that impact gameplay. The clothes and parts for your Outer, which are based on Suzaku, can be worn regardless of gender. There will not be any Lancelot parts for your Arsenal, only the option to change its appearance. I did notice in the trailer that if your Arsenal is dashing forward on the ground, the wheels attached to the back of its feet will lower. While it's only cosmetic, I appreciate little de??tails like that.

Daemon x Machina is available now on Nintendo Switch.

[Nintendo of Japan eShop]

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Out today in Japan

Back in late September, Marvelous! revealed their content plans for mech adventure Daemon x Machina. Among exciting additions like the new Battle Mode, collaborations with other known IP were teased, with the promise of new add-on being released free of charge. Surprisingly, the first partner has turned out to be the anime Eureka Seven, and it's releasing today in Japan.

You can check out the trailer for the match made in heaven below.

Here's a quick run down of what's in the DLC, and it's purely cosmetic. Regardless of gender, players will be able to equip the clothes of protagonist Renton Thurston in place of the usual Outer Suit, as well as additional customization items such as his hair. The Nirvash - the main mech of the show - will also be avaialable, however there's a major catch: There are no parts or weapons for the machine, it is solely a cosmetic ski??n that just c?hanges the appearance of your Arsenal to the Nirvash.

That being said, the DLC is free, so it's hard to complain about this, especially when anime is known to be a licensing nightmare outside of Japan. Plus, while Daemon X Machina isn't a perfect game by any means, collaborations like this help get the attention of people that wouldn't have considered the game before. Eureka Seven is also being adapted into a film trilogy in Japan, which is likely why this collaboration happened to ?begin with. ??It's a smart move on Marvelous' part, and I can't blame them for that.

Daemon x Machina is available now on Nintendo Switch.

[Nintendo of Japan eShop]

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Robot Rumble

Marvelous has added a major update to their dramatic mech-fighting title Daemon x Machina, bringing new modes, features and a long list of? bug fixes to the Nintendo Switch rele?ase.

Version 1.1.1 - which is live in-game now - adds new PvP combat, allowing players to pit their mettle (or metal) against each other in 1v1 and 2v2 robot wars. Available in local wirel??ess and online play, pit your favourite Arsenal against others in a battle for global supremacy on the newly established leaderboards.

A new feature in co-op play "Duel" allows players to have quick throwdowns in??-between missions. All you need do is attack your partner while returning to base from your latest firefight. If your buddy concurs by returning fire, then the battle is on. It's like Bimmy and Jimmy all over again.

As well as the above content, the new update contains a long list of bug fixes and gameplay tweaks. These include various issues involve save files, online connectivity and game stability, as well as specific in-game fixes, such as improving slowdown problems during Snatcher battles, and taking care of a troublesome bug where Bolt would not call in drones during its second phase. You can find the full patch notes right here.

As a reminder, this update is just one of four currently planned for the mech shooter, with new content expected to arrive through the end of the year.

Daemon x Machina is available now on Nintendo Switch.

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The war goes on...

Marvelous! has released details of new content for their hyper-metal mech title Daemon x Machina, which will roll out over the coming months, adding a bit more longevity t??o your A.I.-smashing shenanigans.

Next month, on Octo??ber 10, a fresh update will add an all-new "Battle Mode", pitting arsenals against each other in 1v1 ?or 2v2 mayhem. This will be followed in early November by a selection of collaboration mechs and costumes, skins which will make reference to other popular IPs.

A major update is expected in late November, which will add new Orders for both si??ngle player and co-op modes, alongside a glut of new weapons, armours and boss fights. Finally, a December update will bring further Orders, co-op exclusive modes, and even more weapons and bosses, ready to stare you down on the battlefield.

So even if you already have Daemon x Machina wrapped up, it looks like it might be an idea to keep your favourite arsenal oiled and in good nick, as the battle is far from over. In the meantime, perhaps check the recently released soundtrack, featuring 45 hard-rockin' hits.

Daemon x Machina is available now on Nintendo Switch.

Daemon x Machina to add Battle Mode [Japanese Nintendo]

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Shit's pretty metal though

From first trailer to official release, one element that has frequently stood out from Marvelous! Daemon X Machina is the game's bombastic score, which pairs the exciting sci-fi action with ninja-level wailing guitars and bone-rattling bass. Now you can enjoy these head-bangin' tunes at your own leisure, as U/M/A/A has released the Daemon X Machina Original Soundtrack.

The physical OST is jam-packed with a whopping 45 tracks across three CDs, totally over three hours of music. First print runs come with a stylish sleeve designed by Daemon x Machina producer Kenichiro Tsukuda. Also housed in the case is ??a booklet, which featur?es personal comments from members of the development team.

So if you fancy listening to some pretty intense speed-metal while you battle rogue A.I., enjoy some delicious ice-cream, or maybe just when you're skiving in the toilets at work, then check out CDJapan or Play-Asia and grab yourself a copy today. The three CD set costs ¥3,700, or roughly $35 USD. The soundtrack is also available in digital format on platforms including iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Amazon Music, and others.

Daemon x Machina is available now on Nintendo Switch.

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Not the purple stuff

One common theme I'm seeing from Daemon X Machina playe??rs is that the game withholds a lot of information from them.

It happened in all of the demos, and ??it's happening in the retail release. Just in case you didn't read that manual (man, remember cracking open a case and reading a manual on the car ride home?), here's one major tip I'd like to impart: grab the yellow stuff!

Although it does explain a fair bit tucked away in menus, one of the best things I picked up from my time with Daemon X Machina (beyond the fact that the UI is fully customizable if you d?ig into the pause menu, you're welcome) is that "yellow means good."

Whenever you're looting a corpse or locating dropped guns out in the wild, the yellow text means?? you haven't picked it up yet. For the most part once you do actually grab a yellow-labeled piece of gear, you get to k??eep it forever. In some cases, you can only choose one reward from a list, and nine times out of 10 you'll want to pick the (new) yellow item.

It sounds simple, but it's ?the best way to build your Arsenal (mech) up to take on some of the later, tougher challenges.

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MATT DAEMON

Adequately creating a mecha action game seems like an absolutely daunting task. Years of anime shows like Gundam and Genesis Climber MOSPEADA have enriched our imaginations of what action combat would look like if these massive armored suits were real. It'd be swift and spectacular to watch. Recreating that in a video game, with the limited number of buttons modern controllers offer us, is something that probably shouldn't work. And yet, Daemon X Machina does an incredible job of recr??eating the look and feel of ?epic battles from those shows.

The combat in this game has provided me with some of my biggest thrills of the year. It's everything else surrou??nding that combat that is holding the final product back.

Daemon X Machina (Nintendo Switch)
Developer: Marvelous First Studio
Publisher: Nintendo
Released: September 13, 2019
MSRP: $59.99

Daemon X Machina takes place in a post-apocalypt?ic Earth, where a band of mercenaries from different organizations complete missions in the Outer Rim using giant mech suits known as Arsenals. It's where, many years ago, humanity changed forever after a chunk of the moon broke off and collided with the planet. As a newly awakened mercenary, constantly referred to as "the rookie" by others no matter how many dangerous missions you complete or how? many times you beat them in battle, you'll be joining in the exploits of these heroes and villains as they do battle with the Immortals, massive robots that corrupt the drones and tanks created by humans.

Going out in these missions is an absolute blast a?nd if you haven't downloaded the newest demo, I highly suggest doing so before you make a decision on the game. Missions are broken down into a familiar loop: you accept the mission, find out some details about where you're going from Four -- your A.I. companion -- probably hear some story exposition from the other mercenaries, and then blast off to your destination. There can often be a lot of character dialogue before you're allowed onto the battlefield, but it's mostly well written and the voice acting does a decent job.

Once in battle, the controls of your Arsenal almost feel second nature. The ZL and ZR buttons control the weapons in your unit's left and right hand respectively and you can switch them out on the fly with any weapons you have assigned to your pylons. There are also shoulder-mounted weapons like missile launchers and rail guns to negotiate, as well as an auxiliary tool that can ?be either offensive or defensive. With multiple weapons to collect, you're encouraged to mix and match to find the right combination for t?he mission at hand. For all but one of the missions I took part in, equipping a mid-range gun in each hand with a sword and a third gun tucked away on my pylons was more than enough.

Movement on the battlefield is delectably fast and fluid. Whether in the air or skating across the ground, there was never a moment I didn't feel I had total control of my mech and complete awareness of what was happening on the battlefield. Enemy mechs can move around at great speeds, but with proper use of the boost functionality, so can you. Because Daemon X Machina is generous with how it locks ?onto opposing forces, the only time I saw the mi?ssion failure screen was when my strategy for the battle crumbled.

Most of the enemies you'll face are easy targets. Drones and tanks often don't move that fast, don't do much damage on their own, and don't require too many hits before going kablooey. The real challenge you'll be subjected to comes from your fellow mercenaries. More often than not, it'll be you and your squad versus them in a three-on-three fight. As they have all the same abilities as you, though with different weapons, you'll often have to outsmart them in order to emerge victorious. However, the enemy A.I. can often be a bit too easy. In many of my matches, I was able to completely wipe opponent Arsenals by keeping them at bay w??ith guided missiles and a powerful melee? club.

Not every mission you'll embark on will be totally worth your time. Some are merely filler that only exist to pay service to the sprawling, disjointed story. Booting up Daemon X Machina is like starting an anime halfway through its run. There are a lot of characters, most of whom you'll only spend a fleeting amount of time with. While that does give ??the impression of a vast network of mercenaries working together in this war-torn region, the scarcity of many faces throughout the campaign negates the emotional impact of their more dramatic moments. Should I really care about the demise of two characters if I know nothing about them?

I was also never quite sure what was happening with the rest of Earth as world-building here is kept to?? a minimum. Often, it feels like the writers were just making it up as they went along, keeping only the key components of mercenaries, corrupted A.I., Immortals, and Femto, the mysterious power source that's key to the Outer Rim, as constants. Not helping this is the decision to make the player protagonist silent. I'm not against the ide??a of controlling an unspoken hero, but with how the dialogue and story are written, everything would have worked better if my character got to chime in with their two cents.

The only thing less developed than my character motivation and the world-building is Daemon X Machina's hub. After each mission, with zero fanfare, yo?u're dumped back into your hub that might also be the hub for every other mercenary, that's never made quite clear. In the hub you have access to your hangar, your missions, multiplayer -- which I was unable to connect to during my review period -- as well as a lab where you can enhance your character and an ice cream shop where you can buy some scoops for mis?sions boosts. All of this could have been more efficiently handled with a slick menu system, though given how unintuitive some of the menus present are, I wonder if the developers would have been able to pull it off.

Thankfully, very little time is spent puttering around this hub. A quick trip to the ice cream shop is really all you'll need to do before jumping into your next mission. After the feedback from the Prototype Missions demo, it's clear Marvelous First Studios wants players to be piloting around the battlefield as much as possible and I appreciate that. I'm not playing this game for the story or to take pictures of my mech in different poses. I'm here to do battle and between the story missions and optional side missions, there is plenty of opportunity for some hot robot action. Thanks to the mission variety and twists and turns of the story, Daemon X Machina was able to keep me on my toes right up until the final act, when the desire to provide pla??yers with a challenging mecha action game took a back seat to tying up storylines.

Outside of the final boss battle, which may be one of the most difficult battles I've faced this year, the final set of missions of the campaign is basically playing Daemon X Machina on easy mode. It's not because you're too powerful -- unless you're the type to grind side missions for money -- but because of the design decisions made by the developers. Not only does the A.I. in these missions falter, with enemies standing still for far too long while taking obscene amounts of damage, but more often than not you'll greatly outnumber your foes. The ease in which these missions are completed undercuts the dra?matic tension of the plotlin??es that are wrapping up and undermines the prior 12-to-15 hours players have put into perfecting their Arsenals.

Despite that, the sum total of my experience with Daemon X Machina is positive. The combat is amazing, the game is bright and colorful, the framerate mostly holds up in either docked or handheld mode, and the hangar is great to tinker around in, checking out all the different co??nfigurations of my mech. That's what I'm going to remember out of all ?of this, which is safe for me to say because most everything else in this game is pretty forgettable.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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Suit up, soldier

Fans eager to get their mitts on mech-fighter Daemon x Machina are able to get a taste of the action ri??ght now, as Nintendo has released a short demo for the upcoming Marvelous! title.

The "Prologue" demo offers players a look at the beginning of the game - naturally - and even includes the option to check out Daemon x Machina's co-op multiplayer. This mode supports up to four brave "Outers", as they engage in cataclysmic warfare with a rogue A.I. currently attempting to conquer t??he planet - as all A.I.s will attempt to do, eventually.

Daemon x Machina launches on Nintendo Switch September 13.

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We Are The Robots

We are a little over a week away from the launch of super-anime mech-fighting title Daemon x Machina, which glides into battle on Nintendo Swit??ch September 13. Publisher Marvelous has released a new Japanese trailer to get the hype fires stoked ??for the dramatic looking action title.

Daemon x Machina tells the story of a planet plunged into war after it collides with a moon, an act that cause all A.I. to turn against humanity.?? The last hope is The Outers, a unit of highly-skilled mech pilots, who must engage in a series of dangerous missions against the rampant A.I. (or "Army of Immortals") to put the fleshbags back atop the pecking order.

If the above video is a little too cinematic for your tastes, then you can check out this second trailer, which shows Daemon x Machina's customisation and combat in action. Players will fight it out with armies of drones, scavenging parts from their opponents in order to soup up their own abilities. It's also worth noting you won't be alone in this war for mankind, as Daemon x Machina will support up to four players in co-op.

Daemon x Machina launches on Nintendo Switch September 13.

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Daemon X Friends

Daemon X Machina is fast approaching and we're starting to learn more about its multiplayer features. In the latest trailer from developer Marvelou?s, we catch a glimpse of the four-player cooperative boss battles that Nintendo's giant mech game will feature. Acting similar to raids you'd find in MMOs, these look to be difficult and bombastic battles, which sounds completely apt for a mecha title.

As for other information, the trailer goes over some of the customization options that players will have. It's not really more evolved than what was present in the demo, but ?I do appreciate highlighting a feature that many may not be aware of. Hopefully, the final version at least lets you see the physical changes to your character before confirmation because the demo made?? that obfuscated.

Daemon X Machina Tr??ailer Highlights Battles, Customization, And Cooperative Play [Siliconera]

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Daemon X Jealousy

European and Australian Switch fans will have a limited edition Daemon X Machina bundle to look forward to. Nintendo of Europe has announced that a special edition package will be launching alongside the game on September 13, 2019. Dubbed the "Orbital Limited Edition," this package will include the game special packaging, a steelbook case, a 100-page artbook, a??nd an 18 cm Arsenal statue.

While th?ere is no confirmation of a North American release, do remember that the Switch is region free. If you absolutely have to have this, importing is always an option that won't ??leave you screwed out of a game. There's currently no price for the set, but I'd expect something around $100 USD (as is typical of these bundles).

Nintendo of Europe [Twitter]

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How marvelous

Daemon X Machina is one of those games whose mere existence is going to warm a lot of hearts. We first got a feel for the stylin' mecha game with the Prototype Missions demo on Switch. Now, after taking in specific ?fan feedback and reading between the lines, the developers ??have a status update.

It's best to watch this tra?iler to see the before-and-after comparisons, but I'll re?cap the changes. In short: they're taking an already cool concept and fine-tuning the audio, visuals, and controls.

Improvements made after demo feedback

• New equipment allows you to lock-on to enemies. When equipped, the camera will track any enemy that has been locked-on to.
• Enemy health bars have been added during boss and Arsenal battles.
• Equipment can be scavenged from defeated enemies from further away.
• You can also now steal equipment while hovering.
• Indicators now show which direction enemy fire is coming from.
• Motion controls have been added for aiming – you can tune sensitivity, or turn them on or off, in the Options menu.
• If you hold the attack button while reloading, your weapon will start firing as soon as the reload is completed.
• By default, the R button is used for boosting and the Y button fires auxiliary weapons. You can change the button configurations in the Options menu.
• The initial velocity at which you ascend and descend mid-air has been increased.
• Attacks now feel more forceful thanks to additional sound effects.
• You're no longer forced back into the mission area if you step outside. Now, you'll fail the mission if you leave the mission area for too long or continue past the boundary marker.
• Radar visibility increased.
• Improved visibility of smaller enemies.
• Clearer distinction between enemies and allies.
• Font size of text is increased.
• Ammo drops from enemies increased.

Some of these are standard features, while other?s are?? smart tweaks that'll coalesce into an overall better-feeling game. It's especially neat to see Marvelous outline the changes with actual footage.

Daemon X Machina is out September 13 – you in yet?

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Coming this September

Daemon x Machina is one of my most anticipated titles of 2019. After playing through its demo earlier this year, I was given a real look at the how the final product would play. I was impressed, though I know not everyone shared my enthusiasm. Either way, Daemon x Machina is coming to Switch soon.

??During the E3 Direct, it was revealed ?the game will release on September 13.

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Demo opp ends on March 10

Nintendo has let us know that the mech combat game Daemon X Machina is still very much a work in progress. It's slated for 2019 but could very well be pushed back, especially given the context that the development team is looking for direct player feedback from their recent public demo of?fering.

Wait, a public demo? Yep, if you recall a few weeks back Nintendo unveiled during a Nintendo Direct presentation that a Daemon X Machina demo was li?ve on the eShop for a limited time, and now thanks to a tweet from Nintendo UK we know exactly when that limit is up.

As per the tweet, you have until March 10 to grab the four-mission demo, then it's gone. Odds are we'll get another one at some point with alterations. If you're on the fence about even downloading the free demo, check out impressions from CJ here.

Nintendo UK [Twitter]

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Baby you are the prototype

Earlier this year, the Destructoid staff posted their list of the 2019 games that we're most excited about. A variety of diverse and interesting games made the list, including a few that have already launched to critical acclaim. For my entry, I settled on Daemon X Machina, the upcoming mecha action game from Marvelous. When it was revealed, I was immediately enthrall?ed with the fast-paced robot combat, the desolate visuals, and the vast customization possibilities.

In that article, I likened the game to Custom Robo, though now that I've had a chance to test it out with the limited time demo available in the eShop, I realize that comparison is inadequate. Daemon X Machina is very much its own thing, and aft?er just four missions, it's still the game I'm most looking forward to this year.

The Prototype Missions demo starts out with the pilot creator, giving ??you a few choices of hairstyles, facial compositions, gender, and the color palette of your suit. I create an old man and deck him out in pink and white, like if Soldier 76 borrowed Mercy's Pink skin. Upon awakening from stasis, my character, whom I named Gord??ie, is introduced to the AI unit known as Four who informs me that I'm an Outer working for an entity known as Orbital. I get access to my giant robot, known as an Arsenal, right away and head out on my training mission.

When I first start up the demo, I'm playing it in handheld mode. It looks...okay, l?ike something a generation or two old. It's still playable, though the HUD can be hard to make out. Everything is far more vibrant and clear when docked. For the four missions included here, not too many colors of the rainbow are seen on screen but the cell ??shaded graphics are crisp.

Handling of the Arsenal takes just a few minutes to get the basics down pact. The mech will jump and fly with the "B" button, boost by pressing and holding "Y," and drop from flight by pressing the left Joy Con thumbstick. Each arm holds either its own weapon or a defensive tool, like a shield, that is activated with the right and left Z-trigger buttons while the "L" button controls its own weapon, which for the dem?o is the SAW-AM02 Thunderbird missile launcher. Getting an enemy directly in your sights isn't a ?strict requirement as the game is generous with how well your weapons hit their targets. Enemies in your sights will have a box appear around them in one of three colors: white for when they're in range, blue for when you're locked on, and red for when you're attacking them.

The first three missions really get me to push my mech to its limits, jumping in and out of combat, learning how to speed across the map without totally draining my stamina, and how to avoid taking too much damage. Most of the enemies I face are rogue AI rob??ots that I'm contracted to kill. Two of the four missions are extermination missions, while the third is a defense mission where I battle both robots and other mech pilots. Nothing here is that difficult, but this third mission does give me troubles navigating the city streets. It's much easier to fly, but I prefer the handling of my mecha as it glides across the ground.

These missions give a brief glimpse of the conflicts I'll be tackling in the final game. Besides myself and Four, there are other characters representing different factions of this shattered world. Reaper of the Western? VII and Rose Queen of the Panzar Crown are just two who are included in the demo. Some of these mercenaries help out in battle, others act as my competition. A snippet of their stories, as well as their motivations, is told through pre-mission dialogue and banter on the battlefield; just enough to build intrigue ab?out all these different organizations operating in the post-moon fall Earth.

The fourth mission is a boss battle against a massive robot enemy with multiple weak points to strike. On my first attempt, I foolishly arm myself with my shield and a sword I scavenged from the wreckage of an enemy in an earlier mission. After my Arsenal is destroyed, I jump out and attempt to take it down on foot. Obviously, that's not going to happen, and with the other mercenaries on my side not really do??ing much damage to it, I admit defeat and restart with a smarter weapon layout: a gun in one hand for long distance firing, sword in the other for close melee damage. 

It actually takes me about 10 minutes to strike down this massive piece of machinery. Its attack pattern is easy to avoid, but its movements can be downright annoying. Many times when I zoom in for a heavy strike, it ruins my plans by jumping halfway across the map. Not only that, but one of its abilities generates a forcefield that pushes nearby Arsenals away. On several occasions, it does this to me, pushing my mech out of the bounds of the battle. When that hap??pens, you lose control of your mech as it slowly flies back into the designated battle area. I understand that giving players total control of their robot when they go outside the lines could lead to people "cheating" their way through the game, but there has to be a happy medium here.

Besides that annoyance and one or two instances of framerate drops, the Prototype Missions demo does its job in getting me hyped for Daemon X Machina. It's not exactly what I thought it would ??be and I can see myself avoiding handheld mode for this game as its involved HUD is better suited for my television screen. But?? it's damn fun to play and I can't wait to see what kind of custom robos I'll be able to cook up when it launches this Summer, exclusively for Nintendo Switch.

The post I’m even more excited for Daemon X Machina now that I’ve played its demo appeared first on Destructoid.

Mario and Smash and Zelda, oh my!

Nintendo's Direct presentations either go one of two ways: they are chock full of surprises no one saw coming or kind of meander along until they reach the finish line. Thankfully, this week's Direct was full of a lot of good info and it led to some great banter between myself and Dan. We figured talking about our highlights and dislikes?? from the February presentation would make for some great discussion below?.

Personally, I'm beyond stoked for that Link's Awakening remake. I know rumors had been passed around for years, but I didn't think Nintendo would be crazy enough to do it. The last few remakes have all been of 3D entries and I would have put money on Skyward Sword getting an HD release ahead of any of the Gameboy installments. With this absolute classic of a game getting the modern treatment, hopefully, this means Minish Cap won't be far behind.

Since this is a longer discussion (almost a full half hour!), I could understand not wanting to sit in front of your computer and listen to me and Dan prattle on about video games. Thankfully, Impulse is available on SoundCloud for your portable listening pleasure! You can even play this in the background while checking out those demos for Yoshi's Crafted World and Daemon X Machina.? That sounds like a good companion to t?his episode.

The post Today’s Impulse is all about Nintendo’s surprise-filled Direct this week appeared first on Destructoid.

Armor up

I didn't expect to play a mech action game and a Tetris battle royale on my Switch this evening, ??but then again, it's a Nintendo Direct day. Despite tuning in for years, I still never know e??xactly what to expect.

Daemon X Machina, that sizzlin' mech shooter with on-the-fly weapon switching, is dropping a demo on the Nintendo Switch eShop today. It'll only be available to download for a limited time, but the trial will let players sample four separate?? missions and get a feel for the mech customiza?tion elements.

"After playing, select players will receive an email containing a link to an online survey where they can provide feedback about the game to Director Kenichiro Tsukuda ?and the development team."

Daemon X Machina now has a summer release window.

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A tale of Belief, Blood and Steel

During today's Nintendo Direct presentation, we learned some more info about the upcoming mech-fighting title Daemon X Machina, at first look as ??such since its initial reveal at E3.

Players will control a state-of-the-art mech s?uit known as an Arsenal, tasked with taking down A.I. units that have gone rogue. Your fully customisable pilot can even leave their mech to explore?? the futuristic world around them. Beaten A.I leave behind upgrades and weapons, that can be returned to base and fitted to your own suit for future battles.

The game will also feature four-player co-op, which will allow you and your pals to take an array of custom mechs to war with huge boss characters. Daemon X Machina jets into battle on Nintendo Switch in 2019.

The post More details revealed on high-tech mech fighter?? Daemon X Machina appeared first on Destructoid.

AKA the Nintendo Switch mech game

Marvelous and Nintendo are making a mech action game that lets you zip around on the ground and in the air to dismantle giant killing machines, robbing them of their weaponry. It's coming to Switch next year with involvement from Kenichiro Tsukuda (Armored Core). Would you like to know more?

Following Daemon X Machina's unexpected reveal a couple month?s ago, Tsukuda and Nintendo brought a new demo to Germany for gamescom. Let's? sift through this half-hour-long video together.

Your avatar (an "Outer") will pilot a mech (read: "Arsenal") that can be altered on-the-fly as you encounter different enemies that call for alternate battle tactics. Do we need a reason to gun down hostile robots? No, not really. But Daemon X Machina has one. The moon collided with our planet, drawing out a strange new type of energy that has mysteriously t??urned AI against their?? masters.

Oh, and Outers? They're humans -- or they were, anyway. The energy that spurred?? an AI rebellion also gave some people superhuman abilities. They're now defending humanity, but they are outcasts.

With that setup locked in, let's dig ?i??nto some details.

• At the Lab in the Hangar, you can alter your physical appearance (gender, body, face, hair, eyes, eyebrows, makeup, scars, and tattoos) as well as abilities like speed and jumping. These unlocks stick with your Outer, so you'll retain them inside your Arsenal.

• You'll browse and accept missions at the Hangar. They're separated by Rank (difficulty), offer monetary rewards, and contain side objectives. Your primary goal may be to bring down a colossal AI or sneak inside a base on-foot to steal a new Arsenal unit, but you might also need to keep your health from dipping below 50 percent.

• Storms turn the game's otherwise colorful art monochrome for a split second as thunder claps. This visual flair was inspired by manga and it looks bangin'.

• The team wants you to feel like a futuristic samurai or knight while piloting your mech.

• While the current build lacks audio, cutscenes will be voiced in the final game.

• Up to four players can assemble at the Hangar for "flexible" co-op. If you're riding solo, you can add up to three CPU allies. If you've just got a buddy, you can add two CPUs to the crew. They're helpful not only for attacking bosses, but for distracting them too.

• Whittling away weak points will temporarily knock a boss down, giving you precious time to steal one of its weapon and use it against them. Through research back at the Hangar, you'll be able to earn (regular-sized) boss weapons for use with your Arsenal.

• After beating a boss, a minute-long countdown initiates before you're kicked back to base. Tsukuda was coy, but said it will play a "key role" in multiplayer. It's a "pretty cool feature" that we haven't seen in "many other games before or any other games before."

• Tsukuda loves heavy metal. Particularly Rammstein.

• "A lot of the sound effects in the game" were made with musical instruments, and the player is meant to "feel like they're participating in a concert."

• We got a peek at the equipment screen in the Hangar, which is where you'll swap in new parts for your Arsenal, paint, register loadouts, and launch the testing grounds.

•  There are parts for right/left/shoulder weapons, auxiliary, and right/left pylon. You can compare parameters side-by-side and sort your list. Looting seems like a big draw.

• Besides HP and stamina, you'll also have to manage your Arsenal's Femto energy. "It interacts with the game in many different ways and keeps things interesting. You can almost think of it as your magic points." Certain RPG-esque elements like this are meant for accessibility -- to help players "feel familiar with the game from the start."

• Yusuke Kozaki of Fire Emblem Awakening and Fates is handling the character designs.

If you want to see these bullet points in action but don't have 30 minut??es, here's a snappy trailer:

I think they're onto something. Daemon X Machina seems well positioned to draw in mech-game regul?ars and folks like me who think they're great in theory but tend to become?? overwhelmed. It also helps that this faces little to no direct competition on Switch and it's rocking a standout art style.

No word on a precise launch window?? yet, bu??t it's definitely due in 2019.

The post Takeaway?s from 30 minutes of Daemon X Machina gameplay appeared first on Destructoid.