Daemon X Machina Titanic Scion embraces an open world for a better co-op sequel

I was very happy to see Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion giving Marvelous’s flashy mech game a second outing. Its hyper-stylized look is satisfying to the eyes, and the more high-mobility action compared to Armored Core 6 makes it a worthwhile alternative to FromSoftware’s 2023 hit. Speaking to PCGamesN at Gamescom, producer Kenichiro Tsukuda talks about the decision to move to a more open-world design for the sequel, the challenges faced by the team, and how the legacy of mecha and robots has expanded in recent years.

Tsukuda, who produced the first entry in the mecha action game series and previously filled the same role on Armored Core 2 and 3, tells us the decision to make it an open-world game allows more people to enjoy Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion.

“We wanted as many players as possible to enjoy it this time,” he says via translator, “and these days games are not defined by one genre. We wanted to incorporate many different elements so players can enjoy it. We made the story mode available online so players can spend more time within the universe with their friends and [other] players.”

As for the challenges posed by the shift to an open world, the mobility of Daemon X Machina naturally posed a complication. “In this game you can fly, which means you can literally go anywhere, everywhere,” Tsukuda remarks. “And initially we ended up [in places] you were not supposed to go, so we had to make adjustments.”

One of the co-op game‘s key activities involves random dungeons – you’ll find maps for these that are attached to your ID, and then can invite your friends to play together with you in search of the rare loot within. “For now we are focusing on co-op play,” Tsukuda explains, “but inside quests there is some competitiveness, like racing. There are lots of elements where people can gather together and enjoy the universe together.”

While Tsukuda “would like to incorporate” PvP elements later, there is a Colosseum feature for solo play where you can fight against computer-controlled clones of other players. “We will likely introduce a direct battle function later, but for now, when people purchase the game, I want people to enjoy playing either solo or together with other people and explore the universe first.”

“If this game was sold as a mainly directly competitive game, then for people who love direct competition it’s perfect. But for those who don’t, they wouldn’t want to play, right? So I wanted everyone to play and like this game, so I would like to release the game this way first, and hear everyone’s reaction and feedback, and then we will take it from there.”

As a veteran of mecha games, how does Tsukuda feel about the genre’s progression and recent resurgence through the likes of Armored Core 6 and Mechwarrior 5: Clans? “As time progresses, globally and in general, more people are making games. In terms of sci-fi, there are many good developers in the US and in Europe – but I’m Japanese, and Japanese people are famous for mechs and robots.

“I want to expand the universe and also spread amazing, Japan-made mech and robot games to the world. So yeah, that’s how I keep motivating myself.” He notes that the first Daemon X Machina’s initial release on Nintendo Switch introduced it to “many people trying a mech game for the first time, and they actually really loved [it]. So I wanted to make something better for the second time, and I wanted to keep spreading the passion and love for mech games.”

For the future, Tsukuda says, “Ideally I’d like to make something that has all sorts of different elements of sci-fi, mech games, maybe spaceships or really big robots, really small robots, robots that are going to speak…” But for now, when it comes to Titanic Scion, he says, “I’m quite happy with it.”

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion releases Friday September 5, priced at $69.99 / £59.99, but a free demo is available now. You can download the trial on Steam. It includes the character creator and the first nine chapters of the story, along with the ability to explore the open world in co-op (including crossplay support). Your save data from the demo can be carried over to the full game when it launches.

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