Metacritic (69)
OpenCritic (71)
Eurogamer (recommended):
Kotaku (no score):
VICE (no score):
TheSixthAxis (9/10):
COGconnected (87/100):
Nintendo Enthusiast (8.5/10):
Screen Rant (4/5):
Critical Hit (7.5/10):
CGMagazine (7.5/10):
Twinfinite (3.5/5):
Destructoid (7/10):
Nintendo Life (7/10):
IGN (6.5/10):
VGC (3/5):
OpenCritic (71)
Eurogamer (recommended):
When you're dancing through abandoned cities with skyscrapers that come crumbling down under the weight of all that excessive firepower, all while you pirouette in between them and unleash your arsenal of shoulder-mounted rockets and clips of bullets from your oversized assault rifle into a swarm of robotic rascals, all that we've missed in Armored Core's absence comes into sharp focus. There are a lot of moving parts here, in short, and they're not exactly well-oiled. Daemon X Machina clanks along like a rusty old robot, and I think that's part of its charm.
Kotaku (no score):
I wanted to like Daemon X Machina, but as I played, I kept wondering how much more fun it might have been if the developers had zeroed in on some of the more enjoyable elements instead of providing so many customization options and wrapping everything in such a convoluted story. There are some genuine bright spots in the gameplay and even some of the ridiculous characters, but there's honestly just too much of…everything. It should be a good problem to have, but in a world that's changing for good, Marvelous never truly figured out what they were fighting for.
VICE (no score):
But there's more than one way to make a game about giant mechs, and like most of the best examples in this wide genre, Daemon X Machina zeroes in on its own vision and realizes it as best as it can. It is bright and energetic and filled with character, and those are the qualities you need to carry a curious, new generation of players into the fray long enough for them to find their footing in such a niche style of game. That DXM feels so distinct beyond that is just a bonus.
TheSixthAxis (9/10):
Daemon X Machina sets the bar for robot action games. The addictive mecha fighting is almost flawless, but it's complemented by so many other incredible parts to the game. There's a rich, unique world filled with incredible and memorable characters, endless and addictive customisation, gorgeous visuals and a jaw-dropping soundtrack. Daemon X Machina rarely stumbles, and even when it did, I still couldn't help but be impressed by this amazing new experience.
COGconnected (87/100):
Daemon X Machina goes beyond the expectations of a mech game with the Outer playing an integral part in tactics and combat. The other Outers you encounter are varied, unique, and have great personalities that shine through their voice acting. Combat is crisp, fast, and beautiful, accented by the stellar rock and metal soundtrack. The customization is phenomenal and the overall experience screams "just one more mission." With the only downside being its lack of tutorials and occasionally bothersome menu, this is a game still easy to learn, fun to master, and an absolutely intense thrill to play. This is the mech game you've always wanted.
Nintendo Enthusiast (8.5/10):
Daemon X Machina is a wonderful new IP and you wouldn't go wrong picking it up, especially if you're a fan of mech titles. Though it's a little slow to start, and there are definitely things it could do better, once it picks up you'll find high-octane action, a diverse cast of characters, and a story full of intrigue and depth. There's nothing quite like it on the Switch that I've seen thus far, but I'm hoping Daemon X Machina will pave the way for more.
Screen Rant (4/5):
Daemon X Machina is one of the best action games on the Nintendo Switch and it's a must-buy for fans of the mech genre, as it does an incredible job of making the player feel as if they are in control of a massive war machine on futuristic battlefields. Daemon X Machina is let down by its uninspired story and boring characters that always try and interject on the player's fun, but it's still possible to have a great time with the game.
Critical Hit (7.5/10):
There may be some rough edges, but for anyone looking for some fast-paced mobile suit action and who don't mind a repetitive grind, Daemon X Machina is a big mech with cheese that's worth sinking your teeth into.
CGMagazine (7.5/10):
Daemon X Machina is a great mech action game that's comparable in quality to the best entries in the franchise it's heavily inspired by. I love the detailed customization and the wide variety of builds available at player's fingertips, I just wish the team had a couple more months in development to create a fantastic final act to their story. Thankfully the game still has legs to move with a rich catalogue of optional missions to experience during a daily commute or a relaxing evening with friends online.
Twinfinite (3.5/5):
There's plenty of content to wade through with the lengthy story, assortment of side missions, and multiplayer options with friends or strangers (strictly co-op not versus).
Destructoid (7/10):
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 configurations 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.
Nintendo Life (7/10):
At its core Daemon X Machina is a solid mech action game that controls well and gives the player a generous helping of customisation options. Its mission structure can get repetitive, and its plot is so difficult to grasp it may as well be soaked in grease, but as long as you're willing to put up with these and get through its initially bewildering array of gauges and icons you should have a good time with it.
IGN (6.5/10):
Like a mech without a pilot, Daemon X Machina is a beautiful shell with not enough to fill it. It's a frustrating thing - simultaneously proving that there's life in this old genre, but failing to inject much of interest beyond the base level. I was thrilled enough by the opportunity to truly micro-manage a mech for the first time in a while, but there just wasn't enough to do with my creation once I was done tinkering.
VGC (3/5):
In full flow, Daemon X Machina can be exceptional... But it's a thrill that fades with repetition, in a structure that falls uncomfortably between a Platinum style linear action game and the long haul loop of a Monster Hunte
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