Just a heads up before we proceed – this isn’t a review of Daemon X Machina, as we’ve already covered that for the Switch version in a previous review. Rather, we’ll be examining the differences and enhancements between the Nintendo Switch release and the recently released Daemon X Machina PC port. Kudos to Marvelous and XSEED, as they’ve done a commendable job with the PC port, which may entice you to repurchase if you’re a genre enthusiast with a decently capable PC.
Then on February 13, 2020, Daemon X Machina was unexpectedly released for PC, which was a surprise given that the game was once a Nintendo Switch-exclusive. Fortunately, we were fortunate enough to receive an early copy of the PC version, courtesy of Marvelous and XSEED, and after several hours of gameplay, it’s clear that this is the definitive version of the game. This isn’t to say that the Nintendo Switch version was subpar, as everything that players enjoyed about it is present in the PC version, except for the collaborative DLC featuring Code Geass, Eureka Seven, and Witcher. However, given the modding community’s talent and creativity, we can expect them to provide players with a plethora of options that will make up for the lack of official DLC.
For those concerned about the quality of the port, let me alleviate your worries. This is not a simple port. The PC version comes equipped with several PC-specific features that enhance the gaming experience, such as the ability to customize visual settings. This includes the option to disable visual effects such as bloom, lens flare, depth of field, and chromatic aberration, which are not universally popular among players. The only missing feature is the ability to adjust the FOV (field of view), which would have been a welcome addition to widen the player’s view. Nonetheless, the game is still enjoyable without it.
The most significant improvement in the PC version of Daemon X Machina is the elimination of frame rate drops. Even on a mid-range PC, I did not experience any of the performance issues that plagued the Switch version. The frustratingly massive frame rate drops that could disrupt combat, especially when fighting colossal immortals, are a thing of the past.
In addition to the elimination of frame rate drops, the PC version of Daemon X Machina offers players the ability to play at higher visual resolutions, including 4K for those with the appropriate hardware. During my time with the game, I experimented with various resolutions, and even at 4K, the game ran at a smooth 60FPS without any hiccups. I must note that the machine I used was a powerful setup that included an AMD Ryzen 7 2700x and an Nvidia RTX 2080 Super. Still, I was impressed by the level of optimization that had been put into the game. Marvelous was also receptive to any issues I encountered during my sessions and quickly addressed them with patches.
Unlike the Switch version, the PC version of Daemon X Machina offers several anti-aliasing options, including FXX and TAA. However, even with these features disabled, the game looks stunning. The draw distance has been significantly improved, and the textures are sharper, with higher-quality assets in place. The game’s visuals have undergone a massive upgrade, including the cutscenes that are rendered in-game, which look much better.
The PC version also loads much faster than its Switch counterpart. I installed the game on both an SSD and a mechanical hard drive and while the SSD was faster, the difference wasn’t significant. Jumping into a mission takes between 5-10 seconds, while exiting takes about 2-3 seconds, even on the mechanical drive. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest advantages of playing the game on PC.
As expected, the Xbox One and Xbox 360 controllers are natively supported. Thanks to Steam, you’re also able to use the DualShock 3/4 controller. However, the controller isn’t natively supported for some bizarre reason. Keyboard and mouse support are also included, though I didn’t play with it as much as I did with the controllers. Naturally, the KBM combo does offer better control, but the gamepads work just as well. You’re also able to rebind the keyboard and gamepad button mappings fully. Just keep in mind that it only shows once you start the game, not on the main screen – which is an odd choice, in my honest opinion.
I didn’t get a chance to try out the online mode, as there were very few people playing the PC version during my time with the game. I know some were playing the game, as indicated by the ranking screen. They just never seemed to be online when I was. I would have loved to tell you all how it played in the multiplayer and co-op modes, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Verdict
Overall, this port is of high quality, which puts to rest any concerns about it being a lazy port. Marvelous INC/XSEED did an excellent job optimizing the game for the PC, with features such as visual quality adjustments and anti-aliasing. The game also looks better with higher-quality assets, sharper textures, and improved draw-in distance. The fast loading times and the ability to use various controllers or keyboard and mouse, make for a comfortable gaming experience. However, the gameplay remains the same as the Switch version, and those who found it repetitive may not enjoy it on PC. Nonetheless, this is a great option for fans who wanted to check out Daemon X Machina but may have been dismayed over the poor performance on the Nintendo Switch.
The PC version of Daemon X Machina was released on February 13, 2020.
** This impression piece was based on the review copy of the game and the final build **
