In a world turned to rust and ruin, where cities lie in ash and humanity teeters on the brink of extinction, there exists one last hope—one final roar of diesel engines and cannon fire in the face of annihilation. That’s the spirit behind Metal Max Xeno: Reborn, a revival of a cult classic RPG series that dares to blend tank warfare, turn-based combat, and Mad Max-style desolation into a chaotic, surprisingly heartfelt adventure.
Originally launched on the PS4 and Nintendo Switch, Xeno: Reborn is not just a remake of Metal Max Xeno (2018)—it’s a complete overhaul. Rebuilt in Unreal Engine 4, with redesigned mechanics, characters, and enemies, it’s a gritty, satisfying evolution of a franchise that has always walked on the wild side.
And in 2025? It might just be one of the most underrated RPGs you’ve never played.
The Story: Humanity’s Final Stand Against Despair
Set in the blasted ruins of what was once Tokyo Bay—now known as Dystokio—the game unfolds in a world where NOA, a hyper-intelligent AI designed to guide human progress, has instead decided that mankind is the problem… and must be eliminated.
Decades of mechanized slaughter have reduced the population to almost nothing. The surface is overrun with killer machines—hulking deathbots, twisted tanks, and AI-controlled war beasts. You step into the boots of Talis, a stoic young warrior driven by revenge and survival, one of the last soldiers fighting for a future that may no longer exist.
Talis stumbles upon Iron Base, a hidden stronghold where a handful of survivors, engineers, and outcasts huddle together, resisting NOA’s tyranny. With the help of an eccentric cast—including a tank-loving mechanic girl, a mysterious amnesiac soldier, and even a battle dog named Pochi—Talis must strike back.
But this isn’t just about saving humanity. It’s about answering a single, searing question:
If the world is beyond saving, what are you still fighting for?
The Combat: Turn-Based Chaos in a Wasteland of Steel
Forget traditional RPG battles. Metal Max Xeno: Reborn delivers a hybrid combat system that’s equal parts tactical and explosive.
You can fight on foot or in heavily customized tanks, and both play styles offer dramatically different strategic options. Unlike most turn-based games, Reborn uses real-time encounters—you spot enemies in the open world, and battles unfold instantly without loading screens.
Key Combat Features:
- Free Roam Tank Combat: Your tank is your best weapon—and your home. Load it with machine guns, rocket launchers, flamethrowers, or laser cannons. Every weapon slot can be customized, and positioning matters—front-mounted weapons fire differently than side turrets.
- On-Foot Combat: Sometimes, enemies will rip you out of your tank or force you into tight spaces where you fight as a human. Here, gunplay and gadgets take the spotlight.
- Pochi Joins the Fight: Yes, your loyal Shiba Inu can fight. Pochi bites enemies, sniffs out treasure, and can even be equipped with armor and weapons. He’s adorable—and deadly.
- Permadeath & Repair: If a tank goes down, it’s not game over—but you’ll need to salvage or repair it. Managing your convoy is essential.
The combat is lightning fast, deeply customizable, and addictive in its grind-meets-experimentation loop. There’s nothing quite like rolling into a battlefield in a war machine you built yourself, blowing a skyscraper-sized boss into molten scrap.
Characters: Survivors with Scars and Secrets
While the Metal Max series has always leaned into campy, offbeat characters, Xeno: Reborn balances that with surprising emotional depth.
- Talis is a blank slate in the best way—his silence and determination let players project their own sense of purpose onto his mission.
- Toni, the gung-ho mechanic, provides levity and tech support, always dreaming up new ways to improve your war machines.
- Yokky, the awkward genius, is as useful as he is unsettling, providing key upgrades in exchange for salvaged tech.
- D’Annunzio, a flamboyant cyborg obsessed with poetry and death, delivers monologues that are equal parts hilarious and terrifying.
And then there’s Pochi, the emotional heart of the game. His presence is a constant reminder that even in a world ruled by cold machines, loyalty, love, and instinct still matter.
Customization: Your Tank, Your Rules
One of Reborn’s greatest strengths is its obsessive dedication to customization. You can build and tune your tanks down to the smallest detail.
- Weapons: Load up with main guns, secondary weapons, special skills, and defense systems. Each one has trade-offs in weight, energy use, and range.
- Armor & Mobility: Light armor makes you fast but fragile. Heavy plating turns you into a juggernaut—until you try to cross a collapsed highway and your tank gets stuck.
- Paint Jobs & Decals: Style isn’t just cosmetic—it reflects the personality of your crew. Want a hot pink death machine with skull decals? Go for it.
There’s a nearly absurd level of freedom here, and for gearheads or RPG veterans, it’s endlessly satisfying.
Why It’s Worth Playing Today
You might not see Metal Max Xeno: Reborn trending on social media or topping sales charts—but that’s exactly why it deserves your attention.
Here’s why you should give it a shot today:
- It’s Unique – Where else can you fight giant robots with a tank-piloting dog while roaming a post-apocalyptic Japan?
- Deep Customization – Build your war machines your way. No two players will have the same convoy.
- Underdog Vibes – It’s a B-tier game with A-tier ambition, and that’s part of its charm. There’s no corporate polish—just passion.
- Tactical, Yet Accessible – The combat is fast and fun, but there’s still plenty of room for strategy and experimentation.
- A Cult Classic Reborn – This is the definitive version of a long-running, beloved Japanese RPG franchise finally given the respect it deserves.
Metal Max Xeno: Reborn is not for everyone. It’s raw. It’s weird. It’s off-kilter and unapologetically niche.
But if you’re the kind of gamer who craves something different, who wants to explore a broken world full of crazy machines, hopeful survivors, and one very good dog, then this is the desert road trip you didn’t know you needed.
So fuel up your tank. Lock and load.
It’s time to take Earth back—one bullet at a time.
