Key Highlights
- ELEX is a fascinating hybrid of, science fiction, survival, and open world exploration.
- The combat mechanics in ELEX can be frustrating and imbalanced, especially in the early stages of the game.
- The world of Magalan in ELEX is beautifully designed and offers a variety of unique locations to explore.
- The faction system in ELEX adds depth to the gameplay and allows players to align with different groups, each with their own beliefs and gear.
- The visual and audio experience in ELEX is a mixed bag, with stunning environmental design but lackluster character animations and voice acting.
Introduction
I’m going to admit that I’m not usually the type of person to be patient when it comes to new games. If I can’t essentially “pick up and play” it with little tutorial intervention, then I usually shrug my shoulders and move on. However, despite wanting to do exactly that to ELEX practically from the start, it…grew on me. I’ll admit that it took more than a few hours, but it did. This is our ELEX review.
ELEX is a sci-fi RPG developed by Piranha Bytes and published by THQ Nordic. It presents a unique blend of fantasy, science fiction, survival, and open world exploration. Set in the post-apocalyptic world of Magalan, ELEX offers players a vast and seamless open world to discover and conquer. With its intriguing premise and promising gameplay mechanics, ELEX had the potential to be a standout sci-fi RPG video game. However, as we delve deeper into the game, it becomes clear that it falls short in several aspects.
Unveiling the World of ELEX
Magalan, the planet on which ELEX is set, is a fascinating and visually stunning world. The game world is seamless and offers a vast open world for players to explore. From snow-capped mountains to sandy deserts and lush forests, Magalan presents a variety of stunning environments to traverse. However, despite its visual beauty, the world of ELEX feels dated given the power of today’s graphics cards. While the environmental design shines, the character animations and clipping issues detract from the overall visual experience.
Exploring the Unique Setting of Magalan
Magalan, the setting of ELEX, is a post-apocalyptic world that has been ravaged by a comet impact. The planet has undergone a process of rejuvenation, with different factions vying for control and survival. The world is divided into several regions, each with its own distinct characteristics and challenges. From the verdant lands of Edan to the desolate deserts of Tavar, players will navigate through a diverse and beautifully crafted landscape. However, despite its unique setting, the game fails to fully capitalize on the potential of its world. The quests and characters within Magalan, including the protagonist Jax, often feel disconnected from the larger narrative, resulting in a lack of cohesive storytelling.
The Faction System and Its Impact on Gameplay
One of the standout features of ELEX is its faction system. Players have the opportunity to align themselves with different factions, each with their own beliefs, goals, and gear. The main factions in the game are the Clerics, Albs, Berserkers, and Outlaws. The Clerics are a technologically advanced faction with a religious zeal. The Albs are an emotionless and powerful faction addicted to Elex, the game’s main resource. The Berserkers are a group of nature-loving warriors who use Elex to cast magic. The Outlaws, on the other hand, are a lawless group surviving in the desert. Choosing a faction can greatly impact the gameplay experience, as it determines access to unique abilities, quests, and equipment. However, the execution of the faction system in ELEX leaves much to be desired. The quests and interactions with the factions lack depth and fail to provide a truly engaging experience. Additionally, the faction system feels underdeveloped and doesn’t have as much impact on the overall game as one might expect.
The Core Mechanics of ELEX
The core mechanics of ELEX revolve around its combat system, which is a blend of melee, ranged, and magical abilities. Players can choose to specialize in a particular combat style or create a hybrid character that utilizes a mix of different approaches. The combat system in ELEX can be challenging and frustrating, especially in the early stages of the game. The controls and hit detection can feel unresponsive, leading to imbalanced fights and repetitive encounters. The addition of a jetpack adds an interesting element to the gameplay, allowing for vertical exploration and strategic maneuvering in combat. However, the jetpack mechanics can be clunky and take some time to master.
Combat System Overview: A Blend of Magic and Technology
The combat system in ELEX is unique in its blend of magic and technology. Players have the option to utilize traditional melee weapons, ranged weapons, or magic abilities depending on their chosen playstyle. The combat system has its strengths, with strategic positioning, timing, and resource management being key factors in successfully defeating enemies. However, the combat system also has its flaws. The controls can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, making it difficult to execute precise attacks or dodge incoming attacks. The hit detection can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating encounters where attacks seem to pass through enemies without doing any damage. Overall, while the combat system offers variety, it lacks the polish and fluidity seen in other RPGs.
Crafting and Survival Elements in ELEX
In addition to its combat mechanics, ELEX features crafting and survival elements. Players can gather resources from the environment and use them to craft weapons, armor, and consumables. The crafting system in ELEX offers a decent amount of customization and allows players to tailor their gear to suit their playstyle. However, the survival elements in the game feel underdeveloped and lack depth. The need to manage resources such as food, water, and sleep is present but doesn’t significantly impact gameplay. Additionally, the lack of a robust inventory management system makes it cumbersome to navigate and organize items. Overall, while the crafting system adds some depth to the gameplay, the survival elements in ELEX feel tacked on and fail to provide a truly immersive experience.
Quest Design and Branching Narratives
ELEX boasts a quest system that offers branching narratives and player choices. The game presents players with a plethora of quests, both main and side, to undertake. The choices made during these quests can have consequences that impact the overall narrative and the relationships with various factions. However, the execution of the quest design and branching narratives falls short of expectations. Many of the quests lack depth and fail to provide meaningful choices or consequences. The narrative often feels disjointed and disconnected, making it difficult to stay invested in the story. Additionally, the dialogue and voice acting are stilted and awkward, detr from the immersion and engagement with the quests. Overall, while the concept of branching narratives is promising, the implementation in ELEX leaves much to be desired.
Character Development and Choices
Character development and choices play a significant role in ELEX. Players have the freedom to shape their character’s abilities, attributes, and skills through the use of attribute points and skill points. The choices made during quests and interactions with NPCs also impact the development of the character and the relationships with factions. However, the character development in ELEX feels limited and lacks depth. The attribute and skill system is shallow, offering little variety or customization. The choices presented to the player often feel inconsequential and fail to provide a meaningful impact on the narrative or gameplay.
The Role of Attributes and Skills
Attributes and skills play a crucial role in character development in ELEX. Players can allocate attribute points to various attributes such as Strength, Constitution, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Cunning. These attributes determine the effectiveness of different combat styles and abilities. Additionally, skill points can be used to unlock and improve specific skills, enhancing the character’s capabilities in combat, crafting, or survival. However, the role of attributes and skills in ELEX feels limited and lacks depth. The attribute system lacks variety and fails to provide meaningful choices or customization options. The skill system, while offering some versatility, lacks depth and fails to offer a truly impactful progression system. Overall, the role of attributes and skills in ELEX is underwhelming and fails to provide a satisfying character development experience.
Consequences of Player Decisions
One of the touted features of ELEX is the impact of player decisions on the game world and narrative. The choices made during quests and interactions with NPCs are said to have consequences that shape the course of the game. However, the execution of this feature falls short of expectations. The consequences of player decisions often feel inconsequential and fail to significantly impact the narrative or the relationships with factions. The choices presented to the player lack depth and fail to provide meaningful moral dilemmas or ethical considerations. Ultimately, the consequences of player decisions in ELEX feel shallow and fail to deliver on the promise of a dynamic and reactive game world.
Comparing ELEX to Other Sci-Fi RPGs
ELEX is often compared to other sci-fi RPGs such as Fallout, Morrowind, and Skyrim. While ELEX shares some similarities with these games, it falls short in several aspects. The combat mechanics in ELEX are clunky and imbalanced compared to the polished combat systems of Fallout, Morrowind, and Skyrim. The world of ELEX, while visually stunning, lacks the depth and immersion seen in the expansive open worlds of its counterparts. Additionally, the quest design and storytelling in ELEX fail to match the intricate and engaging narratives of Fallout, Morrowind, and Skyrim.
What Sets ELEX Apart from Its Competitors?
Despite its shortcomings, ELEX does offer some unique features that set it apart from its competitors in the world of gaming. The blend of fantasy and science fiction elements in ELEX creates a distinct and intriguing world. The faction system adds depth and variety to the gameplay, allowing players to align with different groups and experience different perspectives within the game world. The visual design of the game, particularly the environmental art, is stunning and showcases the creativity of the developers. However, these unique aspects of ELEX are overshadowed by its flaws and the lack of polish in other areas. Ultimately, while ELEX attempts to stand out from its competitors in the world of gaming, it falls short in delivering a truly exceptional sci-fi RPG experience.
ELEX vs. Fallout Series: A Detailed Comparison
To provide a comprehensive comparison between ELEX and the Fallout series, let’s take a closer look at their key features:
ELEX |
Fallout Series |
|
Setting |
Post-apocalyptic sci-fi |
Post-apocalyptic sci-fi |
Open World |
Yes |
Yes |
Faction System |
Yes |
Yes |
Combat Mechanics |
Clunky and imbalanced |
Polished and immersive |
Quest Design |
Lackluster and disjointed |
Intricate and engaging |
Visual Design |
Visually stunning, but lacks polish |
Immersive and detailed |
Narrative |
Disconnected and underdeveloped |
Deep and captivating |
While ELEX shares some similarities with the Fallout series in terms of setting and open world gameplay, it falls short in several key areas. The combat mechanics in ELEX are clunky and imbalanced compared to the polished and immersive combat of the Fallout series. The quest design in ELEX lacks depth and fails to provide an engaging narrative experience, unlike the intricate and captivating quests of the Fallout series. Additionally, while ELEX’s visual design is visually stunning, it lacks the polish and immersion seen in the Fallout series. Overall, the Fallout series offers a more refined and immersive post-apocalyptic RPG experience compared to ELEX.
Challenges and Controversies
ELEX has faced several challenges and controversies since its release. One of the main criticisms of the game is the balancing difficulty, especially in the early stages of the game. The combat mechanics can be frustrating and imbalanced, leading to repetitive encounters and unfair fights. Accessibility is another issue, with clunky controls and unresponsive gameplay hindering the overall experience. However, the game has risen in popularity among fans of the RPG genre, despite its flaws. The developers have acknowledged these criticisms and have released patches and updates to address some of the issues. While these updates have improved certain aspects of the game, ELEX still falls short of delivering a polished and satisfying RPG experience.
Balancing Difficulty and Accessibility
One of the major challenges in ELEX is the balancing of difficulty. The combat mechanics can feel frustratingly imbalanced, especially in the early stages of the game. Players may find themselves facing overly difficult encounters or encountering enemies that seem unbeatable. Additionally, the controls and gameplay can feel clunky and unresponsive, making it difficult to execute precise attacks or movements. These issues hinder the accessibility of the game, making it less enjoyable for both experienced RPG players and newcomers to the genre. While the developers have released patches and updates to address some of these issues, the balancing difficulty and accessibility in ELEX still leave much to be desired.
Addressing Criticisms: Patches and Updates
Since its release, ELEX has received several patches and updates aimed at addressing the game’s criticisms and improving the overall experience. These patches have attempted to balance the difficulty of the combat system, addressing issues with enemy AI, hit detection, and player progression. Additionally, updates have been released to improve the overall performance and stability of the game, addressing bugs and glitches. While these patches and updates have helped to alleviate some of the issues in ELEX, the game still falls short of delivering a polished and seamless experience. The balancing difficulty and accessibility issues, as well as other criticisms, persist despite the efforts of the developers. It remains to be seen whether further updates will be able to fully rectify these issues and provide a more satisfying gameplay experience.
The Visual and Audio Experience
The visual and audio experience in ELEX is a mixed bag. On one hand, the graphics and environmental design are visually stunning, with beautiful landscapes and richly detailed locations. However, the character animations and clipping issues detract from the overall visual experience, making the game feel dated. The soundtrack and voice acting in ELEX also leave much to be desired. The dialogue is often stilted and awkward, and the voice acting fails to convey the depth and emotion needed to fully immerse players in the game world. Despite these shortcomings, the visual and audio experience in ELEX does manage to create a certain atmosphere, capturing the post-apocalyptic setting and the sense of adventure and exploration.
Graphics, Design, and Atmosphere
The graphics and design of ELEX are visually stunning, showcasing the creativity and attention to detail of the developers. The landscapes and environments are beautifully crafted, offering a diverse and immersive world for players to explore. However, the character animations and clipping issues detract from the overall visual experience, making the game feel dated and lacking in polish. Despite these shortcomings, ELEX does manage to create a certain atmosphere, capturing the post-apocalyptic setting and the sense of adventure and exploration. The design of the game world, with its varied regions and unique locations, adds depth and interest to the overall experience of playing great games. While the graphics and design of ELEX have their flaws, they do contribute to the immersive atmosphere of the game.
Soundtrack and Voice Acting: Enhancing Immersion
The soundtrack and voice acting in ELEX are underwhelming and fail to enhance the immersion of the game. The dialogue is often stilted and awkward, lacking the depth and emotion needed to fully engage players in the narrative. The voice acting feels flat and uninspired, detracting from the overall experience. The soundtrack, while serviceable, fails to leave a lasting impression and lacks the epic or atmospheric qualities often associated with RPGs. Overall, the audio elements in ELEX fall short of elevating the immersive experience and fail to add depth or emotional resonance to the game. This lack of polish in the audio department further detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
Conclusion
ELEX presents a promising fusion of sci-fi elements and RPG gameplay, but falls short in execution. The world of Magalan offers a unique backdrop, yet the faction system lacks depth. Combat mechanics blend magic and technology but lack fluidity. Crafting and survival aspects feel tedious rather than engaging. Quest design shows potential, yet branching narratives often lack impact. Character development choices offer variety, but consequences lack depth. While ELEX tries to stand out, comparisons to other sci-fi RPGs reveal shortcomings in storytelling and gameplay. Addressing criticisms through patches is essential for ELEX to reach its full potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Play ELEX Without Prior RPG Experience?
Yes, ELEX can be played without prior RPG experience. While the game may have a steep learning curve and challenging mechanics, it is still accessible to newcomers. The game offers tutorials and guides to help players understand the gameplay mechanics and progress through the story. Whether you are a seasoned RPG player or new to the genre, ELEX can provide an engaging and immersive experience.