Oct 2017
Welcome to the wondrous and world-weary realm of Magalan, where technology and medieval fantasy have decided to throw a totally dysfunctional family reunion. ELEX offers a delightful concoction of post-apocalyptic chaos, powered by a magical substance (no, not the one you’re thinking of) and a protagonist who's got more issues than Vogue. Grab your crossbow and suit up, because things are about to get weird in this realm where survival and emotional contemplation go hand-in-hand – kind of like peanut butter and pickles.
ELEX is an open-world action role-playing game where you, as the former Alb Commander Jax, have a great time being depressed in a landscape littered with post-catastrophic debris. You're out there trying to figure out what happened to you after taking a nosedive in your aircraft...literally! You can wield both swords and guns, explore factions composed of weirder-than-average people, and decide if you want to have a hearty emotional arc, or just embrace your inner robot and stay cold. \n\nFactions? Oh boy, we've got a few of those. On one side, you've got the Berserkers, who think that growing plants will somehow heal the world – spoiler alert, it won't. The Outlaws just want to drink, smoke, and scrape together whatever tech they can find like it's Tuesday night at the dumpster dive. And then, there are the Clerics who are set on peddling their religion like it’s the latest iPhone model. Choices matter here, and you can actually change alliances like changing clothes – assuming your emotional wardrobe stays flexible!\n\nCombat is a mixed bag. It’s like playing rock-paper-scissors, only the enemies have taken a few too many steroids. You’ll need to mesh your gunplay with some melee options and learn tactical retreats (`read: RUN AWAY!`) in a world where every mutant and turd of a creature wants to knock you out faster than you can say ‘ELEX’!
Graphically, ELEX has the kind of look that can best be described as ‘unique’. Rendered with all the charm of a '90s polygonal adventure, the textures sometimes look like they were painted by a blindfolded artist who was having a rough day. On the bright side, the landscapes are expansive and filled with all sorts of friendly beings who would happily tear you apart if given the chance, really just great people. It beautifully juxtaposes futuristic tech with fantasy elements, which at times works brilliantly and at others leaves you wondering if the designers had a few too many shots of ELEX themselves. Not to mention that some creatures resemble the darker concept art from the realm of nightmares. Charming, isn't it?
ELEX is not for the faint of heart or the easily irritated, yet it stands out in the vast sea of open-world RPGs. With a bizarrely engaging storyline, an intricate world brimming with questionable characters, and the constant risk of death by oversized rats, it’s certainly an experience like no other. \n\nAt the end of the day, ELEX is the culinary mix of chocolate and pickles that leaves you either loving it or utterly perplexed. It’s surreal, silly, and more than a little daunting. An essential buy for players looking for something offbeat or those who enjoy a healthy (and somewhat dysfunctional) blend of technology and magic mixed with tons of nostalgia from RPGs of old. Just remember to charge your lightsaber and pack a sturdy weapon – you know, just in case you meet someone who thinks being emotional isn’t cool. Rating: 6/10, because being ambitious is great, but let’s not pretend it’s the rabbit of video games. More of a cozy tortoise, really.
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