Introduction

'ELEX II'—the game that dares to ask the question: What if 'Mad Max' met 'Star Wars' but no one brought a script? This action RPG lets you don the role of Jax, your favorite post-apocalyptic hero who seems to enjoy collecting issues more than anything else. So grab your jetpack, because we are about to flail our way through pandemonium with a smile and a few eye-rolls!

Gameplay

In 'ELEX II', you step back into the dusty boots of Jax in a world that's post-apocalyptic and science-fantasy minded. The game throws you into the chaotic mix of six factions, each as quirky as they are insufferable. Choose your camp—literally—whether it be magic users or tech geeks. Who would have thought that alliances could be so... nerdy? Combat is an experience that feels like the developers had a small bet on how many clunky animations could be fit into one game. Your stamina dictates everything, and if you've ever played a game and wanted to facepalm at every dodgy mechanic—well congratulations! You found it. Forget running around like an action hero; if you're out of stamina, you’re more akin to a tired cat knocked off a ledge, trying to pose heroically but just looking kind of sad. The jetpack? Yes! Almost like a 3D flight simulator on training wheels. Think of it as your get-out-of-jail-free card that also sometimes results in you splattering against walls like you are auditioning for a role in 'Jackass: The Game'. Soar bravely over the beautifully-rendered landscapes, only to plummet to your demise because you forgot the jump button at the last second. Good times! Leveling up is where you can unleash your true potential and finally put those points into upgrading your ability to not die so easily. But be warned: it doesn’t necessarily guarantee a smoother journey. Your foes are still brutal techno-organic aliens eager to crash the party and make sure you have the worst kind of day imaginable.

Graphics

Graphically, 'ELEX II' is a bit like having a hipster pizza: some slices are delectable, while others leave you wondering if someone spilled marinara on your controller. The environments are sometimes breathtaking, with a mix of vibrant colors and desolate landscapes, creating a disorienting aesthetic that feels like a fever dream. Character models can feel a tad dated, though, resembling the kind of overripe fruit you find at the back of the fridge—only slightly more appealing than my first-grade art project. It's clear that Piranha Bytes wanted to push the PS5’s capabilities, but the execution feels like they ran out of time and decided to throw in a few half-baked textures for good measure. Cutscenes can feel like awkward pauses in a sitcom you didn’t want to watch in the first place, complete with dialogue that sounds like it was penned by someone fueled by subpar coffee and too many energy drinks.

Conclusion

'ELEX II' is a game that exists, and it certainly has moments of charm and excitement hidden beneath layers of clunky combat and questionable dialogue. If you delight in the weird, the whimsical, and the utterly chaotic, then this might be your jam. Just don’t be surprised if you’re taking notes on how not to design an RPG, while simultaneously enjoying the experience like you’re at a bad movie night with friends. A solid 6 out of 10: it's playable, it’s fun, but it may also make you want to scream into a pillow more often than not.

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