Review | ELEX II– Piranha Bytes managed to score well with Gothic and its sequel in the early 2000s on the PC, but the third part in the RPG series failed to break any pots. When the German developer switched to consoles, things didn't get any better. This was mainly because the games they made were often a generation behind on many fronts and therefore looked and played out of date. OfELEXthis was no different and the game also suffered from many technical issues. As with the Risen series, despite the lukewarm reception, a new part was simply made. Hopefully the German developer can revive the glory days of the Gothic.
Do not bother
At least Piranha Bytes hasn't made it too difficult for the story. In the first part, you played as Jax and fought against a great evil on the planet Magalan to compete for ELEX, a substance that can make you extra strong. Besides fighting the enemy, you also had to intervene in conflicts between different factions. Instead of coming out a little more original with the second part, the German developer has chosen the easiest way. They simply copied the story of the first part, only now with a different enemy and several years later.
Not what you expect
Game-wise, no original things are made either. The game is presented in a third-person perspective, and you are mainly engaged in battles and conversations with various characters in a world where you can go wherever you want. You will be given various tasks to complete and side missions will also be presented during your adventure. Of course, you can also level up and upgrade your hero to complete the hardest tasks. The sequel to ELEX is therefore a fairly standard open world RPG, but that doesn't have to be a problem if the game also manages to entertain you. The game Piranha Bytes does that to a certain level, but there are still some problems.
When you start playing ELEX II – version 1.03 – you won't be very happy with what you see. Although the image is super sharp with a resolution close to or exactly 4K, the frame rate stands out in a negative way. Depending on the environment, it's roughly between 30 and 50 frames per second when you're looking straight ahead, and 60 is pressed when you're looking at the sky or the ground. Since you're mostly looking straight ahead in the game, you have to make do with a suboptimal frame rate. There's also only one graphics mode present, so you're stuck with this one. What is striking though is that there is a lot of screen tearing. Both therefore create a messy and troubled image.
If you are positive and accept that screen tearing and an unstable frame rate are part of the game, then your attitude will be tested again. When you enter the first matches, you notice that they run smoothly. Therefore, attacking and defending with the mix of old and modern melee weapons and shooting irons does not work well. Your character is slow to respond to your commands, which is especially a problem when dodging incoming attacks. Of course you can get used to it, because after a while you know how to adapt to still get some fun out of the game, but it's far from ideal. It's clearly the weakest part of ELEX II, and that's a shame, because this part takes up a large part of your adventure.
The bad first impression of the ELEX II does not change in the first hours either. The world itself and the main character look nice to good, but other characters you meet sometimes look a little strange. Faces can look a bit misshapen and the animations of the NPCs are quite wooden and reminiscent of two generations ago. The strangest and most disturbing thing happens when you go to see the map; then the frame rate drops a lot. If the 10 frames per second is reached, that's a lot. Why this is so is a mystery as it is a simple flat 2D map. You use this a lot, so it's very annoying to have to use a heavily stuttering folder over and over again.
Patience will be rewarded
It is understandable that the aforementioned points may be a reason for some players to write off ELEX II after a few hours. Still, it pays to give the game time. Where at first you will sit with a grumpy face, at some point it will slowly change to a light smile and then you will take the negative for granted. This is primarily due to the world in which the adventure takes place. There is regularly something to see in the distance that makes you curious, and there are also quite a few 'easter eggs', with fun nods to other games or media. Magalan invites you to investigate and it's very cool.
Eventually, you'll also notice that the many missions and side missions - which are good for dozens of hours of gameplay - are mostly just a fun activity. Of course, these will mainly consist of frequent battles, but you will also need to maintain friendships with factions or, if you choose, antagonize someone against you. You will also need to look for people who can help you during the adventure. In any case, you don't constantly do the same thing, and that benefits the fun. There are some tasks that feel a bit like filler, because you are often sent from e.g. hot to her without doing anything important, but these are fortunately greatly outnumbered.
What also makes the missions fun is that you come into contact with different characters. As you could read earlier, these can sometimes look a little strange, but they each have their own - sometimes hilariously exaggerated - personality. The dialogues are not always well written and the voice acting is not equally strong everywhere, but the individual identity of each character more than compensates for this. What's a bit of a shame is that it's not indicated if a (side) mission is still too ambitious for the level your character is currently at. You can therefore be busy with a task for a while, only to have to cancel it again because you come across an enemy that you take out in one blow.
Nothing stands in your way
What gives the game a positive turn in one fell swoop is the use of a 'jet pack'. You will receive this shortly after starting your adventure. You can fly for a short time with this and it is really ideal. If you've played more open world RPGs, you're probably familiar with the phenomenon of sometimes having to walk quite a bit to get to a certain point because there are some mountains or buildings in the way. In ELEX II it's not a problem nine times out of ten because the jet pack offers a solution and you overcome the obstacle in no time. Now the map of the game world is not very big, but the fact that you don't have to walk is always handy.
Reviewed on:PlayStation 5
Also available at:PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S og pc.
Conclusion
With each new game from Piranha Bytes it is hoped that it will revive the successful gothic era, but that is not the case with ELEX II again. However, that doesn't mean this game is very bad. You're basically presented with a standard open world RPG, with an unstable frame rate and sluggish combat. In principle, these are not good ingredients for a good game, but the very interesting world and generally fun tasks and fun characters encourage you to play on and take the negative for granted. The ELEX II is certainly not a high-flyer, but it certainly knows how to impress.
Advantage
- Very interesting world
- Jet pack!
- Lots of nice Easter eggs
- Mainly fun (side) missions
- Many interesting and funny characters
more negative
- Frame rate not stable
- Good screen tearing
- It is not clear how difficult a mission is
- Frame rate maps are a drama
- Battles run smoothly
5.5
- Coffee
FAQs
Which is better Elex or Elex 2? ›
Fans of ELEX should find ELEX II to be an upgrade. The graphics are slightly better, as are the combat system and the range of exploration the game allows for. Many of these improvements are only marginal, however, and those who found frustration with the first game won't find too many differences in the second.
Will there be ELEX 3? ›yes. elex 3 wil probably only be on 2025. since elex I was 2017, and elex ii 2021. around 4 years of development.
Is Elex 2 fun? ›Elex II is a baffling game. The combat is clunky and can be very difficult, and the game has more than a few bugs, with other issues like a glacial pace. However, the game is genuinely interesting to explore and fun, for all its problems - and there are many.
How many people worked on Elex 2? ›Looking at the studio's 33 person staff, it's easy to see that ELEX II is punching above its weight class and it's hard not to be impressed. And for returning fans, this is everything you enjoyed about the first game, but a bit better. However, new players should be warned that the game does have a lot of problems.
Does Elex 2 have multiple endings? ›ELEX II pitches itself as an Advanced World Simulation, with the actions you take in game having a direct effect on the world around you. While this may be tough to see at first, this does mean that the game comes with a number of different endings.
How many years between ELEX and Elex 2? ›Elex II picks up six years after the events of the first game, though for some the memories remain fresh.
What is the easiest faction in ELEX? ›Because of their advanced technology and powers, the Clerics are the easiest faction to join and play as. Their powers, weapons, and armor give you a significant advantage over every other faction out there.
What is the max rank in ELEX? ›Hi, what is the max level? No level cap, but realistically exp will run out around 30-40ish if you do everything.
What is Max level in ELEX? ›There is no max character level in ELEX. However, as in other games, gaining another level of experience requires more EXP.
How long does it take to finish Elex 2? ›When focusing on the main objectives, Elex II is about 36 Hours in length. If you're a gamer that strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 76½ Hours to obtain 100% completion.
What is Elex 2 nasty? ›
Nasty is one of the Characters and a potential companion in ELEX. She is Logan, the Duke of Tavar's twin sister and a capable military commander. She is first located under a structure slightly north of the Duke's Bunker teleporter.
How many rings can you wear in ELEX? ›Only one. Originally posted by DV8ing1: These rings go to a very special place though.
What should I level up first in Elex 2? ›Focus on strength and dexterity to start
In Elex 2, at least early on, you'll want to focus on both. Your starting weapon of a lead pipe doesn't help much, and early weapons you'll find require a bit more than your stats demand of both strength and dexterity.
Arguably the best 1-handed weapon in ELEX 2 - you'll find The Cutter inside the Epsilara Former. You'll have to head all the way inside, into the room with the column of light. It's at the top of the winding staircase, guarded by numerous Skyands.
Can I play Elex 2 without playing 1? ›Players don't really need to play the first game for it, but it would certainly help. Well, it would seem that Elex 2 is largely comparable to the first game. That, and if players intend to check out the first game after Elex 2 hits their radar, they absolutely should.
Can you romance Caja in Elex 2? ›There are 3 possible Companion Romance options in Elex 2. You can flirt with Caja, Nasty and Nyra. The possibility of Romance opens up as the Companion's loyalty grows.
Does Elex 2 have romance? ›Ultimately, while it seemed at first the idea of romance in Elex 2 could have gone south, player choice is maintained and respected. Elex 2's handling of choice and romance means that each relationship is complex, complicated, and mature, all while ensuring player choice remains intact.
Can you join all factions in Elex 2? ›There are 6 NPC factions on Magalan in ELEX II. Most of them relate directly to the factions you encountered in ELEX I. You can join 5 of them: Berserkers, Morkons, Albs, Clerics and Outlaws by completing missions for them and gaining reputation. Joining each faction will be rewarded with an Achievement.
Can you become an ALB in ELEX? ›The Albs are one of the factions that you can join in ELEX 2. Controlling their emotions and empowering themselves through the consumption of Elex, this group feels extreme animosity towards Jax due to his actions in the first game. Nevertheless, you should be able to become part of their ranks this time around.
Do enemies Respawn in Elex 2? ›The respawn is based on time, not on any speficis story related things. Trolls don't respawn. You can be sure that you will have enough elex/dark elex for everything you want tho.
Does Elex 1 carry over to Elex 2? ›
We started from a question that wasn't very clear but was answered completely correctly: no, you won't be able to carry over your save or your choices to Elex 2.
What is the hardest faction to play as in total war? ›- 1 Western Roman Empire – Total War: Attila.
- 2 Zheng Jiang – Total War: Three Kingdoms. ...
- 3 The Aztecs – Medieval II: Kingdoms. ...
- 4 Syracuse – Total War: Rome II. ...
- 5 Northymbre – Total War Saga: Thrones Of Britannia. ...
- 6 France – Napoleon: Total War. ...
While all three factions have unique strengths and weaknesses, Osiris may be the best option for some players. One reason for this is that Osiris offers the ability to unlock new skills and technologies that can benefit the players.
Can you join the albs in ELEX 1? ›there are 5 factions. Outlaws, berserkers, clerics, seperatists, and albs. You cant join albs. You can "join" the seperatist faction, but you cant buy anything from them.
Is there a weight limit in ELEX? ›There is no weight limit or inventory limit so I'd hold on to as much as you can for as long as you can.
How do you get XP fast on ELEX? ›Complete Quests and Kill Enemies in Elex
In terms of entertainment and quickly acquiring XP, quests and monster hunting is the way to go. Quests in particular can give the player hundreds of XP when completed continuously. This is especially true for main quests, where the XP gains are much higher.
Cold. Cold is a unique attribute that reflects your dialogue options, mission decisions and consumption of Elex throughout the game. Basically a personality rating, a lower value means you are more emotional or instinctive while a higher value means you are more logical or cold-hearted.
How long does it take to finish ELEX? ›When focusing on the main objectives, ELEX is about 27 Hours in length. If you're a gamer that strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 85½ Hours to obtain 100% completion.
What is safe to sell in ELEX? ›- Broom.
- Bundle of Old World Money.
- Casket.
- Chalice.
- Cigarette.
- Collectable Toy Car.
- Fine Cup.
- Fine Dining Fork.
Only one companion can follow you at a time. At any time you can speak with the Companion to ask their current Approval rating of you (explained below), have them Stay Put at their current spot (or Join you if they were in a Stay Put stance), or to return to the Small Camp to fully leave your party.
Is ELEX a hard game? ›
The first Elex was known for being very tough and unforgiving and that has somewhat been carried forward. Piranha Bytes were kind enough to add a story difficulty for those wanting an easier ride but even that has some challenges.
Has ELEX been patched? ›29.04.2022 13:14
Yesterday Piranha Bytes and THQ Nordic released a new patch (version 1.0. 107) for Elex 2 on Steam that fixes some bugs. There is also an optional beta patch that gives Elex 2 DirectX 12 as the graphics API.
The gameplay issues are apparent, but Elex II is also buggy as hell. Visually, it is spectacular and you'll love the world you explore.
What happens if you join the claws in Elex 2? ›The Claws are Guild of Thieves in Elex. You do not have to join the Claws to complete the game, but joining the guild gives you extra missions and equipment.
Is ELEX similar to fallout? ›ELEX manages to blend the post-apocalyptic atmosphere of Fallout with a magical land of mysteries reminiscent of The Elder Scrolls. Like Bethesda's two biggest franchises, ELEX allows players to loot their socks off.
What is the safe combination in Elex 2? ›- Anto's Safe - 4725.
- Bastion safe - 6666.
- Fenris's Safe - 8696.
- Old Safe - 0175.
- Old Safe - 0195.
- Old Safe - 0423.
- Old Safe - 0568.
- Old Safe - 0654.
Rings of any variation can be obtained upon each playthrough. If you miss a ring on your first playthrough, or even your second or third, you can still obtain on any following playthrough.
Can you stack rings of protection? ›You also can't benefit from more than one ring of protection, for instance, since you can't attune to more than one copy of an item at a time."
How many rings do you stack? ›How many fingers should I stack? It's up to you how many fingers you want to use when ring stacking. As a general guideline, we recommend you either wear a couple of rings on multiple fingers, or multiple rings on one or two fingers. Both large and small stacks make a bold statement.
Is Elex 2 a long game? ›When focusing on the main objectives, Elex II is about 36 Hours in length. If you're a gamer that strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 76½ Hours to obtain 100% completion.
What do I need to know before playing Elex 2? ›
- Understanding Attribute Points versus Learning Points. ...
- Focus on strength and dexterity to start. ...
- MYOM - Mark your own map. ...
- Use campfires to cook (and improve) food. ...
- Customize your auto-save settings. ...
- Don't miss the early Billy Idol concert. ...
- Jetpack over anything and everything.
the last patch for the game was in april 2022. No. It seems you've missed all the fuss about the DX12 beta release and the rollout of a huge update end of 2022. Sadly, there still is no changelog or patch notes.
Is Elex 2 a remake? ›ELEX II is the sequel to ELEX, the vintage open-world role-playing experience from the award-winning creators of the Gothic and Risen series, Piranha Bytes.
Is there an inventory limit Elex 2? ›Thankfully, inventory in Elex II is unlimited; a player doesn't have to fight in order to make space in it. This means that everything that a player picks up can be put in their inventory, unlike in many other RPGs, where a player's inventory can quickly fill up with useless junk.