ELEX II - Review @ Wccftech

[HiddenX]

Wccftech reviewed the open-world RPG ELEX II:

Elex II Review - With a Rebel Yell

I've tried writing the opening to this review of Elex II about eight different times, each time going back over it and having to rethink it. I'm not even sure why because reviews are, by definition, opinion pieces. They are always subjective, with the reviewer simply having to explain why they think what they think about a title. Elex II is a game that I like against all odds and logical reasoning. As I look at my bullet-pointed notes and rummage around the ever chaotic thing I call a brain, I wonder why.

Honestly, I think I know why; Piranha Bytes. If you looked up "eurojank" in the gaming dictionary (is this a real thing?), it would understandably tell you to play any game by the developer. I've played every single one of them. I would say that issues people likely had with the Gothic titles continued, even if polished, in the Risen trilogy and have continued in Elex. It's not that I don't think Piranha Bytes have learned anything in the previous twenty years. They have; I don't think they care.

[...]

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. The story and its turns are engaging, and it's impossible not to see the care and enthusiasm from Piranha Bytes. Elex II is Eurojank, and I can't help but enjoy it because of (or despite, take your pick) that.

Pros

• An interesting world to explore with a fair amount to do, little of which feels like filler guff
• The stories - and quests - can be interesting and worth following
• Visually, I find the world itself appealing and good to look at...
• Jetpack!

Cons

• ... however character design is pretty damn poor
• Combat is still very janky, awkward and imprecise
• Character progression can feel glacial
• Some mechanics, such as lockpicking, are awkward as hell

Score: 7/10

More information.

 

[Zephyr]

All the things critics of PB games find annoying are exactly what I find charming and attractive about their games. Too many critics are attracted by the superficial sizzle of AAA games and gloss over the shortage of steak in the games.
Personally, I don't care much about whizz-bang character graphics and dressing them all up in cutesy outfits and hairstyles. I want combat that feels like combat, not killing dragons and trolls in the first 5 minutes. I want to earn my progression and rank. So what if I'm a wimp until 3/4 into the game. I like the feeling of finally being able to kick ass on the stuff that one-shotted me earlier. Revenge is fun. Let the story and progression play out, it's fun and satisfying.

 

[ikbenrichard]

All the things critics of PB games find annoying are exactly what I find charming and attractive about their games.

haha same here!

 

[vanedor]

All the things critics of PB games find annoying are exactly what I find charming and attractive about their games.

Well, personally, while I do enjoy PB games, I wouldn't mind better character models and slightly smoother combats.

Character progression can feel glacial

I wonder what the reviewer meant here.

 

[HiddenX]

I think:
Character progression can feel glacial = Character progression can feel very slow

 

[JFarrell71]

I want combat that feels like combat, not killing dragons and trolls in the first 5 minutes.

In what game are you killing dragons and/or trolls in the first 5 minutes?

 

[vanedor]

In what game are you killing dragons and/or trolls in the first 5 minutes?

I guess Skyrim, while not nearly as bad as Oblivion for this, let you slay your first Dragon fairly quickly.

 

[vanedor]

I think:
Character progression can feel glacial = Character progression can feel very slow

Thanks.