While at E3 2017 I was able to see ELEX in a more intimate setting than just a trailer. Here’s my take on ELEX From E3.
When I first heard of ELEX I was a little on the cautious side to get into the game at all out of fear that it would be just another bit of shovelware. It honestly looked like a weird mashing of Mad Max, something Sci Fi, and something fantasy all rolled up into one but thankfully Piranha Bytes was out at E3 this year to show off more of the game and I was lucky enough to sit down and have a look at it a bit more as well as get some questions answered about the game. Now my understanding of ELEX is a bit greater and here’s what I can pass along to you to help you figure out if it will be on your gaming shelf here on October 17th on your PS4, Xbox One, or PC. Let’s dive right in.
The reason that ELEX has the feeling of three different genres mashed into one here is the fact that each of the different genres work into the three different factions that have cropped up in the game’s world. You see, in the game’s history a large meteor struck the planet and killed off a lot of the populace. Mixed into it though we a new element called Elex. Hence the name. Each of the factions in the game use it to different degrees with one imbibing the substance to gain magical powers and casting aside all of the high tech gear in the mix. Another faction refuses to imbibe it and instead uses it to power robots and other powerful weapons in the world. The last is more or less a mix of the two who is always on the path to find more ELEX for their own use.
One interesting thing about each of the different factions in ELEX though is the fact that each of them are equipped with a jet pack to help them move around the game’s world. This goes for the most technically evolved faction but as well as the one that swears off all technological advantages. It may seem a bit odd to say that, but given that the world of ELEX is completely explorable, you will need the advantage to quickly move around and get to all of the hidden and high locations out there. I would have opted for different forms for each different faction that fit their mentality, but I get the need for the jet pack as well as the symmetry in the game design. It works though as you can see in the below gameplay.
ELEX — E3 Gameplay
On top of all of the otherworldly additions for the human factions in ELEX and their abilities and gear depending on which you go with, there are also all kinds of monsters and other mutated beasts to be taken down in this open world. Some will just be out there to encounter in the world, but also part of a dynamic and changing story and the missions that will be involved with them. Much as you’d expect from an RPG style game that ELEX is crafted as all in a massive open world that also boasts a seamless transition around it all. A great trend in gaming and how open worlds should always be so you can accidentally find something you shouldn’t but also should at the same time.
Like I said, when I first saw ELEX it looked like just another generic RPG game that was coming out. After being shown some of the unique aspects of the game from Piranha Bytes though, all of the true highlights of the game came to light. They have thought out a great story and universe here and it is more than just mashing a few genres together and hoping for the best. It looks to take the best of each of them and then use elements from the gaming genres to add on top of that. Even at the earlier stage of things ELEX showed a lot of potential and it looks like it is going to be another shining star when all is said and done. I can’t wait to explore the entire world while trying to work all the factions to my whims until I am forced to choose one.