ELEX

I hear and see alot of people complaining about the 'janky combat' and how clunky the overall game feels. And while that is true, there's so much inside this game that far outshines the negatives. Personally, I always like comparing this game to TES III: Morrowind. Why? As someone who also finished and played Morrowind to death both as a little girl and as an adult now, Elex and Morrowind both have striking similarities.

-Morrowind had a very janky and clunky combat system.
-The structure of how Morrowind's story was laid out is very similar to Elex (multiple choices and a vast array of outcomes)
-Morrowind was punishingly difficult at first, just like Elex. It had very many useless skills and traits that you could spend with on your character, just like Elex. But if you knew exactly what skills you needed in the game (hint hint enchanting, youre welcome :3) then you could break the game wide open and enjoy it to the fullest, again, just like Elex.

There are other similarities between the two games but those are the ones that stand out the most. The point is that if you're someone who doesn't enjoy games like Morrowind which are punishingly hard at first and require a ton of research in order to find whats useful and what isn't, then this game is definitely not for you. And that's okay, alot of people didn't like Morrowind either because it was very janky even for its time. But if you enjoy taking time to know more about the game and poring through different videos (which is exactly what I did in Morrowind to get a level 47 character with broken stats :3), then you will see that it has alot to offer, just like Morrowind did.

TLDR: Elex is essentially TES III: Morrowind's red headed stepchild. There's no denying the fact that it is hard and can be very janky at times, just like Morrowind. But if you're willing to take the time to improve your knowledge about the game, then it offers you a beautiful world with lots of different choices that are very engrossing and a rewarding feeling that you overcame a big challenge, again just like Morrowind. That and shooting robots, raptors and people with cool laser guns while flying in the air is really, really fun. Pew pew. :3

Elex is like that weird casserole your friend insists you try — it's a mix of sci-fi, medieval fantasy, and post-apocalyptic survival that really shouldn't work, but somehow kind of does? Imagine you’re a jetpack-wearing barbarian who has to save the world while choosing between swords, laser guns, and a grumpy attitude. The game’s world is massive and gritty, filled with bizarre characters and unexpected laughs (sometimes at the game’s expense). The combat can be clunky, the story intense yet unintentionally hilarious, and bugs show up like old friends.
In short: it's a beautifully messy RPG that feels like Skyrim and Fallout got lost on the way to a Renaissance fair. You’ll love it if you like games that are a little rough around the edges but full of hear and jetpacks.

Some say that the key to creative work, is in knowing how to mix existing things in interesting ways. Perhaps nowhere is this more true than in ELEX, an indie action, platform, sword & sorcery, and sci-fi RPG set in a planet which could be our own. This, one of my favorite indie games of all time, is inspired on classics of the genre and if you ask me, has given many AAA titles, including some very well known "GOTYs", a lesson in design.
You play commander Jax, a feared leader of a warmonger faction which is known for inducing controlled mutations on themselves, called the Albs; they do this by consuming an addictive substance known as Elex. On select individuals, Elex evolves the human potential beyond the normal limits but at the cost of all human emotions. The Albs are very close to winning their campaign against all the free peoples. However, Jax is betrayed by the Albs without a clear motive... and while he survives execution, he loses his Elex powers. Now that he's weak, in unfriendly territory, discovering emotions for the first time in his life, he has no choice now but to make alliances with his former foes who're also trying to exploit the Elex in their own ways. That is, if he wants to survive, find out what happened, and take revenge.
ELEX is the game many AAA RPGs would want to be: a truly interactive open world experience full of adventure, player choice, world changing events, interesting places, very challenging mutant foes, and a wide array of playing styles to complete the game exactly as you want to play it. While the game doesn't feature a character creation process, and you play as commander Jax, it is still your own commander Jax. Want to play as a ruthless kind of character? Your choice. Want to play the impulsive merc, or the selfless hero? Your choice. Do you prefer to wield sword and sorcery? Or futuristic, Elex-fueled weapons and mental powers? Each of the competing factions offer lots of opportunities to return your character to its former glory... because you see, ELEX departs from the tired "Lord of the Rings" fantasy setting, and instead embraces an "everything you need in one place" philosophy. Sci-fi, wizards, punks, dinosaurs... its all here. And surprisingly, despite how freaky this sounds on paper, it works.
Not the least, because the factions are very unique and not just in name and dressing etiquette. They talk and feel very differently... for instance, going from one faction city to another feels like playing a completely different game. This is a great accomplishment by the writers which has been lost in modern RPGs. Even better, all quests in Elex can be completed in multiple ways, or in the benefit of different factions. In this sense ELEX is closer to the experience of a "Fallout: New Vegas" than other, much more linear RPGs.
Controls get criticism from some ELEX players, but not from me. As in real life, your character swings his melee weapon with momentum, meaning you can't interrupt individual strikes until they either land on the enemy or miss. Its not unlike the Dark Souls series, and I personally enjoy this kind of combat as it is more realistic. Not that you'll be capable of killing many foes at the beginning... do pick your foes wisely, come back to them later, because ELEX is not a walk in the park. You'll have to run away from many battles, as most enemies can devastate your starting character, specially if you fail to mix different tactics and weapons.
Luckily you won't be alone. ELEX features a cast of supporting characters which join you one at a time. The companion system reminds me of Bioware games... they have their own quests, they can like you or hate you from decisions you make. Perhaps less inspiration from Bioware games would be more fitting, and more to my liking, but the system works. And you'll have another card in the sleeve: the jetpack, which is quite unique to this game. You can fly with it for limited amounts of time, beyond the reach of your foes, allowing for attacks with ranged weapons in mid air. Not only does the jetpack open a lot of tactical possibilities against very hard foes, changing the entire gameplay flow, but the entire world has been designed for vertical travel from the ground up. The results are visually impressive. Don't expect flat ground here, ELEX is full of tall towers and structures, great heights, uneven terrain. Exploring feels great, at last. The ruins, very much like deserted buildings of present day Earth, are filled with pickable objects of all kinds and give more flavor to the world and its own mythology.
ELEX is a very refreshing experience. Yet, there comes a point where most quests are completed, monsters get easy to beat, and there isn't too much left to do. In fact, the game, while very enjoyable, feels a tad short... not so much because of lack of content, more because the content is good enough to feel appetite for a DLC or two. Even so, Piranha Bytes released a very special game as it is... despite its limited funding and playing time, the merits of ELEX are such that I'm tempted to place it among the best action RPGs of late, if not of all time. If only the game was a bit longer.

It's horribly janky with some questionable design choices. The combat and enemy ai is the worst I've seen in 20 years of gaming. Attributes are a joke and serve only to gate-keep you from equipping weapons and armor and barely actually affect the stats they are named for, which was confusing. It uses a horrifically implemented stamina system that only YOU are bound to, NOT enemies. Hit detection and hitboxes barely function.
Idk how this mess was approved to be ready to released but I'm glad it was, because it's been one of the best experiences in gaming I've ever played.

Elex feels like an old game. Janky is the right word- so janky it borders on unfriendly.

At first, I hated the game. Killing monsters was impossible and unrewarding. No loot, no level-ups.
Healing is painful and requires resources. The combat design doesn't try to reward skill. It's pointless to try to fight enemies higher level than you or in greater number.

It sucks. If you play it like you're the main character you get your ego checked. Its scary to explore.

That's when I started playing differently. Gearing up in towns, learning from NPCs, making allies to travel with, completing side quests and leveling up by avoiding combat.
That made the game fun. It made me engaged with the world and characters.

I still think the combat sucks, but I believe the story and exploration can carry your experience.
Elex, when looked at from the right perspective, is a fun, janky, slow, and very charming game.

This game has no right being as enjoyable as it is. many of the comments are accurate, its janky, combat is wonky, hits/misses are inconsistent. but something about the complex story telling, all the branching paths based on your decisions, and slowly growing stronger to the point you can not just survive but dominate enemies is endlessly satisfying. you start off as nothing and grow into a strong fighter. i played this once in 2020 and beat it. came back again and im loving it just as much as i did the first time.

If you can get past the euro jank and the initial difficulty, this is a great RPG with really great exploration and an interesting world.

RIP Piranha Bytes.