Elex II

Capsule ComputersAdmir Brkic

8/10

A great improvement over the previous game with a vast open-world and better gameplay, but it still comes with a steep learning curve.

Impulse GamerNathan Misa

Choice and consequence are some of my favourite aspects of role-playing games. When player freedom is blended with meaningful reactivity to in-game actions

TwinfiniteCameron Waldrop

ELEX II is a shining example of how great western action-RPGs can be. The fact that this game gives you an actual jetpack changes everything. The freedom ELEX II allows through the traversal mechanics is something that I have never encountered before in a game like this but will now always think about going forward. The map is certainly the right size for someone with a jetpack, and there's always something new to see or a high-XP monster to fight. The world truly feels like it gives you a reason to explore every single corner.

Gaming NexusEric Hauter

8/10

Elex II ignores current game design ethos and rages to its own weird beat. Weird, fun, tough, and unpredictably funny, Elex II is feels like a DIY punk-rock open world game, janky and awesome all at the same time. Steer clear if you insist on perfection in your games, but if you are willing to go for the ride and appreciate the flaws instead of being bothered by them, you'll find a deep and fun adventure unlike anything else on the market.

GamingTrendCassie Peterson

80/100

To sum it all up, Elex II is a blast, both literally and figuratively. What Piranha Bytes was able to achieve in Elex I they were able to build upon, expanding on a world that lives and breathes independently and because of your character. Aside from those little technical issues, the game is sound. I feel like you could also easily get into playing Elex II without having played the first game. However, if you want to understand all of the references, maybe at least watch a recap video first. Either way, this game holds a lot of promise, especially when you consider all the different routes yo...

Checkpoint GamingJustin White

7.5/10

ELEX II falls into an odd category, an ambitious RPG from a beloved studio but lacks the polish and refined gameplay to go toe to toe with other recent examples in the genre. Instead, it feels like a relic of a bygone era. That is not to say it should immediately be dismissed – quite the opposite. The game will likely have its fans, but for casual consumers, it may not strike the same chord given its off-hand approach to quest giving and lacklustre combat.

GameWatcherNeil Bolt

6.5/10

While there’s plenty to applaud in ELEX II’s freeform open-world approach, it comes at something of a cost. Technical issues, inconsistent dialogue quality, and some wonky combat do much to muddy the good that can be found in Piranha Bytes expansive RPG.

RPGSiteBryan Vitale

6/10

Elex II is an initially promising but ultimately disappointing RPG that fails to be better than the original.

TheSixthAxisSteve C

6/10

Elex II is a perfect continuation of the Piranha Bytes RPG formula, but it is unlikely to win over new fans. The graphics and gameplay are very similar to the first game and are beginning to feel increasingly dated, a feeling exacerbated by all the fantastic games released in the last few months. If you’re already a fan of Piranha Bytes then this is exactly what you’ve been waiting for, for good and ill.

WellPlayedJordan Garcia

3/10

The saying that everything deserves a second chance should not have applied to Elex. Elex II takes so many steps backwards from an already poor game, it’s astounding. Its writing, optimisation, combat, and game systems all stand as a new benchmark on what to not do.

GameTyrant Dustin Orgill

0/10

Story and Gameplay While the original ELEX had it’s own charm and appeal, getting thrown into the story and gameplay of Piranha Bytes latest janky RPG, ELEX II , is like stepping out of a warm shower into a cold blizzard. First off, I really can’t explain too much about the story as it goes in

That’s not to say I didn’t find elements of Elex II irritating. The bugs and narrative quirks I grew accustomed to, but the levelling system is a right pain and never improves. When you level up you get attribute points that can be assigned easily enough, but you also get AP – ability points – that are meant to be spent to learn new abilities and boost your character’s capabilities in everything from melee and ranged combat, to negotiation, lock picking and stealth. However, before you can train in a skill you need to first find someone in the world that can train you. This means tha…