ELEX

For a company that makes the same type game for twenty years to worsen the combat at every iteration.

Elex is an RPG that does not make you an adventuring hero on a quest to save the world. Rather, Elex has you play as a person who is too weak to face most of the world's challenges. Many have said that this game excels in terms of progression, and I would agree. A level 1 character, a level 10 character, and a level 40 character experience the game in a fundamentally different way. You learn to avoid ruins instead of running in to loot the place because odds are, you will die almost instantly. Then, you come back with upgraded equipment and barely survive. Then you come back with even more upgraded equipment and breeze through it. The biggest strength of ELEX is the world in which it takes place. So much world building and visual storytelling. Some of the most fun I had playing this game was exploring houses and other buildings and just experiencing world itself. It's no secret that the game's combat is "Janky". Movement can be clumsy and targeting is unreliable. It is important to remember that on the Action-RPG spectrum, this game is very slanted towards the RPG side of the scale. There's a little bit of player skill involved, but character build and stats are far more important to the outcomes of combat. When leveling up, always focus distribution of stat points into what is required to learn skills or equip weapons/armor. Stat points don't directly affect the character very much, if at all. In conclusion, go into this game knowing that it is first and foremost an RPG with a focus on exploration and character building from zero to hero.

I am really excited how one can implement such a great idea in such a poor manner. I waited this game since the announcement, and I am removing it now. It is unplayable. Normal difficulty. Nearly any monster is stronger than you. And they horde up in packs. Your only chance is to run your way through them. Special thanks for the companions, I mean their AI. Looks like I just bring a spectator with me to watch me die. I can be attacked by the mentioned hordes of monsters - they will not react. They will not use their ranged weapons to help until I personally will not start the fight. When I fought with Karsten: they didn't even try to help. I strongly love RPG genre. I played the previous games of Pirahna Bytes: Gothic and Risen. I had no problems with them. And I have major problems with this distinct game. I am really tired to reload during the fights with the easiest enemies. And I don't see any options to play as a clear mage here.

No matter how this was criticised for it's bugs and odd mechanics (which i can't with, though i played it 1 year after release and there waren't any critical bugs for me), it was real fun. Huge world, tonns of npc and quest (not the boring fetch/kill type but lot's of unique ones). The main story wasn't really bad or good - it was ok/ The setting and atmosphere were awesome. I would give it 5 but the outdated gothic game(fighting) mechanics are really odd. Also it's hard to checdk ur stats and it's influence on core elements without mods. So there are some issues which bring it to 4 out of 5. Though i don't undertsand (when it came out) why people were so hating the game and giving it (mostly) 4-5 out of 10,.,,,,, the game is really fun and worth it's price.

+level design - indoor areas - walking distance / few teleporters +some great npcs / companion -that become less and less useful as the game progresses and frequently get in your way both in combat and especially during exploration +distinct factions -none of the factions or groups feels likeable (maybe The Claw?) -joining one of those factions, which unlocks a ton of skills, takes quite long (even finding 2 of the 3 main factions) +fresh quest ideas -accidentally completing quests is relatively common -frustrating early game with enemies that 1shot you and no way to get past the damage absorbation of common enemies, no cash and a slow progression -to make things worse, as a ranged char you reach a point where the combat becomes trivial...