I’ve played the game through from end to end. Everyone talks about the stamina system being a problem. It’s not. The hit boxes and timing are the problem. You have to learn to meta these limitation, either that or learn enough about the game economy to drug and buff your way out of it. In practice, you’ll end up doing both. It’s too bad. Because other than that, this game is pretty much perfect. It’s the only 3rd person ARPG I’ve played in the past ten years that that rewards exploration MORE than old Bethesda games. The vertical development is positively sick - probably the best ever. My chief complaint is Elex 2 doesn’t carry over anything from the amazing choose your own adventure playthrough you’ll have with this one.
I agree, once you get used to the stamina system you can work with it, but for someone who isn't used to it, it can be tricky in the beginning. I also agree that the exploration is better than in Bethesda games and it's a shame that this game and other PB games are not better known for it. And finally, I also agree with your statement about Elex 2. It feels a little more linear, although I did like the added variety through the new factions. But I'll go into more detail in regards to that in another video :)
I just want to say this is an extremely good review. I have been on the fence on whether or not to get this game. You well articulated the story/premise, the entertainment value, the criticism and the setting while having a clear warning for the two spoilers (i appreciate the understanding of the two different kinds of spoilers) all in a well structured and easily digestible video Well done! I wish you had went a bit more in depth in the gameplay (like what melee is like at the end, lvl system, stamina system, magic system, etc) but this is enough information for me to get the game. Thanks
Wow, thank you! This is very kind and valuable feedback. I agree with you, the gameplay side of things is definitely secondary to everything else I talk about in the video. I will try to go into more detail regarding the gameplay in future videos. Thanks again!
@@marceltheshelly2030 I'm glad I could encourage an up and coming creator. Just to add a bit more. If you don't want to even get into the gameplay, you can mention you won't get into that. My personal tastes prioritizes the story over the gameplay (which is why this game sounds interesting) but the gameplay is an important aspect. It's how the developers intend you to interact with the story.
I think I'm with you on this one. I loved Risen but I'm probably biased here because I grew up with it and every time I play it the Nostalgia hits hard.
Thank you! I've become very busy with other stuff but am currently working on a "Piranha Bytes News" video that will hopefully be out soon. Elex 2 is probably up next. I haven't played Risen 3 in ages but am currently replaying Risen 2, so will probably make a video about that in the future as well and then move on to Risen 3.
That's a tough one. Elex 2 is probably more accessible but it obviously contains spoilers for Elex. I'd probably recommend playing Elex first, but do it on the easy difficulty and see how you get on. If you like the setting but not the game you could just move on to Elex 2, as the gameplay is superior in my opinion.
@@marceltheshelly2030 Sure, without a doubt like thise games are the best Type for the long run just look at fallout 4 like yes you can go and kill and do some gofy ah stuf but from time to time you will find your self just crafting and taking your time at the base make new stufe and have some smothe good time and i can see the same thing in elex like yes open world looks good can craft some things exploer just walk and have a nice time .
@@blaster7468 I agree, but I feel like it's difficult to compare games like fallout to Piranha Bytes Games, they just feel very different in my own opinion
I think "Dead world" would have been a more fitting name. The combat and RPG systems aren't bad but the world is completely devoid of humanoid conflict, which would have worked well in this setting. A lot more stimulating than fighting copy/paste critters the whole game. I found it quite disappointing how little they did with lore in relation to the gameworld.
You're right, there is no active conflict between the factions going on in the background, but I'm not aware of other games where that was the case, at least not on an impressive scale and I don't think the developers had the resources for something like this. On top of that the aim of the game is to unite the factions against the Albs and I believe there was a truce at the time between the different factions, at least the Berserkers and Clerics. Despite this, there are actually battles between the Outlaws and Berserkers in which you can participate during the respective factions questlines and of course, there is a battle between the free factions and the Albs at the end, so the world isn't completely devoid of conflict. Nevertheless, I do believe it would've been cool to witness more of that with random patrols fighting each other, but as I said, I don't think that was a focus of the already overstretched developing team.
@@marceltheshelly2030 No offense but apologetics don't help make games better. Stating it "wasn't the focus" is the whole point. It was just lazy and/or under-developed. I can't actually think of any decent RPG where the game world is so painfully barren and lifeless and so utterly detached from lore. We can call it whatever we want, won't change that the gameplay is what it is and explains why it wasn't popular. All the nuts and bolts are already there. Technically they didn't have to do much at all. Add in AI that already exist label them as different factions and give them warfare AI. Anything would have been better than just leaving the word blank like they did.
@@surg23 I think for a team of 30 PB did a great job with the game and I love it's world, so in that sense I agree that there's no need for apologetics. Of course the game could've been better but I don't think there's any game I've ever played where I thought "this is perfect, they shouldn't have done anything differently". There's plenty to find in terms of lore and I think it's pretty well fleshed out, too, although it can't compare to something like The Elder Scrolls, Mass Effect or Dragon Age, but then again, I don't think it's fair to expect that. But it's okay to have different opinions so we can agree to disagree :)
@@marceltheshelly2030 I disagree about there being "plenty" to find, at least in contrast to typical RPG expectations. There aren't anywhere near enough places of interest, much less meaningful interactions to be had at the few that do exist. As a result it translates into a stale and anaemic gameplay loop of grinding critters and not much else. There's a chronic lack of diversity of gameplay due to no factional warfare and copy/paste mobs. It doesn't make for an exciting or stimulating RPG experience. Unique? perhaps, but that evidently wasn't enough to compensate for a lifeless world detached from lore in every way that matters. It's just a shockingly average game. So much potential wasted.
I’ve played the game through from end to end. Everyone talks about the stamina system being a problem. It’s not. The hit boxes and timing are the problem.
You have to learn to meta these limitation, either that or learn enough about the game economy to drug and buff your way out of it. In practice, you’ll end up doing both.
It’s too bad. Because other than that, this game is pretty much perfect.
It’s the only 3rd person ARPG I’ve played in the past ten years that that rewards exploration MORE than old Bethesda games. The vertical development is positively sick - probably the best ever.
My chief complaint is Elex 2 doesn’t carry over anything from the amazing choose your own adventure playthrough you’ll have with this one.
I agree, once you get used to the stamina system you can work with it, but for someone who isn't used to it, it can be tricky in the beginning. I also agree that the exploration is better than in Bethesda games and it's a shame that this game and other PB games are not better known for it. And finally, I also agree with your statement about Elex 2. It feels a little more linear, although I did like the added variety through the new factions. But I'll go into more detail in regards to that in another video :)
I just want to say this is an extremely good review. I have been on the fence on whether or not to get this game. You well articulated the story/premise, the entertainment value, the criticism and the setting while having a clear warning for the two spoilers (i appreciate the understanding of the two different kinds of spoilers) all in a well structured and easily digestible video Well done!
I wish you had went a bit more in depth in the gameplay (like what melee is like at the end, lvl system, stamina system, magic system, etc) but this is enough information for me to get the game. Thanks
Wow, thank you! This is very kind and valuable feedback. I agree with you, the gameplay side of things is definitely secondary to everything else I talk about in the video. I will try to go into more detail regarding the gameplay in future videos. Thanks again!
@@marceltheshelly2030 I'm glad I could encourage an up and coming creator.
Just to add a bit more. If you don't want to even get into the gameplay, you can mention you won't get into that. My personal tastes prioritizes the story over the gameplay (which is why this game sounds interesting) but the gameplay is an important aspect. It's how the developers intend you to interact with the story.
@@fallenfriend2860 that's also a good point, thank you again!
Such a great game. Just got the second. Gonna play it after FF Rebirth.
The second one I really enjoyed, too, but many people were disappointed by it, unfortunately.
happy YT raccomended me such a well made video .... for once :D
Thank you! That means a lot :)
It's definitely the best game they made after Risen 1.
I think I'm with you on this one. I loved Risen but I'm probably biased here because I grew up with it and every time I play it the Nostalgia hits hard.
Great video man, def make elex 2 and risen 3
Thank you! I've become very busy with other stuff but am currently working on a "Piranha Bytes News" video that will hopefully be out soon. Elex 2 is probably up next. I haven't played Risen 3 in ages but am currently replaying Risen 2, so will probably make a video about that in the future as well and then move on to Risen 3.
Should I play Elex or Elex 2 ?
That's a tough one. Elex 2 is probably more accessible but it obviously contains spoilers for Elex. I'd probably recommend playing Elex first, but do it on the easy difficulty and see how you get on. If you like the setting but not the game you could just move on to Elex 2, as the gameplay is superior in my opinion.
yep like you side like its good game to play it and just have some fun its like Saints Row and fallout and outcast
just a shame that we won't ever get an Elex III :(
@@marceltheshelly2030 fact but we will have a stff like it so it is wat it is and nice vid bro
@@blaster7468 you think there are going to be more games like Elex?
@@marceltheshelly2030 Sure, without a doubt like thise games are the best Type for the long run just look at fallout 4 like yes you can go and kill and do some gofy ah stuf but from time to time you will find your self just crafting and taking your time at the base make new stufe and have some smothe good time and i can see the same thing in elex like yes open world looks good can craft some things exploer just walk and have a nice time .
@@blaster7468 I agree, but I feel like it's difficult to compare games like fallout to Piranha Bytes Games, they just feel very different in my own opinion
I think "Dead world" would have been a more fitting name. The combat and RPG systems aren't bad but the world is completely devoid of humanoid conflict, which would have worked well in this setting. A lot more stimulating than fighting copy/paste critters the whole game. I found it quite disappointing how little they did with lore in relation to the gameworld.
You're right, there is no active conflict between the factions going on in the background, but I'm not aware of other games where that was the case, at least not on an impressive scale and I don't think the developers had the resources for something like this. On top of that the aim of the game is to unite the factions against the Albs and I believe there was a truce at the time between the different factions, at least the Berserkers and Clerics. Despite this, there are actually battles between the Outlaws and Berserkers in which you can participate during the respective factions questlines and of course, there is a battle between the free factions and the Albs at the end, so the world isn't completely devoid of conflict. Nevertheless, I do believe it would've been cool to witness more of that with random patrols fighting each other, but as I said, I don't think that was a focus of the already overstretched developing team.
@@marceltheshelly2030 No offense but apologetics don't help make games better. Stating it "wasn't the focus" is the whole point. It was just lazy and/or under-developed.
I can't actually think of any decent RPG where the game world is so painfully barren and lifeless and so utterly detached from lore. We can call it whatever we want, won't change that the gameplay is what it is and explains why it wasn't popular.
All the nuts and bolts are already there. Technically they didn't have to do much at all. Add in AI that already exist label them as different factions and give them warfare AI. Anything would have been better than just leaving the word blank like they did.
@@surg23 I think for a team of 30 PB did a great job with the game and I love it's world, so in that sense I agree that there's no need for apologetics. Of course the game could've been better but I don't think there's any game I've ever played where I thought "this is perfect, they shouldn't have done anything differently". There's plenty to find in terms of lore and I think it's pretty well fleshed out, too, although it can't compare to something like The Elder Scrolls, Mass Effect or Dragon Age, but then again, I don't think it's fair to expect that. But it's okay to have different opinions so we can agree to disagree :)
It had the same gameplay feel that the Gothic games had, that's all that matters.
@@marceltheshelly2030 I disagree about there being "plenty" to find, at least in contrast to typical RPG expectations. There aren't anywhere near enough places of interest, much less meaningful interactions to be had at the few that do exist.
As a result it translates into a stale and anaemic gameplay loop of grinding critters and not much else. There's a chronic lack of diversity of gameplay due to no factional warfare and copy/paste mobs. It doesn't make for an exciting or stimulating RPG experience.
Unique? perhaps, but that evidently wasn't enough to compensate for a lifeless world detached from lore in every way that matters. It's just a shockingly average game. So much potential wasted.