ELEX is an open-world action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic science fantasy world called Magalan. Developed by Piranha Bytes, the game places players in control of Jax, a survivor navigating a planet reshaped by a comet impact that introduced the mysterious substance known as Elex. The title emphasizes player freedom across exploration, combat, character growth, and narrative decisions in a seamless environment accessible from the start.
Gameplay
Core gameplay revolves around third-person action combat combined with role-playing elements. Players manage health, stamina, and attributes while engaging enemies that range from mutated creatures to armed opponents. Early encounters prove demanding, often requiring players to assess threats, retreat when outmatched, or build strength through quests and exploration before tackling tougher foes. Combat incorporates melee weapons such as swords and hammers alongside ranged options including firearms and explosives, with magic becoming available as progression advances.
The jetpack serves as a central mobility tool, enabling mid-air attacks, access to elevated or hidden areas, and safe landings from great heights. This mechanic shapes traversal across the expansive map, which features varied biomes and no artificial barriers separating regions. Character development occurs through attribute points and skill acquisition without rigid class restrictions, allowing customization toward melee focus, ranged proficiency, or hybrid approaches. Faction affiliation further modifies available gear, abilities, and playstyle options.
Exploration rewards curiosity with resources, side activities, and environmental storytelling. The world opens fully at the outset, encouraging players to chart their own path while managing inventory weight and resource gathering for survival and crafting needs.
Game Modes
ELEX operates as a single-player experience centered on one continuous campaign. There are no separate multiplayer modes, competitive arenas, or co-operative options. Progression unfolds through the main storyline and optional quests, with player choices influencing alliances, quest outcomes, and available content on subsequent playthroughs. The structure supports multiple approaches to the same objectives, such as allying with different groups or pursuing independent paths, but all activity remains confined to the solo campaign framework.
Story and World
The narrative unfolds on Magalan two centuries after a catastrophic comet strike devastated advanced civilization. Survivors have formed distinct societies that harness Elex differently amid threats from the Albs, an antagonistic force seeking dominance. The story integrates player decisions that can alter relationships, quest lines, and the broader conflict resolution. Environments reflect the factions' influences, blending ruined technological remnants with emerging natural or fortified zones. Interconnected quests create ripple effects where actions toward one character or group affect others, reinforcing the emphasis on consequence without railroading the player into a single path.
Factions and Choices
Three primary factions shape long-term progression and gameplay variety. The Berserkers emphasize magic derived from Elex, favoring a nature-oriented, law-bound approach with corresponding skills and equipment. The Clerics rely on technology and machinery powered by the substance, offering tech-focused abilities and armor. The Outlaws prioritize self-reliance and profit, granting access to firearms, stims, and anarchic tools. Aligning with one faction unlocks unique story branches, vendors, and abilities while maintaining the option to shift allegiances or operate neutrally. Every non-player character can be engaged or eliminated, with the game tracking these interactions to adjust dialogue, quests, and world state accordingly.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reception for ELEX remains mixed among players and critics, with praise centered on its ambitious scope, meaningful choices, and rewarding sense of progression once past the initial difficulty spike. Those who appreciate deliberate pacing, deep faction systems, and unguided exploration often find the experience satisfying after investing time to overcome early challenges. The game runs on Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles, with backward compatibility supporting continued play years after release. No ongoing seasonal content or major post-launch updates alter the core package, leaving the original design intact for those seeking a self-contained single-player RPG. It suits players comfortable with challenging starts and willing to engage with its systems on their own terms rather than those preferring polished tutorials or balanced difficulty scaling from the outset.
