ELEX II Reviews

ELEX II is ranked in the 28th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Feb 28, 2022

Although Piranha Bytes' Elex 2 is not without its minor shortcomings, it is the definition of what all open-world RPGs should be.

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4.5 / 5.0
Feb 28, 2022

Elex II presents a world and narrative of immeasurable depth in terms of the freedom you have to play your way and the choices you’re presented with as a player. Couple that with an extremely gratifying sense of progression, and you have a world that begs to be visited for repeat playthroughs. If you can look past the inevitable lack of polish, and archaic presentation issues, do yourself a favor and don’t let this absolute gem pass you by.

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80 / 100
Feb 28, 2022

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 you can take on your playthrough. Who knows where you'll end up?

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8 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2022

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.

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4 / 5.0
Feb 28, 2022

The use of the jetpack meant that the map had to have more to it. There could no longer be somewhere players couldn’t/wouldn’t go. This is probably the first game of its kind where I honestly believe I saw at least 90% of the map. ELEX II is one hell of an experience and made swooping around the map to unlock fast travel points and complete the main story feel like an adventure rather than just ticking off boxes. 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.

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GRYOnline.pl
hexx0
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2022

Elex 2 is another proof that "Piranhas" can create excellent open worlds that are pleasant to explore.

Review in Polish | Read full review

4 / 5.0
Mar 1, 2022

An ambitious sequel with a beautiful content-packed open-world, complex factions, and interesting choices to role-play your way.

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Mar 1, 2022

Even that's ultimately part of the charm of Elex II though, because it was a game made by RPG enthusiasts for RPG enthusiasts, and min-maxing is, ultimately, a big part of this community. Though the game comes across as an impenetrable club members-only experience at times, the creativity and energy behind it is impossible to deny. Frankly, I would rather play something like this, bugs and all, than something overproduced and so safe that it puts me to sleep.

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80 / 100
Feb 28, 2022

Elex II does not bring anything new to those of us who are already veterans of Piranha Games games. But it doesn't fall short of any other game in its franchises either. A good story, LOTS of content, decisions, different factions, and a poor combat system define an Elex II that also brings the apocalyptic science fiction setting mixed with a fantasy world. Recommended.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Feb 28, 2022

If you were a fan of Elex, or even the Gothic or Risen series by Piranha Bytes for that matter, Elex II is most definitely worth picking up. If you’re looking for that next story-driven game that you can just power through, this is not at all what you’re looking for.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 2, 2022

ELEX II is a massive improvement over its predecessor, though its dated graphics and awkward combat can drive players away before they get a chance to truly explore the vast world of Magalan.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 1, 2022

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

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8 / 10.0
Mar 7, 2022

While ELEX II’s core gameplay could be dismissed as traditional or dated, the way all the elements of the world interact with you and one another is what creates the magic.

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7.8 / 10.0
Mar 1, 2022

Overall ELEX II is a decent experience and it fixes some of the issues that I had with the original. While not perfect, the sequel does have an easier level of entry and the return to Magalan was an enjoyable one.

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7.7 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2022

ELEX II reels you in an immersive chaotic planet where you try and unite different factions against a new breed of invaders. Despite its stiff combat mechanics that we’re not used to anymore because other games have set the bar in this category, it truly is a huge improvement from its predecessor. Try not to die from fall damage once your jetpack fuel runs out.

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7.7 / 10.0
Mar 2, 2022

Elex 2 is another example of Piranha Bytes sticking to their guns and making an open-world RPG designed specifically for their core audience. Fans of the studio's previous work will have a field day with this one but everyone else might find it hard to get past the jankiness and technical issues.

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75 / 100
Feb 28, 2022

Elex 2 is a typical Piranha Bytes game – for better or for worse.

Review in German | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Mar 1, 2022

Despite some weaker elements, everything combines nicely in ELEX II to provide an unpolished journey, but one that I was thankful I experienced. The game is rather unique, with some modern touches and attributes. Yet at the same time, if you played this game without knowing anything about it, you could mistake it for something from over 10 years ago. It has a unique charm, and if you are willing to put up with some janky combat and odd glitches, there is certainly an engaging story to follow with exceptional dialogue and choices that really seem to alter the world around you. ELEX II takes you on a long journey filled with meaningful engagements and a world teeming with character.

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7.5 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2022

Overall, ELEX 2 is solid experience for fans of the series, as well as gamers who enjoy open-worlds with a lot to offer, with only a few areas where the game falls short.

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GameSpace
Brau3er
Top Critic
7.5 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2022

Playing ELEX II left me with a strong impression that the game is largely geared towards those who have already spent a lot of time playing games from this studio. If that's you, your take from the game may be different than someone new to the series and you'll likely have a blast, especially if you loved the first game. If you're new to the series, you may want to bone up on YouTube videos about ELEX I before diving into an interesting, multi-faceted world albeit one fraught with performance and graphical issues. Chances are things will improve with time and patches so maybe it's best to wait a while and let the dev team catch up to the game's potential.

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