El Paso, Elsewhere Reviews
El Paso Elsewhere is steeped in emotion like an aged tea that took generations to cultivate a particular flavor. It’s a game that’s simple in its ingredients, constructed in a way that elevates each piece into a timeless piece of art.
El Paso, Elsewhere is a melancholic journey about modern relationships, when they go wrong, and how we cling to a life that no longer exists. It's about facing the demons (literally) and finding a way to make the scars go away. It's also a video game, and you don't forget that at any point, with monsters, lots of shooting and an arsenal of weapons to destroy any threat in your path, with lots of style and slow motion.
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El Paso, Elsewhere might not be Max Payne, but the inspirations are there. James Savage asks players to believe in him during the early moments of the game. That statement early on, as he discusses his sobriety, addiction, and Draculae, carries more weight on this side of his elevator ride through the void. I enjoyed the game’s gameplay loop, even when I grew frustrated with its repetition. I found the “You Keep Going” screen to be encouraging. With James, I kept fighting through the void even when my faith faltered.
El Paso, Elsewhere is a game that has a solid foundation that is plagued by so much bloat and glitches that I wouldn’t feel right recommending it in its current state. Unless you really want to experience the narrative and solid soundtrack, there isn’t much to see here after the first 20 or so levels, and it just gets worse from there.
El Paso, Elsewhere is a solid, curious, affair. It’s unfortunate the gameplay doesn’t match the ambition shown in other elements of the game, but nonetheless, fans of a certain gruff tragedy magnet will find joy here.
Although I did enjoy my time with El Paso, Elsewhere, I cannot hide the fact it was plagued with some questionable gameplay decisions and repetitive visuals. You will probably play El Paso, Elsewhere not because of its janky gameplay, but because of its strong story and character development.
El Paso, Elsewhere is, simply put, an incredible game. Every aspect is meticulously crafted and works in perfect harmony with the rest. It nails practically everything it tries to do. I expected it to be a lot of fun to play, but I did not expect it to be anywhere near as compelling. I wonder how long I’ll be rotating James in my head like I’ve put him in a microwave…
El Paso, Elsewhere is exceptionally engaging, and it’s visceral in a way that’ll make you want to push through to the end.
El Paso, Elsewhere feels good to play and is beautiful to look at. But even more than that, it's simply an outstanding piece of southern gothic fiction, with a quality of writing that blew me away.
El Paso, Elsewhere stands as a testament to what indie games can achieve. While it borrows elements from giants, it carves its unique identity, blending retro aesthetics, a gripping narrative, and a hip-hop soundtrack into a cohesive experience. Its shortcomings, though present, don’t overshadow its achievements. The game offers a haunting journey through its surreal world, making it a memorable title in the third-person shooter genre. As the credits rolled, I couldn’t help but appreciate the game’s effort to be more than just another shooter—it’s an earnest triumph that breathes freshness into a sea of familiarity.
El Paso, Elsewhere is a satisfying '00s-era corridor shooter elevated by a constellation of bold talent that brought to life its audio, visual, and technical artistry. It tells a painfully relatable and intimate story, with a visual style that matches the chaos in its hero's heart and a soundtrack that vocalizes it.
El Paso, Elsewhere offers a remarkable fusion of narrative depth and engaging gameplay.
El Paso, Elsewhere is a rare gem that I think everyone should have in their libraries. Fans of shooters and the supernatural share common ground in this phenomenal title, filled to the brim with rich writing, a unique world, and gameplay and presentation absolutely packed with personality. El Paso, Elsewhere is sure to be one of the most memorable gaming experiences you’ll have this year, perhaps ever.
El Paso, Elsewhere might suffer from some filler levels, but the excellent gameplay and writing make it worth checking out.
El Paso, Elsewhere calls back to the early 2000s with slow motion dives and psychedelic dream sequences with platforming, but it fails to feel like it's breaking new ground despite its differences. This is a Max Payne -like that doesn't have a sense of place or personality. A motel just doesn't cut it, no matter what you do with the interior. There's a lot to like with the story set around responsibility, the neo-noir writing, and even its aesthetic. But when it comes to gameplay, you'll get into a rhythm with it, but it can't keep up with its own beat. El Paso, Elsewhere is fun for its runtime, but you'll be ready for it to be over once the credits roll.