Sci-Fi RPGs scratch a particular itch in the gaming industry, with that particular subgenre being rather thin outside Mass Effect and Knights of the Old Republic. It’s thin in at least how few games can take the genre and really make it their own like the aforementioned games. That’s one reason why fans of either should keep an eye on the upcoming Elex 2.
Fans should definitely play the first game, of course, but all players really need to know going into Elex 2 is that the post-apocalyptic world of Magalan is dominated by faction warfare and competition in the midst of an alien invasion. Game Rant recently played the first chapter of Elex 2 and it left the impression of a seriously ambitious open-world RPG with just enough Sci-Fi elements to make it unique.
What is Elex 2?
There is one aspect that needs to be stated up front: Elex 2 will not have the polish of Mass Effect or KOTOR. It fits into a particular subgenre known as Eurojank, where ultimately the budget is too restrained to bring the game up to AAA levels but they too are defined by their ambition. The result isn’t a negative, though, as these games retain a classic, nostalgic computer RPG vibe, just with a few more bugs and less defined assets. It’s a compromise for some, but Elex 2 may particularly deliver on that aspect.
Story-wise, though, it tells the story of Commander Jax, a former Alb (those who forsook emotion for logic thanks to Elex, a magical substance that arrived on Magalan when a comet wrecked human society) who fought off the Hybrid in the first game. The Hybrid warned of an incoming enemy, and a few years later, they're now here. However, the factions didn't listen to Jax's warnings and are embroiled in their own conflicts. So, with the help of unlikely allies, Jax seeks to stop the invasion and build the Sixth Power—a council government and military power composed of these factions to save Magalan.
As we wrote in our aforementioned Elex 2 preview, “[it] is an open-world structure best compared to the post-apocalyptic nature of Fallout, the open-world elements and environments of Skyrim, and maybe even with a dash of the Sci-Fi elements shown off for Starfield so far, but it is not as polished. Still, it manages to be less buggy in comparison even for a “Eurojank” title. Indeed, the worst part of playing through Elex 2’s first chapter is watching it come to an end, and knowing that March is still a few months away.”
How Elex 2 May Appeal to Mass Effect Fans
A lot of what makes Sci-Fi RPGs shine is found in Elex 2. There’s the mystery of the unknown, the otherworldly, the aliens players will encounter. It’s not as diverse as Mass Effect's alien races, but seeing how humans have adapted in the world of Magalan and fighting the aliens who invade really brings out that post-apocalyptic and Sci-Fi feel. Furthermore, Elex 2 isn’t short on NPC interactions and strong RPG conversations, particularly with Elex 2’s companions as well.
Choice is important, and while we can’t speak to the long-term impacts of said choices, they certainly felt impactful. Toss in strong character builds, skills, faction alliances, and more, and it’s a strong Sci-Fi RPG that Mass Effect fans could truly appreciate. Indeed, while waiting for Mass Effect 4 (or whatever it is properly called) to release, Elex 2 could be a real Sci-Fi RPG appetizer.
Elex 2 releases March 1 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.