El Paso, Elsewhere

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,002 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
El Paso, Elsewhere Game Cover
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.
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In "El Paso, Elsewhere," experience a supernatural neo-noir third-person shooter set in a reality-shifting motel. Battle an array of monsters, including werewolves and fallen angels, while saving victims of Draculae. With a fully-voiced story campaign, destructible physics objects, and an original hip-hop soundtrack, prepare for a thrilling and action-packed adventure.

  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,002 reviews
story208 positive mentions
stability9 negative mentions
  • Engaging and heartfelt story that explores themes of addiction and abusive relationships.
  • Excellent voice acting and a unique, immersive soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Fun gameplay mechanics reminiscent of Max Payne, with satisfying gunplay and stylish slow-motion action.
  • Repetitive level design and enemy variety that can lead to a feeling of monotony over time.
  • Some gameplay mechanics, like the dive and bullet time, feel less effective against melee-focused enemies.
  • The game may feel overly long, with 50 levels that could benefit from trimming to improve pacing.
  • story514 mentions

    The story of "El Paso, Elsewhere" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, exploring themes of love, trauma, and addiction through a unique narrative lens. Players appreciate the well-written dialogue and strong voice acting, which enhance the storytelling experience, making it a standout feature of the game despite some criticism regarding repetitive gameplay and pacing issues. Overall, the narrative is considered a compelling draw that keeps players engaged, often overshadowing the gameplay itself.

    • “Surprisingly, the story is the real highlight, with incredibly well-written monologues and dialogue, performed perfectly by the voice actors.”
    • “The story is a fantastic and genuinely moving depiction of female-on-male abuse that we really never see in media.”
    • “The story is immaculately written, perfectly voice acted, and manages to be deeply personal in a premise and setting that are absolutely ridiculous.”
    • “The story is convoluted and has many cringeworthy moments, and the cutscenes are just long bouts of exposition.”
    • “The gameplay itself is a little flawed, and there are some levels here that do feel a like a little filler, but the story alone was more than enough to carry me through those parts that were lacking.”
    • “While the combat encounters can get a little repetitive towards the back half of the game, the short mission structure make this an easy game to play in small chunks and ensure the very well directed cutscenes are paced out well.”
  • music468 mentions

    The music in "El Paso, Elsewhere" has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and diverse soundtrack, which blends genres like rap and electronic, enhancing the game's atmosphere and gameplay experience. Many players noted that the original tracks, including rap performed by the lead character, are memorable and elevate the narrative, although some found certain vocal elements to be hit or miss. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's unique style and emotional depth.

    • “The writing hits, the music rocks (in a way I really wasn't expecting), and the whole thing is tied together by some wonderful direction.”
    • “The soundtrack and gameplay mesh to create a breakup album of a game that does not pull any punches.”
    • “The soundtrack is so good I'd honestly recommend listening to it on its own, and the environments are intensely atmospheric and absolutely stunning at times.”
    • “The game itself is an acceptable Max Payne clone, but the soundtrack is a fucking abomination.”
    • “Overall, the gameplay offers no challenge or excitement, the music is bad, storytelling is cringe, and visual design can't carry the dead weight.”
    • “It's crazy to me that the current top review is praising the soundtrack, because the music is awful.”
  • gameplay407 mentions

    The gameplay of "El Paso, Elsewhere" draws heavily from the Max Payne series, featuring a mix of shooting mechanics, slow-motion dives, and a straightforward combat loop. While many players appreciate the nostalgic feel and engaging narrative, criticisms arise regarding the repetitiveness of enemy types and level design, leading to a gameplay experience that can feel monotonous over time. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable but often overshadowed by its strong storytelling and atmospheric elements.

    • “The gameplay loop of shooting, dodging, diving with on-demand bullet time is well executed and feels great.”
    • “Gameplay is straightforward but does not get old due to the map diversity and weapon choice.”
    • “The gameplay is tight as hell.”
    • “The gameplay is so unbelievably repetitive I cannot bear to put another minute of my time into this game just to find out where it goes.”
    • “The gameplay gets a little stale well before the ending, but the tone and vibes really carry this game.”
    • “The gameplay is simple enough to get the hang of but it keeps it interesting and engaging without over complicating everything.”
  • graphics114 mentions

    The graphics of "El Paso, Elsewhere" are characterized by a low-poly aesthetic that evokes nostalgia for early 2000s gaming, blending retro visuals with modern lighting to create a unique atmosphere. While some players appreciate the artistic style and its atmospheric qualities, others find the graphics simplistic and reminiscent of outdated technology, which may detract from the overall experience. Despite the mixed opinions on the visuals, many agree that the game's art direction effectively complements its engaging narrative and soundtrack.

    • “The visuals bleed style from every pore.”
    • “What the dev does to show emotion and perspective with PS2 graphics is incredible.”
    • “Visually, El Paso, Elsewhere belongs roughly 18 years in the past, with low-poly models, visibly pixelated textures, and modernized lighting that creates a very brooding, liminal aesthetic that feels both unique and nostalgic.”
    • “The graphics are low-poly and do not try to impress with fancy features or massive textures.”
    • “I'm not too sure how you fail to make your game run smoothly when the graphics are...what they are, but that's sadly the case.”
    • “Visually, 'el paso, elsewhere' belongs roughly 18 years in the past, with low-poly models, visibly pixelated textures, and modernized lighting that creates a very brooding, liminal aesthetic that feels both unique and nostalgic.”
  • emotional66 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its deep and heartfelt narrative, tackling themes of emotional abuse, addiction, and complex relationships with surprising sincerity and depth. Players report being profoundly affected, experiencing a range of emotions from laughter to tears, as the story unfolds in a unique and engaging manner, often likening it to high-quality cinematic experiences. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay pacing and character design, the writing and voice acting are highlighted as standout elements that elevate the emotional impact of the game.

    • “The bulk of the story is an astonishingly deep and methodically spoken narrative of a broken romance, emotional abuse, and psychological torture that I truly wasn’t prepared for nor was I expecting it to be better written than many movies I’ve seen explore these subjects.”
    • “The narrative delivers a moving and thought-provoking depiction of this issue, adding depth and emotional resonance to the overall experience.”
    • “This title packs an emotional punch that will catch you unawares with its sincerity.”
  • atmosphere55 mentions

    The atmosphere of "El Paso, Elsewhere" is widely praised for its immersive neo-noir aesthetic, combining strong narrative elements, exceptional sound design, and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the emotional depth of the game. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a haunting and surreal environment, despite its low-fidelity graphics, which contribute to a unique and engaging experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, drawing players into a richly detailed world that complements the gameplay and storytelling.

    • “The way the conversations, recordings, music, and menu interact with one another, especially in the later part of the game, really flesh out the atmosphere that this game creates - a very intimate personal journey through a scarred relationship and the possibility for healing.”
    • “The soundtrack is so exceptional that it warrants standalone listening, and the environments are breathtakingly atmospheric, immersing players in a world that is as beautiful as it is haunting.”
    • “Incredible atmosphere, enjoyable fast-paced gunplay with slow-mo (Max Payne style), a striking low-fi visual style, punchy writing and cutscene direction, and great vocal performances all combine to create something truly special.”
    • “Speaking of which, the actual graphics, while resembling something from 2000 or earlier, are still drenched in atmosphere despite their low fidelity and are paired with great sound, whether it be punchy gunfire or rabid snarls of nearby enemies punctuated by a highly varied soundtrack I wasn’t expecting to jam out to!”
    • “Xalavier Nelson Jr. voices the protagonist James Savage and provides most if not all of the music, and that, on top of the brilliant cinematography and pacing, grounds the game rock solid in an unforgettably dreary, surreal, and haunting atmosphere.”
    • “Graphically it may not seem to impress for those wanting more than PS1 style characters, but the atmosphere will make up for it in level design.”
  • optimization37 mentions

    The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe stuttering, frame drops, and technical bugs that detract from the overall experience. Despite these performance issues, the exceptional voice acting, writing, and narrative have led some to recommend the game, suggesting that its strengths may outweigh its technical shortcomings for those willing to overlook them. Overall, while the game excels in storytelling and character performances, its optimization leaves much to be desired.

    • “Some minor gripes with hitboxes and technical performance did nothing to dampen how fantastic I felt finishing the game.”
    • “Good game, but performance issues are holding this back.”
    • “I had one big performance problem on one stage, found out I was playing that stage incorrectly, and aside from very small issues it's been all smooth sailing.”
    • “Very poorly optimized.”
    • “Stuttering and frame drops are a huge issue on 3 maps in particular.”
    • “Encountered a bug or two, and started having some pretty bad performance issues at times on the second half of the game that actually messed me up on some encounters.”
  • humor35 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending darkly comedic elements with a tragic narrative, creating a unique balance that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the witty writing, clever dialogue, and humorous scenarios, which provide levity amidst heavier themes of trauma and relationships. The game's ability to deliver laughs while maintaining emotional depth is frequently highlighted, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

    • “These wolves jumping out of the corner and me just sending them flying mid-jump with the shotgun is just hilarious.”
    • “The writing and humor is amazing.”
    • “The humor is that trademark Xalavier goofiness combined with a truly depressing narrative about addiction and abuse.”
  • stability12 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing significant bugs and glitches, particularly in the latter half, including issues with boss fights, hitmarkers, and achievement tracking. However, others report a relatively smooth experience, especially on specific platforms, suggesting that while there are rough spots, the game is generally playable and enjoyable for fans of the genre. Overall, it appears to be a promising title that suffers from typical first-game technical issues.

    • “It's also been a relatively bug-free experience.”
    • “Runs great on deck, and does everything it says on the tin.”
    • “It's not 100% bug-free and there are rough spots and some repetition, but overall, this is the kind of game that I would 100% recommend to any Remedy Games lovers.”
    • “The already mentioned 1st big boss fight (Djedefre) was really rough and frustrating - I must admit I managed to finish it because on the 15th try, the boss was buggy in the 2nd phase and just walked in a circle towards me, letting me strafe around him, making it way easier.”
    • “What got to me was how buggy it was towards the 2nd half.”
    • “Edit: oh also, turns out the game is pretty buggy - had a couple crashes and the game just stopped tracking achievements at some point.”
  • grinding11 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being soul-crushingly tedious and repetitive, with players expressing frustration over the lack of variety in gameplay and level design. Many reviewers noted that the experience felt drawn out and unengaging, often leading to a sense of boredom rather than enjoyment. Overall, the grinding mechanics detracted significantly from the game's appeal, making it a chore rather than a rewarding challenge.

    • “Unfortunately, it is also soul-crushingly tedious.”
    • “There are 50 levels and they get incredibly tedious and repetitive.”
    • “Sadly, I found it to be immediately cheap and tedious to the point that I didn't want to finish it.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    The game offers moderate replayability, with playthroughs lasting around 8-12 hours and features like replayability sliders that encourage multiple runs. However, some players feel that the pacing can hinder replay value, and while the gameplay elements are well-crafted, the struggle inherent to the game's design may not appeal to everyone, limiting its overall fun factor.

    • “I liked the replayability sliders; I will probably beat this game again but on increased speed.”
    • “The gameplay, soundtrack, writing, voice acting, movement, easter eggs, replayability, all of that stuff: tight as hell.”
    • “Games like this should be replayable - perhaps some kind of arcade mode or score attack - but this one just drags out too long for that to be appetizing.”
    • “Not super long (one playthrough will probably take most people about 8-12 hours) but has some replayability in it.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

Buy El Paso, Elsewhere

Play time

8hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
8-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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