Element

While Nintendo Switch doesn’t have many real-time strategy games to its name at the moment, Element could well be the flashpoint that finally shows just how well the genre can work when reinterpreted in the right way. Offering enough simplicity and depth for both newbies and old school players, Element cements itself as one of the most intriguing and unique titles you can play on the go right now. It’s a shame there’s no support for any form of multiplayer, but even as a purely solo effort, it’s an excellent addition to a long-in-the-tooth genre.

72%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

music

71% User Score Based on 56 reviews

Critic Score 75%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

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About

Element is a single player action game. It was developed by Flightless and was released on July 26, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Element is an arcade-style real-time strategy game with stunning visuals, offering 3 hours of playtime. As you escape a decaying solar system, you must visit each planet, mine resources, and defeat enemies to progress. The game features accessible gameplay, including keyboard, mouse, and touch controls, and is designed for those who enjoy strategy and action, but don't have hours to invest."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+20

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71%

Audience ScoreBased on 56 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The game features a unique and fast-paced RTS experience with simple mechanics that are engaging.
The graphics and art style are visually appealing, contributing to an enjoyable atmosphere.
The game offers a fun challenge, especially in the early levels, and has potential for strategic depth.

The game lacks sufficient content for its price, leading to a feeling of repetitiveness after a short playtime.
The difficulty spikes significantly in later levels, which can be frustrating for players.
The user interface is cumbersome and slow, making navigation and gameplay less enjoyable.

gameplay
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
64%
12%
The gameplay is characterized as a simple yet engaging strategy experience with appealing mechanics and art style, but it suffers from a lack of depth and variety, leading to a repetitive feel after a few levels. While the game is easy to learn and offers couch-friendly controls, the challenging AI and limited gameplay patterns can make it frustrating for some players. Overall, it has potential but requires more complexity to maintain long-term interest.
- “A really interesting strategy game with cool mechanics and a nice art style.”
- “No, seriously, the planets look nice; the gameplay is very couch-friendly (controller works smoothly)... but the difficulty makes this game easy to learn but hard to master. I am only 4 planets in and the AI enemy beats me to a pulp every time.”
- “A fun strategy game with rather short levels and simple mechanics, yet challenging with a pretty ruthless AI.”
- “Very simple, but unclear gameplay.”
- “But the game mechanic is pretty disappointing.”
- “While the game tries to mix up the gameplay by adding new challenges, which certainly make me play slightly different, the overall experience each planet follows a semi-consistent pattern: mine resources, build either attack/defense, wait for AI to respond.”
graphics
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
22%
14%
The graphics of the game have received positive feedback, with users praising the stylized art design and polished visuals that enhance the gameplay experience. Many find the graphics engaging and fitting for a space strategy game, noting fluid movement and clear indicators for gameplay mechanics. Overall, the aesthetic appeal is a significant draw for players, contributing to their enjoyment of the game despite its early access status.
- “I'm really impressed with the graphic design; that's why I bought this game at first glance. It is almost a game I've dreamt of.”
- “I can tell it's going to be a unique and different type of space strategy game, and graphically beautiful.”
- “Graphics: 7.5/10 ~ stylized and fit the theme, the actions are engaging, movement is fluid, and the overall look of the game seems polished.”
- “The graphics are quite underwhelming and lack detail, making the game feel less immersive.”
- “I expected more from the visuals; they seem outdated and don't match the gameplay experience.”
- “The art style is inconsistent, which detracts from the overall aesthetic of the game.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The music in the game has been criticized for lacking adjustable volume controls, resulting in all audio elements—music, voice, and sound effects—being set at a single level. This limitation forces players to adjust their external speakers or headphones to manage audio levels, which is seen as a significant oversight in game design.
- “There are no volume controls; music, voice, and sound effects are all set at one level and cannot be adjusted without changing your speakers or headphones, which affects everything.”
- “When music is included in a game, there should be a control to lower it.”
- “The lack of volume controls for music, voice, and sound effects is a significant downside, as everything is set at a single level.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its atmospheric qualities, creating an engaging environment that leans more towards puzzle-solving than traditional real-time strategy gameplay, aligning with its intended design as described in the store.
- “Nice atmospheric game - feels a bit more like a puzzle game than an RTS depth-wise, but that was kind of the whole goal based on the store description.”