Elex II

The graphics in Elex 2 have seen some improvements, particularly in environmental detail and water effects, but many players feel they still fall short of modern standards, often describing them as outdated or buggy. While some appreciate the aesthetic and world design, others criticize character models and performance issues, noting that the visuals can detract from immersion due to glitches and low-quality textures. Overall, the graphics are considered a mixed bag, with some enhancements over the original Elex but still lacking the polish expected from contemporary titles.

The gameplay of Elex II has received mixed reviews, with many players noting improvements over its predecessor, particularly in combat mechanics and the introduction of the jetpack feature, which enhances exploration. However, criticisms persist regarding janky controls, clunky animations, and a lack of polish in various mechanics, leading to a frustrating experience for some. Overall, while the game offers an expansive world and engaging RPG elements, it may not appeal to those seeking refined gameplay or a compelling narrative.

The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including significant frame rate drops even on high-end systems. While some users noted improvements with the DirectX 12 update, others experienced new bugs and continued to struggle with poor optimization overall. A few players reported satisfactory performance, but these instances were rare, indicating that the game requires substantial optimization work to meet player expectations.

The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it mediocre, bland, and lacking the emotional depth of previous titles by the developers. While some appreciate the ambient quality and the nostalgic reuse of tracks from Elex 1, others criticize it for being repetitive and not fitting the game's atmosphere, leading some to turn it off entirely. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant downgrade compared to earlier works, particularly missing the contributions of composer Kai Rosenkrantz.

The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues, including crashes and graphical errors. While some users experienced a relatively bug-free experience, others found the game frustratingly unstable, particularly in terms of combat mechanics and quest interactions. Overall, the game appears to require significant patches and optimizations to improve its stability and performance.

The grinding aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with players noting that it becomes excessively tedious, particularly in the late game where quests often revolve around defeating large swarms of enemies. Many reviewers expressed frustration with the pacing and repetitive nature of the quests, which detracted from the overall enjoyment and exploration of the game world. While some appreciated the improved combat mechanics and character progression, the overwhelming grindiness ultimately led to a sense of fatigue and dissatisfaction with the game's narrative and quest design.

The atmosphere in Elex II is widely praised for its immersive and unique qualities, reminiscent of its predecessor, Elex I. Players appreciate the game's handcrafted open world, multifaceted exploration, and engaging environmental design, although some note that technical issues and unpolished audio can detract from the overall experience. While the atmosphere is a standout feature, opinions vary on the effectiveness of the story and combat, with many emphasizing that the game's strength lies in its world-building and atmospheric immersion.

The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it delightfully funny due to awkward dialogue, unexpected moments, and quirky characters like the protagonist Jax, while others criticize it as janky and inconsistent. Many appreciate the humorous side quests and random interactions that provide comic relief, though some feel that the overall writing and quest design fall short, leading to moments that are unintentionally amusing. Overall, the game offers a blend of intentional and unintentional humor, with standout moments that can evoke genuine laughter amidst its flaws.

Overall, the emotional aspect of the game has been criticized for its lack of depth and connection, with many players feeling that character arcs and dialogue fail to evoke genuine feelings. The disjointed storytelling and poor integration of cutscenes detract from any intended emotional impact, leaving players feeling disconnected from the narrative and characters. While some side quests add richness to the world, the overarching experience is marred by a bland story and uninspired music, resulting in a failure to engage players on an emotional level.

Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and long-term progression, offering a rewarding "zero to hero" experience, though some players note a lack of late-game upgrades. However, criticisms arise regarding the poor character design and dialogue quality, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, many appreciate the improved character development system and the engaging world exploration it supports.

Overall, the game's replayability is considered decent to high, with players enjoying the ability to create new characters and explore different factions, each offering unique skills and experiences. However, some users noted that after extensive exploration, the replay value diminishes, particularly if players are not interested in aligning with different factions. Despite some glitches and bugs, the game provides a rich open world and multiple endings that enhance its replayability.

The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, with players feeling that even discounted prices do not justify the value received. Many users express disappointment, feeling that their investment did not meet expectations and that the developers are prioritizing profit over quality.