ELEX
A dark post-apocalyptic sci-fi RPG about war for ELEX.
ELEX is a science fantasy-themed action role-playing video game developed by Piranha Bytes and published by THQ Nordic. Released in 2017 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows, it is set in a post-apocalyptic open world where the protagonist joins a war over a powerful resource called ELEX, which grants magic-like powers. The game blends futuristic and medieval elements, allowing players to use guns, swords, and magic against enemies.
Quick Facts
- Title
- ELEX
- Developer
- Piranha Bytes
- Publisher
- THQ Nordic
- Engine
- Genome
- Programmer
- Philipp Krause
- Artist
- Alexander Ockelmann
- Composer
- Björn Pankratz
- Platforms
- Microsoft Windows / PlayStation 4 / Xbox One
- Released
- 17 October 2017
- Genre
- Action role-playing
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game takes place on the planet Magalan after a comet strike brought destruction and a mysterious resource called Elex. Survivors formed factions: the Berserkers, who reject technology and purify Elex into Mana for magical powers; the Outlaws, who seek profit and use Elex for powerful drugs; and the Clerics, who worship a god called Calaan and are the most technologically advanced. These Free People fight each other but share a common enemy: the Albs, ex-Clerics who consume Elex directly, losing emotions and skin pigmentation, and serve the Hybrid.
The protagonist, Jax, is an Alb Commander whose aircraft is shot down, causing most Elex to leave his body and freeing his mind. He investigates the attack and becomes involved in Magalan's conflicts. Through audio logs and documents, he learns that the pre-impact government secretly commissioned Operation Calaan, a failed rocket project led by Dr. Dawkins. The Clerics later mythologized the rocket as a deity. Jax eventually confronts the Hybrid, who is revealed to be Dr. Dawkins, sealed in a protective chamber and influenced by an alien species that spoke through Elex. After defeating the Hybrid, a signal is sent into space, and a large shape appears in the sky.
Reader's Guide
ELEX received mixed or average reviews from critics according to Metacritic. Its significance lies in its uncompromising, complex post-apocalyptic setting and faction-based gameplay, where player choices affect the story and alliances. The game's interconnected quest system and moral decisions—whether to remain cold and logical or become emotional and altruistic—offer replayability. The blend of sci-fi and fantasy, with guns, swords, and magic, distinguishes it within the action RPG genre. A direct sequel, ELEX 2, was announced in June 2021 and released in March 2022 for multiple platforms, indicating the game's lasting appeal and the continuation of its narrative.
Did You Know?
- The game's title ELEX stands for Eclectic, Lavish, Exhilarating, Xenial.
- The Berserkers grow World Hearts, large terraforming plants that they believe heal the planet.
- The Hybrid is revealed to be Dr. Dawkins, who survived the comet impact in a protective chamber.
- A sequel, ELEX 2, was released in March 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ELEX the video game?
ELEX is a 2017 action role-playing game created by Piranha Bytes and released by THQ Nordic for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. It follows a player character drawn into a faction conflict over a powerful substance on the planet Magalan. The title blends post-apocalyptic science fiction with medieval fantasy elements.
What is the ELEX resource in the game?
ELEX is a mysterious, potent substance that bestows magic-like abilities on those who use it. The entire war driving the game's plot revolves around competing factions fighting to control this resource. It acts as the narrative and mechanical bridge between the game's futuristic tech and its spell-casting systems.
What combat options does ELEX offer?
Players can fight using a mix of futuristic firearms, traditional melee weapons like swords, and spell-based magic. You can build a character leaning toward any combination of these three combat styles. Enemies throughout the world use similarly varied approaches against you.
Who made ELEX and when did it come out?
Piranha Bytes, the studio previously known for the Gothic series, developed the title, while THQ Nordic handled publishing. It launched on October 17, 2017, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows.
What is the world of ELEX like?
The game takes place on Magalan, a planet left in a shattered post-apocalyptic state after an earlier catastrophe. The landscape mixes ruined futuristic technology with medieval-style settlements and creatures. This sci-fi-meets-fantasy setting serves as the backdrop for the ongoing war over the ELEX resource.
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