- Publisher: Strange Scaffold
- Release Date: Sep 26, 2023
- Also On: PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
- Unscored
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Sep 26, 2023El Paso, Elsewhere is, simply put, an incredible game. Every aspect is meticulously crafted and works in perfect harmony with the rest. It nails practically everything it tries to do. I expected it to be a lot of fun to play, but I did not expect it to be anywhere near as compelling. I wonder how long I’ll be rotating James in my head like I’ve put him in a microwave.
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Sep 27, 2023With its dreamlike visuals, great writing, and addictive gameplay, El Paso, Elsewhere it's an action-packed odyssey by way of David Lynch. The compelling narrative, mature themes, and engaging combat make it a standout title that should not be missed.
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Sep 26, 2023El Paso, Elsewhere takes a solid shooter foundation and elevates it with a compelling and raw look at humanity as told through a story of monsters and mythology. Outstanding performances, sharp writing, and some kick-arse combat collide to make a unique and memorable experience.
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Sep 26, 2023Fans of Max Payne will find El Paso, Elsewhere a finely-penned love letter to the action franchise, but players will likely discover the game’s heart to burn just as hotly as its gun barrels.
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Apr 9, 2024It may be a little short on originality, but all in all, it’s fun enough that it’s pretty easy to overlook that.
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Oct 3, 2023It tackles weighty topics with a maturity that’s rare in gaming, and which is all the more impressive given that it does so within the framework of a shooter that suggests a Halloween attraction as curated by John Woo.
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Sep 26, 2023Strong, straight-forward retro-shooter with its own interesting flourishes.
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Sep 26, 2023El Paso, Elsewhere offers a remarkable fusion of narrative depth and engaging gameplay.
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Sep 26, 2023The actual gameplay of El Paso, Elsewhere didn’t really impress me. It’s an interesting twist on Max Payne, but it falls short in a lot of ways. Its story, though? Hoo, gosh. I’m going to be chewing on this for a while.
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Sep 26, 2023El Paso, Elsewhere is a charming journey into the mind of man, descending into madness and taking any horrific creatures he can with him.
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Sep 26, 2023El Paso, Elsewhere is an excellent nod to the days of Max Payne, but thanks to its impressive story, surreal world and unforgettable soundtrack, it still manages to stand on its own as a top-notch shooter. With smooth, slick combat that perfectly feels like a classic action games with a modern feel, this is one terrific blast of adrenaline that anyone should check out. The Void may mess with you quite a bit, but the trip through it is definitely worth taking.
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Sep 26, 2023El Paso, Elsewhere is an intense, personal indie shooter that you'll want to see through to the end.
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Sep 26, 2023Despite taking more time than it should to really hit its stride, El Paso, Elsewhere is unrelenting once it does. Its straightforward action is enhanced by its consistently evolving enemies and delicate balancing of power, while its captivating love story presents a novel take on established mythologies with some impressive performances to back them up. It wears its inspirations on its sleeve but has its own ideas to add to the mix, making El Paso, Elsewhere much more than the sum of its apparent parts. It's a game with its own interesting approach to narrative that's backed by exciting gunplay, and one you shouldn't judge entirely by what it reminds you of.
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Sep 26, 2023Demake visuals are the perfect match for a game that's both direct and gloriously weird.
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Sep 26, 2023El Paso, Elsewhere might suffer from some filler levels, but the excellent gameplay and writing make it worth checking out.
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Sep 26, 2023El Paso, Elsewhere stands as a testament to what indie games can achieve. While it borrows elements from giants, it carves its unique identity, blending retro aesthetics, a gripping narrative, and a hip-hop soundtrack into a cohesive experience. Its shortcomings, though present, don’t overshadow its achievements. The game offers a haunting journey through its surreal world, making it a memorable title in the third-person shooter genre. As the credits rolled, I couldn’t help but appreciate the game’s effort to be more than just another shooter—it’s an earnest triumph that breathes freshness into a sea of familiarity.
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Oct 10, 2023El Paso, Elsewhere doesn't boast the slickest gameplay out there, but its tale of love, death and the impending end of the world is one that consistently kept my attention. This is an entirely unique experience, and one I suggest checking out if you are a fan of supernatural neo-noir.
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Sep 27, 2023El Paso, Elsewhere is a fun throwback that tells an interesting story, but the shooting and diving gameplay just doesn't hold its own.
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Nov 3, 2023El Paso, Elsewhere will be a nostalgic journey for many, reminiscent of a time when action games were refreshingly straightforward. Its unique noir-supernatural setting and action sequences filled with slow-motion and flying bullets are engaging. The story keeps you glued to the screen, but the game struggles with a lack of variety. Just a pity that the artificial intelligence leaves much to be desired in the intelligence department.
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Edge MagazineNov 2, 2023Style can be substance, but it's fuel that burns quickly. [Issue#391, p.119]
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Sep 26, 2023El Paso, Elsewhere is a creative and thoughtful project that expertly mixes nostalgic graphics with clean controls. It’s a thrilling fight from start to finish. However, sometimes, the protagonist's monologues can feel like a pizza cutter: all edge with no point.
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| This publication has not posted a final review score yet. | |
| These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation. | |
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Sep 26, 2023El Paso, Elsewhere is both a badass shooter and a study of how people handle toxic relationships. It walks that tightrope and sticks the landing so strongly that I ended the game and immediately wanted to play it again. And I probably will, because James needs me to help him once again save himself and the world.
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Sep 26, 2023As James gets closer to his destination, he accepts it as a one way trip. His morose sense of duty starts to slip away, and he finds himself liberated. He starts enjoying the catharsis and doom of it all. If you get yourself similarly attuned to its sometimes abrasive nature, you’ll find that El Paso, Elsewhere turns into a strangely sad and sweet odyssey, borrowing heavily from similar works but ultimately creating something deeply unique. A cosmic third-person shooter from a forgotten age that will make you dwell on your worst break-up.