Element

 Switch
Metascore
tbd

No score yet - based on 3 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Digitally Downloaded
    Jul 29, 2018
    60
    There's plenty to like about Element. The game's stated goal was to distil down the strategy game to something that still felt grand and "complete" in scope, but was playable for a few minutes at a time. It achieves that, and at the same time gives players a compelling look at a theme that is quite pressing, as the world looks towards an era of depleted resources. But it's also hard to push past the feeling that there should have been more to this one.
  2. Nintenderos
    Aug 14, 2018
    55
    Element is a real-time strategy game that seeks simplicity above all else, and that is its worst flaw. Although it stands out for its clean interface and a very correct gameplay, it fails in its history and fails to engage the player as much as it should. It is a title condemned to ostracism because of its null complexity and short duration.
  3. Nintendo Life
    Jul 30, 2018
    80
    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.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 2 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 1 out of 2
  1. zulnam
    Aug 3, 2018
    5
    Pretty disappointed with this. It’s not a space strategy, it’s a space-themed game; it’s barely a strategy at all. The core mechanics arePretty disappointed with this. It’s not a space strategy, it’s a space-themed game; it’s barely a strategy at all. The core mechanics are rudimentary and repetitive and the few saving graces are hindered by bad design. Your options in buildings and units are few and they’re all thrown on you from the very first mission. You better be paying attention when they say the rock-paper-scissor unit logic. There are 3 types of buildings/units and they all do the same thing but telling them apart is a pain in the ass, especially towards the end-game which gets chaotic fast. I once got surrounded by enemy buildings because i thought they were mine. The border coloring feature is pointless since the color is opaque so it’s often not visible due to the terrain (in handheld at least), which is ironic since the only reason to have border colors is to see your map control but it even fails at that. You can build anywhere so getting lost in what buildings you own and what not happens often on medium/large maps. In fact the whole games suffers from “what the hell is going on” syndrome. Lost a building and wanna know where? Tough **** Your satellites are being destroyed? So what? In fact the only building for which you get notifications are destroyed mines (doesn’t say where though) and your HQ, which are always hilariously late (“DAMAGE CRITICAL!” the computer voice told me at 10% with projectiles still coming my way; thanks!)
    The actual mines that you’re fighting for are also hard to spot. You can pause the game and inspect the map when you go in menu mode but can’t issue build orders while in that. You can lower the game speed but looking at someone vomit while in a tumble drier in slow motion doesn’t exactly make the experience better.
    Even if they would manage to get the whole aspect issues fixed the game is just too shallow. There is no strategic decisioning besides “next-level-build-mines-throw-units-at-enemy”. There’s no unlocking of more powerful units, they’re all there from the beginning. No unlocking of a larger resource base or the option to have more units/buildings on the map (they share a counter). Another personal gripe for me is the lack of an option to deactivate controller rumble.
    Overall not a fun experience. I regret buying it but I could see the game being worth on a sale if they would somehow fix the **** that goes on during the actual gameplay. As it stands, no.    … Full Review »
  2. jandleslapper
    Mar 24, 2021
    4
    Dull strategy game, looks bad on the switch. here are the last of my characters.