Vamps check in, they don’t check out
We are long overdue for a new Max Payne sequel since the launch of the 3rd entry back in 2012. And since Remedy is hard at work building a new connected universe (that doesn’t include Max Payne FYI) and 2K is hard at work on GTA6 it was up to someone else to see a return of the bullet dodging hero. Enter developer Strange Scaffold with their Max Payne inspired title El Paso, Elsewhere.
El Paso, Elsewhere focuses on a hard boiled man named James Savage, James is an addict who downs pills like nobodies business and of course he can dive in glorious slow motion; starting to sound familiar? Well, here is where things get weird, you see James isn’t a cop or some FBI agent; no, he’s a full-on monster hunter. James has hunted everything from leprechauns to vampires and a whole host of creatures that go ‘bump in the night’. James is hunting the lord of vampires, a creature known as Draculae from completing a world ending ritual. And because James’ life isn’t complicated enough it turns out that Draculae is his ex-girlfriend.
MSRP: $19.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, PC
Price I’d Pay: $19.99
Draculae’s base is located beneath a motel in El, Paso which has been warped by an entity known as the Void. Each of the floors that players descend on acts as chapters in the story and will see James fighting against all manner of creature as Draculae tries to buy time for her ritual. These levels are warped versions of reality where the roof has been literally ripped off to make way for a psychedelic trip through a monster filled hell. The goal of each floor is simple, save the hostages and escort them back to the elevator. Players will use guns, Molotov’s and even wooden stakes as they destroy monsters and rescue hostages. After the last human is safe everything turns blood red and shit gets real. Players will have to fight through an onslaught of enemies to get back to the elevator in order to descend deeper and get one step closer to Draculae.
Action is something that El Paso, Elsewhere delivers in spades, there is no shortage to creatures to kill or stylish dives to be made. In order to keep the action fast and in your face the developers made sure that ammo and more importantly pills (health) are readily available so that the dips in action are minimal and players can keep up with the onslaught. This is helped by the fact that developer Strange Scaffold has done a dynamite job with level design and managed to tighten the movement and gun controls like a snare drum.
I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about the absolutely killer soundtrack that this game has. One of the best soundtracks in years, compouser RJ Lake deftly presents a soundtrack that slips from techno beats to rock and sounds damn good doing it. Oh, AND there are some hip-hop beats that are absoltly FIRE, and not just beats but indie artists spitting bars while players are blasting monsters in slow motion. The music in this game is fantastic and deserves a nod for years best soundtrack. Not just for the music but the VO is also great as well. Delivering a neo-noir story isnt always an easy thing, usually walking the line between melodrama, campy fun and true drama these stories when done correctly are legendary. While there is some campy fun here by way of the radio shows which function a lot like the TV episodes of Baseball Bat Boy in Max Payne they offer a nice reprieve from the heavy story.
El Paso, Elsewhere tells a frankly surpassingly sad yet sweet (I mean kinda) tale. The story is told mostly through James’ narration but Draculae’s story is also told thru flashbacks and cutscenes. I’ll be honest, exploring the darker nature of their relationship can be triggering for anyone who has been in an abusive relationship in the past; but seeing these things puts so much into context between these two individuals. El Paso, Elsewhere manages to deliver a satisfying and captivating story especially as the more twisted elements come into play and we get a deeper look into James and Draculae’s past relationship.
But as good as El Paso is, its not perfect. For starters I am not a fan of the early 2000 graphics. I mean I had to live through those graphics and at the time we were blown away but we HAD to have them. Why on earth people want to go back to PS1 graphics is beyond me. But even though I am not a fan of the graphic style here, I am sure there will be those that will embrace the nostalgia of it all. Sadly, there were also quite a few glitches and bugs that I ran across during my time; James got stuck in a dive at one point and was walking around and shooting from a floating inverted position until I finished a level.
El Paso, Elsewhere is a fun throwback to a simpler time in video games. All we needed was dual pistols, a slow-motion dive and some gruff narration and this game checks all those boxes. While I was not blown away by the PS1-esque graphics; I am sure that there will be those that will enjoy them. But it’s the story that folks should come for, the tale between these two lovers is something worthy of a sad opera. Despite its shortcomings El Paso, Elsewhere surprised me quite a bit and could end up being quite the sleeper of 2023.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
