Self reflection is a core element of understanding one’s self especially as we experience the ebb and flow of life. Through the natural highs and lows, games like El Paso, Elsewhere is a reminder that keeping your head just above the water is better than sinking into the depths of misanthropy, apathy, and general disassociation. A shooter that acts as a metaphor for closure and the elements that make relationships complicated at times, El Paso, Elsewhere manages to deliver a unique story about broken relationships while also presenting a fun and genuine old-school gameplay style.
I’ll jump right into it and say that Xalavier Nelson Jr. and the rest of Strange Scaffold have been on my list of “developers to keep your eye on.” While not their first game, El Paso, Elsewhere comes out swinging, proving their tenacity and unique style that stands up within the indy gaming world. Blending an interesting neo-noir-style story with the return of the beloved “bullet time” gameplay element, El Paso, Elsewhere is a good time.
On the surface, El Paso, Elsewhere wants to bring you in with the really basic style of gameplay. You’ll perform the classic moves of slow-mo diving through glass panes while blasting vampire spawn as gravity takes you to the ground. Pistols, shotguns, Tommy guns, each weapon feels great to use and fits various scenarios well enough. It is all about thinking on your feet, picking the right tool for the right moment. There are also stakes to perform melee attacks but those are worth saving for the times where the game gets real tough.
That being said, the game has a way of easing you into the full context to its entire existence. Sure, it is a shooter that is fun to play and navigate but it can get a tiny bit boring at times. Just as that feeling overtook me something in the game would change. A new enemy or weapon would be thrown into the mix along with a new environment or gameplay element. There is enough variety here where you will always wonder what comes next at just the right time.
While the gameplay is pretty self-explanatory and sets itself up in a way that is quick and thorough, there are not deep mechanics but that is absolutely fine. El Paso, Elsewhere isn’t aiming to be this grand example of how to deliver a top-ten shooter. The real meat and potatoes here is the story. A true writer’s smorgasbord of storytelling here, El Paso, Elsewhere’s noir style truly stands out as the true reason to experience this title.
Focusing on the fallout of a relationship between a recovering drug addict named James Savage and his ex-girlfriend who happens to be a vampire queen, you traverse through various mazes to prevent the end of the world. Each area is constructed from this combined consciousness of the characters that becomes crucial to the story and character growth. For the sake of sounding cliche, El Paso, Elsewhere feels like a character, as a whole. You as the player are traversing the psyche of the main character while they are also reflecting on the dissolved romance. They are constantly asking themselves questions and looking for answers they very well know but haven’t come around to recognizing yet. Half the messages and themes that present themselves are presented to the player, making you understand the gravity of it all before the actual main character does.
El Paso, Elsewhere starts with an inherently strange catalyst that unfolds into a visceral storytelling experience. This only doubles down as you descend further into the game. It evolves, becoming more of an introspective take rather than something that could have been rather devoid of any meaning. It could have been a vampire shooting romp with bullet time physics, but in true Xalavier Nelson Jr fashion, it delivers something thought provoking. Luckily for us, it just so happens that the gunplay is rather good.
Even the monsters that inhabit the various halls, graveyards, and massively sized bathrooms hold some sort of element to the story. As a “narrative guy” myself, I must say that I really appreciate when some elements, such as the motive of a minor enemy is explored even just a little bit.
There are even little bits hidden around the levels that add a sense of depth to this relationship. If you find various recording devices you can become the fly on the wall of some deep moments within the character’s relationships. One particular situation revolved the concept of explaining Transformers and it felt so incredibly authentic it could have come straight from a conversation you may have had with a loved one.
With my only criticism being that, at times, some parts could feel long but with a seven- to eight-hour long runtime, El Paso, Elsewhere hits the sweet spot. I did also have one instance where I was fighting enemies and the screen slowly started to engulf in darkness where I wasn’t sure if it was part of Xalavier Nelson Jr’s mad-scientist vision or not; it was a glitch but I couldn’t get mad as it was absolutely terrifying in it’s own right.
I also want to leave a brief paragraph stating that the soundtrack absolutely slaps. Are the kids still using that word? Either way, it’s a great soundtrack with some tunes that really get your blood pumping as you perform these crazy maneuvers throughout each level. The bass thumping and hip hop beats kick in and with an overcoat filled with weapons and ammo, you are ready to take on the challenge ahead without looking back. It’s like Blade but way cooler.
I am glad to say that El Paso, Elsewhere fits the bill of being a rewarding indy experience with a real theme that seems to be lacking in major titles. It feels strangely human. It has heart, and I’m not just talking about the color coded ones that occupy certain levels. There is something deeper here, something that might need to be otherwise discussed with a rock-solid therapist who has a history of helping planar beings and immediately spending my $35 co-pay.
