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f13.net General Forums => Gaming => Topic started by: Sky on October 16, 2017, 08:43:27 PM



Title: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 16, 2017, 08:43:27 PM
So Ard was just telling me there's a new PB game...tomorrow. Looks cool, a PB open worlder with jetpacks. Come for the eurojank, stay for the awesome open world exploration, don't forget to pack your console commands. 20% off at GMG right now.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: schild on October 16, 2017, 09:20:20 PM
Peak lazy

Not even a link


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Ard on October 16, 2017, 09:33:10 PM
Not sure a link is even necessary, we're probably the only two people in the forums interested  :oh_i_see:


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Father mike on October 16, 2017, 09:37:09 PM
So it's ... Bioshock ... in a forest ... from the guys who did Gothic ???

Sound like the perfect $13-in-a-Steam-Sale game.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Ard on October 16, 2017, 10:00:52 PM
More like Piranha Bytes does Fallout with space magic, but who knows, they excel at weird shit.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: satael on October 16, 2017, 11:21:07 PM
Elex Review (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTicsIK5umw)

I guess I'll have to add this to my wishlist for the time it hits -50% and the worst bugs have been fixed (hopefully without needing to wait for community patches)

 


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Jeff Kelly on October 17, 2017, 03:57:33 AM
Piranha Bytes. So I'll probably look at this a year from now when most of the bugs have been patched and the dev and the fans have fixed most of the broken stuff


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: rattran on October 17, 2017, 06:20:56 AM
I agree with my esteemed colleagues. Cheapish Steam Sale fodder next summer. Unless there's a miracle.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Yegolev on October 17, 2017, 06:47:46 AM
I will look at it when it comes to the PS5.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Lucas on October 17, 2017, 10:06:43 AM
Currently downloading it on GOG (27GB, dunno if the Day 1 patch is included). I'll bask in eurojankyness soon enough. Wish me luck  :why_so_serious:


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 17, 2017, 12:25:34 PM
An hour in. It's a PB game, as I said, you should know what that means by now.

Since I love PB games, I already love this one. The post-apoc sci-fantasy setting is a refreshing change and well done so far. The jetpack is a really strong addition to the game. Even though I'm early in and not really utilizing it for combat like I've seen in videos, it's enhancing what was already one of the better exploration options in rpg.

The lighting is surprisingly effective, too. Not going to win any graphical awards (PB game), but it works.

My main dilemma is controller or k/m...it plays well with a controller and the menus are obviously set up that way. But it has ranged weaponry and imo that means k/m. Hmm...

Verdict: if you like PB, buy it. Looks like a very strong entry into what will most likely be a trilogy.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Lucas on October 17, 2017, 12:48:06 PM
An hour in. It's a PB game, as I said, you should know what that means by now.

Since I love PB games, I already love this one. The post-apoc sci-fantasy setting is a refreshing change and well done so far. The jetpack is a really strong addition to the game. Even though I'm early in and not really utilizing it for combat like I've seen in videos, it's enhancing what was already one of the better exploration options in rpg.

The lighting is surprisingly effective, too. Not going to win any graphical awards (PB game), but it works.

My main dilemma is controller or k/m...it plays well with a controller and the menus are obviously set up that way. But it has ranged weaponry and imo that means k/m. Hmm...

Verdict: if you like PB, buy it. Looks like a very strong entry into what will most likely be a trilogy.

Yep, what Sky said (although I've been playing less than him). It really reminds me of the beginning of Risen 1. Graphically wise, texture detail from up close is bad, while good enough from distance. Lightning and environments are great, tho. Seems well optimized for the PC, with a max. framerate of 120 (tried to change it to 144 in the .ini but I couldn't make it work). and a good array of graphic options . Finally, beside some "walled" paths, don't expect any hand-holding, in typical PB fashion.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Ginaz on October 17, 2017, 01:46:46 PM
from the guys who did Gothic ???


So pure Euro-jank then.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 17, 2017, 02:35:44 PM
Yep, what Sky said (although I've been playing less than him). It really reminds me of the beginning of Risen 1. Graphically wise, texture detail from up close is bad, while good enough from distance. Lightning and environments are great, tho. Seems well optimized for the PC, with a max. framerate of 120 (tried to change it to 144 in the .ini but I couldn't make it work). and a good array of graphic options . Finally, beside some "walled" paths, don't expect any hand-holding, in typical PB fashion.
I've been pushing up the options from the default 'high' without any hitching locked at 60 @ 1080p on a 970.

Another hour in, into the first town. Died a couple times, autosave is pretty solid. Be careful about target lock and hitting friendlies, had to go back a couple saves after I hit a guy during a scripted event. I ran away and he de-aggroed, but wouldn't talk to me after and it counted as a crime, so I reloaded. Lesson learned (or, re-learned). Also remember that your little PDA doohickey is tech-based, so hide before using it in town :D

Since the early part is anti-tech, it feels like old school PB, but the tech parts are pretty well done. Sound recordings ala System Shock are a nice addition, as well.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Ard on October 17, 2017, 11:05:03 PM
Welp, I'm agreeing with Sky.  I put a few hours into it tonight, it's pretty much exactly what I was expecting and so far I'm pretty happy with it.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: koro on October 18, 2017, 05:49:16 PM
How bad is the combat in this one? Because I have yet to play a Piranha Bytes game whose combat isn't a tire fire.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 18, 2017, 06:59:25 PM
How bad is the combat in this one? Because I have yet to play a Piranha Bytes game whose combat isn't a tire fire.
It's a Piranha Bytes game.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: koro on October 18, 2017, 07:41:54 PM
So poor by the standards of a decade ago, gotcha.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 19, 2017, 11:39:01 AM
Some tips for using the combat meter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS2xD9F98Kw


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: rk47 on October 19, 2017, 07:23:33 PM
Didn't feel like learning how to melee with the questionable hitbox. So I focused on Ranged. I learned how to hover shot and had decent success as long the mobs don't one hit kill me with its ranged attacks. Upgrading the starter bow seems to jump the requirement, but I figured out the meta once I unlocked Chemistry and crafted ELEX potions that give me 2 attribute points each. I blew around 10,000 shards on securing ELEX supplies and crafting those potions and now my twice upgraded bow and ranged skill is high enough to destroy a Mech. I'm pretty pleased about this. Trophy in survival also ensures decent cash from killed animals' parts to buy more arrows. It's starting to get manageable.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 20, 2017, 07:14:05 AM
Been a while since I've played a PB game, forgot how brutal the combat is if you don't rush a combat build, started a conversation build (because that's what I normally do, I play for the conversation, not combat, mostly). Woops. Level 6 now but just starting my combat build, considering a restart that would give me at least 2, if not 3, more combat skills to get me going (without really losing anything).

I want to focus on ranged for the cleric weapons eventually, but arrows are a pain to keep stocked vs just meleeing things down. The jetpack is a nice dodge tool for enemies with a wider melee range (that you can't just sidestep/circle), and it conserves stamina vs using the dodge button. I wish the lock on were a bit more solid, so I wouldn't lose focus when jetpack jumping behind something (waiting for thumbstick turning is one thing I will never like about controllers).

Nitpicking, though. Finding the combat to actually be the best in the series thus far. Surprised myself when I was able to take on 3 critters. I was going to run, but liberal use of the jetpack (popping behind terrain to slam a potion, dropping in behind charges, etc) to be almost OP. Have to be careful about the improved weapon switching for enemies, though...I was jumping over a little raptor dude and stayed out of melee range too long, toom a spit to the face. Nice!

On the other hands, poking the reaver nest and getting chased by a gaggle of dudes with everything ranging from pipes to grenade launchers... Even then I was able to hide out on top of my base...until one jetpacked up! Took him out and was able to pick off a few stragglers, but it was a pretty interesting series of combats.

edit: I'm 10 hours in, second rk's suggestion of trophy. Cash flow + mats for crafting, really helpful early on when it's slow to spend ability points anyway.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: rk47 on October 22, 2017, 05:56:14 PM
Eh, become Cleric and laugh in the face of death.  (https://youtu.be/YMHcnGmPxCk)
Balance is broken at the end.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 23, 2017, 08:19:22 AM
I did end up restarting to fix up my build a bit. Helped (as did learning to play a bit). So does getting a companion, though their AI could use a bit of help (I wish Arx would stick to his awesome energy gun and stop trying to melee, for instance). My only real issue with combat it that I play with a controller and want to play a ranged character. I guess I should go heavy weapons, is that psi amp thingy a heavy weapon or?


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: rk47 on October 23, 2017, 05:26:42 PM
Cleric caster that uses Energy bar


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Ard on October 23, 2017, 09:30:42 PM
Balance is always broken at the end of their games.  It's a feature  :oh_i_see:


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 24, 2017, 09:13:23 AM
Went back to the k/m controls as I approach the Fort. Just need the bow too much, and that's easier in some ways on k/m over controller.

Though I did have a decent setup that worked in some situations on the controller: use X to jump or quickly jetpack, land and zoom/target the bow, release. It was slightly superior in that aim assist would lock on for a second, so if you locked on and immediately released the bow string, you could get in a quick hit and dodge again.

So the k/m gives me better aiming overall, but the controller did have some benefits not available on k/m.

Absolutely loving the game. Such a great changeup to the formula on several levels.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 24, 2017, 11:45:12 AM
Gear starvation means I got unreasonably happy to trade my dopey leather peasant cap for the cool brimmed desert hat (same armor). I did find nifty enemy detection shades but lack of armor means I had to use them strategically.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: rk47 on October 24, 2017, 11:11:36 PM
If you really want gear, you should really join a faction asap.
They give a load of EXP, starter gear and unlock additional abilities.
After being admitted into the clerics at level 12, I hardly sought out new gears in the wilds.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 25, 2017, 06:12:05 AM
I was going to finish the easier quests in the cities before joining up, wasn't sure if it affected the ability to do quests in other faction cities.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: rk47 on October 25, 2017, 08:10:28 PM
Finished the game. End game gear and ability is too strong and made it a cakewalk. And too much 'Kill everything yourself' in the end.
What amazed me was the plot twists that kept coming and sometimes I wonder what would happen if PB ever get that AAA budget and polish like CDPR did.
The delivery is poor, but the plot is great. Lots of sad things not conveyed properly and Jax grew throughout the game depending on how you played him. Amazing.

To be fair, you have to have a very high IQ to understand Elex. The gameplay is extremely subtle, and without a solid grasp of theoretical physics most of the mechanics will go over a typical player's head. There's also Jax's nihilistic outlook, which is deftly woven into his characterisation - his personal philosophy draws heavily from Narodnaya Volya literature, for instance. The fans understand this stuff; they have the intellectual capacity to truly appreciate the depths of these quests, to realize that they're not just free exp- they say something deep about MAGALAN. As a consequence people who dislike ELEX truly ARE idiots- of course they wouldn't appreciate, for instance, the humour in Felk's existencial catchphrase "Initiating Combat," which itself is a cryptic reference to Turgenev's Russian epic Fathers and Sons I'm smirking right now just imagining one of those addlepated simpletons scratching their heads in confusion as Björn Pankratz's genius unfolds itself on their screens. What fools... how I pity them.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Riggswolfe on October 25, 2017, 09:07:53 PM
I really liked Risen and the Gothic games. However, I always end up regretting a day one purchase and loving the game about a year later after patches. I'll wait despite being tempted by this!


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 26, 2017, 08:38:45 AM
I do agree the game actually makes you think. I'm really torn between wanting to rp it as the cold Alb commander and my own feelings. Like, I really don't like the berzerkers but they're clearly the faction (given early info when I don't know much about the whole elex->mana conversion concept) that I'd side with, bringing nature back. Bringing along Arx helps, since he's a pretty vocal companion and supports cold decisions well, keeps me in the rp mindset.

I just got to the Fort and unlocked Ray and couldn't even finish the conversations there before going back to camp to get Arx again. Ray...doesn't care for my decisions much, heh.

Depending on how things go, I could maybe see another playthrough letting the lack of elex let me experience emotions and build out that side of Jax' story.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: rk47 on October 26, 2017, 05:56:53 PM
Best early gun you can get is probably Plasma Rifle from Traveling merchant, its alternate firing mode Explosive can knock down enemies.
Also, if the enemy isn't efficient enough to engage with a ranged weapon, it's best to pull them to a strong guard like the Rippers guarding the cargo crates near Cleric city. I lured 3 of them to a guard Mech and let it handle the rest.
I followed a Traveling merchant and his two guards around - pulling all those dangerous mobs to them. Just as they get the mob to low HP, I switch to Single Fire and steal the kill for EXP.  :grin:
Explosive round is also amazing when you combine it with high ground. (https://youtu.be/Pp1C_59XIhQ)


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 28, 2017, 08:00:35 PM
Thanks for that, I'm enjoying that plasma gun. Comes in handy now and again, but it doesn't have the raw punch of a bow for me. I'm running a sword, bow and plasma on the hotbar for situational stuff. A bow is by far the deadliest thing in the arsenal. But the knockdown/back is pretty abusable. I tested it on the troll by the base and it took 4 minutes to chew him down (I did drag him close enough for a couple more companions to get in on it after the first 3 minutes), using the bow to whittle him down and the plasma to knock him back across the field.

Blew the shit out of the reavers in the fort, though. Put em all on the companion and just hit em with the plasma, bodies everywhere.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: rk47 on October 29, 2017, 04:08:38 AM
The key here is to upgrade the Plasma to Mark II / III asap.
Anything below 60 damage is garbage at mid game.
I joined Berserkers finally and felt unimpressed by their magic spells. No good offensive powers, and just boring support spells. The detour of attribute investment to Cunning did not help.
If you don't like the Plasma due to low damage, I guess you can try getting that unique Flamer at Hort visit the survival trainer and go upstairs to his room. Slot in the Lower Resist gem for amazing damage AND knockdown. The biggest drawback is no dodging and jetpack while wielding it.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 29, 2017, 09:28:12 AM
Yeah, I just now did the first upgrade since I was close enough to the right attributes to use it.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: rk47 on October 29, 2017, 05:19:06 PM
Just did a final Mk III upgrade comparison of War Bow and Plasma

Plasma Rifle III - 96 (DEX/INT)
War Bow III - 120 (STR/DEX)

If you're a berserker, definitely keep the War Bow since you can unlock Seeker Shot for homing and Scatter Shot that releases 5 Arrows like a shotgun.
If you're a cleric/outlaw, you can still use the War Bow, but there's no access to Scatter and Seeker shots.

The Furnace unique flamethrower (STR/CON) however, is a beast when you slot lower resistance gem into it. With Heavy Weapons II training, the initial damage, knockdown and burning damage over time, it's actually cost effective compared to the Plasma. It also has a larger radius. The ammo only costs 1 elexit per shot. That's so cheap! Plasma costs 5ea, Arrows 2ea. The downside is you cannot dodge, sprint or jumpjet while wielding it.



Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 30, 2017, 06:35:29 AM
Albs with flamethrowers are probably my least favorite thing to fight (that's not straight up too far over level, ofc). I'll push them off on my companion (Falk currently) and forget how big the aoe is. Every time.

The War Bow is what I had been using before upgrading the Plasma. Still has an edge in damage (as you see), but the flat trajectory and more importantly CC of the plasma wins for me. Definitely broken, even super tough mobs I just skip over to conserve ammo, I can whittle most down if I don't make any mistakes.

I might try a melee run, I actually like the melee combat in the game, it's definitely hard mode.

That screenshot you posted of the windmill - nice. Item-highlighting shades are a game-changer. I do miss my enemy-detecting ones, but the item sense is just so much better.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: rk47 on October 30, 2017, 06:52:19 AM
Albs with flamethrowers are probably my least favorite thing to fight (that's not straight up too far over level, ofc). I'll push them off on my companion (Falk currently) and forget how big the aoe is. Every time.

The War Bow is what I had been using before upgrading the Plasma. Still has an edge in damage (as you see), but the flat trajectory and more importantly CC of the plasma wins for me. Definitely broken, even super tough mobs I just skip over to conserve ammo, I can whittle most down if I don't make any mistakes.

I might try a melee run, I actually like the melee combat in the game, it's definitely hard mode.

That screenshot you posted of the windmill - nice. Item-highlighting shades are a game-changer. I do miss my enemy-detecting ones, but the item sense is just so much better.

Enemy sense is a skill anyway. I usually swap glasses as needed and skipped the end-game faction helmets for shades. They're the only headwear that stays on during convo. B)


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 30, 2017, 09:16:14 AM
Looks good on the PC, with the scar. Reddit says there is a hidden +10 to armor on them, from researching with cheat engine.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 31, 2017, 09:51:45 AM
Some nice little touches, as usual for PB. Turned in a quest by ratting out a guy, quest giver says he has to go take care of him. Now...the quest is over, rewards rewarded. But I decided to follow the quest giver, who walked all the way across town to the guy I ratted out and they had a decent little dialog. Purely bonus stuff, but that's one reason I love these games.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Signe on October 31, 2017, 10:35:25 AM
I'm interested in this but I'll wait until it's dirt cheap.  Can it be played in first person?  It's made by that company that's just brimming with misogyny, right?  Or maybe it's brimming with a bunch of guys... whatever.  Although I know many of you guys figure that as long as you HAVE to look at a butt, it might as well be the butt of some random man... not me.  I prefer no butt at all.  Does a woman even work for this company?

I have no idea what I'm on about. 


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on October 31, 2017, 11:38:40 AM
No, it's a single male protagonist. And yes it's a game made for guys, by the writing. And no it's third-person only.

I have an amusing bug where the women's boobs won't stop twitching in conversation mode. Not in a sexy way. I didn't even know that was possible.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: rk47 on October 31, 2017, 04:30:09 PM
I've yet to see a bra or panties in this game. I give this game four out of seven.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on November 01, 2017, 07:19:04 AM
Yeah, I found it odd you were playing so much with no loli.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Yegolev on November 03, 2017, 08:29:57 AM
Sometimes I can quickly scroll past the avatars in a thread and determine if I should buy a game or not.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on November 03, 2017, 12:42:19 PM
Truth

Should be the f13 review system.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Ard on November 03, 2017, 12:55:51 PM
So you’ll be buying this one because I own it then, right?


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Yegolev on November 04, 2017, 05:03:32 PM
It's a toss-up.
Ard = +1
Sky posts > 5 = -1
rk47 = :cthulu:

Difficult math.


Title: Re: Elex - Piranha Bytes SciFantasy
Post by: Sky on November 06, 2017, 07:39:08 AM
Difficult meth, indeed.

While it's certainly not a perfect game, I don't require perfection. I do believe this is by far the best PB title thus far, and that they have really elevated their game at every level.

I may have missed some enhancements that were in Risen 3, because I just got pirated out by the end of Risen 2. But the scifi and post-apoc elements are so well done. I remember one reviewer said it was too bad the game starts you out with the Berzerkers because it feels very old school Gothic, but I think if you stick with the game that is an essential part of the evolution of the story. The way they bring you through bows to bullets to energy weapons, while not locking you into any, is great.

Unlike RK, I'm still on my first playthrough (I chose clerics, duh...mechs and lasers plz). The game still continues to impress me. Yesterday I stumbled across a random facility and was poking through (testing out my newly upgraded plasma rifle mk3 bablam). Turns out to be some pretty interesting bread crumbs for the story, putting together a lot of the hints they've been dropping both as main story elements and found items and set pieces in the world. I imagine they'll have difficulty pulling it all together by the end, but the journey is very well done, by far the most interested I've been in the storyline for a PB game.