PS5 El Paso, Elsewhere Review: A Stylish Noir Shooter with Supernatural Flair

El Paso, Elsewhere, developed by Strange Scaffold, brings a unique blend of noir storytelling and supernatural action to the PS5. This third-person shooter takes players on a surreal journey through a reality-bending motel, offering a fresh take on the genre with its vampire-hunting narrative and stylized low-poly graphics.

Gameplay: 8/10

The game's core mechanics revolve around fast-paced, bullet-time-infused combat. Players will find themselves diving through the air, dual-wielding an array of weapons as they take on hordes of vampires and other supernatural entities. The controls are responsive, making the slow-motion gunplay feel satisfying and empowering.

Key gameplay features include:

• Bullet-time mechanics reminiscent of Max Payne
• A variety of weapons to master
• Reality-warping level design that keeps players on their toes

While the combat is undoubtedly the star of the show, some may find the repetition of enemy types and encounters slightly monotonous in longer play sessions.

Graphics and Performance: 7/10

El Paso, Elsewhere opts for a distinctive low-poly aesthetic that perfectly complements its noir atmosphere. The PS5 version runs smoothly at 60 FPS, with minimal loading times between the game's dimension-hopping levels. However, the intentionally simplistic visual style may not appeal to all players, especially those expecting cutting-edge graphics on next-gen hardware.

Story and Atmosphere: 9/10

The narrative is where El Paso, Elsewhere truly shines. Players step into the shoes of James Savage, a man on a mission to confront his vampiric ex-lover, Janet. The story unfolds through atmospheric voice-overs and environmental storytelling, creating a compelling noir tale with supernatural twists.

The game's setting, a shape-shifting motel that defies the laws of physics, serves as the perfect backdrop for this surreal adventure. Each floor brings new surprises and deepens the mystery surrounding James and Janet's relationship.

Sound Design: 8/10

The audio in El Paso, Elsewhere significantly contributes to its noir ambiance. A moody soundtrack accompanies players through their journey, punctuated by satisfying gunshots and the eerie sounds of supernatural enemies. The voice acting, particularly for the main character, delivers the hard-boiled dialogue with appropriate grit and emotion.

Replay Value: 7/10

While the main campaign offers a solid 8-10 hours of gameplay, replayability comes in the form of higher difficulty levels and score attack modes. Trophy hunters will find a decent challenge in mastering the game's combat system to achieve specific feats.

Conclusion

El Paso, Elsewhere on PS5 is a stylish and unique entry in the third-person shooter genre. Its blend of noir storytelling, supernatural elements, and bullet-time combat creates an experience that stands out in a crowded market. While it may not push the PS5 hardware to its limits graphically, the game's artistic direction and engaging narrative more than make up for it.

Pros:

• Engaging noir-meets-supernatural story
• Satisfying bullet-time combat
• Unique, reality-bending level design
• Atmospheric sound design and voice acting

Cons:

• Simplistic graphics may not appeal to all
• Can become repetitive in longer sessions
• Limited enemy variety

Final Score: 8/10

El Paso, Elsewhere is recommended for fans of stylized action games, noir narratives, and anyone looking for a fresh take on the third-person shooter genre. Its unique blend of elements makes it a standout title in the PS5 library, despite some minor shortcomings.