The world of cult sci-fi fantasy hit ELEX is back in ELEX II, the newest offering from Piranha Bytes, creators of Gothic and Risen. With yet another stunning, sprawling open world to get lost in, there is plenty to do alongside tackling the obvious looming alien threat.
ELEX II comes in after the story of the first game (don’t worry, you don’t need to have played it to throw yourself into this one), where once again we take over as perpetually gruff protagonist Jax. Jax’s son is missing, and he must traverse Magalan to try and rescue him, alongside battling off an incoming alien invasion as the Skyands descend on his home planet. As if he didn’t already have enough to do, he will also have to unite the warring native factions that have taken up against each other if he wants to stand a chance against the mighty newcomers.
There are many ways to complete ELEX II and unite Magalan in your favour, from calm, diplomatic persuasion to bursting in all-guns-blazing, completely off your face on ELEX – a powerful resource that can imbibe Jax with both positive and negative effects. We’re not here to tell you what to do – although we do highly recommend flying around with the jetpack at every available opportunity.
You can’t just start fights in ELEX II willy-nilly, however. Your actions will have consequences, and the game’s various factions will take note of what you’ve done and who you’ve sided with, which can affect what quests are available to you and how the story progresses. To give you a better idea of what to expect from these temperamental tribes, we’re looking at each of the factions in turn, looking at their history, what makes them tick, and what’s most likely to tick them off. This time around, it’s the least technological factions, the Berserkers and the Morkons.
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Berserkers
The Berserkers have been through a lot, and the cracks are beginning to show. When the first meteor fell, distributing ELEX across Magalan and creating widespread destruction, the Berserkers somehow survived. Clubbing together in the desolation, they managed to create a thriving society that rejected scientific advancement and technology for a simple life of farming and hunting.
They stayed close to nature and made its cultivation their priority, eventually leading to the discovery of Mana – an ELEX-derived substance that can turn barren wastelands back into lush overgrowth and fertile land. Their excessive use of this substance began to impact the Berserkers physically, giving them the ability to perform feats that appeared magical. After years of research and experimentation to hone these skills, they are now a truly fantastical force to be reckoned with.
But dissent has been growing amongst their ranks, with a schism tearing the peaceful community in half. These Mana side effects have given rise to a mysterious spiritual leader who believes they can “talk” to ELEX, channelling it through completely organic means, and drawing an army of followers closer into their sect. Those who remain sceptical are further pushed away from the group, and have begun to wonder what benefits may come from embracing technology at long last. Joining this faction may anger the more scientific groups on Magalan, but their wondrous abilities may draw you in.
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Morkons
When faced with the barrage of meteors that first brought ELEX to Magalan, the Morkons fled to an underground network of tunnels. They had developed a quiet, law-abiding society that was quick to mobilise and find safety below the ground, clinging ever closer to their beliefs and codes of conduct as reassurance in the face of a terrifying new world. Eventually, they became devoted to their isolation, paranoid survivors who hid from strangers and barricaded themselves away.
Their rules started as deeply-held morals, then written law, gradually becoming more sacred than any other oath. Strict contracts were drawn up over reproduction and travel, with a ferocious distrust of outsiders and the ELEX-encrusted world above.
Their isolation has come to be threatened by a lack of food and resources, forcing them to branch out from their insular society and open channels of communication with other factions. These tentative trades have not always gone to plan, and the sheltered Morkons have learned to take what they want at any cost from those who would threaten their existence. Although you may not share their zealous beliefs, keeping the Morkons happy might be your safest bet when deciding who to side with, although they rarely welcome outsiders.
Whoever you decide to join up with, there’s a mind-boggling amount to see in ELEX II, and myriad ways to take on anything that the game throws at you. You can meet the colourful clans of Magalan and fend off the Skyand threat by checking out ELEX II, out now on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.