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Elex |OT| Gothic 5: Risen From Jank

Moff

Member
If anyone is looking for some help with the melee combat, I noticed this guy made a mini-tutorial and posted it on Steam's Discussion group, and talks about building up your attack meter to inflict more damage. Found it pretty helpful, especially since I had no idea before I watched it that this even existed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS2xD9F98Kw

this is very good, it actually improved my damage by about 100%, I'll add it to the op
 

Sendero

Member
Spent some time with the game. Some tips and comments:

IMPORTANT:

*Exhaust ALL topic conversations. A lot of quests appear or are completed in that way.
*Lock + Parry + Strafe. I'm playing in Hard, and blocking attacks makes things WAY easier. You get almost no damage, unless you are out of Stamina.
*So yes, Stamina is important, at least early on.
*Use Combos to trigger the "Special" attack. You can decimate stronger enemies with it.
*Use magnesium torchs to illuminate dark areas.
*You can only gather stuff until you sheath your weapon.
*Look for hidden areas. I found 3 weapons, 2 pants and 2 necklaces in my first hour (or so). Plus tons of money, different plants and trinkets. There is also a broadsword inside a house next to a large "tunnel" at East side of Goliet (the Berserker's town). Near a lake.
*The Bow is underpowered early on. But use it to kite enemies and identify them: If it's too strong for your level, it will briefly show a skull next to its health bar.
*Some quest items (like the "Cleric weapons" you find in the ruins), are involved in multiple quests. And you can only solve one by giving it away. So --in general--, if you find an important item, don't commit too early.
*Familiarize with the quest menu. You can only have 1 active quest, and only that one will appear in the map. So, it's important to "plan ahead" your routes, so you can tackle all the quests in the same area. But for that, you need to check where each is located. Some early ones require you to travel a bit far.
*You can get Companions, but you need to complete their quest first. Haven't unlocked my first yet (sort of like feeling underpowered).
Another set of tips that I forgot:

*On the 1st area were the game starts, you can find an amulet that grants you the ability to pickup chests.
*And on the 2nd floor of the 1st building, you can also find a +10 Health ring (you need the jetpack, though)..
*You need a Jackhammer to mine/extract ore from caves and certain areas. You can find one in The Pit.
*If you take the Murder case quest, travel to the suspect farthest from Goliet (at north/east). Near him, you will find both a Teleportation station, and also a neat pair of glasses that
will grant you the 6th sense skill (showing enemies in your minimap)
, which is pretty damn useful early on. Of course, it's a very dangerous detour, but I loved every minute of it, since it feels like you really are a survivor in a crazy world.
*If you go that way, you will also find a possible
companion
, that I never heard about before. And if you go there, you can also take the time to find the person that stole your armor.
*There is a tech sword in the basement (filled with poison) of a building south of Goliet, just in front of a Teleport station. You have to go there in one of the quests, but I suggest to go early on, so there are no enemies inside. It has insane requirements, though.
*On the Outlaw camp, you can purchase a +10 Stamina ring. It cost 1000 elexit.
*Some weapons are upgradeable (it says so in its description). So, if you take the appropriate skill, you might be able to improve it by yourself.
*Companions don't die, just faint. If that happens, just run away and they will get up again. Preferably by using your jetpack.


Yesterday, I was checking a discovered house, when I heard a small grunt. I thought "ah, must be one of those puppies, will fly to see where it is". Suddenly, a shit tons of powerful mutant beasts jumped onto me from all directions, while I thankfully drifted away. Such a great moment.
 
Working my way through the Berserkers.

Finally made it to Cultivator. The fire spell I got was a pain in the ass to use, until I realized that it has pretty good splash damage. Now I just aim at the ground near enemies.

Still getting my ass kicked up and down Magalan though.

There has to be to way to build stats more quickly. I keep finding awesome weapons, but I'm too weak to wield any of them. I unlocked chemistry, so now I can start mixing elex drinks. Depending on the quality, they can give experience, attribute points, or skill points. They're pretty damn costly to make though.
 

Alebelly

Member
Working my way through the Berserkers.

Finally made it to Cultivator. The fire spell I got was a pain in the ass to use, until I realized that it has pretty good splash damage. Now I just aim at the ground near enemies.

Still getting my ass kicked up and down Magalan though.

There has to be to way to build stats more quickly. I keep finding awesome weapons, but I'm too weak to wield any of them. I unlocked chemistry, so now I can start mixing elex drinks. Depending on the quality, they can give experience, attribute points, or skill points. They're pretty damn costly to make though.

I went straight to Intelligence and cunning, 12 hours later was finally able change out of my starting gear and into some hunter gear, but still using the starting axe and bow. Its been a challenge, and it doesn't look like its going to get any easier in the near future either. I'm thoroughly enjoying all the suspect decisions I've made so far. The surprising results of some of my quests have been priceless
 
It's great to read all these positive reactions here. PB really deserves it even though their decision to just not change much when it comes to aging mechanics is not exactly something to praise.
 

MrCinos

Member
All the missed early conversation options make me sad. So many opportunities to finish quests/dialogue differently had I invested in some Charisma skills early. Or Crafting. Or Survival.

Finally got Attribute skills with 50 Int at level 7, and now I'd be getting Cunning 40 for Personality Skills (getting Attribute Points at 25+ Cunning for additional attributes too), Dexterity 40 for Crafting Skills (getting Lock Picking along the way too), Con 40 for Survival Skills, Str 40 for Combat Skills.

Those passive skills for every tree in Personality tree add flat +10 to a respective tree for dialogue purposes. It's the fastest way to unlock as many dialogue options as you can. It's just... I'd still miss a lot of options in the quests I'd need to finish in order to get there in the first place.
 

MayMay

Banned
Man, if there's one thing that is bothering me about Elex it's this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuygLOYVaek

The time it takes for the lighting to adjust when you enter buildings is UNREAL. Half the time I sprint into a building and run into something for a few seconds because it's so hard to see. And then when you want to leave it's like the sun is right outside the door it's so bright lul
 

scraz

Member
Man, if there's one thing that is bothering me about Elex it's this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuygLOYVaek

The time it takes for the lighting to adjust when you enter buildings is UNREAL. Half the time I sprint into a building and run into something for a few seconds because it's so hard to see. And then when you want to leave it's like the sun is right outside the door it's so bright lul

Can yo turn off Ambient Occlusion?
 

Anoxida

Member
This is my GOTY. The berserker city is alright since it eases you into the game but wait till you get to the other ones. Much, much, much better.
 

Jag

Member
Man, if there's one thing that is bothering me about Elex it's this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuygLOYVaek

The time it takes for the lighting to adjust when you enter buildings is UNREAL. Half the time I sprint into a building and run into something for a few seconds because it's so hard to see. And then when you want to leave it's like the sun is right outside the door it's so bright lul

I have this too. Totally forget, but meant to ask if anyone else had this really weird issue too. I just role play that it's my eyes adjusting.
 

aY227

Member
My new cool x-ray sunglasses :)

4Or8weW.png
 
Everyone has that. They just have the eye getting used to dark effect going on for longer than other games do. It's probably more realistic, but yeah pretty much all other games have it adjusting quicker for ease of play reasons. I'm willing to believe PB have it taking that long on purpose and it isn't a bug. They always do their own thing.
 

FlyinJ

Douchebag. Yes, me.
Another set of tips that I forgot:


*If you take the Murder case quest, travel to the suspect farthest from Goliet (at north/east). Near him, you will find both a Teleportation station, and also a neat pair of glasses that
will grant you the 6th sense skill (showing enemies in your minimap)
, which is pretty damn useful early on. Of course, it's a very dangerous detour, but I loved every minute of it, since it feels like you really are a survivor in a crazy world.

Can you describe where this is? A screenshot of the map would be great. Is it the murder suspect which is really far north, like past the desert area? If not, I've already been to them and found neither the glasses nor the teleportation pad...
 

FlyinJ

Douchebag. Yes, me.
Just watched it. Mind blown. I've been button mashing to little or no effect.

I also need to stress how important and useful parrying is. I don't think there is any bonus for parrying right as an attack hits (is there?), but if I'm constantly holding parry when my stamina bar is full. There is no reason not to, and it either completely blocks all damage or takes a significant amount if an enemy hits you while parrying.

It's also useful to be holding when your stamina is regenerating if an enemy is very close as you move away. It causes your stamina to regen slower when holding it, but it will absorb damage if the enemy hits you.
 

Alebelly

Member
Is there a loot system and do you think a Destiny 1 and 2 player would like it?

I first became interested in PB games because I loved what the negative reviews had to say as well as the positive. I have no clue if I would recommend this game whether you would love it, hate it or just meh.
 

Moff

Member
Is there a loot system and do you think a Destiny 1 and 2 player would like it?

it's basically the polar opposite.
I like loot games like Diablo as well, but in Piranha Bytes games, enemies drop crap gear or no gear at all. There is tons of loot, but it's almost exclusively for selling and crafting.
Weapons and armor are very rare and either well hidden or cost some gold and/or effort.

Can't for the life of me find anyone to teach me the group skill. Anyone know?? Neither Sidna (goliet) or Eva (hort) teaches that skill evne though they're charisma trainers.

you can scroll down in those menues.
 

FlyinJ

Douchebag. Yes, me.
I'm about 16 hours in, level 7 and am still exploring around the Berserker camp.

As a huge PB fan since Gothic 1, I'm starting to think this is their best game yet.

The amazing world exploration of G2 is all here but even better and more varied. The hand crafted nature of the worldbuilding is the best I've seen in an open world next to Breath of the Wild.

The combat is very good once you learn it's nuances... by far the best combat in any PB game. It's also extremely difficult and rewarding, making a constant sense of danger and tension while exploring.

The setting is very interesting, and the nested quest progression is very deep.

The writing and voice acting is absolute garbage.

So, yeah. It's shaping up to be even better than Gothic 2 which is one of my all time favorite games.
 
Any word on a patch? I'm less concerned about bugs and more concerned about gameplay issues. I'm not overly familiar with PB games. Do they have a record of good post launch support? I'm interested in buying it and holding out until some patches.
 

Sinatar

Official GAF Bottom Feeder
Pirahna Bytes is very good about patching up their games. So much so that I never bother to play them at launch, I let them fix it up first.
 
If you are on the fence on this game, I highly recommend it. Feels like I'm playing an actual game, an actual RPG. It's big, it can be messy, but it's not a focus group tested vanilla fest like the games you are so used to.
 

FlyinJ

Douchebag. Yes, me.
I had a weird thing happen in a Berserker quest line:

I met three deserters in a kind of parking garage who told me they left the evil guys and wanted to join up with the beserkers to help fight. I went to one of the beserkers and told him, and he said he would go meet with the deserters. I go back to the parking garage thing, and all 3 deserters are dead and there are beserkers standing around. Ok, so they guy just killed them instead. But the weird thing is now when I load a game it says "Despite meeting the new inhabitants, Jax decided to go back to his original loyalties and back to the mission he was given" in a tooltip. I never thought the beserkers would kill the deserters, and now all of the sudden I'm back on the evil guys' side? What's up with that
 

Jams775

Member
I had a weird thing happen in a Berserker quest line:

I met three deserters in a kind of parking garage who told me they left the evil guys and wanted to join up with the beserkers to help fight. I went to one of the beserkers and told him, and he said he would go meet with the deserters. I go back to the parking garage thing, and all 3 deserters are dead and there are beserkers standing around. Ok, so they guy just killed them instead. But the weird thing is now when I load a game it says "Despite meeting the new inhabitants, Jax decided to go back to his original loyalties and back to the mission he was given" in a tooltip. I never thought the beserkers would kill the deserters, and now all of the sudden I'm back on the evil guys' side? What's up with that

I didn't experience that, but I've been getting that screen too. I figured it might just be generic but it sure is a strange thing to put seeing as how I haven't done anything to become a bad guy yet.
 

Moff

Member
7pkg0Eb.jpg

finally got the badass armor, 34 hours in

I am utterly in love with the game btw.
this is easily PBs most ambitious game, yet, and unlike Gothic 3 everything fits and works together perfectly.
so much great ideas apart from the usual PB faction content
- your own town/command center/fortress
- thieves guild
- the jetpack is positively awesome

and what I really have to commend PB on is how perfect progression is in this game, evern after 30+ hours you are still motivated to level more, just to raise a few attributes to be able to use that new weapon, or wear that new armor or be able to learn this fun or powerful new perk. Currency is always short as well, I am actually broke right now.

Some general tips from me:
- the Standard Elex potion is the most important crafting item in this game, the one that gives 2 attribute points. Attributes are rare in the late game, learning points not so much (strong elex potions award those). small elex potions give +100xp, do not use them, you need those to craft standard elex potions.
- if you are in the air with a ranged weapon you simply need to press the aim button and you will hover in the air for smooth aiming
- heave weapons are awesome and the Cleric Black Hole Psi Spell is game breaking strong

I really like the combat by now btw. It's just incredibly satisfying to own everything after 10+ hours of hiding, sneaking and carefully avoiding too strong enemies.

I didn't have any bugs or noticable AI issues so far either.

oh and I am still in chapter 1, could have finished it a long time, ago, though.
I absolutely agree that this might be PBs best game.
 

Clydefrog

Member
Man, if there's one thing that is bothering me about Elex it's this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuygLOYVaek

The time it takes for the lighting to adjust when you enter buildings is UNREAL. Half the time I sprint into a building and run into something for a few seconds because it's so hard to see. And then when you want to leave it's like the sun is right outside the door it's so bright lul

Yep, this has been bugging me. Pretty annoying
 

Buckle

Member
Whenever I finished the Risen games, I felt like I was pretty much done with them but already thinking about a second playthrough for Elex.

I got to do a Cleric run after I'm done with this Outlaw one. I need that armor and PSI powers but Outlaws just feels too right with the way I've been playing Jax.
 
Well, this is disappointing. I've been going pure Dexterity, Intel and Cunning...focusing on ranged weapons and hacking. However, all the armour in the game requires Strength and Constitution to equip.

Not a big fan of that design choice.
 

Moff

Member
Well, this is disappointing. I've been going pure Dexterity, Intel and Cunning...focusing on ranged weapons and hacking. However, all the armour in the game requires Strength and Constitution to equip.

Not a big fan of that design choice.

Agree

Generally Strenght/Melee is a must in this game. Heavy weapons and spells can do some devastating AOE damage later on, though. But you will always need to rely on melee.

Any word on a patch? I'm less concerned about bugs and more concerned about gameplay issues. I'm not overly familiar with PB games. Do they have a record of good post launch support? I'm interested in buying it and holding out until some patches.

In Risen 3 I think they released a patch that tweaked the combat system within a few days.
After more than a year they added another difficulty mode and other neat stuff.
 
*If you take the Murder case quest, travel to the suspect farthest from Goliet (at north/east). Near him, you will find both a Teleportation station, and also a neat pair of glasses that
will grant you the 6th sense skill (showing enemies in your minimap)
, which is pretty damn useful early on.

Can you describe where this is? A screenshot of the map would be great. Is it the murder suspect which is really far north, like past the desert area? If not, I've already been to them and found neither the glasses nor the teleportation pad...

So the teleporter is located here:

pTMXAXB.jpg


But I haven't found the glasses that Sendero mentioned.

Can you explain a bit where those are located on the farm Sendero?
 
I really need to stop reading this thread or else I'll be swayed by the positive impressions to hit that purchase button. I still haven't finished yet with Wardor and AC Origins is on the horizon. I could drop Wardor but I doubt I'll be able to finish this in a week. Sounds like a pretty damn big world to explore, and I tend to explore everything in open world RPGs.

Woe is me.
 

Stiler

Member
Man, IGN creamed the hell out of this game in their review that just released:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwas-jf8rAY

They basically praise the story, characters, world, etc but then mention the bugs and issues with quests/map and the combat being too hard an dknock it down to a 4.9 score...

Also the guy was obviously not even using the combat meter correctly (spamming attack, not using special moves, etc).

He also complains about enemies being too hard and taking 2 hours on an enemy, does he realize it's an rpg and you aren't meant to be able to take on anything from lv 1?
 

Moff

Member
Man, IGN creamed the hell out of this game in their review that just released:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwas-jf8rAY

They basically praise the story, characters, world, etc but then mention the bugs and issues with quests/map and the combat being too hard an dknock it down to a 4.9 score...

Also the guy was obviously not even using the combat meter correctly (spamming attack, not using special moves, etc).

He also complains about enemies being too hard and taking 2 hours on an enemy, does he realize it's an rpg and you aren't meant to be able to take on anything from lv 1?

well the boss has a skull sign on it in the video, so go figure.
I really hope they don't change anything in the balancing/difficulty progression in this game because most reviewers do not know how to deal with it.
they could add a story mode I guess.
 

Buckle

Member
A 4.9?

I can understand it not reaching 8 to 10s but come on.

They've gone easier on much worse games. It deserves more than that. Easily.
 

Moff

Member
He apparently considers the game unplayable.
I do understand giving a 4.9 to an unplayable game.
What I don't understand is seeing plenty of other people playing it fine and still blaming the game.

well, at least it's got decent steam reviews :p
 

TheTrain

Member
well the boss has a skull sign on it in the video, so go figure.
I really hope they don't change anything in the balancing/difficulty progression in this game because most reviewers do not know how to deal with it.
they could add a story mode I guess.

yeah, that really tell something

EDIT - Now that you noted this, basically every enemy showed in the video have a big ass skull on top of the head
 

Humdinger

Gold Member
I'm really liking the game so far. I'm about 4 hrs. in. The world exploration is great.

I'm encouraged to hear people say this is the best PB game yet. I haven't played Gothic, so I don't have a point of comparison -- besides Risen 1, that is, which I played and liked. But Elex is so much better.

I like exploring the world. The systems confuse me, but that's normal. I have a feeling it's going to be a very long game.

p.s. Boo, IGN. Game deserves a 6, at least. Personally I'd give it an 8.5 so far, but I'm too early in to know.
 
yeah, that really tell something

EDIT - Now that you noted this, basically every enemy showed in the video have a big ass skull on top of the head

It's such a joke.

The brilliance of Elex is its absolute freedom.
I'm especially impressed with how much maneuverability the jetpack adds. Even if I can't kill most anything, I can still explore ruins, collect cool stuff, and run/fly away from danger. Being under-powered is exciting.

IGN completely missed the point, and that's just sad.
 
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