El Paso, Elsewhere

El Paso, Elsewhere
DeveloperStrange Scaffold
PublishersStrange Scaffold
Frosty Pop (iOS)
DirectorXalavier Nelson Jr.
ProducerCandace Hudert
DesignerRomero Bonickhausen
ProgrammerRomero Bonickhausen
ArtistFilip Ugrin
ComposerRJ Lake
EngineUnity[1]
Platforms
Release
  • Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • September 26, 2023
  • iOS
  • September 17, 2024
  • PlayStation 5
  • September 20, 2024
GenreThird-person shooter
ModeSingle-player

El Paso, Elsewhere is a 2023 third-person shooter game developed and published by Strange Scaffold. Players control a vampire hunter who tries to stop his ex-girlfriend, a vampire, from destroying the world. The game is inspired by Max Payne and has retro 2000s-era graphics.

El Paso, Elsewhere released for Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on September 26, 2023. An iOS version was released on September 17, 2024, by Frosty Pop.[2] A PlayStation 5 version was released on September 20, 2024. The game received generally positive reviews from critics. A sequel for the game, titled El Paso, Elsewhere 2 is set to be released for Windows and Xbox Series X and Series S in 2027.[3]

Gameplay

Players control James Savage, a narcotics-addicted vampire hunter who is tracking down his ex-girlfriend, Draculae, a vampire bent on ending the world.[1] While fighting supernatural creatures, players rescue hostages from the motel where the vampire lives. El Paso, Elsewhere is a third-person shooter. The mechanics were inspired by the Max Payne series, the combat by Quake, and the difficulty by Hotline Miami. Like its inspirations, it uses retro-style graphics reminiscent of the early 2000s. Cinematics and monologues explain the backstory between Savage and Draculae.[4]

Development and release

Initially, players had to escort the hostages to the exit, but Strange Scaffold had trouble making this mechanic fun. During development, several other major changes were made, such as adding verticality (such as staircases), and changing how the cinematics were rendered. Changing the cinematics delayed the release substantially.[4]

Development took about 10 months, after which Strange Scaffold almost ran out of money. The founder, Xalavier Nelson Jr., said getting further funding was difficult because investors balked at his refusal to engage in what he felt was an unhealthy work environment.[5]

Reception

El Paso, Elsewhere received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[6][7] Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received strong approval, being recommended by 83% of critics.[8]

Rock Paper Shotgun called it "a strangely sad and sweet odyssey" and said everything in the game "comes together completely flawlessly" despite seeming that they should not,[15] a view echoed by Slant Magazine.[16] In comparing it to the surreality of Lost Highway and Repo Man, Eurogamer said it is "both direct and gloriously weird".[11] GameSpot wrote, "El Paso, Elsewhere combines simple yet delicately balanced action with an engrossing story about vampires, love, and the end of the world."[12] TechRadar called El Paso, Elsewhere "creative and thoughtful" but said Savage's monologues become dreary and pointlessly edgy.[14] Digital Trends praised the narrative, themes, and retro-style gameplay, calling it "one of the most captivating indies of the year".[10] Though complimenting it as an excellent Max Payne homage, Hardcore Gamer said the "impressive story, surreal world and unforgettable soundtrack" make it unique.[13]

Accolades

Year Ceremony Category Result Ref.
2024 13th New York Game Awards Off-Broadway Award for Best Indie Game Nominated [17][18]
27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game Nominated [19][20]

Film adaptation

On April 22, 2024, a film adaptation of El Paso, Elsewhere was announced. It is set to be produced by Di Bonaventura Pictures, Colin Stark, with LaKeith Stanfield in talks to star and produce.[21]

References

  1. ^ a b Wilde, Tyler (April 10, 2023). "This game about 'confronting relationship trauma' perfectly illustrates why it's a bad idea to date Draculae, lord of the vampires". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  2. ^ Romano, Sal (September 17, 2024). "El Paso, Elsewhere now available for iOS". Gematsu. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  3. ^ Franzese, Tomas (June 7, 2026). "One of 2023's best games is getting a surprise sequel". Polygon. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  4. ^ a b Machkovech, Sam (September 26, 2023). "Making and breaking the Max Payne-like rules of El Paso, Elsewhere". Game Developer. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  5. ^ Valentine, Rebekah (September 30, 2023). "El Paso, Elsewhere Wears Its Bloodstained Heartbreak on Its Sleeve". IGN. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "El Paso, Elsewhere for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on May 29, 2026. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "El Paso, Elsewhere for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on May 29, 2026. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "El Paso, Elsewhere". OpenCritic. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  9. ^ Handley, Zoey (September 26, 2023). "Review: El Paso, Elsewhere". Destructoid. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Franzese, Tomas (September 26, 2023). "El Paso, Elsewhere review: you won't want to put down this Max Payne-inspired indie". Digital Trends. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Donlan, Christian (September 26, 2023). "El Paso, Elsewhere review - hectic monster blasting with killer style". Eurogamer. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Barbosa, Alessandro (September 26, 2023). "El Paso, Elsewhere Review - You Keep Going". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  13. ^ a b LeClair, Kyle (September 26, 2023). "Review: El Paso, Elsewhere". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Gould, Elie (September 26, 2023). "El Paso, Elsewhere review - high-stakes action". TechRadar. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  15. ^ Casey, Siobhán (September 26, 2023). "El Paso, Elsewhere review: a cosmic third-person shooter from a forgotten age". Rock Paper Shotgun. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  16. ^ Scaife, Steven (October 3, 2023). "El Paso, Elsewhere Review: A Gloriously Weird Dive into a Neo-Noir Fever Dream". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  17. ^ McEvoy, Sophie (January 5, 2024). "Baldur's Gate 3 leads New York Games Awards 2024 nominations". Gameindustry.biz. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  18. ^ McEvoy, Sophie (January 24, 2024). "Baldur's Gate 3 wins big at New York Game Awards 2024". Games Industry.biz. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  19. ^ "27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Finalists". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  20. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (February 15, 2024). "DICE Awards 2023 Winners: The Full List". IGN. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  21. ^ Grobar, Matt (April 22, 2024). "LaKeith Stanfield Circling 'El Paso, Elsewhere' Video Game Adaptation". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
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