What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Yes—play El Paso, Elsewhere first if you care about the story, James Savage’s character arc, or the emotional stakes of the sequel. El Paso, Elsewhere 2 is explicitly set after the original, brings James back as its protagonist, and starts with consequences that only make full sense after the first game’s events.
You can begin with the sequel if you only want to sample its shooting when it launches, but that is the weaker starting point. The original is already available, establishes the series’ setting and combat, and gives you the context for James’s transformation.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
El Paso, Elsewhere - PlayStation 5 | $24.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Nighthawk Interactive El Paso, Elsewhere - PS5 | $36.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
El Paso, Elsewhere - PS5 | $49.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
El Paso, Elsewhere - Compatible for PS5 - UK PAL | $47.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Elsie - Magitek Edition - PS5 - UK | $36.35 | Buy on Amazon |
The short answer: start with El Paso, Elsewhere
El Paso, Elsewhere 2 is a direct narrative sequel, not a separate story that merely reuses the same name. Its official description opens with the words “After the events of hit indie game El Paso, Elsewhere” and identifies James Savage as a newly converted vampire dealing with what happened in the first game. The developer also describes it as a sequel.
That makes the original the natural entry point. It introduces James, his history with Draculae, the supernatural crisis, and the series’ signature slow-motion third-person shooting. The sequel’s premise assumes that foundation rather than replacing it with a new cast or an unrelated plot.
#1 Best Overall
- Each physical edition comes with an exclusive Poster and digital soundtrack
- A fully-voiced neo-noir story campaign set in a reality-shifting motel full of monsters.
- Destructible props that can be transformed into vampire-slaying stakes
- A thrilling love story between a monster hunter and the lord of the vampires, exploring the complexities of their relationship as reality crumbles around them.
- Non-Stop action, including “bullet time” and tons of enemies to defeat.
Skipping the first game would not necessarily prevent you from operating the sequel’s weapons or following its immediate objective. It would, however, remove the history behind James’s relationships and the reason his new condition matters. If you have any interest in character or atmosphere, play the original first.
Why the story order matters
The sequel begins after a specific ending
The sequel is framed around aftermath. James is no longer simply a monster hunter; he has been newly transformed into a vampire and must live with the consequences of the first game’s events. That change is a continuation of his arc, not a neutral character reset.
Playing the original first lets you experience the decisions and relationships that make this transformation significant. Starting with the sequel gives you the fact of the change, but not the emotional or narrative route that produced it.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsJames Savage and Draculae are the central history
In the original, James is a narcotics-addicted monster hunter tracking Draculae, his former girlfriend. Draculae is a vampire attempting to end the world, so the conflict is simultaneously personal and supernatural. Their relationship supplies the story’s emotional tension while the monster hunt supplies its immediate action.
Rank #2
- Original hip-hop soundtrack. Each physical edition comes with an exclusive Poster and digital soundtrack.
- A fully voiced neo-noir story campaign set in a reality-shifting motel full of monsters.
- Destructible props that can be transformed into vampire-slaying stakes.
- ·A thrilling love story between a monster hunter and the lord of the vampires, exploring the complexities of their relationship as reality crumbles around them.
- Non-Stop action, including “bullet time” and tons of enemies to defeat.
The sequel’s description refers to James’ post-original life, which means the first game’s relationship is important background rather than optional trivia. If you want the sequel’s dialogue, stakes, and character reactions to land as intended, the earlier game is the relevant preparation.
The tone is part of the continuity
The series combines neo-noir presentation, supernatural horror, tragic romance, and music-driven action. The original’s story is described as dealing with complicated love, addiction, and self-worth, not only with defeating enemies. Those themes establish the tone the sequel inherits as it follows James into a new phase of his life.
What the original establishes
A reality-shifting motel
El Paso, Elsewhere is a third-person shooter set in a motel whose reality changes around James. The setting gives the game its distinctive structure: rooms and spaces become unstable while James moves through a supernatural crisis. Steam describes encounters with werewolves and vampires alongside the shifting environment.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →This is useful context for the sequel because the series’ world is not ordinary crime fiction with a few monsters added. The supernatural rules, visual identity, and sense of place are introduced in the original.
Rank #3
- Original hip hop soundtrack. Each physical edition includes an exclusive poster and digital soundtrack.
- A fully set neo-noir story campaign set in a reality-changing motel full of monsters.
- Destructable props that can be turned into vampire killing stakes.
- A gripping love story between a monster hunter and the lord of vampires that explores the complexities of their relationship as the reality crumbles around them.
- Non-stop action, including "Bullet Time" and a lot of enemies to defeat.
Slow-motion dives and third-person gunplay
The original’s defining mechanical idea is slow-motion shooting combined with diving movement. Nighthawk Interactive characterizes it as a Max Payne-inspired third-person shooter with high-stakes gunfights, supernatural monsters, and unique slow-motion gameplay. You learn how the series expects you to move, aim, and control time while under pressure.
That foundation matters even if the sequel expands the formula. Playing the first game gives you a reference point for judging new weapons, abilities, and enemy types instead of encountering every part of the combat language at once.
A compact, focused introduction
The original is already available and provides a complete introduction to the setting, combat loop, and James’ personal conflict. You do not need to wait for the sequel’s launch to understand the premise. Since the sequel’s release date remains unannounced, starting with the first game now is also the most practical way to approach the series.
What is currently known about El Paso, Elsewhere 2
Release status and platforms
The official Steam listing gives El Paso, Elsewhere 2 a release date of “To be announced.” Strange Scaffold’s official site lists the sequel as coming to Steam and Xbox Series X|S. A final launch date and any additional platforms are not confirmed in the available official information.
Rank #4
- UK PSN account may be required for any online features
Because there is no announced date, there is no need to rush through the original to meet a fixed release deadline. You can play it at your own pace and return to the sequel when its schedule is clear.
Announced features are plans, not tested results
The sequel’s listing promises more slow-motion action, more than 20 handcrafted levels, 15 weapons, fully voiced cutscenes, and a new hip-hop horror-rap album. These are announced features. They describe the planned scope of the game, not independently tested performance or a final review judgment.
The listing also presents James as a vampire roaming the United States, slaying monsters, and sealing away supernatural forces unleashed on the world. That premise directly connects the sequel’s travel and mission to the consequences of the first story.
Which players can start with the sequel?
There is one defensible reason to reverse the order: you may care only about testing the sequel’s shooting when it releases. In that case, starting with the newer game can show you its weapons, movement, and announced larger scale without requiring an earlier purchase.
Best Value
- UK PSN account may be required for any online features
That approach has clear limits. You would be learning the combat while also meeting a protagonist whose personal history is already in progress. If the sequel’s story or atmosphere interests you later, you may need to go back to the original to recover the context you skipped.
| What you care about | Best starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| James and Draculae’s relationship | El Paso, Elsewhere | The original establishes their history and the personal stakes of the conflict. |
| The series’ setting and tone | El Paso, Elsewhere | The motel, supernatural rules, noir mood, and themes begin there. |
| Learning the core movement and shooting | El Paso, Elsewhere | It introduces the slow-motion dive-and-shoot loop before the sequel’s planned expansion. |
| Only sampling the newest combat design | El Paso, Elsewhere 2, when released | This is the only case where skipping ahead is reasonable, but you lose narrative setup. |
| Following the complete series arc | Original, then sequel | The sequel is explicitly set after the original and follows James’ consequences. |
Where to start and how to play the original
Digital option
The original is available digitally on Steam. This is the simplest route if you play on a compatible PC and want to begin immediately. Steam identifies Strange Scaffold as the developer and lists the original’s release date as September 26, 2023.
PlayStation 5 option
The game also has a PlayStation 5 release. Nighthawk Interactive identifies a physical edition that includes an exclusive poster and a digital copy of the original soundtrack. Those extras are part of that physical edition; they should not be assumed to accompany every digital or regional version.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Availability, pricing, and stock can vary by region and can change over time. Check the current listing for your platform before purchasing rather than relying on an old price or a launch-era offer.
A sensible first-session plan
- Begin with the original’s story mode. Treat the opening as the introduction to James, Draculae, and the motel rather than skipping directly to combat demonstrations.
- Learn the slow-motion dive controls early. The movement is central to how gunfights are staged, so practice using dives to reposition and create shooting opportunities.
- Pay attention to voiced scenes and musical presentation. The relationship and themes carry as much continuity into the sequel as the enemy encounters do.
- Finish the original before reading detailed sequel summaries. The sequel’s premise is built around consequences, so preserving the first game’s surprises improves the handoff between entries.
Original versus sequel: the practical differences
| Category | El Paso, Elsewhere | El Paso, Elsewhere 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Narrative position | The starting point for James Savage’s story and his conflict with Draculae. | Set after the original and focused on the consequences of James becoming a vampire. |
| Protagonist status | James is a narcotics-addicted monster hunter pursuing his former girlfriend. | James is newly converted into a vampire while continuing to fight supernatural threats. |
| Setting | A reality-shifting motel populated by supernatural enemies. | The official description places James roaming the United States; further setting details are not confirmed here. |
| Combat basis | Third-person shooting, slow-motion dives, and fights against werewolves and vampires. | Promises more slow-motion action with expanded weapons, abilities, and enemy variety; final hands-on balance is not established. |
| Announced scope | The released game that introduces the series. | More than 20 handcrafted levels, 15 weapons, fully voiced cutscenes, and a new hip-hop horror-rap album are announced features. |
| Availability | Available digitally on Steam and on PlayStation 5, including a physical edition. | Steam release date is to be announced; Steam and Xbox Series X|S are listed by the developer. |
What to remember before you play the sequel
- James’ vampire status is a continuation. It is an outcome of the first game’s story, not an unrelated premise.
- Draculae is more than a target. She is James’ former lover and the emotional center of the original conflict.
- The motel and slow-motion combat define the series’ starting vocabulary. The sequel may broaden that vocabulary, but the first game teaches its fundamentals.
- The release schedule is open. With the sequel still listed as “To be announced,” you can play the original without trying to finish it before a confirmed launch date.
- Announcements are not reviews. The sequel’s level count, weapon count, voiced scenes, and album are planned features until the finished game is available to assess.
Final recommendation
Play El Paso, Elsewhere before El Paso, Elsewhere 2. The sequel is explicitly post-original, follows James Savage after a major transformation, and depends on the first game’s relationship, setting, and combat foundation. Starting with the original gives you the complete narrative entry point and costs little in terms of timing because the sequel has no announced release date.
Only choose the sequel first if your sole goal is to try its newer combat systems when it launches. For everyone interested in the story, atmosphere, or James’ character arc, the correct order is the straightforward one: original first, sequel second.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
