Few indie shooters made quite the impression that El Paso, Elsewhere did back in 2023, blending explosive Max Payne-inspired action with a surprisingly emotional neo-noir story. Now, developer Strange Scaffold is ready to continue that journey, officially unveiling El Paso, Elsewhere 2 during the PC Gaming Show.
Set to launch in 2027 on Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam, the sequel promises a bigger adventure, stranger worlds, more monsters and an even deeper dive into the supernatural struggles of protagonist James Savage.
At A Glance
- El Paso, Elsewhere 2 announced at the PC Gaming Show
- Launching in 2027
- Coming to Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam
- James Savage returns as the protagonist
- Features 20+ handcrafted levels and supernatural powers
- New weapons, enemies and fully voiced story campaign
James Savage Is Back
Picking up after the events of the original game, El Paso, Elsewhere 2 once again puts players in control of James Savage, the monster hunter whose battles with the supernatural are far from over.
This time, James finds himself dragged into the Void itself after being betrayed by someone close to him. In order to repay a terrible debt owed to an eldritch horror, he must venture deeper into increasingly bizarre realms filled with deadly creatures and impossible environments.
And whilst the first game saw James forced to confront the monster he once loved. Now he faces a different challenge entirely – saving the very person who betrayed him.
Bigger Worlds, Stranger Enemies
While the original confined much of its action to a reality-warping motel, El Paso, Elsewhere 2 is dramatically expanding its scope.
Players will battle across more than 20 handcrafted levels spanning locations that range from twisted nightclubs and multi-dimensional libraries to eerie suburban streets and eldritch strongholds. The enemy roster is growing too. Alongside returning supernatural threats, players will face gargoyles, possessed animatronics, goblin shamans, Frankenstein-inspired monsters and even biblically accurate angels.
Of course, combat remains at the heart of the experience. James gains a range of vampiric abilities that allow him to dive through the air, launch acrobatic attacks and draw power from defeated enemies. Combined with a varied arsenal of fifteen weapons, players will have plenty of tools available when tackling the game’s supernatural horrors.
The arsenal includes everything from classic revolvers and automatic shotguns through to a Tommy Gun that fires vampire-killing stakes.
If the first game was about stylish action, the sequel appears determined to push that spectacle even further.
The Music Matters Again
One of the most memorable aspects of El Paso, Elsewhere was its soundtrack, particularly its original horror-inspired hip-hop tracks.
That’s returning for the sequel, with RJ Lake once again producing an original horror rap album to accompany the story. A separate instrumental soundtrack from Chicago producer kalibration will also feature throughout the adventure.
Building On An Indie Success Story
Studio head Xalavier Nelson Jr. admitted that making the first El Paso, Elsewhere almost pushed Strange Scaffold to breaking point, making the announcement of a sequel all the more significant.
“Strange Scaffold nearly closed in the process of making the first El Paso, Elsewhere. It’s a game I never thought we’d have a chance to build a sequel for,” says Strange Scaffold studio head Xalavier Nelson Jr. “So, we’re going to build on the things that worked in the original game, including our existing pieces of art, to create exciting gameplay we never could have even imagined before. I can’t wait for folks to see how far James Savage can go.“
Thankfully, the gamble paid off. The original game earned critical acclaim for its fast-paced gameplay, distinctive style and surprisingly heartfelt storytelling. Now the team has the opportunity to build upon those foundations with a larger budget and even bigger ambitions.
For fans of the first game, El Paso, Elsewhere 2 looks set to deliver more of everything that made James Savage’s first supernatural journey so memorable. We’ll keep you looped.
