A Genre Mash-Up that Tackles Inner Demons and Love Gone Wrong
“Love, ‘El Paso, Elsewhere’ tells us at the start, is a one-way trip. Should it end — and let’s be clear, it usually does — there’s no returning to the person we were pre-heartbreak. And sometimes the days, weeks and months post-heartbreak are when the true carnage begins.”
Set inside a suffocating Texas motel, “El Paso, Elsewhere” is not your typical video game. It combines elements of a third-person shooter with metaphorical meditations on the trauma of heartache. Inspired by both the classic video game “Max Payne” and the early work of Quentin Tarantino, this game challenges players on multiple levels.
As we navigate through bullets and high-flying dives to battle demonic monsters, the game also forces us to confront the terrors that hit closer to home. The protagonist, a recovering addict named James Savage, grapples with addiction, toxic relationships, and the emotional scars they leave behind. But it’s not just about saving the world; it’s about coming to terms with our inner demons.
Xalavier Nelson Jr., the 25-year-old creator of the game, explains that “El Paso, Elsewhere” started as a love letter to “Max Payne,” but it evolved into something much deeper and more personal. The layers of irony and parody were stripped away to create an experience that is real, vulnerable, and open to criticism.
A Personal Journey Wrapped in Horror
Nelson admits that the game contains elements of his own experiences, although it is not fully autobiographical. He wanted to explore the complex reality of love and the lingering effects of traumatic relationships. By blending his personal emotions with the game’s fantastical backdrop, he created a story that is both distressing and utterly human.
The game’s protagonist, James Savage, finds himself in a battle against the Lord of the Vampires, who also happens to be his ex-lover. The shooter fantasy serves as a metaphor for the lingering effects of love gone wrong, as well as the trauma and weirdness that come from being in a toxic relationship.
But “El Paso, Elsewhere” is more than just a shooter. It delves into the all-consuming nature of heartbreak and the way it can derail our lives. The game’s cutting dialogue and references to addiction highlight the dangers of self-medication and the difficulty of moving on. It’s a journey that resonates with players, even if they haven’t battled mummified corpses or faced off against biblical angels.
A Sobering Journey Towards Healing
The creation of “El Paso, Elsewhere” has been a sobering experience for Nelson. He feels a responsibility to take the lessons from the story seriously and to see his own scars as beautiful and worth fighting for. The game’s motto, “You keep going,” reflects the resilience needed to confront the memories of past relationships and move forward.
While “El Paso, Elsewhere” may not be your typical video game, it offers a unique and personal perspective on heartbreak and the journey towards healing. It’s a game that challenges us to confront our inner demons and find strength in the face of adversity. And in doing so, it proves that love, even when it ends, can still shape us in profound and unexpected ways.
