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Post-apocalyptic RPG ELEX II came out a few weeks ago, and thousands of players are exploring its open-world setting of Magalan as we speak. Maybe you've already visited the cities of the game's five factions, are already on your second run, or perhaps you're content just exploring the wilderness and patiently carving your own path through the world?
However you choose to approach ELEX II, there are some spectacular sights and secrets that are worth marking on your map. Here are just some of our favourite places to visit in the game.
The Tallest Mountain
When you have a well fuelled and upgraded jetpack, no mountain is too high for our hero Jax. In the Outlaw home of Crater City you may pick up a quest from Porter to deliver a package to a hermit living in the side of a mountain, which gives you a good excuse to visit one of Magalan's loftiest locations.
But you don't need the quest to explore this impressive peak yourself. You'll find it not far south of Crater City, and can clearly see it from miles away (it is a solitary mountain, after all). You'll need to fight your way to the top, but the views once you get up there are incredible.
Billy Idol concert
This is one of those strangely beautiful sidequests that you either grab right near the start of the game or miss completely. You gain this quest 'passively' by listening to a radio broadcast at Bastion, announcing that there will be a concert hosted by none other than 80s rock icon Billy Idol at the amphitheatre not far north of Bastion.
After the quest appears in your log, simply turn up at the Amphitheatre then brace yourself for a couple of wild minutes in what must be one of the most unexpected video game cameos of the year. It's also the easiest 200XP you'll ever earn.
Jack's Lighthouse
Those who played the original ELEX may get some nostalgic feels visiting this place, because it's the former home of Jack, one of the more beloved characters from the game.
Whether or not that means anything to you, the lighthouse perched on a clifftop jutting out to sea is worth the climb. It's at the southern edge of the map, near the rather dangerous Southern Cliffs teleporter.
You'll need some serious jetpack skills to get to the top, but once you do you'll be rewarded not just with an incredible view, but a powerful weapon that you probably won't be able to wield until later in the game.
The edges of the map
Every great open world has those hinterlands near the edges of the map that you know you're probably not meant to go to (which is precisely why you feel so compelled to check them out). In ELEX II, those hinterlands are the verdant-looking area to the west of the map. The fact that you get there by climbing a huge steel structure makes you wonder whether there's some kind of paradise up there where Jax can finally settle down away from all the chaos of Magalan.
Sadly, that's not the case. The area is a toxic wasteland that will kill you pretty quickly unless you go in packing a lot of health and general remedies. We made the treacherous journey ourselves so you don't have to (though if you somehow figure out a way to acquire unlimited life, then it could be a fascinating place to explore).
Crater City
Each of the faction-held cities in Magalan has its own flavour - from the cold steely compound of the Albs to the ancient stone keeps of the Clerics - but none feels quite as livelyl as Crater City, home of the Outlaw faction.
With its corrugated shacks and precarious walkways over waters that look like they'd sizzle your flesh to the bone if you stuck your hand in them, Crater City has the feel of a post-apocalyptic frontier town, filled with bounty hunters, vagabonds and opportunities for less scrupulous players. Oh, and no laws against stealing or fighting here, so it's a place where you can really let your inner criminal run wild.
Has our locations guide tickled your urge for exploration? Then grab your copy of ELEX II now and start your adventure in one of the biggest open-world RPGs of the year.
