Strange Scaffold has released a free PC demo for El Paso, Elsewhere 2, available ahead of Steam Next Fest. The full game is scheduled to launch in 2027 for Windows PC and Xbox Series X, following a collaboration with publisher Frosty Pop.
Continuing the story of James Savage
Set a few years after the 2023 original game, the sequel follows vampire hunter James Savage. Having reckoned with an addiction problem, Savage no longer relies on pills to heal. Instead, the sequel introduces a mechanic where players use a glass stake to turn monsters into “Capri Suns” to recover health. The narrative kicks off with a betrayal, as a confidant buries Savage alive and sends him to a monster-infested Void ruled by an Eldritch God.
Director Xalavier Nelson Jr. noted that the fictional in-game radio program, Pill Cop, will return in the sequel. The satirical program will feature Pill Cop facing a hostage situation on a building ledge.
Gameplay changes and inspirations
While retaining its low-poly PlayStation 2-era aesthetic, El Paso, Elsewhere 2 features several design shifts. Savage’s signature trench coat has been permanently removed due to technical bugs from the first game. Combat encounters now take place across more open environments, such as a dingy swamp, introducing greater verticality through a vampire double-jump designed to combat flying gargoyles.
Nelson described the gameplay style as “the Quake to El Paso, Elsewhere’s Doom,” citing inspirations from classic titles including Castlevania and Resident Evil 4. The enemy roster has expanded to include zombies, cauldron-stirring witches, and mafioso vampires alongside a modified Tommy gun that fires stakes.
The project’s scope has also been scaled down from 50 levels in the original game to 20 levels in the sequel, with the development team focusing on introducing unique ideas in each level rather than repeating past shootouts.