Update 4/5/26: Just found out the devs purposely released the game without fixing the original game breaking bug that caused it to crash repeatedly. In other words the game has not been fixed, it has never been fixed once in 14 years, they are selling you the same bug from 14 years ago... on purpose this time. I am never trusting Stardock again.

Update as of 4/3/26 Build 1.01: Turn 1 crashes are back. Oh lets not joke. They never left. Game runs more smoothly with less or almost no lag. Still likes to randomly crash for no reason. The famous memory leak bug again. Regardless of the improvements and paint job all I'm seeing is the same damn bug from 2012.

*Sighs* You know what, I quit... again. Congrats Stardock, serious. Good job. Got me to buy the same game 5 times now over 15 years and it still doesn't work. I know you're working hard on it. I can see the improvements and efforts. I know is only been a few months but you got to understand. It hasn't been a few months for me. its been 15 years. So what now? Think you can get it working by the time you get that DLC you all were talking about out?

So, another year maybe? Hell, take another 10 or so. At this point really, what's the difference? Looking forward to 2036 when Elemental: Reforged Ultimate Ed comes out. Sure it will work by than and... I'll probably buy it again.

Update as of 3/29/26: Its exited Early Access. Much more functional. Still acts odd at times.
~ Loading from manual saves will sometimes delete the build queue (The items are still there. they're being built and added... you just can't see them).

~ Movement is a bit janky as units 'think' they can move on impassible titles so they'll move onto them while pathfinding, realize they can't walk on, and then get rubbber band to the last valid title.

~ Functional does not mean 'running smoothly'. While getting all these systems smashed together and running is damn impressive, its made the game very unoptimized as a result. Systems that were able to run the old game or even the early access smoothly will find their game chugging on larger maps by mid-game time. Lags, freezes, outright crashes due to performance issues on older setups will plague you. While Elemental: Reforged may be the Elemental for the next generation, but it also demands a next generation computer to run and with RAM and Chip prices skyrocketing because of AI and a certain someone in a certain house playing in the sand you are ♥♥♥♥♥♥ if you are in that group that needs an upgrade to fully enjoy this game.

~Old review
Clearly still Early Access and prone to lock ups and crashes, Otherwise functions like the old Elemental: Fallen Enchantress, which is good, because I do love that game.

I'm still really on fence about this. I mean, this game has been made 3 times, 4 now with this, and I've bought it 3 times, 4 now with this version, and... in each version the game... didn't work.... well to put it nicely. I have long gave up hope that this game will ever work yet here I am again, 15 years later after the first buying it again and I honestly feel stupid.

I feel like I shouldn't be giving this game anymore chances. I feel I shouldn't be giving this game anymore money. Like OMG I'm the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ stupid person who keeps coming back to an abusive relationship and it bugs the hell out of me. Look look!

I spent 5 hours testing the glitchy BETA. I CANNOT RETURN THIS! I AM ♥♥♥♥♥♥ IF THEY ♥♥♥♥ THIS AGAIN!

*Sighs* So please don't.

I have a lot of memories with this game. It be great if it work... this time.

You know I've wanted to play this game for so long. Everyone and everything shows and says its really fun, but... reality is different from fiction.

The base gameplay loop, difficulty, and modes are too short, too passive, and too easy to offer any real challenge or enjoyment. The only mode that offers any real challenge is Empire mode, but again. The standard difficulty is too easy to make this enjoyable and the higher difficulties give so many AI chest that the game becomes next to impossible without exploiting the system to the point that is just not fun to play.

At this point I'm just haphazardly going through the monster hunt list to just knock out achievements without really enjoying the process.

I do hope the other installments are more... fun than the first as this has been a huge disappointment so far.