To begin with gameplay; El Shaddai's gameplay is a mix of good ideas on a by-the-books foundation. The gameplay is split up between combat and platforming. The platforming is the standard platforming gameplay one would find in the classic SNES/Genesis platformers that weren't Mario or Sonic; by which I mean: the platforming provides no surprises or innovation. Combat, on other hand, provides something slightly innovative: timing-based combos. Sure, Bayonetta and other 3D action games have implemented timing-based combos before, but El Shaddai's battle system completely revolves around this gameplay system. At first, the timing-based combos feel innovative and satisfying, but once you've discovered all of the combos the games three weapons can do, combat begins to feel repetitive. The repetitiveness of combat becomes even more noticeable once you've fought against all of the games enemy types, of which there are only four. Boss battles mix up the gameplay slightly, but not enough that one's tactics need to change too much from normal battles. El Shaddai's combat and platforming never truly ask any more out of the player aside from the basic bread-and-butter tactics it teaches you in the beginning tutorials, and that's where the disappointment lies: El Shaddai never asks more than a skill level slightly higher than button-mashing, so even though you could perform high count combos and air combos, no score system (until post game at least), hidden goodies, or new paths provide you any incentive to try harder.
El Shaddai's most head-turning trait is its graphics. However, what needs to be noticed is that the graphics in this game that are amazing are those within the backgrounds of the stages, and nothing else. The character models, enemies, bosses, platforms, and usable/destructable objects are all either standard fair or disappointing in graphic design. However, while the backgrounds are simply set pieces we cannot interact with, there is no denying their impact within the game. They are beautiful, and the developers should definitely be credited for putting such imagination on display. However, it's disappointing how the player doesn't interact with the backgrounds much, and they become something simply to look at rather than interact with. Also, unfortunately, the impact of the settings are either too brief or overstay their welcome; for example, the stage set in a futuristic environment is perhaps the game's most impressive, however, the player's stay in this area is very brief, which is disappointing. The graphical techniques used within El Shaddai definitely deserve credit for their beauty, but their execution is rather disappointing.
El Shaddai's soundtrack is very impressive in it's execution, and is very enjoyable as a result. Angelic and beautiful at one moment, while haunting and intense in another moment; it all works very well, and some tracks deserve a listen outside of the game itself. The only problem with the soundtrack comes from the fact that because the story provides little impact, so too does the soundtrack in specific parts of the game. In the best soundtracks, people can listen to a piece and know exactly when in the game the particular piece played and what the piece symbolizes; this is not the case with El Shaddai.
El Shaddai has a story, but it's nothing special other than being a story based in Christian mythology, something not seen much in stories in videogames. The story's execution is very disappointing, as the game never develops a personality for Enoch, nor does it create an atmosphere that makes you care for the characters. As the story plays out, it's hard to sympathize with the characters or really care about where the story is going. The foundation of the story was good, but because the developers really tried to develop a serious story, it's really noticeable how hard the story falls on its face. If the developers had opted to go a route similar to Metroid or Outland where the story elements were very minimal and the player can fill in the blanks themselves, the story may have actually been more interesting.
As far as replay value is concerned; other than two more difficulty levels, a score system (with online rankings), and a few side items to find in the game's stages, there really isn't much incentive to play El Shaddai more than once, mainly because the extras involve the gameplay, which is quite repetitive.
In terms of satisfaction; El Shaddai is an action game that gets a par for the course. It's background graphics are impressive, but don't provide much impact. When all is said and done, El Shaddai is a very forgettable game. Enoch is a very forgettable protagonist, the story is boring and forgettable, and there are no impactful moments of gameplay within the game either. It's a game worth playing if you're interested in beautiful art, and seeing how well such art can be integrated into a videogame, but that's about it.
Overall, El Shaddai isn't a bad game in any way, nor is it a game that excels in any way. It's true that El Shaddai's backgrounds are very impressive, but it is simply the art style that gives the graphics their impact, not the graphics execution itself. Gameplay-wise, El Shaddai had some decent ideas, but didn't expand upon them with content. In the past, one may have been able to get away with some critical acclaim for the amount of content El Shaddai provides, but not now. Hopefully, the team behind El Shaddai will take their experience from El Shaddai and put it towards a more complex and content-rich package, because it would be a shame for a team as talented as this to fall into obscurity.
Originally launched in 2011, El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron is coming to Nintendo Switch, so It's time to look back at the original.
Still have my ps3 copies. Bought it at launch and another one when I found it cheap and in perfect condition about 10 years ago. I wouldn’t buy it on Switch but if they made a PS5 version I would. I still have one of my PS3 Fats hooked up so good to go either way.
Id play it again on the switch. I wished my 360 version was bc but this is still a good way to play.
Takeyasu Sawaki himself appeared in a video to announce that he's working on a Nintendo Switch port of El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron.
Can we get a ps5/xsx version? It's hell trying to find a copy of this game without breaking the bank
It's on steam, and ebay copys are pretty cheap tbh ps3 and 360.
I think for those consoles they would need to see more demand, i would be surprised to see it ported on there. It's not a well known game.
Hmm yea I see your point on ps3. I had done a general search and saw xbox copies and ps3 copies for cheap, noticed their mostly japanese copies, bummer.
I have this on 360, pretty cool game. sucks it was not bc but its nice that it is getting a switch version.
I just looked up the prices. Good grief... I have it on PS3, but having it on the go sounds cool.
Honestly, this game is pure art. Haven't quite experienced a game that's as varied and elegant with the art direction as this game was.
Sometimes, when one culture borrows from another, the result is an amazing and surreal romp through Antediluvian times with Archangel Lucifel at your side. Just remember to be respectful.
Oh dear god, i hate this term so damn much. We've spend centuries trying to share, accept, and take part in eachothers culture. Now all of a sudden it's bad to do so, and instead people should stay seperate from eachothers culture? It's so dumb and regressive i dont get it. People really need to ditch this "i'm special" mentality, it's sending us back decades fast.
We had the same people going around trying to cancel Ghost of Tsushima just because it wasn't a Japanese developer too 🙃🙃🙃
I don't think people understand that you can appreciate culture that is not your own.
It's mostly white liberals who complain about that stuff. They love trying to be every races' damn hero.
@oof6781, can you really blame them, they inherited so much shame that they feel the need to make up for it. I hate all this white shaming and just want things to be somewhat normal. Equality is when Bill Burr gets the same applause that Dave Chappelle gets when he says something anti pc or cancelling Pedro Pascal along with Gina Carano for exaggerating the treatments of immigrants or Republicans.
Removing Men's and Women's sections at department stores is also very stupid, if you want to wear a skirt just go to the women's section, it's not that hard to figure out, no need to complicate things for the other 99 percent.
Cultural appropriation... god just seeing the word makes me want to puke. I’m sure the devs, like everyone else at this time, had no idea what the hell cultural appropriation was when making this game nor do they care about it. They just had an awesome idea and a unique vision. I am so sick of this Politically Correct bs. Even making a article about this seems wrong and I bet we get less “cultural appropriated” works just for even mentioning it good or bad.
Thanks for the good review, I was about to pass this. Guess I will.
Sounds exactly how I thought the game will turn out.
Meh, the game might not be as good as some thought, Still I have nothing to believe from someone who compares this to Bayonetta and Vanquish.Which are both quite the mainstream teen product, and way overrated by the way.
Guess you did not enjoy Catherine because it's not similar enough to Ninja Gaiden 2./s