El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron

A game like El Shaddai is something that comes along only a few times in each console generation. The beautiful visuals, fantastic environments, solid (though slightly flawed) gameplay, and rich mythology combine to make a game quite unlike anything you've ever played.

A visually arresting experience I wholeheartedly loved...A rare treat of a game and a celebration of video games as an art form. [Sept 2011, p.88]

This game is a game of beauty, of love, of loss, but most importantly this is a game that showcases every aspect of El Shaddai, or God Almighty.

It's bound for cult status, but this divine action game deserves to be experienced by all. [Nov 2011, p.80]

Though El Shaddai could've used a little more replay value (or perhaps even some online multiplayer – not just leaderboard support), this game definitely looks and sounds like the sort of product that deserves multiple playthroughs, if only to relive its majesty for repeat visits and see what a talented development team can do.

Many games aspire toward aesthetic sophistication, but only a precious few manage to emerge as great game in the process. El Shaddai achieves this, and it leaves you smitten and awestruck. It's both simple to grasp and rich enough to keep you coming back for more. Those seeking something refreshingly different will be well rewarded by this rare and original experience.

It's a pity that a game with such phenomenal and unusual visuals has such simple game mechanics, being a simple slasher that uses just one attack button and offers a limited array of enemies. [November 2011, p.70]

El Shaddai offers a unique experience trough fantastically weird environments, accompanied by beautifully fitting music. Along with the solid gameplay it makes for a great game, though it is slightly pestered by a lack of variation and camera issues.

Ignition has created the probably best designed experience of 2011, that together with a combination of a unique presentation and deep combat will make your heart bleed and soul sing.

A game that's less concerned with making you think and more with making you feel. [Issue#113, p.106]

It can feel a little dated in terms of its approach to combat, but the game is so beautiful, so different, so utterly weird and wonderful that this is of no real consequence.

A beautifully crafted game that brings us to a magic world that doesn't take itself too seriously. With splendid artistic design, it lacks in gameplay, which is too classic in the hack 'n' slash genre and becomes repetitive quickly.

Like a kaleidoscope, El Shaddai offers a constant variety – sometimes confusing and out of focus, but often sparkling brilliantly. So long as you're not looking for any deeper meaning, you'll find plenty of novelty and beauty here, if not quite an eternity.

If you're stuck for a Devil May Cry substitute, give this a whirl. It's a little too scanty to qualify as God's gift to action gaming, but it's definitely going to heaven when it dies.

Those who are prepared to forgive El Shaddai its eccentricities will truly adore it. This game is capable of garnering cult-like worship, which in a way is fitting, given its source material.

Even more so than the likes of Child of Eden or Okami, El Shaddai is one of those rare games that's worth playing simply for the quality of its art direction alone, crushing the idea that only games with standout gameplay are deserving of your time.

A divine game that behaves like a classical painting. Color and design in a game of jumps and nonstop action. Everything is traditional and uneventful, but everything is beautiful. El Shaddai is certainly a different product.

El Shaddai is such a gorgeous game that it would have been worth playing even if the combat was merely average. But developer Ignition Entertainment gave reasons to play beyond its outstanding visual design. The combat system makes excellent use of its narrow moveset to create an enticing experience that demands focus and determination to prevail.

It paints so beautifully on its canvas that we feel anyone could enjoy that, though we wish the gameplay could always be as grand as the visual design. The combat never falters, but doesn't do enough new, and at times the platforming drags, though that shouldn't deter you from the overall experience.

Truly a masterpiece in terms of graphics and soundtrack, but loses itself when it comes to playing the game, especially the combat system too much limited. The story is quite interesting, it takes a lot of references from different religions, but the plot sometimes shows huge holes and characters without a background story.

I like about a half of it, and I dislike the other half. I like it as an art piece and I dislike it as a game. Heck, I'd say that its actually much more fun to watch than it is to play.

El Shaddai has its frustrations and annoyances making it something of an acquired taste, but if you can get a feel for the rhythm-based hack and slash gameplay, and if you find the game's eclectic and achingly beautiful art style as arresting as we did, then you'll be in for a divine treat that's unlike anything you've played before.

Despite a wonderful art design and graphics and sound at the state of art El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron is not the masterpiece we were looking for. The team lost the way, expanding the richness of visual style but forgetting about the real deal: gameplay.

Despite it's downfalls, El Shaddai is a memorable experience from start to finish. It offers a quirkiness and sense of style that is not only unique, it's surprisingly refreshing.

A crazy, constantly surprising switch of gaming styles. [Nov 2011, p.106]

A unique game, with great and distinctive artistic design; if you can turn a blind eye on the somewhat repetitive gameplay and quite short longevity, it could prove to be one of the most memorable visual experiences of this generation.

Is El Shaddai unconventional just for the sake of being different, or were the developers going for something bigger? Is being such an abstract game (on multiple levels) the overall point? Ultimately, I don't know the answer to these questions, but I'd definitely call El Shaddai an unconventional game and an entertaining adventure despite some of the creative gaps.

Between the stages' constantly changing art style, the strange story, the unforgettable cast, and the novel take on action combat, this game is definitely worth checking out for people seeking something new. [Sept 2011, p.74]

Perhaps the most artistically beautiful game I've ever played, it's easy to get lost in the gorgeous environments. Once or twice the art style did take away from the gameplay, appearing as if static was affecting my television and making depth perception harder to comprehend.

This obscure take on a legend of the Jewish religion has a remarkable art direction and some of the most beautiful graphics we've ever seen. Too bad the combat system is shallow and the overall gameplay doesn't live up to the standards of the art department.

One of the best visual experiments of the last few years.

Through its boldly chosen subject matter, ravishing good looks and slick mechanics El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron is without question a title that deserves to be played – the big question mark that hangs over it is whether you'll engage with it enough to care or to want to come back for second helpings.

Gorgeous, enjoyable and absolutely nutty, El Shaddai is full of ideas. However, it doesn't put them all to good use, and its beautiful world is merely a facade to dress up the repetitive combat. [Issue#76, p.86]

A game unlike no other. Every minor failing in gameplay or plot was cancelled out by a graphical marvel or auditory explosion.

El Shaddai is an unconventional and beautiful game that seduces with its ideas rather than its gameplay.

El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron is a linear action-brawler, and at some basic levels of design no more ambitious than your standard God of War game.

Ambitious and gorgeous, but too simplistic and repetitive.

A game this rich in inspiration and bizarre in interpretation should be beheld; to be played, it seems, was not El Shaddai's priority.

El Shaddai is a game that seduces with its looks, atmosphere and little ideas rather than its gameplay. This beat'em all is far from a Bayonetta or a God of War for sure, but it mesmerizes nonetheless with its hallucinated and daring visuals, its soundtrack and its very personal way - to say the least - of interpreting a religious text. One does not come out unscathed from the experience... whether it is in a good or bad way, depending on one's appreciation of the value of the form over the substance, or the artistic approach over the efficiency of a gameplay.

This game is all about the looks: the imagery on offer here is simply spectacular. But what is the message? We have no clue. The gameplay is lacking and overly simplistic. If you're looking for the next "art-game", look no further, but don't expect to play something that's truly fun.

In the end, El Shaddai attempts to do too much, and much of what it does it doesn't do well.

El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron could have been a well executed mix of action and platforming, with a unique and artistic look. The combat system is interesting at first, but turns out to be too monotone and simple. With better combat mechanics and a more interesting story, it would have more to offer than simply good looks.