El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron

 Xbox 360
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 52
  3. Negative: 9 out of 52
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  1. temukno
    Aug 25, 2011
    9
    La primeras horas de juego me dejaron muy buena impresión, la historia engancha y el sistema de combate poco a poco va dejando ver su potencial, gráficamente impecable. Recomiendo el juego.
  2. MegWhiteley
    Mar 2, 2012
    10
    I think that is a incomprended title, because The Shaddai is a beautiful game, with a strange story, is a really classic. The controls, graphics, gameplay, all do an awesome game.
  3. wesker2012
    Mar 1, 2013
    5
    I love the unpredictable, trippy, ethereal artsyle and simplicity of this game along with the amazing soundtrack and voice narration. The downfalls of the game are its repetitive combat. If the combat was more fleshed out, the game would be a lot more fun to play and one of my favorite games. It had the potential to be one of the best games ever. Still an interesting playthough even thoughI love the unpredictable, trippy, ethereal artsyle and simplicity of this game along with the amazing soundtrack and voice narration. The downfalls of the game are its repetitive combat. If the combat was more fleshed out, the game would be a lot more fun to play and one of my favorite games. It had the potential to be one of the best games ever. Still an interesting playthough even though a lot of the time feels like more of a chore than a game.… Expand
  4. havberg
    Jun 1, 2013
    2
    I have bought a decent amount of bad games but this tops it all. I admit that while the graphics are unusual and interesting it can not redeem the whole game.

    The story is some Jewish-christian tale taken from the Bible and as an idea I found it intriguing. But the game barely tells you any of the background of this story and all I understood was that my dude's name was Eunuch (or    I have bought a decent amount of bad games but this tops it all. I admit that while the graphics are unusual and interesting it can not redeem the whole game.

    The story is some Jewish-christian tale taken from the Bible and as an idea I found it intriguing. But the game barely tells you any of the background of this story and all I understood was that my dude's name was Eunuch (or something like that), I must defeat the fallen angels and this guy who helps me by talking on the phone is actually talking to God.

    Game play sounded exciting at first, but after trying it I realized that there are 3 different weapons you can use and 7 different enemy types bosses. So I thought it's cool and complex at first, then I realized that I can just take the ranged type weapon and spam the attack and jump button to kill all the enemies. The boss fights were a nice change of pace but not enough to divert you from the boring combat that kept on repeating itself. Moving around is done by platforming around, with not too great controls might I add, and the game repeated that jump, fight, jump, fight, go to some kind of freakish teleport and jump and fight again

    The game also likes to jump to some totally random boss fights that you can't win and just leaves you with a WTF feeling and just puts you back to the place where you originally were.

    So the only thing that I found to be good was the soundtrack and the graphics. Sometimes I would just stop fighting to listen to the background music and the visuals are stunning. Even the 2D phases looked good and I mostly enjoyed watching the scenery of this game.

    So to sum it up, good scenery and music. game play and story, unless you deem it worth it to research the story yourself, and not worth the relatively high price, even when bought used    … Expand
  5. TundraFreeze
    Aug 26, 2013
    10
    It is the unique artistic design, storyline and topic that makes El Shaddai a unique gaming experience. Nothing like it exists on console, you have to look at modern indie PC games for equally unique visuals. So if you want a game that stands out on your shelf this is it. The gameplay is a combination of 2D and 3D platforming with combat. Mostly combat though. The combat is not overlyIt is the unique artistic design, storyline and topic that makes El Shaddai a unique gaming experience. Nothing like it exists on console, you have to look at modern indie PC games for equally unique visuals. So if you want a game that stands out on your shelf this is it. The gameplay is a combination of 2D and 3D platforming with combat. Mostly combat though. The combat is not overly technical you only have to memorize ten or so button combinations, which is not a lot for this type of game. However having less button combinations to memorize made the game more enjoyable to me, I prefer being able to master a few moves over trying to recollect a tonne of them. I simply have more fun this way. Besides, mastering them can be difficult and the enemies are not that easy to beat. In addition, enemies require you to use specific weapons in order to beat them in the most efficient way. So there is a heavy trial and error aspect to El Shaddai. You also don't have much armor and health. By now you should realize that this is definitely not a button-mashing game. You need to play smart and master the combat. I had a great time with El Shaddai, I have done two playthroughs of it since I first bought it. For me the game has a high replay value because of the unique visuals and uncomplicated combat style. Like I said earlier, nothing like it exists on the 360 console.… Expand
  6. SaucyGit
    Sep 4, 2011
    4
    I was intrigued by the first good reviews even though the game was based on the bible. Which the bible was based on past religions from the grecian times, so maybe it might be good based on this idea. This was not the case at all. The beginning of this game is kinda goofy, with no complete pretext on whats going on and this continues throughout the whole game. Fight bosses in tower...O,K.,I was intrigued by the first good reviews even though the game was based on the bible. Which the bible was based on past religions from the grecian times, so maybe it might be good based on this idea. This was not the case at all. The beginning of this game is kinda goofy, with no complete pretext on whats going on and this continues throughout the whole game. Fight bosses in tower...O,K., I can do that, but it continues to par you up to bosses that have a script to kill you and kill you good. No chance what so ever. I know this is a method used in this game to give you an idea on how far you need to go or how far you have come along, but it fails because of the dragging load times and annoying reminders of how to stay alive. Another method used is platforming. Platforming has become rampant in recent games and I loathe it in this day and age no matter how 'pretty' it is. It's linear and sleep inducing. it's jumping and falling. It's repetitive and all 60 dollar games should not have this in it in this day and age. another very awful mechanic is the cut scene, death scenes. Jumping in the darkness when 'searching' for bones leads to a painful death and credits screen about 5 min in length. Torture. I tried to give this game a chance just to say I finished it, but I couldn't take the repetitiveness of waiting for the game to load only to die again and again and again. I did play it on the hardest setting but my Xbox Hard drive had more action than I did playing this game. The back ground design of levels is amazing but you can't venture into it. This game, in total, is a waste of a visual designers talents meets a horrible game designer, in my opinion. Rent, if you like being tortured and not in a Demons souls way either. Oh and by the way this game has a total of probably 7 types of enemies and 3 weapons.… Expand
  7. SacrificAbomina
    Aug 18, 2011
    9
    If you were expecting an action game that can compete with Bayonetta and God of War, then El Shaddai is not the game for you, but it is in no way bad. El shaddai is probably the most artsy game I have played since Okami which is not too surprising since it is the same producer who headed the design of both games. El Shaddai's visual style and art is among the best I have seen thisIf you were expecting an action game that can compete with Bayonetta and God of War, then El Shaddai is not the game for you, but it is in no way bad. El shaddai is probably the most artsy game I have played since Okami which is not too surprising since it is the same producer who headed the design of both games. El Shaddai's visual style and art is among the best I have seen this generation, and it is accomplished with less polygons than most game have this generation. Most of El Shaddai's art seems to be done with filters you would find in photoshop, but super imposed on 3D models. Another aspect of the art that really stands out is that every area in this game has a different look and feel which makes it visually entertaining.

    This is a game though and it isn't good without good gameplay. Unfortunately, this aspect is completely up to the player and how they play. At first I hated the setup because it was literally run through a field until you reach an arena where you can fight some enemies, but as the game progressed this changed drastically as 2D and 3D platforming elements and some other concepts (unique to each area) like bike riding were added in.

    The combat is essentially a 4 button combat system (attack, jump, block, purify) and before anyone says that this sounds awful there are many things that make this combat system deep and entertaining. For instance if I attack an enemy wait a second or two and attack again Enoch will perform a guard break. If I hold down the attack button Enoch will perform a heavy hitting attack. There are also combinations with the jump and block buttons. The purify button can be used to restore a weapon to it's full strength and allows Enoch to steal enemy weapons. This game has 3 weapons (Arc, Gale, and Veil) and each acts differently when used in combination with the attack, jump, and block buttons. The Arc is kind of a sword like weapon, used for quick attacks, the Gale is a long range weapon, and the Veil is a melee weapon, for heavy hits. Each weapon is good for certain situations, and can be bad for others. Another nice tool that shows up during boss battles is a visor like ring that allows Enoch to see which weapons are effective against the boss.

    There are some downsides to this game and some can be very frustrating. For instance while the 2D platforming can be some of the best platforming segments of the game the 3D platforming sections can be an absolute nightmare. There is an entire section of this game that is 3D platforming at its worst, and this can be easily blamed on the visual style of the game. It's hard to judge distances when two platforms look like one from a distance because the art style makes it seem that way. This game is forgiving though and one misstep doesn't mean a long trek back to the same spot where another misstep sends you back on the long trek to the same spot. Most of the time you will end up on one of a few platforms back from the one you fell from.

    Even though this game has some minor issues it is one of the best looking and fairly fun games I have played recently.    … Expand
  8. RickyBooby
    Aug 23, 2013
    2
    More like MetaBOMB! Wow. I've played well over 500 games. This is top 5 for worst ever. The first 2-3 chapters you assume they're creating the story, so you are more forgiving of the rambling, confusing non-sense. By the time you're wrapping up Chapter 12, you realized you've been playing for hours, have no idea what is actually going on, and your hands are tired from mindlessly mashingMore like MetaBOMB! Wow. I've played well over 500 games. This is top 5 for worst ever. The first 2-3 chapters you assume they're creating the story, so you are more forgiving of the rambling, confusing non-sense. By the time you're wrapping up Chapter 12, you realized you've been playing for hours, have no idea what is actually going on, and your hands are tired from mindlessly mashing buttons. I could end the review with that, but there are so many more points of rage:
    1) During your first playthrough, there is no health gauge for you or bosses. Annoying, but enraging when you learn that on a second playthrough you can unlock that. Also, you can unlock scores on second playthroughs.
    2) 3 weapons. 3 weapons the whole game, with one being vastly superior and merely requiring button spamming
    3) Literally minutes of just walking down a corridor. Maybe so the dev can load the next scene? Maybe because in game design school they were absent on the day they discussed fun. Whatever the reason, I'd say in total, I spent 20 minutes simply walking in a black room with a light tunnel ahead. Seriously.
    4) Cheap bosses. Remember those old fighters where you'd play against some jerk who leg swept you 12 times then delivered an uppercut since the animations prevented you from blocking, moving, or doing anything about it? Yup...welcome to the tactics of about half the bosses. It's not overly difficult to avoid, but when you do...brace yourself for rage.
    5) Platforming with a miserable camera angle. We've been playing games for over 30 years. You'd think that by this point silly jump puzzles and platforming portions that were done poorly would at least have the common courtesy of giving you a decent camera angle. With El Shaddai...you thought wrong.

    The positives? This game has a really neat art style, the music builds up to epic during intense battles, and visually it's neat to see a different type of game tried. Unfortunately with the shallow gameplay, non-sensical story, horrific design choices, and maddening omissions, this game is dreadful. I bought it on XBL for $3. I overpaid.    … Expand
  9. Sandrick
    Mar 1, 2013
    9
    This is going to be a cult hit if it isn't already. It DOES have flaws, such as a fixed camera that makes jumping t some platforms extremely tough, however playing this game is an experience that you will ALWAYS remember. It is so weird, so unique, so memorable of a story and a setting. With the unconventional view on angels and It reminds me a little bit of reading "Preacher" with theThis is going to be a cult hit if it isn't already. It DOES have flaws, such as a fixed camera that makes jumping t some platforms extremely tough, however playing this game is an experience that you will ALWAYS remember. It is so weird, so unique, so memorable of a story and a setting. With the unconventional view on angels and It reminds me a little bit of reading "Preacher" with the unconventional view on angels and God's kingdom, mixed with the escalating strangeness of one of David Lynch's films just when you think it can't get any weirder it does. Think of it as a mix of Okami, Devil May Cry, Preacher, a Lynch movie, and Deadly premonition all rolled up together and you will have a good idea what it is about...

    Unfortunately, a lot of people will miss the point of this game and dismiss it as being weird for weirdnesses sake, but I found it to be mesmerizingly beautiful and entrancingly puzzling. One has to wonder what drugs the developers were on to come up with some of the material here, but you cannot help wanting to get to the end of this very very odd yet beautiful trip. Best part- got this on XBOX 360 sale for only 2.99! Double win.    … Expand
  10. drlowdon
    Jul 16, 2013
    6
    When people discuss whether or not video games can be considered an art form there are invariably two titles that come up, namely Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. Now, I wouldn’t rate El Shaddai as highly as either of those Playstation 2 classics but when it comes to purity of vision it is must surely rank amongst the most visually stunning and unique games available on any console.

    Of    When people discuss whether or not video games can be considered an art form there are invariably two titles that come up, namely Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. Now, I wouldn’t rate El Shaddai as highly as either of those Playstation 2 classics but when it comes to purity of vision it is must surely rank amongst the most visually stunning and unique games available on any console.

    Of course all this is pretty worthless if the gameplay isn’t up to par. Here it is mixed bag meaning that despite a few poor design choices, El Shaddai is also pretty fun to play in places. The combat for example, that at first seems fairly simplistic, quickly reveals its depth despite the fact that virtually every attack uses only the X button whilst the ‘Book of Enoch’ inspired storyline makes a welcome change from the usual uninspired video game plots.

    El Shaddai does let itself down somewhat during both its 2D and 3D platforming sections with controls that simply aren’t precise enough for the difficulty of certain sections. Despite the fact that you restart instantly from the point at which you died I found myself frustrated by this on a number of occasions. Aside from acquiring the odd new weapon or special move the gameplay itself also evolves very little from the start to the finish of the game but, while this certainly won’t be to everyone’s taste, I for one will always have time for a title that is willing to differentiate itself from the crowd.    … Expand
  11. Larux18
    Jul 5, 2013
    8
    This game came literally out of nowhere and took everyone by surprise, and it was a good surprise. The truth is, El Shaddai is a game that is not afraid to be different, and that gives it strength. It is at its core a 2D and 3D platforming game with a very particular artistic style that immediately stands out. The world is pieced in a very particular way that makes it seem living, and thatThis game came literally out of nowhere and took everyone by surprise, and it was a good surprise. The truth is, El Shaddai is a game that is not afraid to be different, and that gives it strength. It is at its core a 2D and 3D platforming game with a very particular artistic style that immediately stands out. The world is pieced in a very particular way that makes it seem living, and that is excellent. Combat also works differently since you can change you attacks by pressing X slower or quicker or even holding it, all of this with 3 different weapons and power-ups to mix up things. However the game can get quite repetitive since there are some sections where all you do is run until you find some enemies to fight only to defeat them and run towards the next bunch. However there are then some sections that completely change that formula, especially in the later third of the game, which just becomes a massive climax in both gameplay and story. The story is... well... difficult to both describe and understand, it is based on judeo-christian mythology with its own artistic interpretation, and even though it is quite unclear the cutscenes are epic and what happens around you is truly magnificent. The fact that this game is in the bargain bin makes it a steal, buy it now.… Expand
  12. rhubarbdoom
    Mar 6, 2012
    8
    Bargain Bin Review of El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron.

    If the idea of cavorting before a hipster guardian angel who communicates with God on a cell phone and doing battle with minions of a dreadlocked Michael Jackson-alike who vogues in front of the screen whilst youâ
  13. Samanosuke0
    Jan 17, 2016
    9
    Some games show us the videogame as an art expression. El Shaddai is on of them.

    El Shaddai is a unique game, with an art direction perfectionist and a fun gameplay.He has an ambitious goal: Create a paint in move. And they did it well. El Shaddai has a dynamic gameplay, with some cool puzzles, and a masterpiece apresentation. But the greater thing in El Shaddai is the history and the    Some games show us the videogame as an art expression. El Shaddai is on of them.

    El Shaddai is a unique game, with an art direction perfectionist and a fun gameplay.He has an ambitious goal: Create a paint in move. And they did it well.
    El Shaddai has a dynamic gameplay, with some cool puzzles, and a masterpiece apresentation.
    But the greater thing in El Shaddai is the history and the characters. That is one of the biggest history in a game ever made. The characters are much charismatics, and sometimes you will find yourself acting her spheechs. This game has a strong religious content and, if you like to discuss this theme, has a critic about how the human being thinks about gods. The end of game is unexpected, but it is part of her shinning.

    What else can I say ? Lucifel, Enoch and Amaro is already my favourite characters! :)

    If you like to play game like to smash buttons without brain: Go play Darksiders, War hammer: Space Marines or Crysis.

    El Shaddai is ART. This game is to you appreciate the ART behind the screen.    … Expand
  14. frederik1478
    Mar 16, 2020
    8
    The game is a unique experience you will not get anywhere else . music is amazing the visuals are unbelievable.
  15. Pedrinhyeah
    Mar 6, 2022
    9
    this game is excellent it's tight it's a executed with precision what can I say it's a beautiful to look at if you have the right TV it's really beautiful and it feels good the combat doesn't feel clunky at all to feel like you know clunky it's fluid as it can be and the story is good I mean I couldn't I couldn't ask for more I think I think it deserves much more praise than it it has orthis game is excellent it's tight it's a executed with precision what can I say it's a beautiful to look at if you have the right TV it's really beautiful and it feels good the combat doesn't feel clunky at all to feel like you know clunky it's fluid as it can be and the story is good I mean I couldn't I couldn't ask for more I think I think it deserves much more praise than it it has or received back in the day it's it's a painting actually you know it's it's not the kind of game kind of game that the people these days like like to play as dark souls are you know all the dark souls franchise Alden ring and **** it's a painting you you must like to you know walking simulators sort of because there is combat but you know no doubt it's one of my favorite Xbox 360 games for sure amongst The Telltale Games Batman and so on… Expand

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2011
38
#38 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 44
  3. Negative: 2 out of 44
  1. Xbox Achievements
    Nov 15, 2011
    77
    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.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Nov 9, 2011
    80
    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]
  3. Gamer.no
    Oct 27, 2011
    40
    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.
    Read full review
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