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. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. frederik1478
    Mar 16, 2020
    8
    The game is a unique experience you will not get anywhere else . music is amazing the visuals are unbelievable.
  10. 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

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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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