El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron, originally released over a decade ago, emerges once more, this time on the Nintendo Switch, courtesy of Crim Co. As with the original, this HD remaster presents a fusion of action, platforming, and surreal storytelling, drawing inspiration from the apocryphal Book of Enoch. As players traverse through the game’s gorgeous landscapes and engage with its unique combat system, they’ll embark on a journey that’s both visually stunning and thematically rich – and seeing it run on a portable system is a sight to behold.
At its core, El Shaddai offers a narrative steeped in ancient lore, following the immortal scribe Enoch’s quest to thwart the Nephilim, angel-human hybrids, and bring back the wayward council of angels. The story unfolds amidst a backdrop of celestial conflict and divine intervention, accompanied by striking visuals and an otherworldly soundtrack. If you’re playing this in handheld mode, we recommend using a good pair of headphones so you can enjoy it.
One of the game’s standout features is its artistic design, crafted by Sawaki Takeyasu, known for his work on titles like Devil May Cry and Ōkami. The visuals blend cel-shading with artistic shaders and filters to create a world that feels both ethereal and grounded. Each level is still a masterpiece of design, even by today’s standards, offering breathtaking vistas and shifting landscapes that keep players captivated throughout their journey.
The gameplay of El Shaddai is a mix of hack ‘n’ slash combat and platforming, with simple and intuitive controls that over time turn out to hide plenty of depth in terms of gameplay mechanics. Enoch’s ability to steal weapons from enemies adds a layer of strategy to the combat, as players must adapt their tactics based on the situation. However, some may still find the combat repetitive over time, lacking the depth of other (more recent) titles in the genre.
Despite its strengths, El Shaddai is not without its flaws. The lack of a lock-on feature during combat can lead to frustration if that’s something you’re used to, especially when using ranged weapons. Additionally, movement during platforming sections can feel stiff and awkward at times, leading to unnecessary drops that can frustrate.
In terms of performance, the game runs smoothly on the Nintendo Switch, with only a few occasional drops in frame rate during intense boss fights. The option to switch between HiRes mode for crisp visuals and Action mode for a consistent 60fps experience gives players flexibility in their preferred playstyle, and it’s a fantastic game to play in handheld mode.
Overall, El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron HD Remaster is a testament to the artistic vision of its creators and how well it stood the test of time. While it may not satisfy hardcore hack ‘n’ slash enthusiasts with its combat, the game’s beautiful visuals and thought-provoking narrative make it a journey worth undertaking. El Shaddai is a must-play title, and it’s great to see that it’s available for Switch users now.
Score: 8.0/10
Press Play Media 