El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron is a mish-mash of a host of different genres, mixing up combat as well as 2D and 3D platforming. The game puts players in the shoes of Enoch, and takes players through a story based on the events of the Old Testament’s Book of Enoch.

The Nintendo Switch release of El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron HD includes support for full HD resolution, as well as faster load times and other optimisations. The game also features post-ending novel Lucifer’s Fall Chronicles of Ceta and an art book as bonus content.

Originally released on the PS3 and Xbox 360, El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron has been a critical darling that was considered by most to be something of a cult classic title, especially being stuck on older platforms. 2021 saw the game’s HD version release on PC, however, with a host of enhancements, including visual upgrades, as well as English and Japanese audio.

Several years ago, it seemed impossible that El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron would ever return. But it’s finally happening, albeit as a PC port. Developer Crim has confirmed that the action game will release in mid-April for the platform via Steam.

Along with visual enhancements, the PC version will have English and Japanese audio and subtitles. More details have yet to be provided on how the graphics are improving though. Otherwise, the game’s combat is still intact, featuring several interesting mechanics like stealing weapons, counter attacks, guard breaks and more. Certain weapon types are also stronger against others and have “superior” and “inferior” qualities.

Stages are also broken up into two types – Movement and Battle – but sometimes you’ll have to battle enemies in Movement stages. There are also Action Stages which requires careful platforming. El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron is currently available on PS3 and Xbox 360 (check out our review here). Stay tuned for more details on its PC release in the coming weeks.

Trippy action title El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron had been languishing on the PS3 and Xbox 360 since its launch nearly a decade ago. But Steam users will soon be able to experience it. According to the game’s director Sawaki Takeyasu on Twitter, Crim – which acquired the rights from Ignition Entertainment in 2013 – is working on a PC port.

Even more interesting is that the studio will offer English and Japanese audio and subtitles (though via a launcher). Visual enhancements also seem a given but we’ll have to wait for more details in the meantime. It should also be interesting to see if Takeyasu’s The Lost Child, which launched in 2018, will be coming to Steam as well.

In terms of mechanics, El Shaddai certainly had its fair share of unique mechanics. It featured real-time armor repair, stealing weapons and “purifying” weapons to keep them in tip-top shape. Stay tuned for updates on the PC version, including its possible release window.

【エルシャダイ Steam版経過報告 】
現在制作中ですが、進捗も知りたいと思うのでチョクチョクと現状を書いていきたいと思います。
ちなみに今は、Xbox、PS3からPCへとハードが変わるので
英語・日本語の音声と字幕切替えのためのオプション
オプション代替を兼ねたランチャなどを制作しています。 pic.twitter.com/dCHt7gzBm2

— 竹安佐和記(Elshaddaiの人) (@Sawaki_Takeyasu) December 7, 2020

The screen is awash with colour at times

The studio has announced its interest to develop future El Shaddai titles, so it’s a given that it will be popping up again somewhere down the line. However, Ignition Entertainment will still retain the rights to sell the original game in perpetuity.

Released in 2011 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, El Shaddai is an action adventure game inspired by the Book of Enoch, which featured the main character Enoch participating as much in armour repair as battling. Takeyasu Sawaki lead development on the game, and previously worked as a character designer for Devil May Cry and Ōkami.