As a follow up on my previous post, I did end up getting El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron and I have completed it. I can't be bothered to do a full review so I'm going to do a quick overview.
The first thing you will notice about El Shaddai are it's visuals. They're like a dream, literally and figuratively. I would be hard pressed to find a more artistic and beautiful game this gen. If nothing else pushes you to move forward in this game, the visuals will do it. You will want to traverse to more levels just to see what they will look like. Along with the creative and awesome graphics, the game also throws several styles of play at you in no order. One moment you will be playing like a regular 3D action game and the next you'll be playing a side scroller, a la Viewtiful Joe. Some levels will even switch styles on the fly, which helps to keep things fresh when the combat system might start to feel stale. There is even a fast pace driving section, which surprisingly works considering the game's setting.
The combat, while not bad, doesn't really do anything you haven't seen before. The option to use 3 different weapons does help to break things up but it's still not enough. The one thing I do like is that it does actually matter which weapons you use depending on the enemies and situations. So it's not like they're useless, I just wish there was a little bit more depth. But considering you only attack with one button, I think the combat is decent. The platforming is actually more of a problem. There were a lot of bad jumps and it just got frustrating at times. For every frustration, though, the game would switch things up and do something so cool that you could forgive the annoyances. What I can't forgive is how abruptly the game ended. It's bad enough that the game is too short but the way it ends is beyond annoying. I was actually a little bit mad when the credits started to roll. I was thinking "Surely not...*credits start rolling* Oh **** that." I need more than that.
The ending certainly doesn't make this a horrible game but the only way that ending could be redeemed is if there is a *good* sequel. I'm not sure if there is going to be one or, if it ever comes out, I'll care enough. To wrap this overview up, I'm glad I played this game because it's honestly a visual experience that I think everybody should check out. But is it a game that I think is worthy enough to stay in my collection? I'm not sure. If I had to give it a score, I'm thinking probably 7/10.
Speaking of another game, I ordered Deus Ex: Human Revolution off of Amazon last night on a complete whim. I am hearing some really good things about this game and I had credit in my account, so...why not?! I've never played the original but I know it's considering a great game. I hope this is good. After El Shaddai, I need something with a little more substance.
1 comments:
I'm so glad you have written this comprehensivee little review dear sir!
This is something I had considered buying at the full retail price, as I was attracted to both the original concept of the game and the aesthetic quality of the graphics.
However, I trust your judgement implicitly, and if you give it a '7' I guess I can wait till it hits the single figure price-tag in the pre-owned section!
Good job sir!
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