El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron is a strange and beautiful game that may get a second crack at life now that director Sawaki Takeyasu owns the intellectual property rights to his creation, according to 4Gamer (and subsequently translated by Kotaku). Takeyasu struck a deal with rights-holder Ignition Entertainment that brings the rights over to Crim, the studio that the El Shaddai creator founded in 2007.
An official statement from Crim suggests that there’s some active planning going on for the series’ next steps. “This acquisition entails prequel, sequel and all other derivative rights of the existing game,” the announcement reads. “Crim will work with the Entertainment industry to develop a potential El Shaddai business moving forward.”
Seems straightforward enough.
El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron came out quietly in August 2011 and soon gathered a pool of positive press, though it never became a mainstream hit with U.S. audiences. The third-person beat ’em up-style seems simple at first, but quickly becomes more complex as additional weapons and enemy resistances are introduced. The game is also visually arresting, with a wide assortment of surreal and otherworldly environments.
On top of all that, El Shaddai also takes inspiration for its story from the Book of Enoch, a part of the Old Testament. Players step into the role of Enoch as he sets out on an errand from God to track down seven fallen angels and avert and, in doing so, avert an apocalyptic flood. Lucifer – referred to in the game as Lucifel – plays an important role as well, serving as a guide (and a save point) who passes along important messages from God via his ever-present cellphone.
Needless to say, there’s plenty of reason to look forward to exploring the memorable world of El Shaddai once again.
