Hype Train: El Shaddai

We’ve chatted about El Shaddai on several occasions, and the game constantly remains in our head regardless of what other gaming news has been pouring in.  We can attribute that wholly to the memorable art style, intense and enjoyable action, and smart marketing. Even though it’s already been released in Japan, the game was still unique enough to be a standout at E3 this year.

In this edition of Hype Train, we prep ourselves for one of the most ambitious games of the Summer, diving into what makes it worthy to take notice of.

“Simply gorgeous.”  Those two words may be all you need to describe El Shaddai, the latest from UTV Ignition.  The game’s levels each take on a new persona, thanks to their “dream-like” principles, making each as varied and unique as the one before it.  The game’s design is thanks to its enigmatic Artist-Director Takeyasu Sawaki who, until he joined UTV Ignition, didn’t have the freedom to do so.  In fact, the studio created an engine specifically to allow for the art and design of the game.

From stunning sunsets painted in color, to stark black & white scenes of despair, the game’s art takes queues from several Western artists and Eastern emotion and style.  For instance, the character design takes the futurism of Akira and mixes it with the “cellularity” of RahXephon, creating characters whose emotions and feelings are conveyed by their rendering as much as their faces and actions.

But it’s not all about the sexy visuals.  The game’s plot is as epic as its choice of art and music, relying heavily on unique viewpoints of religion.  It’s based on the Apocrypha, a non-canon book of the Bible, and stars a human given angelic status, Enoch.  Enoch is guided and protected by Lucifel to gather the Fallen Angels, who have created their own idyllic worlds on Earth.  This is why modern technology and fashion are linked to dreams and beauty; time flows differently here, based on a whim of the angels. The story is as much about the relationship between the proud Enoch and the increasingly unhappy Lucifel as it is about saving the world, and will lead to some interesting interplay.

Our time with El Shaddai in the pas was always worthwhile.  We noted a familiar 3rd person action adventure mechanic that also mixed in levels in 2D.  The addition of some light RPG elements allowed for a bit of exploration in the worlds, though moreso on a linear path than being a sidequest.  The battles in 3D allow for unique weapons to be used — including the game’s key item, the Arch — but their heart lies in the timed combinations.  Almost like a dance, the battles take place as the player pushes the buttons to an unheard beat. The following video shows off best what I’m talking about.  You can “hear” the “boom, boom, tap… boom tap, tap” as the fight progresses without any music turned on (and I actually recommend muting your volume when viewing it).

When we spoke to Ignition’s Business Director, Shane Bettenhausen, on our previous episode of The Main Quest, their feelings were that this could be the first of a new breed of game that pushes the limits of storytelling and art as key design influencers.

The game releases in July, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.

You can download the demo on Xbox Live and PSN today.

For more information on our past takes on the game, view all of our El Shaddai articles. Images and video courtesy UTV Ignition.