El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron, formely called “Angelic”, is an intense action-adventure game similar to the Darksiders or Dante’s Inferno-style but mixing both third-person action and side-scrolling platforming elements.
The game is being developed by the character designer responsible for Capcom’s Devil May Cry and Okami franchises and is loosely inspired by the Old Testament tale of Enoch from the Holy Bible; one of the most unique tales that the Bible offers. Although the game also takes extreme liberties with the source material
The name of the game, El Shaddai, is one of the Judaic names of God which translates to “God Almighty”. The game features a hand-drawn, anime graphical-style inspired by the works of Studio Ghibli with fantastical locations and effects; giving the game an etheral, otherworldly, Heavenly feel and look.
Here is the E3 2011 official story trailer for El Shaddai which gives you a wealth of gameplay footage and shows off the unique storyline and premise.
In the game you play as Enoch (Noah’s Great Grandfather), a priest seeking for the souls of Heaven’s Fallen Angels; if Enoch can sacrifice them to God, the Father will spare mankind and not destroy the earth with the cataclysmic flood.
Originally sworn to protect the earth, these “Sons of God” became fascinated with the “daughters of men” (in keeping with the Biblical text) and abandoned Heaven for the Earth realm.
In the Bible they are called “The Watchers” and are said to have birthed the Nephilim, which is a reference made twice in the Old Testament Hebrew text. Some believe the Nephilim to be the origin of the Old Testament giants like Goliath who were the direct descendants of these evil Fallen Angels who had sexual relations with earthly woman; thus creating entirely evil, ungodly and unholy beings.
One very cool aspect in my opinion is how the Bible specifically names three Archangels (Michael, Gabriel and Raphael) as well as the Angel of Death (called Azrael in non-Biblical texts) and El Shaddai has the three above angels alongside “Uriel”, guiding the player from the Heavenly realm.
A Fallen Angel named Lucifel (Lucifer? Possibly before he was tossed out of Heaven to become Satan, in another liberty taken by the developers) will also guide the player, and Lucifel is an angel with unique powers as he exists outside the flow of time.
Enoch begins unarmed and must seek out the “Full Armor of God” (taken from Ephesians 6:10-18); As he defeats enemies and bosses he will steal their Holy Armor and Weapons.