El Shaddai ASCENSION OF THE METATRON HD Remaster similar games & best alternatives

El Shaddai ASCENSION OF THE METATRON HD Remaster

PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 • 2021

Should you play it?

El Shaddai, originally released in 2011, is a unique third-person action adventure filled with a deeply artistic world-building, outstanding aesthetics and thrilling battles. Experience an incredible mix of 2D-like platformer action and a colorful 3D world in an exceptional setting.

What works
  • Unique and stunning art style
  • Interesting biblical-inspired story
  • Varied gameplay with combat and platforming
  • Engaging soundtrack and sound design
  • Cult classic with passionate fanbase
Things to keep in mind
  • Simplistic and repetitive combat
  • Frustrating camera and platforming sections
  • Barebones pc port with limited options
  • Lack of keyboard and mouse support
  • Short length and some unfinished story elements

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands™

  • Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones™

  • Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2

  • Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate HD

  • Legacy of Kain: Defiance (2003)

  • Tomba! Special Edition

  • The Darkest Tales

  • Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition

  • Touhou Luna Nights
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • The Darkest Tales

  • Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore

  • Blaster Master Zero 2
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Creativity

    Anthology Of The Killer
  • Fantasy

    Actraiser Renaissance
  • Sensation

    The Artful Escape

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

El Shaddai ASCENSION OF THE METATRON HD Remaster: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Creativity, Sensation, Fantasy.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players have freedom to choose weapons, game modes, and play style with some customization and progression."

    Capsule for Hood Warfare Hood Warfare

    "Players have freedom to explore different weapons and combat styles, with some platforming and vehicle sections adding variety and player control."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Combat requires strategic use of skills and items, with some challenging encounters that reward skillful play, though overall gameplay is straightforward."

    Capsule for Felvidek Felvidek

    "Combat requires timing and skill, with some challenge and depth, though it is simpler and less complex than other action games."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on single-player experience without competitive or ranked modes; no evidence of player comparison."

    Capsule for Narita Boy Narita Boy

    "Focus is on single-player experience without competitive or ranked modes; no evidence of player comparison."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players report enjoying the game for hours and some replay value, but the game is relatively short and some find replayability limited."

    Capsule for UFO ROBOT GRENDIZER – The Feast of the Wolves UFO ROBOT GRENDIZER – The Feast of the Wolves

    "Players report replay value and lasting impression, but the game is relatively short and some find platforming frustrating."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Entirely a single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

    Capsule for Braid Braid

    "Entirely a single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    5

    "Highly creative with unique art style, writing, surreal narrative, and experimental episodic design."

    Capsule for Anthology Of The Killer Anthology Of The Killer

    "Highly creative art direction, unique visual style, and inventive narrative presentation based on obscure biblical texts."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; gameplay is individual and narrative focused."

    Capsule for Bastion Bastion

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; gameplay is individual and narrative focused."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a surreal, psychedelic escape from reality"

    Capsule for NO THING NO THING

    "Players use the game as a surreal, artistic escape with psychedelic visuals and a unique story world."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and appreciation for the game's art and uniqueness."

    Capsule for Hylics 2 Hylics 2

    "Players engage out of personal interest and intrinsic motivation, appreciating the game's uniqueness and art."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Varied weapons and exploration encourage players to try different strategies and paths."

    Capsule for Spaceport Hope Spaceport Hope

    "Varied gameplay segments and weapon mechanics encourage trying different approaches and exploration."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Levels offer some variety and discovery, but are mostly linear with limited secrets."

    Capsule for The Wizards - Dark Times: Brotherhood The Wizards - Dark Times: Brotherhood

    "Linear levels but with diverse environments and some hidden secrets encourage some discovery."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited character customization; focus is on narrative and atmosphere rather than player self-expression."

    Capsule for Home Sweet Home Home Sweet Home

    "Limited character customization; focus is on preset artistic presentation rather than player self-expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Strongly rooted in imaginative fiction with gods, angels, demons, and mythological themes."

    Capsule for Actraiser Renaissance Actraiser Renaissance

    "Strongly rooted in imaginative fiction and mythological reinterpretation of biblical apocrypha."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; purely solo play."

    Capsule for Euro Truck Simulator Euro Truck Simulator

    "No social or community features; purely solo play."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    2

    "Players learn combat timing, enemy patterns, and explore story development, though gameplay complexity is moderate."

    Capsule for Haven Haven

    "Players learn combat timing and mechanics, though gameplay depth is moderate and not highly complex."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Standard sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for UNCHARTED™: Legacy of Thieves Collection UNCHARTED™: Legacy of Thieves Collection

    "Standard sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention for platforming and combat; not a casual or background game."

    Capsule for Blue Fire Blue Fire

    "Requires focused attention during combat and platforming; not a casual or background game."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions."

    Capsule for Valdis Story: Abyssal City Valdis Story: Abyssal City

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player experience."

    Capsule for Axiom Verge Axiom Verge

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player experience."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players accumulate weapons, upgrades, and progress through story and levels."

    Capsule for Half-Life 2: Episode One Half-Life 2: Episode One

    "Players gain new weapons and abilities, and progress through story and levels with some upgrades."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

    "Some players find the game charming and enjoyable, but platforming and combat can be frustrating, limiting relaxation."

    Capsule for Insecticide Part 1 Insecticide Part 1

    "Some players find the game meditative and visually soothing, though platforming and combat can cause frustration."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    5

    "Vivid psychedelic visuals and dynamic music provide strong sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for The Artful Escape The Artful Escape

    "Strong sensory stimulation from psychedelic visuals, unique art style, and varied music."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "Game focuses on individual experience without social recognition or status systems."

    Capsule for Minishoot' Adventures Minishoot' Adventures

    "No social recognition or status systems; niche cult game with limited mainstream visibility."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Narrative immersion through cryptic, poetic storytelling and lore integrated with environment."

    Capsule for Necrophosis Necrophosis

    "Narrative immersion through cryptic, artistic storytelling based on biblical apocrypha and mythology."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    1

    "Combat involves timing and combo execution, but overall gameplay is straightforward with limited strategic depth."

    Capsule for STAR WARS™: Episode I: Jedi Power Battles™ STAR WARS™: Episode I: Jedi Power Battles™

    "Combat involves timing and weapon choice but is relatively straightforward and lacks deep strategic complexity."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    1

    "Some suspense in combat and boss fights, but overall controlled and predictable gameplay experience."

    Capsule for Echoes of the End: Enhanced Edition Echoes of the End: Enhanced Edition

    "Some suspense in combat and boss fights, but overall gameplay is more artistic than adrenaline-driven."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Players generally feel the experience is worth the price, especially on sale, given the quality and uniqueness."

    Capsule for The Invisible Hours The Invisible Hours

    "Players appreciate the unique artistic experience and story, considering it worth the price especially on sale."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat involves fighting and destroying enemies, though not excessively graphic."

    Capsule for Subterrain: Mines of Titan Subterrain: Mines of Titan

    "Combat involves defeating enemies with weapons and melee attacks, though not excessively graphic or chaotic."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Some challenge in combat and resource management, but death is not heavily punishing."

    Capsule for Ogu and the Secret Forest Ogu and the Secret Forest

    "Some challenge in combat and platforming, but death penalties are forgiving and survival is not harsh."

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Last update: 01/06/2026