”In the distant past, the angels envied mankind” - what do you think when faced with a story that begins with such a sentence? Lured by those words, which sound like a passage from a sacred text, I stepped into the world of a certain game. That game is El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron. This title might sound somewhat mystical, like a string of unfamiliar words. However, it is packed with profound religious allegory and a soul-stirring narrative. Ancient mythology, apocalyptic visions, and the philosophy that questions the meaning of human existence - all of it is brilliantly fused together.

The protagonist of this work, Enoch, is a human who bears the special mission of being the scribe of the heavens. The purpose of his journey is to capture the seven fallen angels who have descended to earth and bring them back to heaven. However, his journey is not merely a “battle between good and evil.” The fallen angels, known as the Grigori, are beings who once longed for humanity. Are their actions “sin” or “love”? Enoch's battle is not about condemning others; it is like a quiet dialogue that questions what it means to be human and what it means to be God. A journey that seems to chip away at the heart with every fight—a somewhat painful yet beautiful journey—is confronted by the player themselves.

One can't help but say, “Isn't this game too beautiful?” When discussing the world of El Shaddai, its visual beauty is unavoidable. The backgrounds, the use of light, the character movements - everything is quiet like a poem, yet powerful. The visuals are as if a single painting displayed in an art museum has come to life. The refined presentation, which does not interfere with the story, and the quiet melody of the music gently envelop the player's emotions. There are no flashy effects or excessive dramatics here. What is present instead is the lingering emotional resonance that deeply soaks in.

The theme of El Shaddai is ”self-sacrifice.” The power of ”the will to offer oneself,” which only humans possess, is what strikes fear even in God. This message lies at the core of the story. The protagonist, Enoch, though a finite human being, shows a will that can even move God's will. And the one who supports him is none other than Lucifer. His involvement in the story, before his fall, as a seemingly cold observer, sometimes guiding the player and sometimes pushing them away, is a unique charm of this work. Is sacrificing oneself for someone else truly good, or is it something else......? That question is posed to you, the player.

In the HD remaster released in April 2024, Enoch's journey is revived on the new stage of the Switch, maintaining the beauty of the graphics. For those who played it before, it will be an experience where you can feel both nostalgia and novelty. Even those encountering it for the first time can dive into this unique world with the feeling of playing a brand-new title. This story, which has been allowed to be told across generations, will be passed on to new ones. In that sense, I truly believe it is worth playing now.