El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron - 360/PS3

A game based on ancient religious texts, it’s safe to say that El Shaddai doesn't exactly follow a traditional videogame script. However, the quest to round-up seven fallen angels and return them to Heaven at the behest of God makes for a thoroughly engaging yarn.

You play Enoch, a heavenly scribe clad in designer jeans and brilliant white armour, who ploughs through beautifully surreal locations to fulfil his quest.

At the heart of El Shaddai is a robust and enjoyable combat system, with Enoch mixing up styles and weapons to take down the game's colourful cast of foes. But rather than switch between them at will, he has to steal them from enemies to gain the upper hand - a system which encourages creative play.

Slashing sword attacks, ranged fire and a heavy-hitting punch and shield combo are the choices available and with bosses requiring the player to be adept at all three, it pays to experiment with what's available.

On easier difficulty settings it's possible to button mash your way through encounters, but crank it up a notch and blocks, dodges and timely attacks are the only way to make progress.

Visually, El Shaddai is quite incredible, with some stunning locations to romp around in. Grainy monochrome worlds, fizzing neon environments, sprawling futuristic cityscapes and organic watery levels are just some of the spectacular sights. But the visual treats don't stop there, with the game constantly flipping between 3D and 2D. El Shaddai isn't afraid to chuck convention out of the window, either and adds a smattering of jaw-dropping moments which surprise and delight.

Enhancing the atmosphere is the eclectic and quite brilliant soundtrack, which successfully infuses ambient soundscapes and harmonic tribal melodies to create a spellbinding score.

It's not a perfect game, though, with several problems cropping up regularly. Enoch's platforming antics are sloppy at times, with the swirling backdrops making it difficult to judge distances, while constant and repetitive battles in the game's final third sour some of the enjoyment.

Some will find it hard to live with these problems, but as an experience, there's nothing quite like El Shaddai.

One of the most refreshing and beautiful adventures I've undertaken in some time.

PS3 version tested

Boing! Docomodake - DS

It may have the strangest title you'll see all year, and chances are you've never heard of it, but Boing! Docomodake is actually a fun little game for the DS.

Who is Docomodake? Well it turns out he's the mascot for Japanese phone company NTT docomo, so it is somewhat surprising the little mushroom fella has made his way to these shores. Full credit, then, to Ignition Entertainment for taking a chance on this title and releasing it in the West.

The story goes that the Docomodake family have set off to get ready for the yearly village festival. However, they have mysteriously gone missing and it's up to you - Papa Docomodake - to search for your missing family.

The game takes the shape of a platform puzzler, and incorporates elements from Mario and Donkey Kong's DS adventure March of the Minis. You'll be jumping, digging, rolling about, manipulating blocks, stepping on switches and using weight-based brainteasers to accomplish your task.

Tapping Papa Docomodake's head creates mini mushrooms, which can be turned into ladders and bridges to reach previously unreachable areas. They can also access tiny passageways the full-sized Docomodake can't.

The game is clearly geared towards younger players, and with no time limit, you can spend as much time as you like exploring the levels. There's enough here to keep adults occupied, too, with optional coins and treasure chests scattered about the levels, and grabbing everything in the level becomes compulsive.

The game's clean art style and upbeat music add a lot of charm to Docomodake's adventure and while it won't win any awards, the game is challenging and fun to play.

With a tutorial for younger players and a good price point of £19.99, Docomodake gets the thumbs up from me and is definitely worth picking up.

Images courtesy of Ignition Entertainment