Software:Battle Engine Aquila

From HandWiki
Short description: 2003 video game
Battle Engine Aquila
North American cover art
Developer(s)Lost Toys
Publisher(s)Infogrames Europe[lower-alpha 1]
Encore Software (Windows)
Producer(s)Jeremy Longley
Designer(s)Alex Trowers
Darren Thomas
Programmer(s)Stuart Gillam
Glenn Corpes
Artist(s)Jeremy Elford
Composer(s)Nathan McCree
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Xbox
Windows
ReleasePlayStation 2, Xbox
  • NA: 27 January 2003[1]
  • EU: 28 February 2003
Windows
  • NA: 23 October 2003
  • EU: 8 April 2004
Genre(s)First-person shooter, simulation
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Battle Engine Aquila is a 2003 video game for PlayStation 2 and Xbox developed by Lost Toys and published by Infogrames Europe. In the game the player pilots the Battle Engine for the Forseti military in their wars against the Muspell to decide who will rule what's left of the world. Battle Engine Aquila received little attention from the public despite overall good reviews from critics. It was listed as #86 in the Top 100 Games for PlayStation 2 by IGN.[2] A later Microsoft Windows port was published by Encore Software.

Setting

The ice caps on the planet Allium have melted due to the greenhouse effect. As a result, most of the planet's surface ended up underwater. Only 13 islands scattered across the surface remain and only two civilizations of Allium's human-like inhabitants are left: the peaceful and technological Forseti and the aggressive Muspell. Both civilizations are at the brink of war with each other in a battle over the remaining landmasses.

Story

The player assumes the role of Hawk Winter, a Forseti dockworker. He is also a dock racer where he races on his loader. After one of the races Tatiana Kiralova, a friend of Hawk's and an overseer of the Aquila program, persuades colonel Chuck Kramer, the leader of the Forseti Air Force, to secretly assign Hawk to pilot the Battle Engine.

War erupts with the Muspell attacking RI-04 island close to Forseti Major, the homeland of Forseti, and home of the Aquila program R&D facilities. The player wipes out the whole Muspell strike force in time to fight the rest of the war.

Gameplay

The Battle Engine has two modes of operation: "Jet mode" allows the Battle Engine to fly for a limited time, while "Walker mode" transforms the Battle Engine into a mech-like walking tank. When the Battle Engine is in Walker Mode, its weapons are considerably stronger than when it is in Jet Mode, and is tougher but much slower.

There are 4 different types of Battle Engine that one may choose to pilot: Pulsar, Blazer, Lancer and Sniper. There are multiple weapons that are available for the Battle Engines that can be used. The Sniper Battle Engine only has 1 airborne weapon (the others have two each), the Vulcan Cannon, but it is the only ship that can engage a stealth mode, rendering it invisible. This capability drains the energy of the Battle Engine, in a similar fashion to the Jet Mode.

The campaign provides at least 8 hours gameplay on the easiest difficulty, and each level presents a new threat or dilemma to tackle. There are a variety of boss - style unique enemies that play key roles on the battlefield, and a good variety of standard units to take on as well. The story's narrative and the characters within do little to enhance the game's entertainment value.

The battles themselves are well simulated, with beach landings, ambushes and airborne landing craft, artillery raining down from naval forces while bombers and fighters engage each other overhead.

The game also involves some strategic thinking, giving the players the option of what targets to prioritize rather than giving them a specific objective. The players may at any point choose to take out the enemies factories, distract their fighters, harass incoming landing craft or pick off specific targets.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS2Xbox
CGMStarStarStar[3]N/AN/A
CGWStarStarStar[4]N/AN/A
EGMN/AN/A7.5/10[5]
EurogamerN/AN/A8/10[6]
Game InformerN/A7/10[7]7/10[8]
GameProN/AStarStarStarHalf star[10]StarStarStarStar[11]
GameRevolutionN/AB[9]B[9]
GameSpot6.1/10[12]6.7/10[13]6.7/10[13]
GameSpyStarStarStar[14]StarStarStar[15]StarStarStar[16]
GameZone7.9/10[17]7.5/10[18]8.2/10[19]
IGN7.2/10[20]8/10[21]8/10[22]
OPM (US)N/AStarStarStarHalf star[23]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/A8.3/10[24]
PC Gamer (US)60%[25]N/AN/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic65/100[26]73/100[27]76/100[28]

The Xbox version received "generally favorable reviews", while the PC and PlayStation 2 versions received "mixed or average reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[26][27][28] Edge gave the PS2 and Xbox versions 7 out of 10.[29] GamePro gave the PS2 version an average review over a month before the game's release.[10]

Despite positive critical reception, Battle Engine Aquila received poor sales.[2] IGN ranked it as the 86th best PlayStation 2 game.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Infogrames - Corporate Information.". 2003-02-19. http://infogrames.com/corp_pressreleases.php?op=story&sid=349. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Top 100 PlayStation 2 Games (#86)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/lists/ps2-games/86. Retrieved 13 July 2019. 
  3. ↑ "Battle Engine Aquila". Computer Games Magazine (theGlobe.com) (159): 80. February 2004. 
  4. ↑ Babler, Jason (April 2004). "Battle Engine Aquila". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (137): 93. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_237.pdf. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  5. ↑ EGM staff (February 2003). "Battle Engine Aquila (Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (163): 147. Archived from the original on 31 January 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040131030605/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,4364,1225855,00.asp. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  6. ↑ Fahey, Rob (21 February 2003). "Battle Engine Aquila (Xbox)". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 10 December 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20031210102111/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=4379. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  7. ↑ "Battle Engine Aquila (PS2)". Game Informer (GameStop) (118): 98. February 2003. 
  8. ↑ "Battle Engine Aquila (Xbox)". Game Informer (GameStop) (118): 102. February 2003. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Dodson, Joe (2 March 2003). "Battle Engine Aquila Review (PS2, Xbox)". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151009152151/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/battle-engine-aquila. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Pong Sifu (20 December 2002). "Battle Engine Aquila Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on 14 February 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050214020550/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/27537.shtml. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  11. ↑ Air Hendrix (28 January 2003). "Battle Engine Aquila Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on 6 February 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050206185747/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/27971.shtml. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  12. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (26 November 2003). "Battle Engine Aquila Review (PC) [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006""]. CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/battle-engine-aquila-review/1900-6084723/. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Gerstmann, Jeff (29 January 2003). "Battle Engine Aquila Review (PS2, Xbox)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/battle-engine-aquila-review/1900-2909817/. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  14. ↑ Eddy, Andy (27 November 2003). "GameSpy: Battle Engine Aquila (PC)". IGN Entertainment. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/battle-engine-aquila/498500p1.html. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  15. ↑ Nutt, Christian (3 February 2003). "GameSpy: Battle Engine Aquila (PS2)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 16 December 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051216065359/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/battle-engine-aquila/5570p1.html. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  16. ↑ Nutt, Christian (3 February 2003). "GameSpy: Battle Engine Aquila (Xbox)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 29 December 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051229233756/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/battle-engine-aquila/5571p1.html. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  17. ↑ Hopper, Steven (13 November 2003). "Battle Engine Aquila - PC - Review". Archived from the original on 8 February 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080208232844/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19572.htm. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  18. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (3 March 2003). "Battle Engine Aquila - PS2 - Review". Archived from the original on 29 February 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080229073405/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19572.htm. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  19. ↑ Zacarias, Eduardo (24 February 2003). "Battle Engine Aquila - XB - Review". Archived from the original on 23 February 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080223075134/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19572.htm. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  20. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (18 November 2003). "Battle Engine Aquila Review (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/18/battle-engine-aquila-review. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  21. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (27 January 2003). "Battle Engine Aquila (PS2)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/27/battle-engine-aquila-2. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  22. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (24 January 2003). "Battle Engine Aquila (Xbox)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/24/battle-engine-aquila-3. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  23. ↑ "Battle Engine Aquila". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis): 98. February 2003. 
  24. ↑ "Battle Engine Aquila". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 72. February 2003. 
  25. ↑ Klett, Steve (February 2004). "Battle Engine Aquila". PC Gamer (Future US) 11 (2): 80. Archived from the original on 15 March 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060315141400/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/battle_engine_a.html. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Battle Engine Aquila for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/battle-engine-aquila/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Battle Engine Aquila for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/battle-engine-aquila/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Battle Engine Aquila for Xbox Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/battle-engine-aquila/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved 14 July 2019. 
  29. ↑ Edge staff (January 2003). "Battle Engine Aquila (PS2, Xbox)". Edge (Future plc) (119). 
  1. ↑ Released under the Atari brand name.
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari




Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Battle_Engine_Aquila&oldid=3951469"