Battle Engine Aquila
Score: 60% ESRB: Teen Publisher: Infogrames Developer: Lost Toys Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Action
Graphics & Sound: Hyped as a first person mech style action game with outstanding sound and graphics, Battle Engine Aquila generally disappoints. While its visuals and sound are nice, and the frame rate is solid, the game does not raise the bar significantly. Battle Engine Aquila has crisp graphics, with some special effects, but environments are basically bland, with little to set them apart from those offered in other cross-platform games. Objects have a fair amount of detail, but again, not enough to make the entire game seem like it is a fully realized Xbox title. Sound is decent, with good but not great voiceovers, generic sound effects, and suitable music. These don't help to set the game apart from other similar titles, but they don't detract from the game either.
Gameplay: Battle Engine Aquila offers mission based game play, with cut scenes and text based mission objectives setting up each mission. Updates are sent to your craft during missions, which means you generally always know what to do at any given time. There is some mission branching, so it's worth strategically considering what objectives to complete, and this does add somewhat to the replay value. Your craft, the Aquila, can either walk or fly. Since flying takes energy which is limited and can only be recharged by switching to land based mode, most of the game is spent on the ground. The land and air based modes offer different weapons, but since weapons are simple to use, and generally always hit their targets, there is little reason to worry about which ones to use, and which mode to rely on.
Difficulty: Battle Engine Aquila offers some interesting challenges, but most will likely find it a tad too easy. Since missions are generally repetitive, one learns to master game play in short order, and so even though it isn't a difficult game, it can end up being pretty boring.
Game Mechanics: Battle Engine Aquila is easy to control, offers a simple, intuitive interface, and generally keeps you well informed of objectives and goals. The game play is repetitive, but that's not its real weakness. It is the bland and uninspired presentation that is likely to keep most from wanting to own this game. If it offered something special, and its design had some spark of imagination, then it might be worth considering, but as it stands, it's just an average action game with a goofy name.
-Gordy, GameVortex Communications AKA Gary Lucero
Apex Cel Damage