Publisher: Atari, www.battleengine.com
Ages: seven and up.
Parental
Advisory:
War-themed shooter
Atari's Battle Engine Aquila is a shooter that lets players control an advanced war machine known as the "Battle Engine Aquila." With the admirable task of protecting a world from hostile rebel forces, players use the war machine and its arsenal of pulse cannons, micro missiles, spread bombs and more, to prevail. While it's not a standout a game, Battle Engine Aquila is competent and entertaining.
The battle begins on the planet Allium where climactic changes have caused sea levels to rise, which has created a reduction in habitable land. As a result, tensions have escalated between the two major planetary factions, the Forseti and Muspell.
Operated from a first person perspective, the Battle Engine Aquila is an intriguing war machine. In walker mode, the tank can quickly crawl across terrain, and in this mode, players use weaponry that include a pulse cannon, rail gun and flux missile. In the air mode, which lets the tank fly much like an airplane, players can use micro missiles and a vulcan cannon, or move quickly to critical points to lend a helping hand. In this game, most of the weapons have automatic lock-on features that make them easy to aim.
The game offers modifiable weapon load outs, selectable wingmen and allied troop, tank, air and sea craft support, which players will rely on to accomplish objectives in the more difficult missions. Mission objectives include surgical search and destroy strikes to minimize allied troop losses to escorting bomber and aircraft carrier convoys. Players who successfully complete a mission's primary and secondary objectives can unlock harder versions of the same mission. Battle Engine Aquila features more than 40 missions in a branching storyline with multiple endings.
In addition to the single-player campaign, Battle Engine Aquila offers a fun Co-Op Mode that lets two players team-up and battle through several missions together; Skirmish Mode, which pits two players and their armies against each other; and, Versus Mode, a one-on-one arena fight between two battle engines.
The graphics are first rate as are the audio effects. Overall, Battle Engine Aquila is competent and entertaining, but it doesn't necessarily break new ground or particularly stand out from the pack.
2/26/03 www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff
