In 1997, I was just starting to dip my toes into the vast ocean of video games, and little did I know that a German studio called Massive Development would soon sweep me off my feet with their underwater masterpiece, AquaNox. This game, set in a post-apocalyptic sea world, left an indelible mark on me, and its sequel, released in 2001, only served to strengthen that bond.
1997 saw Massive Development attain global acclaim due to Archimedean Dynasty, an innovative submarine simulator set in a post-apocalyptic Aqua world. Over four years later, the German team opted to refresh player memories by launching a follow-up to their game. However, instead of being called “Archimedean Dynasty 2”, what made it deeply etched in the minds and hearts of numerous players, who had known the game at the turn of the millennium, you ask? Let’s delve into that.
A sequel, they say…
In the year 2700, I find myself submerged in a world far removed from the terrestrial landscape we once knew – a time when humanity was forced to seek refuge beneath the waves due to Earth’s uninhabitable surface. Here, life thrives not on land but within the depths of the sea, and our kind has carved out permanent settlements among the ocean’s vast expanse.
The central figure in the game is Emerald “Kil” Flint, a mercenary whose ship was stolen. Not just a tool for work, this vessel was crucial for his survival. Consequently, Kil found himself compelled to take every necessary action to retrieve the ship and restore his former status. This quest led him into a far larger conspiracy, one that held the key to the fate of the world as he understood it.
As we progressed through subsequent missions, we gradually unraveled more pieces of an intricate plot, but unfortunately, it wasn’t particularly exciting. Flint’s encounters with characters during his journey also didn’t stand out much. However, the underwater factions added a more dynamic element to the story. These factions included various entities such as traders and adventurers who were less inclined towards peace.
…but not quite
The Archimedean Dynasty was an intricate underwater life simulator that offered a rich experience. However, in contrast, AquaNox represented somewhat of a regression from its predecessor as Massive Development switched gears to deliver a dynamic shooter. This resulted in a noticeable simplification of gameplay and the missions, though varied, tended to be brief – some could be finished in mere minutes.
Despite frequently operating independently, other units were consistently alongside ours. However, they were autonomously managed by artificial intelligence, lacking any means for us to command them directly. As for the AI, it’s essential to ponder on the nature of our adversaries as well.
Despite their skill in aiming, they weren’t particularly smart, making it relatively simple to guide them into favorable positions on the battlefield and then pick them off systematically. However, their large numbers and the unique circumstances of underwater combat often led to our demise, especially during the early stages of the underwater expedition. The secret to victory was staying mobile and utilizing natural or human-made features in the environment, such as sturdy structures or towering volcanoes, for cover.
Over time, by accomplishing successive tasks, we accumulated funds to buy advanced submarines and stronger weaponry. This transformation made us progressively formidable on the waterfront, reducing the difficulty of battles we engaged in.
Choking on beauty
While the storyline and mission design of AquaNox were not its strongest points, what truly made it popular was the exceptional quality of its visuals at the time of release. This game was notably created using Nvidia’s engine as a demonstration of their top-tier product, GeForce 3. Remarkably, even after almost 23 years since its debut, AquaNox ‘s graphics, featuring convincing lighting and particle effects, remain visually appealing today. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that although AquaNox was not a simulator, it adhered to the laws of physics, making our ship behave realistically, which made performing advanced maneuvers common in space or aviation shooters difficult.
AquaNox provided more than just a story campaign; it included standalone battles, multiplayer mode, and other gameplay options. However, based on reviews from its initial release, Massive Development’s work was generally considered an unremarkable game. According to HowLongToBeat, completing all aspects of the game took approximately 11.5 hours.
What came next?
Although initial reviews for AquaNox suggested it was more of a reliable shooter than a blockbuster hit, the game still found some level of success. Following this, Massive Development released AquaNox 2: Revelation in 2002. They then began working on the third title under the AquaNox banner (which would be the fourth overall, including Archimedean Dynasty), named AquaNox: The Angel’s Tears, a console adaptation of the original AquaNox 2. Regrettably, this project didn’t meet Sony’s quality standards and was ultimately cancelled, causing Massive Development to shut down.
In the fourth installment of the Aqua universe, we had to patiently wait until 2020 for the premiere of Aquanox: Deep Descent, a game developed by Digital Arrow. Thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign, it was brought to life. However, the developers fell short in their execution, offering us a visually appealing but average (at best) game. We’ll see if there will be another AquaNox sequel in the future.
How to play AquaNox today?
Currently, AquaNox is accessible on both GOG.com and Steam at a price point of $5. For those who prefer a physical copy, you can purchase the retail version of the game for approximately $14.
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2024-10-07 14:34