Aqua (video game)
Encyclopedia
Aqua is an arcade-action shooter
with tactical elements, driven by a steampunk
story in which the vast majority of the world is covered with water. Aqua was developed by Games Distillery
on their own proprietary engine and published by Microsoft Game Studios
. It was released for the Xbox 360
via Xbox Live Arcade
on May 19, 2010. The game is set in an alternate reality
where most of the Earth is covered with water and factions war for the remaining pieces of land.
The game received mixed reception from reviewers. Aggregate websites GameRankings and Metacritic
report average scores of 66.23% and 61/100, respectively. Critics gave high praise to the game's hand-drawn cutscenes and steampunk
setting. Gameplay was received to mixed commentary among reviewers. Critics praised the game's length and some also praised Aqua for attempting to do more than typical twin-stick shooters
, but others expressed disappointment in the number of escort missions and lack of online multiplayer.
The game begins as Grey and engineer Polly Edison discover the Gothean air force is heading for the Emperean headquarters. Grey fights his way through a Samurean base now swarmed with corsairs ravaging its contents. He finally arrives at headquarters only to find it under heavy siege by some serious Gothean strike force. Grey and company escape with some survivors from the base.
After desperate attempts to strike at the heart of the Gotheans, Grey and Edison discover a secret power, personified by a character named Cerbera. The two characters must cross borders with their own side, facing diffidence and disdain of the Emperean Empire itself. They manage to reveal the truth about the conspiracy against the entire world and finally crush Cerbera's greatest agent. In the closing sequence an escape module is shown fleeing from smoldering ruins of the battle, indicating an open end in the story.
The game features several play modes. The campaign consists of nine missions, and is driven via in game cinematics
and hand drawn motion comic
sequences between missions. Later in the campaign, the player can usually choose from three types of ships to control; Speedboats, Cruisers, and Gunships. Each vessel features unique attributes and abilities. The second single player mode, Skirmish, has the player withstand an infinite number of enemy waves with increasing difficulty, and to reach the highest score possible. Local multiplayer is also supported, with two game modes. Arena is similar to Skirmish except two players work cooperatively to defeat endless enemy waves. Chase as a variation on a simple race game mode. Players attempt to obtain a higher score than their opponent by reaching checkpoints which randomly appear in the level and by destroying neutral vessels.
. It began as a simple project with basic gameplay in mind; a shooter game
set on water. The developers further felt that Aqua should be more or less a free world to navigate, with specific goals defined by a story. The team began with a basic prototype, which served as a basis for gameplay. The team then brainstormed and created various features and prototype missions from which the actual levels were built. The team were required to change several gameplay elements following the game's first testing session. Many features and mission bits were changed, cut or completely redesigned. The game was publicly announced on April 9, 2010 with Microsoft Game Studios
signed to publish the game in the summer of 2010. Multiple trailers were subsequently released. Aqua was released on May 19, 2010 for the Xbox 360
via Xbox Live Arcade
.
, two aggregate score
websites. Individual review scores vary greatly. The lowest score came from Edge
magazine with a 30% approval rating. The highest score came from Jason Flick of Game Chronicles with an 89% approval rating. As of January 1, 2011 the game has sold over 8,300 copies.
Most critics gave high marks in regards to the game's setting and visual style. Brett Todd of GameSpot
felt Aqua had a "unique and atmospheric steampunk-at-sea setting." Eurogamer
's Kristan Reed praised the "beautiful hand-drawn cut scenes." Eric Neigher, reviewer for 1UP.com
also felt the hand-drawn cutscenes were of high quality. Multiple reviewers compared the setting to the film Waterworld
. Tyler Cameron of XBLA Fans also commented on the strong visual water effects. Ryan Clements of IGN
felt that not enough time was spent to explain the setting of Aqua and its characters.
The game received mixed commentary in regards to gameplay. The reviewer for Official Xbox Magazine
noted that its "combat and controls are quite good, and yet it feels a bit sleepy." IGN's Ryan Clements felt that the game's escort missions were frustrating and hurt the pace of the game. GameSpot's Brett Todd agreed and also expressed disappointment with the lack of online multiplayer. Tyler Cameron of XBLA Fans also noted frustration with Aquas escort missions but lauded the campaign length. "Most XBLA titles are short and can often be finished in a day [...] Aqua’s campaign feels appropriate for the price, and doesn’t overstay its welcome." Cameron further noted that the game's replay value is extended by hidden items and other features to discover in the campaign. 1UP.com's Eric Neigher appreciated the game's basic gameplay. He called it a "simple game with a lot of simple fun to be had." Eurogamer's Kristan Reed gave high remarks in regards to Aquas customization and upgrade system which when combined with the game's story gives Aqua "a personality of its own." GameZone
's David Sanchez gave the PC version a 4.5 out of 10. He stated "Naval Warfare shouldn’t take you too long to play through. But because the game gets boring so fast, you’re not going to want to finish the entire adventure. The game has some redeeming qualities in its Skirmish and multiplayer modes, but these are short-lived."
Action game
Action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes diverse subgenres such as fighting games, shooter games, and platform games, which are widely considered the most important action games, though some...
with tactical elements, driven by a steampunk
Steampunk
Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United...
story in which the vast majority of the world is covered with water. Aqua was developed by Games Distillery
Games Distillery
Games Distillery is an independent game development studio based in Bratislava, Slovakia.The studio concentrates on the development of cutting-edge Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC games with a current focus on digital distribution.- History :...
on their own proprietary engine and published by Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Studios is the video game production wing for Microsoft, responsible for the development and publishing of games for the Xbox, Xbox 360, Games for Windows and Windows Phone platforms. They were established in 2002 as Microsoft Game Studios to coincide with the release of the Xbox, before...
. It was released for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
via Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
on May 19, 2010. The game is set in an alternate reality
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
where most of the Earth is covered with water and factions war for the remaining pieces of land.
The game received mixed reception from reviewers. Aggregate websites GameRankings and Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
report average scores of 66.23% and 61/100, respectively. Critics gave high praise to the game's hand-drawn cutscenes and steampunk
Steampunk
Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United...
setting. Gameplay was received to mixed commentary among reviewers. Critics praised the game's length and some also praised Aqua for attempting to do more than typical twin-stick shooters
Shooter game
Shooter games are a sub-genre of action game, which often test the player's speed and reaction time. It includes many subgenres that have the commonality of focusing "on the actions of the avatar using some sort of weapon. Usually this weapon is a gun, or some other long-range weapon". A common...
, but others expressed disappointment in the number of escort missions and lack of online multiplayer.
Synopsis
After a global cataclysmal event, the world is flooded, continents have disappeared, and little landscape remains above water level. The few remaining survivors quickly form nations and forge empires to control the vast oceanic territories and the little remaining land. Captain Benjamin Grey of the Emperean Empire, the game's protagonist, is considered by many a war hero in the recent war against the Samureans.The game begins as Grey and engineer Polly Edison discover the Gothean air force is heading for the Emperean headquarters. Grey fights his way through a Samurean base now swarmed with corsairs ravaging its contents. He finally arrives at headquarters only to find it under heavy siege by some serious Gothean strike force. Grey and company escape with some survivors from the base.
After desperate attempts to strike at the heart of the Gotheans, Grey and Edison discover a secret power, personified by a character named Cerbera. The two characters must cross borders with their own side, facing diffidence and disdain of the Emperean Empire itself. They manage to reveal the truth about the conspiracy against the entire world and finally crush Cerbera's greatest agent. In the closing sequence an escape module is shown fleeing from smoldering ruins of the battle, indicating an open end in the story.
Gameplay
In Aqua, the player commands an elite vessel to navigate a world filled with vast seas and scattered isles. The game world is seen from a bird's eye perspective with the camera tightly following the player's ship. The player navigates the ship with the left analog stick and fires their primary weapons with the right stick. Several types of weaponry can be assigned as the primary weapons, including machine guns. Also at the player's disposal are mines and several types of torpedoes. In addition to various guns, the player can also equip their ships with diverse upgrades. These items enhance different attributes of the player's ship such as weapon damage, ship endurance, speed, and maneuverability. In combination with various guns and upgrades, the player can configure multiple setups to create their own unique play style. The player's vessel is equipped with a special weapon which can be used once the player collects enough Aquaflux; energy collected from destroyed enemies. The player can also employ AI controlled squads of elite watercraft, giving them various context orders to influence the outcome of battles.The game features several play modes. The campaign consists of nine missions, and is driven via in game cinematics
Cutscene
A cutscene is a sequence in a video game over which the player has no or only limited control, breaking up the gameplay and used to advance the plot, strengthen the main character's development, introduces enemy characters, and provide background information, atmosphere, dialogue, and clues...
and hand drawn motion comic
Comics
Comics denotes a hybrid medium having verbal side of its vocabulary tightly tied to its visual side in order to convey narrative or information only, the latter in case of non-fiction comics, seeking synergy by using both visual and verbal side in...
sequences between missions. Later in the campaign, the player can usually choose from three types of ships to control; Speedboats, Cruisers, and Gunships. Each vessel features unique attributes and abilities. The second single player mode, Skirmish, has the player withstand an infinite number of enemy waves with increasing difficulty, and to reach the highest score possible. Local multiplayer is also supported, with two game modes. Arena is similar to Skirmish except two players work cooperatively to defeat endless enemy waves. Chase as a variation on a simple race game mode. Players attempt to obtain a higher score than their opponent by reaching checkpoints which randomly appear in the level and by destroying neutral vessels.
Development
Aqua was developed by Games DistilleryGames Distillery
Games Distillery is an independent game development studio based in Bratislava, Slovakia.The studio concentrates on the development of cutting-edge Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC games with a current focus on digital distribution.- History :...
. It began as a simple project with basic gameplay in mind; a shooter game
Shooter game
Shooter games are a sub-genre of action game, which often test the player's speed and reaction time. It includes many subgenres that have the commonality of focusing "on the actions of the avatar using some sort of weapon. Usually this weapon is a gun, or some other long-range weapon". A common...
set on water. The developers further felt that Aqua should be more or less a free world to navigate, with specific goals defined by a story. The team began with a basic prototype, which served as a basis for gameplay. The team then brainstormed and created various features and prototype missions from which the actual levels were built. The team were required to change several gameplay elements following the game's first testing session. Many features and mission bits were changed, cut or completely redesigned. The game was publicly announced on April 9, 2010 with Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Studios is the video game production wing for Microsoft, responsible for the development and publishing of games for the Xbox, Xbox 360, Games for Windows and Windows Phone platforms. They were established in 2002 as Microsoft Game Studios to coincide with the release of the Xbox, before...
signed to publish the game in the summer of 2010. Multiple trailers were subsequently released. Aqua was released on May 19, 2010 for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
via Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
.
Reception
Aqua received mixed reception from critics. It holds a score of 66.23% at GameRankings and 61/100 at MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, two aggregate score
Aggregate data
In statistics, aggregate data describes data combined from several measurements.In economics, aggregate data or data aggregates describes high-level data that is composed of a multitude or combination of other more individual data....
websites. Individual review scores vary greatly. The lowest score came from Edge
Edge (magazine)
Edge is a multi-format computer and video game magazine published by Future Publishing in the United Kingdom. It is known for its industry contacts, editorial stance, distinctive anonymous third-person writing style, yearly awards and longevity....
magazine with a 30% approval rating. The highest score came from Jason Flick of Game Chronicles with an 89% approval rating. As of January 1, 2011 the game has sold over 8,300 copies.
Most critics gave high marks in regards to the game's setting and visual style. Brett Todd of GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
felt Aqua had a "unique and atmospheric steampunk-at-sea setting." Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
's Kristan Reed praised the "beautiful hand-drawn cut scenes." Eric Neigher, reviewer for 1UP.com
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
also felt the hand-drawn cutscenes were of high quality. Multiple reviewers compared the setting to the film Waterworld
Waterworld
Waterworld is a 1995 post-apocalyptic science fiction film. The film was directed by Kevin Reynolds and co-written by Peter Rader and David Twohy. It is based on Rader's original 1986 screenplay and stars Kevin Costner, who also produced it. It was distributed by Universal Pictures...
. Tyler Cameron of XBLA Fans also commented on the strong visual water effects. Ryan Clements of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
felt that not enough time was spent to explain the setting of Aqua and its characters.
The game received mixed commentary in regards to gameplay. The reviewer for Official Xbox Magazine
Official Xbox Magazine
Official Xbox Magazine is a monthly video game magazine which started in November 2001 around the launch of the original Xbox. A preview issue was released for E3 2001, with another preview issue for November 2001. The magazine is bundled with a disc that includes game demos, preview videos and...
noted that its "combat and controls are quite good, and yet it feels a bit sleepy." IGN's Ryan Clements felt that the game's escort missions were frustrating and hurt the pace of the game. GameSpot's Brett Todd agreed and also expressed disappointment with the lack of online multiplayer. Tyler Cameron of XBLA Fans also noted frustration with Aquas escort missions but lauded the campaign length. "Most XBLA titles are short and can often be finished in a day [...] Aqua’s campaign feels appropriate for the price, and doesn’t overstay its welcome." Cameron further noted that the game's replay value is extended by hidden items and other features to discover in the campaign. 1UP.com's Eric Neigher appreciated the game's basic gameplay. He called it a "simple game with a lot of simple fun to be had." Eurogamer's Kristan Reed gave high remarks in regards to Aquas customization and upgrade system which when combined with the game's story gives Aqua "a personality of its own." GameZone
GameZone
GameZone is an American multiplatform video game website. GameZone's daily coverage includes reviews, previews, news, hints & cheats, and editorials. Additionally, GameZone offers downloads, a child-targeted website and in association with GameStop, hosts GZGameShop, an online retailer...
's David Sanchez gave the PC version a 4.5 out of 10. He stated "Naval Warfare shouldn’t take you too long to play through. But because the game gets boring so fast, you’re not going to want to finish the entire adventure. The game has some redeeming qualities in its Skirmish and multiplayer modes, but these are short-lived."