Battle Engine Aquila Retrospective

• Retrospectives
• Hidden Gems
• Worth Playing?
Let's take a retrospective look back on one of my favorite hidden gems on the Xbox, PS2, and PC, Battle Engine Aquila. Let's explore the full game including all the levels, boss battles, challenges, mechanics, and how Battle Engine Aquila has aged, more than 17 years later.
Fixes: www.pcgamingwi...
Don't have a PS2 or Xbox? Find BEA on Steam: store.steampow...
#ps2games #xbox1 #hiddengems

[@leohelen1858]

Let's not forget the biggest quote said over and over throughout the entire game... "ONE MORE FOR THE CASBAR!"

[@michaelwesten4624]

cashbah*

[@MechanicalMooCow]

I used to be addicted to this as a kid

[@kabob0077]

4:17 THIS, THIS is why I love this game. It's like an RTS but you're playing as one of the most expensive units on the field, I wish there were more games like this.

[@strenghtbracer1826]

Completed the game like 15 years ago, but still I have 2 very distinct memories. One of them is the giant invulnerable boss that has a weak spot in its mouth. As a kid I couldn't figure it out for days. Booting up the game again and again hour after hour every day of pointless flying around shooting. Once I accidentally hit the spot I experienced some esoteric revelation. Another memory - the mission objective was to destroy all enemy forces on island. I destroyed all hostile battle tech while remaining on low hp myself, but there still was enemy infantry. Yes, the little red people running around. Weakest unit in the game, only I completely ran out of ammo. Clean, zero of nothing. I couldn't attack. I couldn't shoot. Legs are too thin to crush them and they deal damage that now mattered. So I've been running from them for a while trying to find any solution. And I did find it - the brake exhaust! The one on 'Shift' you use to slow down the landing. It actually kills people around you! I had to carefully approach them and blow them away completing mission. Wow, just wow.

[@rockleefanlj]

I legit played the demo of this game so many times, over and over and over again, I instantly recognized this, despite the fact it’s been over a decade since I’ve thought of this game.

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

I've felt that before lol. Did you randomly think of this game and decide to search for it?

[@KaiserMattTygore927]

This game is the truest example of an underrated gem, played this game a lot when I was a kid, as someone else said in the comments I would say this is very "RT-Esque" not quite an RTS, but has the feeling of one, it kind of reminds me of the "prototype" to RTS games called "Herzog Zwei" If we have to live in an era of remakes and reboots, Aquila really would be an excellent opportunity, imagine an expanded multiplayer mode with 4 factions, maybe some additional RTS actions, new Battle Engines, etc.

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

I can only get so erect.

[@BuddyBuddy-b4u]

F😂😂😂ing dead

[@n1vz3r]

Spent a lot of time playing this in 2006. Agree to the author: most fun was to land on in-air unit and shoot it as a walker, and when it began to blow, take off and flee to protect yourself from explosion. I felt so badass. Also the battles of epic scale, and the way how naturally big structures and units were destroyed. Re-bought recently out of nostalgy, and surprise - the game's still cool.

[@food223]

this game deserved way better, the gameplay was so good and i am surprised how much they could put on the screen in 2003

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

With little or no slowdown too! If you haven't yet, you should play it on PC.

[@Whoami691]

The blue bar on the left is also your sheild. it double as a flight energy when flying and as a shield when landed, and when your sheild absorbs a ceertain amount of damage, it pumps that into your primary weapon, giving you an augmented shot.

[@MrMuffinRape]

Been thinking about this game a lot lately, glad I found your video!

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

Thanks fam. I appreciate it.

[@Hidrozlais]

great review ! Tho i think you should have mentioned that there are some special stages for 2 players , my only con of the game is that you cant play the story multiplayer , very sad that there was no second game it was very original and unique (and also the first time where i had fun playing inside a ship/tank game) And the bosses are awesome and epic

[@king_kiff3969]

Multiplayer kicked ass I loved this back in the day!

[@yourgenericcook3758]

Thank you, so very very much. I literally have been looking for this game for ages and i couldn't find the name of this absolute work of art game.

[@fahmiismail4939]

Hey! I love this game. Played it nonstop as a kid. On your question for the augmented weapon, it will trigger when your energy/armour bar (blue bar) reduces by a certain amount. You can use this to your advantage when you play multiplayer and get the 2nd player to blast you with the airbrakes until you get augmented. Then blast away! Wow I've not played this game in 10 years and the fact I still remember that mechanic kinda blows my mind. Thanks for the video, it was a nice nostalgia trip. Wonderful game. I wish it had a sequel!

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

Thanks! I didn't know that. It's surprising what info we'll retain sometimes.

[@mariusgoreacii5884]

@Tunuh "Augmented" is for charged weapons only, and it happens when receiving damage whilst the weapon is fully charged; overcharging it do dangerous levels. You must receive energy-based damage for this to happen.

[@Whoami691]

not true, it is how much damage your sheild has absorbed while landed. when it reaches a certain point, it converts that damage into an augmented shot. Don't believe me? Play on god mod, aim the augmented pulse cannon down and fire. It will reaugment your shot and allow you to keep firing away.

[@alikadhum71]

I had great memories with this game

[@Hidrozlais]

Since you mentioned a Musou/Warriors game i would recommend you to try Warriors Orochi Its a crossover game between Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors , the story is good and the gameplay mechanics are fun

[@thegrandpowerchannel314]

Ooohh, the feeling when I finally found this game after a whole year of searching it. I actually replayed this game like 10 times or so and enjoyed almost every bit of it. Great review!

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

Appreciate it, fam! I'm surprised there's basically no videos about it. The last ones were years and years ago.

[@mr.aleximer]

Same

[@wiggerman]

My mangled brain always got this title confused with Alter Echo. Great video!

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

lol me too. It's the blue alien thing I think.

[@codystartin999.]

Finally found this game I played as a kid

[@MasterMayhem78]

I can’t believe other people know of this game and enjoyed it as much as I did. I’d love a remake of this game.

[@BoneStack117]

Great video! I used to love this game!

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@dotmbarricade3424]

Can you review front mission,rings of red ps2 and transformers Armada PS2 too

[@michaelwesten4624]

the amount of enemies and armies on one map is pretty cool. and if you take a second to look into the middle of the map on some evo mission where there is more stuff flying and shooting it's amazing how they made it on ps2 hardware. it has so many cool things but some make me angery and I wish I could tweak something here or there, mainly the weapon balance. but the files are encoded real nice and the best I managed is some ammo counts, flight speed, so the game starts lagging when you yeet across the map in 0.5 seconds, I goofed up the jump so it sends you to space. man I wish we got an update for the pc version to fix all the little bits and bobs.

[@SolnseFonars21]

Музыка этой игры прекрасная👍особенно на меню игры👍

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

It sounds nice!

[@NYG5]

Christened Battle Engine Tequila by Tommy Tallarico

[@domesday1535]

this game was so much fun

[@R17inator]

From my experience, I usually get weapon augmented in walker mode when taking a certain amount of damage to shields, not sure about the exact amount though, it does seem a bit random.

[@user-om5es2zp7k]

to response 6:30, the colored map is not useless, in some levels you need to take entire map for win (painting map to blue)

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

I didn't know that, thanks! I beat the game without noticing.

[@Fuuntag]

Solid work but I would call this a review, not so much retrospective (despite this being a 2003 game the term “retrospective” tends to refer to an overview of a games history, development, release, reception and a review, sales etc etc). :) Looking forward to your next video.

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

Thanks! For the title, it's difficult because I get your point, but review isn't ever searched for older games really. So it's a balancing act between seo and accuracy. I don't want to clickbait, but I also want the game to be searchable. It's tough and something I'm still toying with.

[@andersdenkend]

Nice videos, man. Keep it up! Subbed.

[@CasepbX]

Well damn, I thought the game I'm designing right now was unique because I have a walk mode and glide mode that you can switch between. In my game there is no limitation to flying, but you have to worry about AA cannons. It's also way more of a retro FPS than this. Best comparison would be Serious Sam meets Armored Core.

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

There's a lot of older games you can swap between modes, but that's ok. Nobody has 100% original ideas. Steal an idea and make it your own! Stealing is good. It's called inspiration lol.

[@danielm.595]

Do you have any video of your game yet? Two of my favorite games are BE:Aquila and Gunmetal, so a more modern spiritual successor would be very welcome!

[@Parlimant_Strifey]

This and Gunmetal, same concept basically. Amazing how European devs had the same thought process at the time, Gunmetal unfortunately was doomed by a much lower budget.

[@darreneccles7770]

Deserves a remake

[@SirCatzilla]

Huh, didn't think anyone else played this game. I still love this game and holds a lot of good memories. I use to grind it trying to get S rank on every mission. Even playing the multiplayer missions solo. i was a homebody so had plenty of time.

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

Do you play on PC or console?

[@SirCatzilla]

@@PlayStation_Paradise Pc, nostalgic. Always nice to return to it now and then.

[@shredderly]

i wanted to get this back in the day because i read about it and no shop near me had it. Never played it.

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

I highly recommend the PC version.

[@ogshermac]

This is the game that needs a remaster/ sequel

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

We need more power fantasy games!

[@Kratos7560]

Air units and artillery will be the bane of your forces in this game, factories are usually for after you mop up the aforementioned baddies. Its like your side has the most advanced tech but didn't put any effort in adding armor for survivability like the enemy forces do. One thing I would add if this game were to get a remaster is to improve the allied ai and stats so they can take more damage to free up how you attack the enemy. I want allied forces that can support their own until I can arrive to act as support fire. Contrary to your take, I would prefer to have more markers for quick reference as to more clearly show present threats to your allied units; nothing too specific, just a few markers showing key threats as everything else you will have to rely on your radar for, like tank cannon fodder. I only say this because those key threats can be tough to find resulting in a game over since they can outright destroy allied units if not destroyed in time.

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

Worse games have gotten re-releases. Do you know who owns the IP? Wake 'em up!

[@YourPalKindred]

IT WASNT A DREAM?!

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

wake up

[@HungHo001]

Thanks to u now i know this game s on steam, thought i never gonna be able to play it again

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

glad to hear it! Make sure to check out the fixes at www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Battle_Engine_Aquila

[@Ta123Di]

6:29 It seems no one comment about the special ability, butnif Im not wrong when you take so much damage it will trigger it

[@dejiko]

I was just looking at this game. Visually it looks a lot like Giants: Citizen Kabuto, at least the terrain.

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

Doesn't it!? I thought I was the only one lol. It has no connection to that game afaik but it has the same art style in parts. Did you play armed and dangerous (I think it's called)

[@dejiko]

@@PlayStation_Paradise I have not, but it reminds me of Outcast somewhat which is a greatly underrated PC game. Thanks for the rec, subbed to your channel too.

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

@@dejiko it's by the same developers. Similar humor, and gameplay.

[@AB1138-]

I have remembered this game a handful of times over the years. So underrated, id love a spiritual successor

[@stubkar]

One of the best second hand purchases I've ever made.

[@CYON4D]

I love this game. It came free with my ati radeon gpu and I tried it without expecting much from it. I was blown away with this game. Really fun, loved thr fact that the units were fighting regardless of your internevtion.

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

It's graphics were awesome at the time. Still holds up because of the bright colors. Reminds me of blue sky dreamcast games.

[@KaiserMattTygore927]

@@PlayStation_Paradise Yeah, even at the time, I felt like this game was more of a DC title than a PS2 one.

[@brandonhooper7748]

This was a needed vid I’m going to sub for the fandom.

[@lazrustosadow5880]

I loved this game so much as a kid and hope it can get a remake

[@adamhering6618]

Love this game! My only gripe is that I can't deprogram my brain for y axis reverse when flying causing me to pause and change it in the menus every time I switch forms. Still hidden gem for sure.

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

I go back and forth on inverted for flying games lol.

[@michaelwesten4624]

6:20 it's the damage you take

[@smoketooth5067]

This review is awesome! Would you review Giants Citizen Kabuto?

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

Maybe in the future! I played Giants and Armed and Dangerous as a kid. They're both on PC.

[@danieladamczyk4024]

We gonna watch your career with great interest.

[@theocyberskunk4815]

5:30 believe or not, that map is very useful. Your allies in this game are not that bad and they can give you a hand when you need to, so staying in the blue zone could be very critical in some missions where you need to lose the fewer units possible

[@KaiserMattTygore927]

Yeah, its very similiar to the aforementioned "Dynasty Warriors" especially the first 2 where you don't want to go too far into enemy "red zone" territory

[@lauriniskanen2753]

I wanted this game and now it's like I missed out on life because this game slid by

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

It's on Steam and GoG!

[@hasanhaskovic4307]

Your weapon is augmented when your energy meter soaks up enough damage.

[@kabob0077]

4:23 Ah, you're a Skaven Player who prefers Clan Skryre then? Fair-good enough, yes-yes.

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

I'm sorry but they're just the best faction. I don't make the rules. I like Ikit Claw and Snitch the best tho.

[@kabob0077]

@@PlayStation_Paradise Skaven and Clan Skryre feel much more modern than the other factions given their access to fantasy versions of miniguns and the like... Oh, and the nukes, can't forget those. Also did you know there's a mod that makes the Empire just straight up Imperial Germany and adds everything from machineguns and bolt-action rifles (WITH TRENCH MAGS,NO LESS!) to more arty and even bunkers that can be deployed on the field by specialized engineering units? Have fun with that knowledge because that makes the Empire and the Skaven the only two factions that play more like an Empire: Total War or Napoleon Total War faction than a Medieval Total War faction.

[@followerofteaandspice1815]

Think augment is based on the amount of dmg dealt to you cause a way back i found a 60 ish % reliable way of getting augmented shots via friendly fire.

[@Rogue_Console]

I had no idea this was on Steam, just picked it up. Loved this on PS2

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

It's best on PC! It's on GOG too.

[@Rogue_Console]

@@PlayStation_Paradise been playing it on steam, what a blast from the past. The missions are so short but you never realised this when playing it back in the days :D

[@alperborasezgin8239]

My childhood..

[@valerio9934]

I wished they developed a sequel 😢

[@amadeuscrossing7061]

Get it 🎉

[@Swordbound]

Thank you for a concise and informative video! Reminds me of single-player Planetside, if that were ever to be a thing. By the way, you mention cardinal directions, but I didn't spot a compass on the HUD. Is there one?

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

Thanks so much! For directions, I *believe* the little notch on the aiming reticle always points north. It's in the center of the screen near the health and energy.

[@lidge1994]

Looks like a very fun game, if you've never played it, I'd recommend Primal, a fun otherworldly adventure game from the PS2, it's available on PS4. Same as Kinetica, which is a fun and insane racing game with girls in literal motorcycle armor, like, they have wheels on their arms and legs!! They do air tricks to build up boost!!

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

I've known about and been meaning to play it since it came out! haha. I'll definitely get around to it during my "beating every ps2 game" challenge.

[@Danielthefoxstudio]

The PC port is the best

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

I tried the PS2 version (it's in my mech video) and oof. It's playable but yeah, much worse. PC runs great.

[@Nogardtist]

the hardest game to find once you forget its name

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

It's one of those games you remember playing but not the name. Battle Engine Aquila, doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. Nice Darkwood review btw!

[@Nogardtist]

@@PlayStation_Paradiseyeah and then i type in google old mecha games i never get this one armored core is the one that get the most attention the other similar game i remember is gun metal where you also play as a mecha and plane transformer but back then games that mixed ganras wes very unique and there games that not replaceable like with a game called "freelancer" that even finding a similar modern game is difficult and running old games on modern system has a lot of trial and error also the darkwood review is kinda really bad but it was the very first attempt i still have anxiety then it comes to scripting and vocal recording cause its the final stage atleast i got the option to remake old if i get better but it shows im not ready yet

[@ApolloTheDerg]

Furry

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

nou

[@GoldenGateNum9]

Gem?.. come on man 😅, just play Metroid or Ace Combat, Star Wars even, real deals.

[@PlayStation_Paradise]

While I like those games, they're not hidden gems :p