Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis

Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis
GameCube cover scan
Developer(s)	Lucky Chicken Games
Publisher(s)	TDK Mediactive
Director(s)	Jamie Ottilie Jon Hilliard James Ryman Matt Saia
Designer(s)	Matt Saia
Composer(s)	Tommy Tallarico
Platforms	Nintendo GameCube, Xbox
Release date(s)	Nintendo GameCube Xbox
Genre(s)	Action-adventure
Mode(s)	Single-player

Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis is a console video game for the Xbox and Nintendo GameCube systems, based on the DC Comics character Aquaman. It was developed by Lucky Chicken Studios and published by TDK. It is based on Peter David's controversial interpretation of the comic book character. The game is notable for its poor reception from players and critics.

Plot

After a long absence and being presumed dead, Aquaman's mortal enemy Black Manta has returned. Bringing with him waves upon waves of dedicated warriors, Manta intends to terrorize and ultimately destroy Aquaman's kingdom of Atlantis. In order to protect his subjects and the rest of the seven seas from Manta's evil machinations, Aquaman must venture into his city, save his people, and defeat Black Manta. Little does he know, however, that there is an even greater enemy waiting, who will attempt to take the Throne of Atlantis right out from under him.

Production

In October 2001, TDK Mediactive announced that it had reached a long-term deal with DC Comics to produce video games based on the Aquaman character, starting with the newly released platforms of the sixth console generation. The announcement specified that the games would be created on multiple platforms, and that the first game would likely see release sometime in 2002. Lucky Chicken Games was chosen as the development studio for the game that would come to be titled Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis, and the game was scheduled for release in mid-2003.

The release of the game coincided with a newly launching volume of the Aquaman ongoing series from DC Comics, which also debuted in 2003 with a new #1 issue. A PS2 port of the game was to be released, but was later canceled due to poor sales from the Gamecube and Xbox ports.

Gameplay

The purpose of the game is to save Atlantis from doom. The story is told by cutscenes that do not use animation or voices. Instead, it is told by text that accompanies pictures, like a comic book. The player progresses by swimming around the level and defeating the enemies there. The levels are filled with empty ruined buildings that Aquaman sometimes has to swim around. Sometimes Aquaman approaches groups of enemies. When Aquaman fights, he can punch, kick and grapple with his opponents to defeat them. There are also times throughout the game where the player can pilot crafts through the water and shoot down enemy submarines.

Reception

This game has been named "one of the worst games of all time" by the hosts of the show X-Play, and was the genesis for their annual Golden Mullet Awards, a ranking of the previous years' worst games.

According to a review by GameSpot, "Aquaman has basic punch, kick and grab attacks, a half dozen or so combo attacks and a couple of special moves, including the ability to call in the help of some nearby sea life, but simply mashing on the A button for the duration of the game works sufficiently." Another main aspect of the game that is criticized is the graphics. IGN reviewed the graphics and said, "Unimpressive. Aquaman looks like one-time-rock star Ted Nugent on a bad hair day and animates through fights like a robot having a seizure. While worlds are large looking, they are also filled with some kind of fogging and also completely void of life; no ground objects or animated backgrounds; no civilians; no craft." The game was rated a 3 out of 10.

External links

• Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis at MobyGames
• IGN Review
• Game Zone Review
• GameSpot Review