Echelon (video game)

Echelon is a 3-D science fiction flight simulator video game developed by Russian Saint Petersburg developers MADIA and published in Russia by Buka Entertainment and in all other territories by Bethesda Softworks.

For other uses, see Echelon (disambiguation).
Echelon
Developer(s)MADia Entertainment
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Release15 April 2001
Genre(s)Action, simulation
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

It involves flying futuristic fighters in combat scenarios. The game can be played locally or on a local area network with up to 32 players. The Russian version of the game is called "Шторм" ("Storm"). Operation: Matriarchy (also developed by MADIA) takes place in the same continuity as Echelon.

Plot

In the game, you decide the fate of the entire Galactic Federation. The aggressors from the planet Velian, having new weapons that make them almost invincible, are trying to destroy the Federation and capture all of its colonies. The Velians are ruthless to those who are trying to get in their way. They calmly burn entire planets if they show resistance. The player will have to go from the cadet of the Training Center of the Air Force of the Federation to one of the best Air Force aces, who is assigned the most difficult tasks.

Reception

Echelon received mixed reviews from critics. The game holds a 70% rating on Metacritic.[1]

Jim Preston reviewed the PC version of the game for Next Generation, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "Credit to Buka for trying to combined two genres, but predictably it neither soars nor crashes."[6]

Steve Butts of IGN rated the game a 7.2 of 10 saying "In all Echelon is a very welcome addition to the flight sim genre. It takes an approach that most other developers have neglected. Still, the execution and design aren't entirely up to the possibility of the concept. You'll play it, you'll enjoy and, ultimately, put it aside for more traditional games that offer a lot more sparkle." [5]

GameSpot rated the game a 7 of 10 saying In spite of its problems, Echelon does hit close enough to the mark to offer some fast and flashy, but ultimately shallow, thrills.[3]

Awards

Echelon was nominated as "Sci-Fi Simulation Game of the Year" by GameSpot, 2001.[7]

The game was awarded game of the month by the company Matrox.[8]

Sequel

A sequel, Echelon: Wind Warriors, was released in 2002.[12] The game received mixed reviews on Metacritic.[9]

Controversy
Further information: Bethesda_Softworks § Controversies

There was controversy regarding the U.S release of the game in which Bethesda refused to pay Madia for boxed sales of the game.

References
  1. "Echelon PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  2. Taylor, Martin (October 11, 2001). "Echelon Review". Eurogamer. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  3. Osborne, Scott (May 23, 2001). "Echelon Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 1, 2001. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  4. William "Creamy Smooth" Harms (June 6, 2001). "Echelon Review". GameSpy. Archived from the original on June 30, 2001. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  5. Butts, Steve (June 29, 2001). "Echelon Review". IGN. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  6. Preston, Jim (August 2001). "Finals". Next Generation. Vol. 4 no. 8. Imagine Media. p. 90.
  7. GameSpot Readers' Choice: The Best and Worst of 2001 Archived April 7, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Шторм - игра месяца по мнению Matrox". igray.ru (in Russian). May 22, 2001. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  9. "Echelon: Wind Warriors Reviews". metacritic.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  10. Osborne, Scott (May 28, 2004). "Echelon: Wind Warriors Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 10, 2004. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  11. Mahood, Andy. "Echelon: Wind Warriors Review". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on July 9, 2006. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  12. "Echelon: Wind Warriors In Development". August 2, 2001. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
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