View source for Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising

{{Short description|2001 video game}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox video game
| title      = Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising
| image      = Hostile Waters coverart.jpg
| developer  = [[Rage Software]]
| publisher  = [[Rage Software]]<br>[[Interplay Entertainment]] (NA)
| director   = David Percival
| producer   = 
| designer   = 
| programmer = Tim Austin
| artist     = John Court
| writer     = [[Warren Ellis]]
| composer   = John O’Dowd
| engine     =
| released   = {{vgrelease|EU|30 March 2001<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schofield |first=Jack |date=2001-02-22 |title=Games watch |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2001/feb/22/shopping.onlinesupplement |access-date=2024-11-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>|NA|12 June 2001<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/micro/IPLY|title=Interplay's Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising Ships to Retail!|date=12 June 2001|website=[[Interplay Entertainment]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010624114515/http://www.prnewswire.com/micro/IPLY|archive-date=24 June 2001|url-status=dead|access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref>}}
| genre      = [[Strategy game]]
| modes      = [[Single player]]
| platforms  = [[Microsoft Windows]]
}}
'''''Hostile Waters''''', released as '''''Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising''''' in America, is a hybrid vehicle and [[strategy game]] developed and published by [[Rage Software]] for Microsoft Windows. It was inspired by ''[[Carrier Command]]'' (Realtime Games, 1988). It has won several awards and one unofficial award from ''[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]'' as a "lost classic" or "The best game you've never played".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/making-of-hostile-waters|title=Making Of: Hostile Waters|last=Gillen|first=Kieron|date=7 December 2007|website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107023244/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/making-of-hostile-waters|archive-date=7 January 2024|url-status=live|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref>

==Plot==
''Hostile Waters'' takes place in a Utopian future where war has been abolished. In the year 2012, a revolutionary war takes place between the corrupt and power-hungry politicians, leaders and businessmen (described as the "Old Guard") and the people. The Old Guard were defeated, with only a few of their leaders escaping. By 2032, the world has been rebuilt as a [[utopia]], with the help of [[Nanotechnology|nano-technological]] assemblers, which are used in "creation engines" to create matter from energy and waste, for free. The newly united world is governed from a capital city known as Central.

Missile attacks are suddenly launched against major cities all over the world from an unknown location. This is eventually discovered to be an island chain in the [[South Pacific Ocean]]. A response to the missile attacks was a [[special forces]] team sent in to investigate the area for preliminary investigations. The Ministry of Intelligence (MinIntel) loses contact with it shortly thereafter. The [[world government]] authorises a reactivation of the ''Antaeus'' program, a series of warships able to create any weapon of their choosing using their on-board nano-technological creation engine. Two of these were left on the seabed in the case of an emergency, capable of being re-activated and refloating itself. On board are a series of "soulcatcher" chips, a classified 1990s military program researched into for the storage of human brain functions on a [[Integrated circuit|silicon chip]]. The soulcatcher technology was used to store the minds of every crew member ever assigned to an Antaeus vessel.

It is soon discovered that one of the [[cruiser]]s does not respond to the awakening signal. The other cruiser, however, is refloated and re-activated, with heavy damage to vital ship components. A course is plotted for a nearby disused [[Floating dock (impounded)|wet-dock]].

As the ''Antaeus'' progresses from the wet-dock, unusual biological life-forms are discovered amongst the enemy bases on the islands. The identity of the aggressor firing the missiles is confirmed as the leftovers of the old, pre-Central forces, known as the Cabal. Outnumbering Central's army a thousand to one, they are fighting with thousands of troops and weapons that they hid away when it was apparent that the war was lost. The ''Antaeus'' is deployed into the chicane to stop the Cabal's operations there. It's later discovered that along with their superior numbers, they have also biologically engineered a species of organic machines, designed in the popular likeness of extraterrestrials, which they intend to use to create the fear of an alien invasion, to facilitate their taking over the world and the removal of the public use of creation engines.

The Cabal later lose control of the species, which eventually turns on its masters, destroying them. The species starts spreading, [[Terraforming|modifying]] the planetary climate and geographical features in an attempt to exterminate humanity and make the planet more hospitable to itself. Having exterminated its creators, the species resolves to cleanse humanity as a whole from the planet using a massive [[grey goo|'disassembler cannon']], only to be stopped by the ''Antaeus''. The species subsequently attempts to flee into the cosmos and [[Space colonization|colonise]] the surrounding planets and stars, by launching a massive number of 'culture stones' (information devices that also double as creation engines) into space from an enormous, artificially-grown organic "island", the final staging point. Central's only option is to bind the ''Antaeus''{{'}} creation engine and the disassembler cannon stolen from the aliens together to create a makeshift bomb, and detonate it at the central "column" containing the culture stones. The plan succeeds, and the ''Antaeus'' is sacrificed to save the world.

The final cinematic show the organic disassembler cannon and the ''Antaeus''{{'}} creation engine moving closer together and fusing, creating something new. A post-credits scene also shows that two of the species' culture stones have managed to get into space.

==Gameplay==
Each Mission takes place on and or near a fortified enemy island containing various forms of anti-air and ground defence, with scattered unit-production complexes powered by oil-derricks and fuel containers (which are dependent on the oil-derricks) that the player can destroy to keep the enemy from replacing destroyed forces.

Vehicles are built on the Antaeus and, if desired, land vehicles can be delivered to a location by the air-lifting "magpie". Units are created by providing Antaeus with a number of resources which are obtained at the beginning of the level and debris which are taken from destroyed enemy units and structures. Transport helicopters such as the "Pegasus" can fly to an object and airlift it to the ship-board recycling system with little resources required. The carrier can analyse objects it disassembles at the rear of the Antaeus cruiser, and several of the game's vehicles and items are unlocked by "sampling" them in this fashion.

The game has a number of vehicles that are progressively unlocked as the missions progress. Vehicles contain a number of slots for equipment and a selection of different types of weapons to use in the vehicle. A variety of vehicle equipment combinations can be designed.

Vehicles have an individual damage multiplier such that different vehicles with the same weapon will do different damage. In addition to this, each soul-chip personality specializes in one unit along with specific equipment, which, if equipped will gain them a bonus in efficiency.

==Development==
The game was developed by 12 people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.3dactionplanet.com/features/interviews/widdows/index2.shtml|title=Rage Software: Julian Widdows|last=Harris|first=Tricia|date=27 April 2000|website=[[GameSpy|3DActionPlanet]]|publisher=GameSpy Industries|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010721171557/http://www.3dactionplanet.com/features/interviews/widdows/index2.shtml|archive-date=21 July 2001|url-status=dead|access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 80/100<ref name=MC>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hostile-waters-antaeus-rising/|title=Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227205010/https://www.metacritic.com/game/hostile-waters-antaeus-rising/|archive-date=27 December 2023|url-status=live|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref>
| CGW = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_207.pdf|title=These Waters Run Deep (''Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising'' Review)|last=Price|first=Tom|magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]]|issue=207|date=October 2001|page=94|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729174702/https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_207.pdf|archive-date=29 July 2023|url-status=live|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref>
| Edge = 8/10<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/2/2d/Edge_UK_095.pdf|title=Hostile Waters|author=Edge staff|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|issue=95|date=March 2001|page=79|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127163208/https://retrocdn.net/images/2/2d/Edge_UK_095.pdf|archive-date=27 November 2023|url-status=live|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref>
| EPD = 8.5/10<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=7969&full=1|title=Hostile Waters: Anateus Rising|last=Hudak|first=Chris|date=10 July 2001|website=[[EP Daily|The Electric Playground]]|publisher=Greedy Productions Ltd.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030308150914/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=7969&full=1|archive-date=8 March 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref>
| GI = 8/10<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200109/R03.0805.1708.41127.htm|title=Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising|last=Brogger|first=Kristian|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|publisher=[[FuncoLand]]|issue=101|date=September 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041226002244/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200109/R03.0805.1708.41127.htm|archive-date=26 December 2004|url-status=dead|access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref>
| GameRev = B+<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33236-hostile-waters-antaeus-rising-review|title=Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising Review|last=Villines|first=C. Joshua|date=August 2001|website=[[GameRevolution]]|publisher=[[CraveOnline]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910141237/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/hostile-waters-antaeus-rising|archive-date=10 September 2015|url-status=live|access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8.5/10<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hostile-waters-antaeus-rising-review/1900-2776518/|title=Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising Review [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006"]|last=Todd|first=Brett|date=18 June 2001|website=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=Fandom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010802204649/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2776518,00.html|archive-date=2 August 2001|url-status=live|access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref>
| GSpy = 79%<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/june01/hostilewaters/|title=Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising|last=Hiles|first=Bill|date=1 July 2001|website=[[GameSpy]]|publisher=GameSpy Industries|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030415051917/http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/june01/hostilewaters/|archive-date=15 April 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref>
| IGN = 8.7/10<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/26/hostile-waters-antaeus-rising|title=Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising|last=Adams|first=Dan|date=26 June 2001|website=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107023259/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/26/hostile-waters-antaeus-rising|archive-date=7 January 2024|url-status=live|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref>
| NGen = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=NGen>{{Cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen81Sep2001/page/n89/mode/2up|title=Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising|last=Harker|first=Carla|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]]|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|issue=81|date=September 2001|page=88|access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref>
| PCGUS = 80%<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising|magazine=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=Imagine Media|volume=8|issue=9|date=September 2001}}</ref>
}}

The game received "favourable" reviews according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name=MC/> Carla Harker of ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]]'' said, "You'll feel like a real battlefield general when you take to the field in ''Antaeus Rising''."<ref name=NGen/> Jake The Snake of ''[[GamePro]]'' said, "If the usual game categories leave you unscathed, get bloodied in these ''Hostile Waters''."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/0/0d/GamePro_US_156.pdf|title=Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising|author=Jake The Snake|magazine=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|issue=156|date=September 2001|page=52|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041119050419/http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/14851.shtml|archive-date=19 November 2004|url-status=live|access-date=25 January 2024}}</ref>{{efn|''[[GamePro]]'' gave the game 4.5/5 for graphics, and three 4/5 scores for sound, control, and fun factor.}}

{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{moby game|id=/4925/hostile-waters-antaeus-rising/}}

{{Warren Ellis}}

[[Category:2001 video games]]
[[Category:Alternate history video games]]
[[Category:Fiction about artificial intelligence]]
[[Category:Fiction about brain–computer interface]]
[[Category:First-person strategy video games]]
[[Category:Helicopter video games]]
[[Category:Interplay Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Military science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Naval video games]]
[[Category:Fiction about nanotechnology]]
[[Category:Rage Games games]]
[[Category:Real-time strategy video games]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Self-replicating machines in fiction]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Tank simulation video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Video games set in 2032]]
[[Category:Video games set in Oceania]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Windows-only games]]
[[Category:Works about conspiracy theories]]
[[Category:Works by Warren Ellis]]