Echelon (2001 video game)

Echelon is a real-time strategy (RTS) video game developed by Hungarian studio MADia Entertainment and published by JoWooD Productions in 2001. The game is set in the near future and focuses on resource management and combat across various environments. Players control a single large, customizable aircraft called the "Echelon" which serves as the primary base of operations and combat unit.

The core gameplay revolves around extracting resources from planets and asteroids using specialized modules attached to the Echelon. These resources are then used to construct new modules, upgrade existing ones, and build smaller fighter craft that can be deployed from the Echelon to attack enemy forces or defend against incoming attacks.

A key aspect of Echelon is its modular design. Players can customize their Echelon with a wide variety of modules, each offering unique capabilities, such as resource processing, weapons systems, shield generators, and fighter bays. The strategic placement and arrangement of these modules are crucial for optimizing the Echelon's performance in combat and resource gathering.

The game features a single-player campaign with a branching storyline, offering multiple missions and objectives. Players encounter various enemy factions, each with their own unique units and tactics. Echelon also includes a multiplayer mode, allowing players to compete against each other in real-time battles.

While Echelon garnered some attention for its innovative modular design and focus on a single powerful unit, it also faced criticism for its challenging difficulty and occasional performance issues. Despite this, it is remembered as a unique entry in the RTS genre.