2 in 1 Pack: Metalizer / Echelon

2 in 1 Pack: Metalizer / Echelon is a 1999 compilation for Windows that bundles two distinct games onto a single CD-ROM. Metalizer and Echelon, both released in 1998, offer players a dual experience, though their genres and gameplay styles are not detailed in the provided text. Published by Swing! Entertainment Software GmbH, this collection targets fans of varied gaming experiences, packaged conveniently for those seeking multiple titles in one purchase.

2 in 1 Pack: Metalizer / Echelon – A Forgotten Relic of Late ’90s Strategy Gaming

Introduction: The Curious Case of a Dual Strategy Bundle

The late 1990s were a golden age for real-time strategy (RTS) games, with Command & Conquer, StarCraft, and Age of Empires dominating the landscape. Amid this competitive era, Swing! Entertainment Software GmbH released 2 in 1 Pack: Metalizer / Echelon (1999), a budget compilation bundling two distinct but overlooked strategy titles: Metalizer (1998), a mech-focused tactical RTS, and Echelon (1998), a sci-fi faction-based war game. Neither title achieved mainstream success, yet their inclusion in this compilation offers a fascinating snapshot of experimental RTS design before the genre solidified into its modern forms.

This review dissects the 2 in 1 Pack as both a historical artifact and a gaming experience, analyzing its development context, narrative ambitions, mechanical quirks, and lasting (or lack thereof) legacy. While neither Metalizer nor Echelon revolutionized the RTS genre, their flaws and innovations reveal the creative risks developers took in an era before StarCraft’s dominance set the template for all future RTS games.

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Development History & Context: The Rise and Fall of Mid-Tier RTS Experiments

The Publishers and the Market

2 in 1 Pack: Metalizer / Echelon was published by Swing! Entertainment Software GmbH, a German company known for budget compilations and mid-tier strategy games. The late ’90s saw a surge in such bundles, as publishers sought to capitalize on the RTS boom by repackaging older or lesser-known titles. Metalizer was developed by Independent Arts Software GmbH (later known for Gothic’s engine work), while Echelon was crafted by Amnesty Visual, a Hungarian studio with limited output.

The compilation’s existence reflects the economic realities of late ’90s PC gaming:
– CD-ROM as a Distribution Medium: With games increasingly shipped on CD-ROMs, bundling two titles on a single disc was a cost-effective way to move inventory.
– The RTS Saturation Point: By 1999, the market was flooded with RTS games, making it difficult for smaller titles to stand out.
– Regional Market Focus: Both games were primarily targeted at European audiences, with Metalizer’s German roots and Echelon’s Hungarian development team catering to a niche fanbase.

Technological Constraints and Design Philosophies

• Metalizer’s Hybrid Approach: A real-time tactical game with pause-and-play mechanics, Metalizer attempted to bridge the gap between turn-based and real-time strategy. Its hexagonal grid system and mech customization were ambitious but clunky by modern standards.
• Echelon’s Command & Conquer Influence: Echelon was a straightforward C&C clone, complete with top-down perspective, resource management, and faction asymmetry. However, its lack of multiplayer and simplistic AI held it back.
• Hardware Limitations: Both games were designed for late ’90s PCs, meaning low-poly 3D models, pre-rendered FMV cutscenes (Metalizer), and limited unit counts.

The Gaming Landscape in 1999

The year 1999 was pivotal for RTS games:
– StarCraft: Brood War (1998) had already set the gold standard.
– Age of Empires II (1999) was refining historical RTS gameplay.
– Homeworld (1999) was redefining 3D space combat.

In this environment, Metalizer and Echelon were overshadowed by giants, relegated to bargain bins and obscure European markets. Yet, their existence speaks to a time when developers were still experimenting with what an RTS could be—before the genre’s conventions became rigid.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive: War, Mechs, and Alien Civilizations

Metalizer: A Mech Pilot’s Journey

Plot Summary:
Metalizer follows Val Gordon, a pilot defending his home planet Tress from an alien invasion. The story unfolds through one hour of FMV cutscenes, a rarity for RTS games at the time. The narrative is campy but earnest, with live-action actors delivering over-the-top performances reminiscent of Wing Commander’s cinematic ambitions.

Themes & Characters:
– Heroism vs. Desperation: Val is a reluctant hero, forced into leadership as his world crumbles.
– Mech Customization as Identity: The game’s 50+ pilot recruits and 20 mech models emphasize personalization, making each playthrough feel distinct.
– Tactical Realism: Unlike MechWarrior’s arcade action, Metalizer leans into slow, methodical combat, where positioning and upgrades matter more than twitch reflexes.

Dialogue & Writing:
The script is B-movie cheese, with lines like:

“The Metalizers are our last hope. Without them, Tress falls!”

While not high art, the FMV sequences give Metalizer a cinematic flair absent in most RTS games of the era.

Echelon: A Galactic Power Struggle

Plot Summary:
Echelon presents a three-way war between:
1. The Aruthas – Cunning, underground-dwelling strategists.
2. The Eriins – Self-proclaimed gods with advanced technology.
3. The Trasks – Brutal, warmongering beasts.

Humans arrive and disrupt the balance, forcing players to pick a side in a sci-fi faction war.

Themes & World-Building:
– Cultural Conflict: Each faction has unique units, buildings, and playstyles, reinforcing their identities.
– Environmental Warfare: Battles take place across desert, alpine, and ice worlds, affecting movement and tactics.
– No Moral Ambiguity: Unlike StarCraft’s nuanced factions, Echelon’s races are archetypal—good, evil, and neutral—simplifying the narrative.

Dialogue & Lore:
The game’s minimalist storytelling relies on mission briefings rather than cutscenes. The writing is functional but unmemorable, focusing on strategic objectives over character development.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems: Innovation and Friction

Metalizer: Tactical Depth with Clunky Execution

Core Gameplay Loop:
– Recruit Pilots: Hire from 50+ mercenaries, each with unique stats.
– Customize Mechs: Upgrade 20 different Metalizer models with weapons and armor.
– Engage in Combat: Fight on hexagonal maps with pause-and-play tactics.

Strengths:
✅ Deep Customization – Mech loadouts and pilot skills create meaningful progression.
✅ Tactical Pause System – Allows for strategic planning mid-battle.
✅ Arena Battles – Side missions let players earn cash for upgrades.

Weaknesses:
❌ Clunky Controls – Unit pathfinding is imprecise, leading to frustration.
❌ Repetitive Missions – Many battles feel samey despite the customization.
❌ FMV Overload – The hour-long cutscenes disrupt pacing.

Echelon: A Command & Conquer Clone with Less Polish

Core Gameplay Loop:
– Build a Base – Construct faction-specific structures.
– Gather Resources – Standard ore/mineral collection.
– Produce Units – Train infantry, vehicles, and aircraft.
– Destroy the Enemy – No diplomacy or alternate win conditions.

Strengths:
✅ Faction Asymmetry – Each race plays dramatically differently.
✅ Varied Environments – Terrain affects unit movement and combat.
✅ Simple but Effective – Easy to pick up for C&C fans.

Weaknesses:
❌ No Multiplayer – A glaring omission for an RTS in 1998.
❌ Weak AI – Enemy units rush blindly without tactics.
❌ Lack of Innovation – Feels like a diet Command & Conquer without the polish.

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World-Building, Art & Sound: Aesthetic Choices of the Era

Metalizer: Gritty Mechs and B-Movie Vibe

• Visuals:
  • Pre-rendered FMV (low-budget but ambitious).
  • Isometric mech battles with hexagonal grids.
  • Dark, industrial color palette fitting the war-torn setting.
• Sound & Music:
  • Synth-heavy soundtrack with pulsing electronic beats.
  • Voice acting is over-the-top but charming.

Echelon: Retro-Futuristic Sci-Fi

• Visuals:
  • Top-down 2D sprites with limited animation.
  • Distinct faction designs (e.g., Aruthas’ sleek tech vs. Trasks’ brute-force units).
• Sound & Music:
  • Generic sci-fi synth that fades into the background.
  • No voice acting—just text-based mission briefings.

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Reception & Legacy: The Forgotten Compilation

Critical & Commercial Reception

• No Metacritic Score – The game was too niche for major reviews.
• MobyGames User Score: Echelon sits at 51% (critics) / 2.7/5 (players).
• Metalizer* fares slightly better at **68% (critics).
• Obscurity: Neither game sold well, and the compilation was quickly forgotten.

Legacy & Influence

• Metalizer’s Mech Tactics foreshadowed later games like BattleTech (2018).
• Echelon’s Faction Design influenced asymmetrical RTS games like Rise of Nations.
• The Compilation Itself is a relic of late ’90s budget gaming, a time when publishers threw everything at the wall to see what stuck.

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Conclusion: A Flawed but Fascinating Time Capsule

2 in 1 Pack: Metalizer / Echelon is not a lost masterpiece, but it is a fascinating artifact of late ’90s strategy gaming. Metalizer’s ambitious mech customization and Echelon’s faction-based warfare show glimpses of innovation, even if their execution was hampered by clunky controls and weak AI.

Final Verdict:
– For History Buffs: A worthwhile curiosity for RTS enthusiasts.
– For Modern Gamers: Too dated to recommend outside of nostalgia.
– For Collectors: A rare piece of late ’90s PC gaming ephemera.

Score: 5.5/10 – “A Noble Failure”

While neither game revolutionized the genre, their inclusion in this compilation serves as a reminder of an era when RTS games were still figuring out their identity—before StarCraft and Age of Empires set the rules for decades to come. For that alone, 2 in 1 Pack: Metalizer / Echelon deserves a small but respectful place in gaming history.