If you want an undersea simulation or oceanic real-time strategy, then forget it; but if what you desire is arcade action in a novel and challenging context, then it fits the bill.

Some games—AquaNox, for example—seem like they were made up of leftover game parts and assembled in total darkness by a team of deranged, acid-dropping monkeys...What's really crazy is that, oddly enough, it ain't half bad.

If you closed your eyes and managed to drown out the superfluous and oft aggravating German techno you wouldn't for a second know that the game took place underwater. It features none of the ambience, deep bass, and whooshing water associated with the setting.

It should by no means be considered to be a submarine simulation, but rather a simple arcade shoot-em-up, used only for time wasting when you have nothing the least bit intelligent to play.

A bit of a bimbo, pretty but mindless.

Sadly, in addition to the crap voice acting, the game’s phat/phunky Euro-trash techno beats will have you either tapping your toes or (like me) turning off the music altogether. [Feb 2002, p.80]

The first time you see AquaNox in action, you'll probably be impressed with the bright lights and flashy explosions, but you'll probably tire of those in about five minutes.