A reviewer for one (now-defunct) games magazine complained that Avalon is boring and doesn't show how shooters really function (ie. doesn't include rocket jumps and other moves from Quake). Mamoru Oshii actually based the Avalon game on Wizardry (as is apparent from the classes the characters play as), which was massively popular in Japan.
Trivia Tropes
Bad Export for You: For those familiar with the original Japanese DVD release (widely available in import shops for several years before the North American DVD release), the Region 1 release is a trainwreck, with dubbing, subtitles and unnecessary narration that introduce plot changes and generally make the film unwatchable in that form.
International Co Production: Avalon was produced in Japan by Deiz, Bandai Visual, Media Factory, Dentsu and Nippon Herald Films, and was filmed in Poland using local actors. The music was recorded in both Tokyo and Warsaw, and the sound design was produced at Skywalker Sound (USA).
Playing Against Type: Lead actress Małgorzata Foremniak specialised in soap operas up to that point. Needless to say, she was quite surprised when someone asked her to run around in a badass longcoat.
