Leading models of galaxy formation require AGN feedback to reproduce the properties of galaxies in the local Universe (i.e., colours; metallicities; galaxy stellar mass functions). Using extensive observations in the optical and Infra-Red of an X-ray selected sample of AGN taken from the SWIFT-BAT all-sky sample (z < 0.05), we have undertaken a multi-faceted comparison of the properties of local AGN to those predicted by the suite of EAGLE hydrodynamical simulations. We find that EAGLE can reproduce key aspects of the BAT AGN, including the distributions of their host masses, colours, star-formation rates and nuclear luminosities, as well as provide unique insight into the cosmic evolution of this population. Our studies help us identify the physics that make AGN special in both our local Universe and simulated ones.