Reviews / previews
Microsoft is fortifying its foray into real-time tactical combat in the BattleTech universe with MechCommander 2. At Gamestock, producer Mitch Gitelman summed up the games goals. MechCommander 2 is about power, he said, the power to smash. The power to kick things out of your way. The power to kick some giant robot ass!
And this time, the gamers will not only have the power to control a MechWarrior army, but theyll also be able to train individual Mech pilots and build their own missions.
MechCommander 2 will insert you back into the BattleTech universe where your orders are to change the balance of power in a region of space called the Chaos March. As MechCommander, youll orchestrate the action from an orbital dropship, commanding a company of 16 MechWarriors from an overhead tactical view.
The visuals will be completely 3D. You'll be able to zoom up for a long-range strategic view or zoom in to get a nuts-and-bolts close-up of your mechs. The 3D graphics will also make possible a slick, line-of-sight system, which makes terrain and other strategic cover, especially the high ground, a key tactical factor.
To achieve your objectives, youll be able to build your team with some of the popular Mechs from BattleTech, including the quick, predatory Raven and the tough-and-brutal Atlas class. Additionally, four brand-new battle mechs will be on duty.
Youll customize Mechs with a wide range of weapons, armor, and countermeasures. You'll be able to designate sensor Mechs to uncover enemy positions, long-range Mechs to wear down incoming attacks, and jump Mechs to bypass enemy fortifications. Of course, you wont need weapons to create havoc; your herd of Mechs will be able to stomp, smash, and crush almost anything in their path. You'll even be able to take over downed enemy Mechs and use them to beat up their own team, commandeer enemy turrets, and call in artillery strikes!
MechCommander 2 will also feature some cool enhancements. Individual pilots will improve their Mech-guiding skills with each mission they complete, but this means that losing a veteran Mech-driver might dull your teams effectiveness. Also, as the campaign progresses, new technology will appear, which you can use to stay on the cutting-edge of destruction.
At Gamestock, the hardware was flying and frying hot and heavy. So far, MechCommander 2 looks like an impressive Mech warrior for the PC.-- 0 / GamePro
Forty-foot-tall BattleMechs zapping each otherperhaps the perfect subject for a fully 3D real-time strategy game. In this sequel to the 98 release, youll command up to 12 mechs at once as a mercenary MechCommander. Youll be able to knock down trees, blow through walls, and jump-jet off cliffs in the 3D environment. Youll also raid enemy warehouses and bases to salvage weapons, and youll call in air strikes and reinforcementsincluding a recovery team that can repair destroyed enemy mechs so you can turn them against their former masters.
-- 0 / GamePro
Forty-ton metal monsters crashing down trees, through fences, and into buildings. Its as fun as it sounds in MechCommander 2, the handsome and smoothly executed 3D sequel to the 1998 2D original.
In this real-time strategy game, you lead a band of mercenary Mech pilots who start out working for a shady colonel. Because you have just three to 12 Mechs on a missiononly so much weight can fit on a dropshipyou must use them wisely and exercise close oversight. Luckily, this is a snap with the simple yet powerful controlsso simple, in fact, you hardcore RTSers may feel restless, though theres lots of Mech-tweaking possibilities between missions to keep you busy.
The 3D world is nicely detailed, especially the enemy compounds brimming with buildings and defenses. The Mechs look impressive, too, but you cant zoom in close enough for a really good look. Meanwhile, the voices of your Mech pilots keep the robotic action personal. Fans of giant robots and strategy games will enjoy stomping around in this one.-- 0 / GamePro
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