Earthsiege 2

March 1996

platform

Windows 3.1 , Windows 95

Game mode

Single player

control

Mouse , keyboard , joystick

system advantages
preconditions

CPU : Intel 80486 66 MHz; RAM : 8 MB;
HDD :? MB;
Graphics : 1 MB RAM

German

Earthsiege 2 is a Mech - simulation game from Dynamix and appeared 1996. Earthsiege 2 is based on the Earthsiege universe that was created by his predecessors Games Earthsiege (1994) and Battledrome (1995).

Earthsiege 2 gives players the opportunity to pilot massive two-legged combat robots. These are known as HERCULANs (Humaniform-Emulation Roboticized Combat Unit with Leg-Articulated Navigation) (abbreviated "HERCs"). In the course of the game there are airworthy HERCs (Razor). The game is set in the 26th or 27th century. Earthsiege 2 uses sophisticated weapons and technology. In Earthsiege 2 you do missions in North America, South America, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe and on the moon.

In addition, the game offers a lot more detailed terrain than its predecessor. Earthsiege 2 has a hilly landscape in 3D, which is a big step up compared to the flat landscapes of Earthsiege. Furthermore, video briefings and debriefings give the game an atmosphere that makes the game seem much more real. You get tactical mission information in advance and feedback in the debriefing.

action

Earthsiege 2 differs in some ways from the basics used in later games such as Starsiege.

With the activation of the first real AI Prometheus in 2471, a new era of technology begins for mankind. The innovative new cybernetic hybrids, or cybrids, promised unprecedented potential in a variety of areas. Incredibly intelligent and responsive, and free from the need to eat, breathe, or sleep. Cybrids were quickly employed in a variety of previously dangerous tasks, including mining and space exploration.

Unfortunately, the Cybrids turned out to be very suitable for military use. Delighted at the prospect of a seemingly unstoppable weapon system with incredible reflexes, the military quickly took control of Cybrid production.

Those who did not have the funds to make cybrids felt threatened by those who made massive cybrids. The economically inferior began in small wars to rebel against the economically superior. The conflict grew and the Cybrids fought. The military saw their effectiveness in battle. The conflict escalated and nuclear war broke out. Billions died in just a few hours.

As the Cybrids saw the events, they found that humans were out of control of themselves and they decided to control humanity. All the cybrids across the planet rose against the humans in a devastating betrayal known as the Overthrow. Cybrid combat units quickly took control of all military bases, ports and cities.

From an old base, the survivors began to fight the Cybrids. They used technology and weapons from the cybrids, but controlled by humans. For more than twenty years people fought against machines. The Cybrids were finally defeated.

The celebration was short. Several days after the Cybrids were apparently defeated, a second wave emerged from the space colonies. With skill and luck, the people fended off the first landings. However, the earth was unsafe. Cybrid forces were discovered on the dark side of the moon that wanted to destroy humanity again. The time had come to activate a Herc to take up the fight against the Cybrids again.

Gameplay

The gameplay in Earthsiege 2 is largely identical to what was seen in Earthsiege. The player controls his Herc with the keyboard or the joystick, while the mouse can be used. Eight Hercs are ready for battle, each with their own unique traits that can be specially selected for each mission. The gameplay has been expanded a bit with the addition of the Razor, an airplane that the player can choose to pilot.

strategy

Success in battle depends on several factors. The player must choose which of the vehicles are best suited to meet the needs of the mission. A good weapon is also a necessity. During combat, the player must be able to start maneuvers, dodge enemy fire, and land as many hits as possible on the enemy. When flying the Razor, the player must be careful to adjust their speed and altitude in order to take effective action against enemy vehicles. With Hercs or the Razor you can move the shield's center of gravity forwards or backwards, as the individual situation requires.

Missions

The missions in Earthsiege 2 have branches. This means that even if a mission is not completed, the game is not necessarily lost. In many cases, the player can continue playing, albeit on a different mission. The missions also have different levels of success. For example, if the player is commissioned to protect several projects, but can only partially protect them, he has achieved a partial success of the mission. The degree of success is crucial as to what the next mission will be.

Some missions give different rewards for success. These are usually the gateway to a new type of weapon or device. In other cases the player is rewarded for the victory with a new breed of Herc.

Some missions will end the game if they fail. The last mission, the fight with Prometheus on Luna, must be won or the game will end. But in most cases a failed mission will not result in the game ending.

The game has well over 30 separate missions.

Press review

PC Games , issue 04/96: 82% fun
Power Play , issue 4/96: 82% fun
PC-Direkt, edition 9/96: value in use: satisfactory, handling: satisfactory

successor

Cyberstorm (1997)
Cyberstorm 2 (1998)
Star victories (1999)
Star victories: Tribes (1999)
Tribes 2 (2001)
Tribes: Vengeance (2004)