MechCommander

MechCommander
Studio	FASA Interactive
Publisher	Microprose
Erstveröffent- lichung	June 1998
platform	Windows
genre	Real time strategy game
Subject	BattleTech
Game mode	Single player , multiplayer
control	Keyboard & mouse
medium	CD-ROM
language	German English
Age rating	USK

MechCommander is a real-time strategy game for Windows by the American developer FASA Interactive and a licensed product of the BattleTech franchise. It was released in June 1998 via Microprose . The game received an expansion with the subtitle Desperate Measures in 1999 , and both titles were also sold as a combined product under the name MechCommander Gold . In 2001 a sequel was published with MechCommander 2 .

action

MechCommander is set in the 31st century. The player takes on the role of a Commander of the United Commonwealth. He commands the Zulu Company of the First Davion Guards. In the course of the clan invasion of the Inner Sphere, the Clan Smoke Jaguar conquered the planet Port Arthur. The player is given the task of freeing the planet from the technically superior invaders.

Gameplay

In 30 deployments, consisting of five operations with six missions each, the player must achieve various tactical objectives with a limited number of units. Each mission usually consists of several tasks such as the destruction or conquest of enemy units or facilities or the defense of your own bases and allies.

Before the actual mission begins, there is the equipment phase, in which the number of units and their equipment can be determined. Your own group can consist of up to twelve units. The selection is limited, among other things, by the transport capacity depending on the weight. A total of 18 different Mech types are available, with the player initially only having access to the inferior variants of the Inner Sphere. In the course of the game, variants of the clans can also be captured and used yourself. The mechs playfully differ in their speed, armor and equipment. Weapon systems differ in terms of the type of damage (e.g. energy weapons, rockets, projectile weapons, flamethrowers), firing frequency and range. In addition, there are different sensor systems, electronic equipment and jump packs for jumping over obstacles. Various pieces of equipment can be found during the missions and thus unlocked for use.

The mission is presented from an isometric overview perspective that has two zoom levels. The player controls his units with a click of the mouse, several units can be selected together using a selection frame, and up to three operational groups can be formed. It is important to eliminate technically and numerically superior opponents. To do this, a well-planned approach, taking into account all unit capabilities and the conditions of the terrain, is necessary in order to compensate for any disadvantages. The terrain is also largely unknown at the beginning, as it is covered by the fog of war and is gradually cleared up. The units can be instructed to target specific areas of the enemy (cockpit, torso, limbs). Defeated enemy units and buildings can be searched for usable material and secured.

In addition to the military equipment, the mech pilots also play a role. Similar to a role-playing game, they have various skills that qualify them for certain mechs and technical devices. These skills improve with each successful kill and successfully completed mission. Symbolized by four ranks, the initially inexperienced pilots become more and more valuable veteran fighters beyond the missions.

For successfully completed missions you will continue to receive resource points that can be used to repair the mechs and purchase new equipment. Equipment that is not required can also be exchanged for resource points.

Desperate Measures (add-on)

In 1999, Desperate Measures, a narrative sequel to the main game, was released as an expansion. After the liberation, the player is called to liberate the planet Cermak, which was also conquered by the Smoke Jaguars under Star Colonel Marcus Kotare (a character from MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries ). Neither the pilots nor the equipment from the main game can be taken over, instead the player starts again exclusively with technologies from the Inner Sphere and a new team of pilots. The expansion consists of three campaigns with multiple missions and adds three new mech models per side.

reception

Meta-ratings Database Rating GameRankings 79.50% reviews publication Rating CGW 4/5 GameSpot 7.3 / 10 7.5 / 10 (gold) IGN 7.8 / 10 PC player 83% Power play 87% Computer Games Magazine 3.5 / 5 Next generation 3/5

“MechCommander should be a pioneer of the next generation of real-time strategies. Similar to › Commandos ‹ before , it takes a refreshingly different path beyond material battles. If you have felt abused as a production manager in a number of games, MechCommander clearly emphasizes the tactical approach. "

- Thomas Werner : PC player

“To sum up, MechCommander is an exciting new take on an increasingly dull real-time strategy genre with a couple very serious flaws. Even so the game's positives are plentiful enough that players with the patience to learn how to play around the game's irritating AI problems will be able to find plenty here to entertain themselves with. This is the first effort from the fledgling house at FASA Interactive and shows a lot of promise for the future if the team takes the time to iron out the kinks. "

“In summary, MechCommander offers an exciting new approach to the increasingly boring genre of real-time strategy, combined with some serious problems. Still, there are enough positives about the game that players who have enough patience to work around the game's irritating AI problems will find enough to chat to. This is the first release by the young developer FASA Interactive and promises a lot for the future if the team takes the time to remove the stumbling blocks. "

- Trent C. Ward : IGN

MechCommander was a candidate for Best Strategy Game of 1998 at the Interactive Achievement Awards (winner: Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri ). The game magazine Computer Games Strategy Plus also listed it as a candidate for best strategy game, but awarded Starcraft .

After Microsoft took over FASA Interactive in 2001, MechCommander 2 was a successor to the game.

Web links

• MechCommander at MobyGames (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/43368-mechcommander/index.html
2. ^ Case Loyd: One Small Step for MechKind . In: Ziff Davis (Ed.): Computer Gaming World . October 1998, pp. 267-268. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
3. ↑ https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mechcommander-review/1900-2542502/
4. ↑ https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mechcommander-gold-review/1900-2542506/
5. ↑ ^{a b} https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/08/19/mechcommander
6. ↑ ^{a b} PC Player 8/98, p. 146 ff
7. ↑ Power Play 8/98, p. 88 ff
8. ^ Robert Mayer: MechCommander Review ( en ) Strategy Plus, Inc. July 1998. Archived from the original on February 7, 2005. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
9. ↑ MechCommander . In: Imagine Media (ed.): Next Generation . No. 46, October 1998, p. 120. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
10. ^ Second Interactive Achievement Awards; Personal computer . Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences . Archived from the original on November 4, 1999.
11. ↑ Editor: The Best of 1998: Real-time Strategy Game of the Year . In: Computer Games Strategy Plus . February 11, 1999. Archived from the original on February 10, 2005.