MechWarrior (computer game, 1989)

MechWarrior
Studio	Dynamix
Publisher	Activision
Erstveröffent- lichung	1989
platform	MS-DOS , Sharp X68000 , PC-98
Game engine	3Space engine
genre	Ego shooter
Game mode	Single player
control	Joystick , keyboard
medium	diskette
language	English

MechWarrior is a combat simulation video game in the BattleTech game universe for the computer platforms MS-DOS , Sharp X68000 and PC-98 . It was developed by Dynamix and published by Activision in 1989 . As a pilot (so-called MechWarrior), the player controls a large combat robot ( Mech ) with which he, as a mercenary, fulfills orders for various ruling houses in order to ultimately track down the murderers of his family.

action

The player is Gideon Braver Vandenburg, pilot of a ruff and descendant of a planetary ruling house whose family was murdered by strangers. They also stole the amulet that Vandenburg needed to prove his legacy. If he does not find it within five years, he loses all claims to power. In order to be able to follow in the footsteps of the murderers, Vandenburg has to travel the Inner Sphere and hire himself out as a mercenary for the five royal houses with his battle mech.

Gameplay

The game principle is essentially based on two aspects, a management part and the combat simulation. The player can travel the galaxy in the area of ​​the Inner Sphere with his mercenary troops and accept orders from the five ruling houses. The reputation of the group determines which missions are accessible. As the reputation rises, the jobs become more lucrative. A ruling house can also refuse to continue giving orders to the player if the player has previously attacked targets of this house several times. The management aspect also includes the composition and equipment of your own troops. MechWarrior for the task force of up to four people (Lance) can be hired in bars and differ in different skills. The higher the reputation, the more capable MechWarrior can be recruited. Mechs have to be serviced or can be bought and sold. There is a choice of eight different models with different strengths and weaknesses: Locust, Jenner, Battlemaster, Marauder, Phoenix Hawk, Shadow Hawk, Rifleman and Warhammer.

The battles put the player in the cockpit of a mech, which he controls from the first person perspective , and present the planetary surfaces in simple, colored vector 3D graphics . With up to three AI -controlled companions who can be given a few simple instructions, the player has to fulfill different types of missions, e.g. B. tracking down and destroying opposing troops and facilities or defending your own facilities against attacks. The fights are based on the rules of the tabletop template. For example, the cooling capabilities of the mech have an impact on the rate of fire. Damage from the missions will be taken over and may have to be repaired after the mission is completed, provided that sufficient funds are available.

reception

reviews publication Rating ASM 8/12 Dragon 5/5

“With MechWarrior, Infocom / Activision has succeeded in creating an appealing game that combines action and strategy in a balanced way. So it is not just a matter of quick reactions and a good sense of proportion. The preparation for the fighting must also be cleverly planned in order to have a chance against the enemy battlemechs. "

- Klaus Segel : Test report ASM

"MechWarrior will have you sitting on the edge of your chair as you take enemy 'Mechs head-on. The combat sequences alone would have been enough for most gamers. Add in the adventure of finding your family's killers based on clues you must find throughout the Star League, and you've got an offering with an extremely high entertainment value. We recommend MechWarrior not only to arcaders but also to adventure gamers. "

“MechWarrior is hard to beat when it comes to excitement when attacking an enemy 'Mech. The fighting sequences alone would be enough for most players. With the additional background story, the search for clues to the murderers of one's own family across the entire star league, the entertainment value of the game is increased immensely. We therefore recommend MechWarrior not only to arcade players, but also to adventure enthusiasts. "

- Hartley, Patricia and Kirk Lesser : Review Dragon

MechWarrior's sales figures were around 100,000 copies, making the game a solid success. Activision had an equally successful successor developed with MechWarrior 2 , but this was implemented by a new team. Then the license fell back to FASA, which continued the series on its own. Activision acquired the license to the thematically similar role-playing rules Heavy Gear as a replacement . Dynamix was taken over by Sierra Entertainment in 1990 and developed a similar game universe with Metaltech: Earthsiege , which was followed by several titles.

Web links

• MechWarrior at MobyGames (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=4670
2. ↑ ^{a b} Hartley Lesser, Patricia Lesser, Kirk Lesser: The Role of Computers . In: Dragon . No. 161, September 1990, pp. 47-53.
3. ↑ Johnny L. Wilson: 'Mech Killer . In: Computer Gaming World . No. 153, April 1997, pp. 48-50.