MechAssault
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| MechAssault | |
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| Developer(s) | Day 1 Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Game Studios |
| Designer(s) | Tom Dowd |
| Platform(s) | Xbox |
| Release date | USA November 11, 2002 [1] PAL November 22, 2002 JPN June 12, 2003 |
| Genre(s) | Action / Shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Teen (T) |
| Media | DVD |
MechAssault was the first Mech video game published for the Xbox. Developed by Day 1 Studios and published by Microsoft, MechAssault was released in November of 2002. The initial release of the game had a bug that allowed Xbox hackers to run unsigned code from a memory card. This issue was fixed in the Platinum Hits version. A sequel, MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf, was released on December 28, 2004. Both games are set in the BattleTech universe and are a part of the MechWarrior family of computer games.
Contents |
[edit] Modes of play
[edit] Campaign Mode
This is the story-driven part of the game. Here, the player completes the game's missions to stop the terrorist organization called The Word of Blake, from destroying the planet, as well as practicing skills for online battles. When all the levels in the campaign mode have been completed, two new mechs will be unlocked for multiplayer mode. They are called the Ragnarok and the Ymir.
[edit] Xbox Live
MechAssault can be played on Xbox Live. The fastest way to find an online session of MechAssault is 'Quick Match', which allows the player to search for a session quickly, specifying minimal criteria. For players who want to join a specific type of online session of MechAssault hosted by another player, 'Optimatch' allows the player to specify the criteria for the session they want to join. The player can also create and host an online session of MechAssault. Once the player defines all the characteristics of a game, they can even invite other players from their friends list or leave slots open for any online player to join the battle.
MechAssault is considered the first major release for Xbox Live and introduced thousands of gamers to the community. Online participation in MechAssault games has since been eclipsed by other blockbuster games such as Halo 2, but many hardcore fans remember MechAssault as the defining game that brought Xbox Live onto the radar for gamers worldwide.
[edit] Grinder
In Grinder mode (local play only), the player tries to survive as more and more 'Mechs are spawned into the battle. Play on your own or team up with a friend. The maps available in Grinder are:
- Colliseum
- Hell's Kitchen (download required)
- River City
- Stone Cold (download required)
[edit] Destruction
In Destruction mode, the player can choose a 'Mech and fight to the death in deathmatch or team deathmatch. The player or team with the most kills wins. The maps available in Destruction are:
- Colliseum
- Frosty
- Hell's Kitchen (download required)
- Icepack
- The Junkyard
- Number 51
- River City
- Stone Cold (download required)
[edit] Last Man Standing
Last Man Standing is a free-for-all with no respawning as a mech. Once a player dies, they respawn as an unarmed infantryman. Gameplay can be either deathmatch or team deathmatch. The maps available in Last Man Standing are:
- Colliseum
- Frosty
- Hell's Kitchen (download required)
- Icepack
- The Junkyard
- Area 51
- River City
- Stone Cold (download required)
[edit] Not It!
Not It! is another free-for-all game in which one player is "it". Points are awarded for killing "it" but, once a player does, the tables are turned and now that player is "it". The maps available in Not It! are:
- Colliseum
- Frosty
- Hell's Kitchen (download required)
- Icepack
- The Junkyard
- Area 51
- River City
- Stone Cold (download required)
[edit] Capture the Flag
Capture the flag, is a team based game where the opposeing team spawn on opposite ends of the map and try to 'Capture' the enemy flag without giving up their own. The maps available in Capture the flag are:
- Midtown Mayhem
- Desert Storm
- Jotenheim
[edit] Quantum Redshift
Quantum Redshift is playable as a demo on the MechAssault disc. It is a futuristic racing game where you can win through sheer speed or just through killing your opponents. The player chooses from three levels of difficulty, two racers, and one circuit. This demo was not included on the Platinum Version of the MechAssault game.
[edit] Weapons
Most of the 'Mechs are outfitted with offensive and defensive weapons systems, and many of them feature jump jets.
[edit] Offensive Weapons
[edit] Energy weapons
- Pulse Laser
- The pulse laser is a rapid-fire weapon and is particularly useful against vehicles. Accuracy depends on how well the player can track the target.
- Medium Laser
- This is the standard beam laser. It fires a single long beam of energy with a tracking ability that continues to do damage even if the target moves.
- PPC (Particle Projection Cannon)
- The PPC is a ball of energy with a trail effect and slight seeking capability. The player charges the PPC by pulling and holding the Right trigger until fully charged, and then releasing the trigger to unleash the bolt of energy.
[edit] Ballistic weapons
- Machine Gun
- The machine gun is a rapid-fire, short-range weapon of choice for small to medium sized targets. It is very accurate at close range. Damage is light to heavy, depending on range. No heat is generated by this weapon.
- Autocannon
- The autocannon is a high-velocity, direct-fire ballistic weapon. Potential damage from this weapon is moderate to heavy, depending on range. Heat generation is moderate. The rate of fire is fairly slow, and accuracy is moderate. Like the Gauss Rifle, this weapon may also be able to knock a mech off its feet.
- Gauss Rifle
- The Gauss rifle uses a series of magnets to propel a very heavy metal projectile at high velocity over a great distance. Impact is moderate to very heavy. The Gauss rifle has the potential to knock another 'Mech off its feet. The rate of fire is very slow, but it is accurate to a great distance. It generates very little heat.
[edit] Missile weapons
The player achieves target lock by holding the targeting reticle over an enemy for a few seconds. When the a target lock is achieved, the reticle changes to red crosshairs. Target lock is lost if the reticle is moved off the target for more than a few seconds.
- Crossbow SRM
- Crossbow missiles are short-ranged heat-seeking missiles with limited turning capabilities and minimal splash damage. Seeking is only possible once a target lock has been achieved.
- Hammer
- Hammer missiles are dumb-fire (Little to no guidance) missiles that are designed to attack medium ranged targets. They have a heavy impact on the target and a large splash damage radius. They are also equipped with a timed detonation circuit that allows mechs that fire at a close range the chance to escape the blast radius. There are never more than two included on a single 'Mech because of ordinance load-out considerations.
- Javelin LRM
- Javelin missiles are high impact and long range. After launching, they begin to accelerate toward and seek the target if target lock is achieved. There are never more than four included on a 'Mech. When fired at a very close range, they may not hit the enemy mech. Instead they will just shoot up and hit the ground behind the enemy mech. Splash damage is moderate.
[edit] Special Weapons
- Lava Gun
- The lava gun can only be found on the Ragnorok and Ymir mech. To use either of these two mechs, all of the campaign missions must be completed. The lava gun is a powerful weapon that fires its projectiles in bursts of three. The appearance is similar to hammer missiles. When fired, the lava balls produce an orange-red glow. The lava gun also has the unique advantage of not being blocked by the shields on the Ragnarok or Ymir mechs.
[edit] Defensive Weapons
[edit] Jump jets
With jump jets the player can launch their 'Mech into the air as a defensive tactic in order to avoid missiles. The player can also use jump jets as an offensive tactic to fire beyond objects that obstruct their view. They also help players move to strategic positions in an environment that they might not be able to reach otherwise. Only the small and medium sized mechs are outfitted with jump jets, as the large mechs are too heavy.
[edit] Null signature
When activated, Null signature cloaks the 'Mech in an invisibility field until power runs out. Use of weapons or other heat generating activities makes the 'Mech more visible. When activated while standing in water, the mech will not cause splashing when maneuvering in the water. By the same concept, dust will not be kicked up when activated on land. However, this effect only lasts while the mech remains on that type of terrain. Moving to a different terrain will cause the mech to kick up dust or to splash water.
[edit] Target jamming
Target jamming disrupts enemy radar systems within a given range when activated. It also causes enemies to lose any acquired target locks.
[edit] Chaff
The Chaff attracts all missiles for a limited period of time after it has been deployed. If shot at an enemy mech, it will not do damage. However, while it is on the enemy mech, all missiles in the vicinity will be attracted to the chaff and may result in damage.
[edit] Energy Shield (LosTech shield)
The energy shield (LosTech shield) is able to block most attacks from a mech for a few seconds. When activated, it produces a purple sphere around the mech. While the shield can protect you from most weapon damage, it does not protect the user's mech from damage due to proximity to an exploding mech or building, being submerged in lava or the impact from a Lava Gun. Currently, it is not known whether the shields will protect the mech from being submerged in deep water, because there have not been any situations where a mech with shields can be submerged in deep water. So far, the energy shield is only found on the Ragnorak and the Ymir mech which you can only acquire by completing all of the levels in the single player campaign mode. In MechAssault 2, the shield lasts for a longer period of time and also takes longer to recharge. Instead of a sphere, the shield appears as a blue second layer on the mech.
[edit] Salvage
In addition to the stock weaponry a 'Mech is provided with, the player can also salvage weapons and armor during missions. You can find salvage by destroying certain buildings, enemy vehicles, or even other 'Mechs.
Each weapon salvage a player performs increases the level of that particular weapon. There are three levels, and with each additional level the weapon's firepower increases until the ammunition for that particular level is depleted. The basic level 1 weapons always provide unlimited ammunition, but not as much firepower. A selected weapon's power level is indicated in the HUD's weapons display.
The types of salvage:
- Armor salvage increases a player's health in a mission. Each time the player salvages armor, a green shield with a white cross appears momentarily on the HUD.
- Missile salvage increases the number of missiles a player fires at one time, shortens the recharge rate, and increases the damage.
- Energy salvage increases the power of the player's energy weapon, shortens the recharge rate, and increases the impact on the enemy.
- Ballistic salvage increases the number of rounds the player can fire in a short amount of time and increases the damage inflicted on the enemy.
Note: There is no salvage for the Lava Gun or the LosTech Shield because they are considered special weapons and they have an infinite capacity.
[edit] Critical Reception
Critical response was very enthusiastic. MechAssault scored an average score of 87 on Metacritic, and a 92 on IGN, among others.
[edit] External links
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