MECHANIZED METAL MONOLITHS
A Review of MechWarrior 2
by Trey Murff
WOW! MechWarrior 2 may have been two years late but the end
product was worth the wait. This is one of the most intense
simulations I have every played. From the introductory cut
scene to the actual game play, I can't seem to put this game
down. If you are looking for an on the edge of your seat,
heart pounding, no blinking, eye drying game, you have to
give this game a try!
First, the bad news, this incredible simulation comes to us with a high price in way of system requirements. Activision has set a DX2/66 with 8 MB or RAM as the minimum system configuration and if you want to run MechWarrior 2 in 640x480, you will probably need a Pentium class machine. The good news is that the game plays beautifully in 320x200 mode with all details set to max on my DX2/80 with 8 MB of RAM. The game was actually playable in 640x480 with details set to minimum but not nearly as enjoyable as 320x200 max detail. I also have access to a Pentium 90 at work and gave the 640x480 max detail and 1024x768 modes a try. Although at 1024x768 game play was a little slow, at 640x480 it was fantastic.
Now that you meet the system requirements, let's fire up
MechWarrior 2. You are greeted with the best introduction
ever created for a computer game. I find myself watching
this rendered cut scene every time I run MechWarrior 2. It's
not only beautiful but does an excellent job of drawing you
into Fasa's Battletech universe and setting the mood for the
scenarios that follow.
Once you enter the game, you might want to jump right into a
trial of grievance (instant action) and set up a battle with
up to 3 mechs per side out of the 15 available mech types
(all can be customized). This is a good place to familiarize
yourself with the controls and features of MechWarrior 2.
After you have a little experience piloting a mech, it's time to start your career in either the Wolf or Jade Falcon Clan. Each has a training area where you can further hone your piloting skills and when you have completed these, you are ready to begin piloting a mech for the glory of the Clan.
In both clans, you progress through a series of scenarios
which serve to increase your honor. When it reaches certain
levels, you are provided the chance to improve your rank
through a Trial of Position. The scenarios occur on a
variety of planets with unique settings, including ice
worlds, crystal worlds, cityscapes and desert worlds.
Each has terrain features that allow you to employ a variety of
tactics. You can run around a canyon wall, hide behind
building, and even perform DFA (Death From Above) from the
top of a hill. Unfortunately, each scenario's outcome does
not affect your career. It would have been great if they had
included a campaign system similar to the approach Spectrum
Holobyte took with Falcon 3.0.
MechWarrior 2 also includes a demo of the network add-on
module to be release sometime before Christmas
MSDOS 6.0
So, don your Neural Helmet and climb aboard a multi-ton
metal behemoth. Power up the fusion reactor, set your weapon
groups, fire your jump jets and join in one of the most
intense simulations available for the IBM PC. Be sure to
watch your back and you may survive long enough to become a
mechwarrior.
Gamer's Zone Scorecard
Product:
MechWarrior 2
Company:
Activision, Inc.
11601 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1000
Los Angeles, CA 90026
310-473-9200
Cost:
$39.95
System Requirements:
486DX2/66 MHz Processor
8 MB RAM (7MB of free extended memory)
Double-speed CD-ROM drive
30 MB free Hard Drive Space
VESA local bus or PCI Video Card
Microsoft Compatible Mouse
Sound Blaster compatible sound card
Breakdown:
Fun Factor 5
Graphics 5
Sound 5
Interface 4
Replayability 3
Overall Score:
