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A Great Mech Title For The XBOX |  Arend D. Hart from Michigan says (6/Jan/2003): | _
MechAssault
(XBOX)
Reviewed By StationPlay Staff Editor Arend D. Hart
OK. I finally caved in and got an XBOX. Actually, my wife bought it for me as my Christmas present. This is a big step for me. Sure, I had played Halo on a friend’s XBOX many months ago and loved it, but really, I didn’t see any reason other than Halo’s exclusivity to the XBOX to make me want to get the extremely heavy console (has anyone noticed how heavy this thing is!). I mean, I’ve been a serious SONY supporter (not fanboy, mind you) for many years. But, now that the XBOX is finally starting to show it’s muscle, and since they recently came out with the much improved Controller S, and since it is an American company behind it all, I really couldn’t help but feel like a giddy twelve year old kid when I ripped the wrapping paper off my new toy.
Honestly, at this point, I still like the familiar cobalt blue glow of my PS2 better than the lime green neon glare of my XBOX. However with titles like Halo and MechAssault at my disposal, that XBOX is really putting my PS2 through some serious detachment disorder.
MechAssault is an incredible experience, period. Whether we discuss visuals, action, control or concept, MechAssault stands at the head of its class. What was really intended to be Microsoft’s XBOX Live launch multiplayer shoot’em up, the 20 single player missions kick enough ass on their own to justify dropping $50 on this gem. To tell you the truth…I’m not even all that interested in multiplayer myself…I would have liked this game equally if it hadn’t even had multiplayer, much less online multiplayer (as broadband is both scarce and expensive in my neighborhood).
Graphically, few console titles come close to the detail in MechAssault. Like Halo, and many PC games out there, it may appear on first glance that the worlds are barren and lack texture. But as you approach objects, and you see the textures and details that are there, it’ll blow your mind. Remember the first time you played Halo and you actually stopped for a second and looked at the ground? Remember the awe when you saw individual blades of grass fluttering in the wind? MechAssault is a lot like that. Simply amazing. Trees have leaves that rustle and blow as you pass through the arbors (although the trees often are strangely unaffected by direct contact), buildings have cement and frames and insulation, and even the windows have glass that shatters and falls to the ground…MechAssault is a treat for the eyes, especially the explosions which are second to none.
You couldn’t as for a better controlling Mech title than MechAssault. None of this weird trigger combos to move a’la R.A.D.. MechAssault assumes a scheme much akin to Max Payne’s dual analog “FPS-in 3rd person view,” where the left stick moves your mech geographically, while the right stick controls your weapons aiming. One trigger changes weaponry, the other trigger fires the selected weapon. Fairly simple yet totally effective. Listen Steel Battalion fans…one simple Controller S is all you need to blow stuff up. Sure, it’s no 42 button dual joystick, eject button toting, $150 controller, but if you’re that much of a mech that having a button solely to wash your windshield is cool, you need serious help…
As for the gameplay, MechAssault is one bad ass game. And for a mech game to win me over, it has to be good. See, to tell you the truth, I’ve never really been much of a mech fan myself. I was in my uncomfortable 15 year old stage when Transformers and Voltron and stuff were on TV and I always associated mech stuff with, uh…nerds. I didn’t want to be a nerd. But now that I have finally come to grips with my own true nerddom (I am a Metallurgical Engineer by trade, thank you), I guess I’m a bit more open to the concept of 20ft. tall robots wrestling it out in the hearts of our cities and I’m beginning to really dig these titles. Zone of the Enders was a great diversion for the PS2, but kinda had that Japancheesy feel to it. Robotech: Battlecry was a quality game, but it did get awfully disorienting at times. MechAssault just does the right job of making you feel like you are actually saving the world – a real world – and you are in control.
One thing that really shocked me with MechAssault was how realistic the fighting seems to be. I mean, I’ve never taken part in, nor have I ever been witness to an actual real-life mech battle, but I do assume that it would take a ton of weaponry to blow up a heavily armored assault robot. And MechAssault does a fine job of conveying the strength and resilience of these massively armed, massively durable vehicles. Every battle is a war in itself. You’ll be strafing, jump-jetting, shooting, hiding, dodging, running…MechAssault is not an easy game to beat by any means. It may take a couple dozen hits to destroy an opponent. Actually, it seems as though the programmers have coded it so that the opponents take roughly the same damage as you do from each of the various weapons, which is not really the industry standard (where it is common for enemies to take maybe only three hits to kill while your character takes a dozen or more). This means that you had better really think about what you’re doing and how you propose to protect yourself, because you can just as easily become the victim in an all-out mech battle.
So does MechAssault have any areas it could improve on? Sure it does.
First, it would be nice if MechAssault included a quicksave or checkpoint feature within the missions. Much like Medal Of Honor: Frontline, MechAssault’s missions are incredibly long, meticulous, dangerous affairs. One wrong move and you can easily be in a world of hurt, requiring restart from the beginning of the mission and upwards of 20 minutes of retracing your steps only to get killed again. I know that blatant quicksaves like Max Payne or Red Faction tend to make games easier than they should be and diminish a necessary sense of urgency, but replaying the same fight over and over only to die at the very end of a mission gets a bit tedious.
Second, I really wish the multiplayer option included more of the standard multiplayer fare, in particular Capture the Flag. Some surmise that this will be part of the online downloads, but for those of us without the access or cash to get broadband at home, we’re SOL. Also with regard to the multiplayer options, the whole menu system is a bit confusing when setting up multiplayer games.
Finally, although I touted above about the number of hits it requires to polish off an enemy, it may have gone a bit too far. Some fights go on for entirely too long. For someone like me, who has an extensive collection of games and little or no time to play, this could mean trouble – for the average gamer, it’s replay value, right? Right.
All in all, MechAssault is an incredible title for the XBOX. You really won’t find a better (affordable) mech title for any console right now. I highly recommend this experience to all XBOX owners out there.
| The game is the coolest for blowing up buildings | | Adam Lenke from Oak Harbar Ohio U.S.A says (10/May/2004): | This game is almost number one but it rocks!. THe reason is say this is because I wish you could build your own mech but cant wish for everything. Me and my freinds are making a comic strip of the game like part 4 in the lions den. so i let my freind borrow it and he said he wonted to buy it off me but i did not because it was a really good game. I worked so hard of the game but i did not wait till i could get my hands on it. so i give this game a rating of a 9
| Almost as good as Mechwarrior 4: Merc | | Aspalushion Wolf (Hehe that is my net name) from Somerset, Kentuky, USA says (25/Mar/2003): | I enjoyed mechassult until the end (I might tell it to you the end if you give me ten dollars), and even after I beat it I had fun playing around in the Ragnorok (I think that is how you spell it) and don't even have X-Box Live! But you can't make your own mech configuration. But that all leaves your mind as you run directly into combat. BLOW IT ALL UP!
| Impressive, fast paced mech game but unbalanced multiplayer | | Scott Ackerman from Forest Hill, MD, USA says (31/Mar/2003): | Mech Assault was a much better game than I had anticipated. The graphics (especially the shattered glass) are great and the cities give you a good sense of how big your mech really is. The campagin, although short, is very fun to play. Out of all of the xbox live games so far, I beleive that this game has the best online format. The controls are easy to get used to, and if your a Halo fan, then you will master the controls QUICK! Why then, do I give it a 9 instead of a 10? Well, there are tons of mech to choose from, but when your playing online, about 4 or 5 mechs are worth using because they're the big powerful mechs with the better health and weapons. I was hoping that the new downloadable mechs would be big and powerful so there would be another mech worth choosing but they are both small so you can't possibily win in a battle with them. It's a shame, this one problem with the multiplayer damages, but definitley not ruins an other wise phenominal blast to play. If you have xbox live, buy this game.
| Better than the PC | | CrazyHorse from Welland, Ontario, Canada says (29/May/2003): | I started off this game as a Mechwarrior veteran. On Mechwarrior 4 Mercs, I am the leader of a very powerful Clan. When I heard that there was not going to be a Mechlab and that you couldn't use a Fafnir, I was dissapointed to say the least. That was, until I played the first level. The graphics are what really grabbed me. The flat textures and ugly weather effects are all gone. They have been incredibly enhanced. The streaming lazers, lighting up the ground as it travels and deep vivid explosions are never boring. I just love watching buildings implode onto themselves and hearing the glass smashing and the steel bending all the way down. The snow in arctic levels actually piles up on your mech and gets into the vents. The contol is different but much easier. Of course, I have always been a fan of mouse aiming, you get used to the analog stick very very quickly. Because I am used to human challenge in a mech, the game was easy all the way through. That was on the normal level though. I am finding it harder on Elite. Especially the end where you have to fight all those damn mechs.
My only real criticism of this game is the lack of Offline play. After you finish the game, you might as well put it away if you dont have Live. There isn't even a Tournament mode you could play and you can't even use the Ragnarock or Ymir through the easy levels just for fun. Because of this,I gave it a 9. Awsome mech game with superior graphics, deep sound and easy control.
| Arcade style rules | | A gamer from Christopher, San Diego California says (28/Apr/2003): | The first thing i noticed when i started to play Mech Assault was the controls. Just like an FPS!! It made it very easy to play. After playing so much Halo and Red Faction 2, it was an easy transition and that warmed me to the game right off. Then the graphics, streaming purple lasers lancing into windows......sweeeeeeet. I did miss the configuration abilities from pervious MechWarrior games but the easy controls and fast-paced gameplay made up for it. Great game.
| A must have game... | | Alec from Atlanta,Georgia says (3/Mar/2004): | This game, simply put, is awesome. Im not much of a mech fan and I loved it. The graphics and the sound in this game are awesome, especially the mech explosions $-). This game is very long and very fun. If you are not good at video games then you might want to stay away from this game.
Game play is awesome and it gets better with Xbox live. This game follows along the lines of most other mech games like mechwarrior but all together it is an original game. The only part of this game that needed to be improved was the fact that there are too many glitches that people can use to their advantage.
Well, if you got the Xbox you got the better deal. With Halo and MechAssault exclusivly out for it then you cant lose. As I was saying, younger kids might want to stay away from this game as it is extremely hard even on the lowest setting. There are about 30 to 40 different campaign levels and about 20 different mechs including the xbox live downloadable mechs.
Well like I said this is a must have game foe Xbox owners. If you are having trouble beating this game, email me at BOB4BOB88< remove me > at aol.com and I will try to help you the best I can. Peace out y'all! $-)
| Missions Awsome | | [DE] Fantom from niagara falls Canada says (3/Sep/2004): | Best thing about mechassult was the missions. They were involving, and the mechs weapons made it even more outstanding! For you people who dont have XBL. . .Get it! It makes the gameplay so much better. And Mechassult also has Downloadable content. Not happy with mechs or maps you currently have? Download new ones! And in multiplayer levels like Arctic levels, the snow actually piles up on your mech! how many games have that good physics!
And if you run into buildings, the dent will be where your mech hit it, not a pre scripted dent on the wall beside you.
No one can be...told what Mechassult is...You have to see it for yourself!
| Death From Above | | A gamer from Grand Rapids, USA says (16/Nov/2002): | Mech Assault is one of this years best XBOX games. The Graphics are top notch. When you go to charge you PPC cannon the detail is awesome. The graphics are not the only things that is great about this game... The sound effects and soundtrack are great too. If you like rock and roll you will love it. The only down side that I have seen so far is a lack of controller set up. I would recommend this game to anyone who has or is going to buy an XBOX. This is one Awesome game!!!!!
| what a huge disapointment. | | A gamer says (7/Dec/2002): | i was really hoping for some specs on the mechs, but in the multi player mode you have to choose the game based on a mech name with no info. what is that about?
also, when you come back as a little guy, you can't do anything but blow yourself up. think, guys, think. I would say better luck next time but this game sucks so bad i dont think there will be a next time.
| short but the graphics and gameplay make up for it | | score from enfield,usa says (31/Dec/2002): | i just got an xbox and when i got this game i was glad i did. the gameplay and graphics are some of the best i have seen and i have been playing video games for a long time.the plot is kinda bad but the missions and fighting other mechs make this game a challenge in the higher difficulty settings.when i first got it i got stuck on the secong mission.the ragnorok is suposed to be the best mech but i think the atlas is.sure its short but going to xbox live makes it a whole diffrent game.it puts your gaming skills to the test.this is a game for any beginer or any hardcore gamer.
| The Best Ever | | alex from Lumberton, N.J., U.S. says (1/Jan/2003): | This has the graphics to rival all games and the tech to defeat Halo. This next gen game is the most advanced i've seen. I spend hours on this game just improving my time. This game may be the best of the best. Definetly the game of the century, if not the new milenium. I was so pleased with this game i didn't play any others for nearly weeks. I wish all games weere this great, there would be no reason to turn the box off. The makers were thinking of aqll areas, these graphics are great, the sound is phenomenal, the gameplay is indescribable and the fun factor's off the chart. If the x box keeps this kind of a game span there will be no comparison what so ever. The gamecube has great games, but this is like nothing else. The quality makes it seem like your in the middle of the game, a huge steel dude going out and blowing the heads of other huge steel dudes, what a life.
| Dude | | Michael from Clearwater Fl USA says (30/Jan/2003): | This game is really, really, really, really fun. I'm in love with it and I haven't even hooked up my Xbox Live account! A lot of people prabably liked the look of it bcause 99.9% of the invironment was destructible. It's a whole lot more than that.If you have seen that lame Walmart commercial with the two guys obsessed with PS2, take that description and apply it to MechAssault and you'll know what I mean. If you've got it, get suround sound. It's awsome.
| Ya Tai (victory...I think.) | | Ryan, LIVE!: Bardiel13 says (5/Feb/2003): | Visuals sounds gameplay, simply everything rocks! Most mechwarrior fans are complaining constantly about the fact that you cant customize your mech. Yes, I would like to be able to customize my mech (gauss rifle on a catapult!), but I am also happy that I dont have to deal with it. My major problem is all the little kids playing on LIVE!. The problem is that if you swear, they constantly scream at you about how its potty language. Have you ever dealt with some runt getting his father to tell you why you shouldn't swear around kids? Annoying aint it? If your going to get the game for the kid, make sure you know what its like. I was in a room and the father started with a lecture. Suddenly 7 "F*CK YOU"s came screaming out of the head piece. The kid's father promptly preceeded to drop. Without the underage players the game would be PERFECT. Due to the fact that im happy and haven't seen more than one underage kid on LIVE! in the last 7 days Im gonna give it a 10 out of 10.
| A great game for anybody EVEN YOU!!!!!!! | | Joe V. from Antioch, California says (15/Mar/2003): | Here in Antioch California the greatest game is mechassult. Why you may ask, because it is a third person shooting Mech game. RThis is the first mech game I've played and it's the best. The single player took me weeks to beat. It's not short it's long. Every level I sayed to myself please let this be the last level. This in a lot of peoples opinions is an absolute masterpiece. on multiplayer it is awsome you can play for hours on grinder mode. I actually beat it by defeating seven ragnoraks at the same time (of course my friend helped me). This game gets even better with Xbox live where you fight people around the globe man not to mention the updates they may make on the game. Also when you die on grinder mode you become a human and can selfdestruct. It splatters blood everywhere. This is NOT a cheat it is a hint. Let a buddy die, then you go far away from where the mechs drop down. Then your body can walk up to him and you can try to get the first shot on him (he will just sit there). E-mail me!
| Good Game | | James Cann from Muncie, IN says (25/Jan/2004): | My son is six years old (seven in two months) and he does'nt seem to have any problems beating the levels. Great game! He and I have a lot of fun playing multiplayer together. I guess that's our family fun. The graphics are good ( mind you I have been a mechwarrior fan for some time) and the sound is decent and the controls are simple, making it ideal for online play. There is no console game that can stand up to the PC for online play , but this comes pretty close. So if you don,t have the capacity or dexterity to play this game, buy a super-nes and bounce ol mario around the living room TV
| Mech assault roks | | Collin Martin from Speedway,IN USA says (29/Jan/2004): | Mech assault roks. one awesome game. game of year in my opinion. the graphics are great and the controls are fairly easy to get once u get to kno the game. sounds r awesome along with the gameplay. i would value this game as totally awesome. i got this game the month after it came out and i loved it. at first some missions were hard but after getting used to it u kno wat to do. i did nt get the online player mode (Xbox live0 until about a year later. over all thisw game is the best .it is diffinetealy one of the best games of the year. u should rent the game before buyin it to make sure u like it. in comparision to some of the other mechassault games it was better. one thing u need to get when u buy it is too is get xbox live. without it is kinda boring. if u r a mech warrior fan u will luv this game. if this game doesnt get up there with halo then no game should. one great mode of th eonline game is the ctf mode. the only bad thing is when plp drop out and when other plp turn off their xboxes. but everyone should like mechassault for the xbox. P.S. this game roks.mech assault roks.
| This game rocks | | Doug Wester from Parker, PA, USA says (3/May/2004): | I really loved this game because of the great graphics and the story mode is so much detailed. It took me more than 2 months to get past the 2nd mission alone because of the stupid owens that you have to destroy before the communications tower. I have to say my favorite mech out of them all are the Puma. It is super light, has jump jets, has the ppc's on it and it can cause alot of damage alone.
If you've never played the other mech games than your prepared for what such a good game mech assualt is. Even though they have difficulties it is still hard to beat on green (easy). Each missions adds more suspense to the end of the game I think even if you have beaten the game 100 times over and over
| Mechassault, lag, and ISP's...things you should know. | | anonymous...but famous from Columbus, Ohio says (1/Jul/2003): | Mechassault is a terrific game. If you're new though, you should stick with other new guys for a while. The more experienced players have analyzed the maps, practiced, and become pretty professional about killing. One major problem I noticed was not so much lag in movement, but lag in damage. If your upload speed is less than about 180kbps, then if you pilot a Ragnarock you may experience lava lag. My buddies and I took two rags and put them about ten paces apart. My upload speed was only at about 150-160kbps, and even though my TV screen showed the lava hitting him directly in the face...it actually missed him. What he saw on his screen was the lava passing right by him. If I aimed a little to either side...depending on our speeds at the time....I could score a direct hit. On my screen it would show it passing by or glancing off his shoulder....but on his it was a direct hit. I honestly believe that if you have a slower ISP, you should upgrade. This will make you more successful. There are also seveal glitches...one being a major one. If you step on a health pack and you get hit at the EXACT same time....you not only don't get the health but more than likely you are reduced to almost zero health if you had any left. Just FYI for all you guys....
| The best machine game ever | | Peter from CA US says (4/May/2003): | If you want to play the first game to blow up buildings play this. Everyone of my friends that has played this game love it and u will too. The only downfall on it is that u can't really customize your mech as much as the Pc game MechWarrior Vengence, etc.
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