| MechAssault |
|---|
| | Developer(s) | Day 1 Studios | | Publisher(s) | Microsoft Game Studios | | Designer(s) | Tom Dowd | | Platform(s) | Xbox | | Release date | USA November 11, 2002
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.
Modes of play
Campaign ModeThis 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.
Xbox LiveMechAssault 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.
GrinderIn 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)
DestructionIn 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)
Last Man StandingLast 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)
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)
Capture the FlagCapture 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
Quantum RedshiftQuantum 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.
WeaponsMost of the 'Mechs are outfitted with offensive and defensive weapons systems, and many of them feature jump jets.
Offensive Weapons
Energy weapons
Ballistic weapons
Missile weaponsThe 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.
Special Weapons
Defensive Weapons
Jump jetsWith 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.
Null signatureWhen 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.
Target jammingTarget jamming disrupts enemy radar systems within a given range when activated. It also causes enemies to lose any acquired target locks.
ChaffThe 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.
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.
SalvageIn 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.
External links- Microsoft's official MechAssault site
- MechAssault at MobyGames
- Day1 Studios
- Classic Battle Tech
| MechWarrior video games |
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| | MechWarrior series | MechWarrior · 2: 31st Century Combat · 3 · 4: Vengeance · 4: Mercenaries | | | MechCommander series | MechCommander · 2 | | | MechAssault series | MechAssault · 2: Lone Wolf · Phantom War |
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