More Play!

Multiplayahz

Perhaps taking a cue from our Mechwarrior 3 review, Microsoft has included a great many new modes in multiplayer. There's more than just typical Deathmatch. You can score points based on kills or on the amount of damage you do. Of course, there is Capture the Flag - the most popular team game. There are others, of course, such as Team King of the Hill. Since the team version is present, it's pretty much expected that regular King of the Hill is also included.

Bada-bing, bada-boom

Your mission, should you choose to accept it

With all these game modes, it looks like Mechwarrior 4 is targeting to be the multiplayer game of the year. With far more customizability and variety than mere "classes" in other online games, 'Mechs could possibly usher in a new era of teamplay with player-customized classes instead of pre-made ones. Changes "on the fly" will be more difficult since there is more to a 'Mech than just picking one and selecting a gun, but there is potential.

Graphics, sound, the other stuff

Wow, the Mechwarrior 4 engine is amazing! Battlemechs move fluidly and in a believable manner now. When they get hit by rockets, big autocannons or gauss guns, they get hit. The body jerks and the torso will twist with a blow to the left or right side of the chest- impressive! PPCs will leave limbs and chest parts crackling with energy and definitely not in a "happy" state.

Just missed with those SRMs

That's a way to die

The terrain is just plain awesome - rolling hills are covered with trees, shrubs and even boulders that your 'Mech will smash through if he runs into them. These obstacles will slow down your 'Mech appropriately but they can also can provide visual cover from your enemies - though an alert foe will hear your rumbling and crashing through a forest.

Sounds are right up there with the graphical bliss that Mechwarrior 4 offers. 'Mechs rumble, clang and crash across the ground. Lasers zap and zing and even have a "phew, close call that just missed!" effect. It seems like nothing was left out - the sounds complement the environment with their fullness.

Ooooh yeah

smokin'

In Short

Mechwarrior 4 is destined to be one of those "must buys." Unless the development team starts actively destroying their work, this game can't fail. OK, so we all want the Mechwarrior 2 soundtrack and the Clans back in the mix, but hey, nobody's perfect!