This game is a classic.
MechCommander: Gold is a complete package that includes both the base game MechCommander and it's expansion MechCommander: Desperate Measures, with the former being released in 1998 and latter in 1999. You could say that is a pretty old game.
MechCommander is a videogame of the real-time strategy game genre, it sets itself apart by letting the player command a lance--a group of-- if it wasn't yet obvious, "mechs" in a series of missions.
Screenshot of the opening cinematic.
in order from the front to the rear: Raven, Centurion, Hunchback, Commando.
MechCommander also features live-action cinematics, prevalent in the 90s.
Videogames were cool back in the day.
MechCommander is played in an isometric-2D, which gives it the illusion of being a 3D game.
Flow of how MechCommander is played
A typical mission starts with the briefing/deployment screen detailing the specifics of the mission, there's even a live action video feed lol.
In this screen you see the map and the objectives marked within it, the total number of units you can deploy as well as the total weight of the units.
The purchasing tab is where you purchase new mechs, MechWarriors(pilots), components such as weapons and vehicles, This is also where you can sell your stuff such as an unwanted salvaged mech.
If you might have notice mechs have a letter designation between A,W,J, these labels tell whether the mech in question is of an Armored, Weapon, or JumpJet variant.
In the Mech Bay tab is where you are able to edit and customized your mechs that you will bring into missions. Simply drag and drop a mech to the Ready Area, prepare their weapon and sensor loadout, and assign a MechWarrior--pilot.
Unlike the later games in the series, MechCommander doesn't have strict rules when it comes to loadouts, What I mean is you can field a small mech with a large particle projector cannon, as long as the weight limit allows it, or make a 100-ton mech completely filled to the brim with small lasers.
Once you are ready to deploy your lance of mechs, take one last look at the map, and review the mission objectives, you are ready to begin the mission.
Each unit has it's own quirks derived from it's mech, MechWarrior, weapons and sensors it carries.
The white circle in the map represents your units' sensor range.
the yellow dots inside the sensor range represents passive targets, red dots represents targets alarmed by your units.
User Interface controls are limited but get's the job done such as this zoom in function to look closer at the mechs.
MechCommander allows the player to attack the target on different ranges from long range, medium range, short range, as well as holding current position.
The game also features Cliffs, walls as well as elevation.
Mech games aren't called mech games without this specific bit and that is: Damagable parts.
Mechs can lose body parts as well as weapons on it, If a mech were to lose a leg, it would be unable to run and would walk slower as it hobbled away.
More times than not, A unit would instantly eliminate an opponent unit by shooting the head.
When a unit is destroyed, you can sometimes find salvage which can be checked on the salvage tab.
MechWarriors--pilots for the most part, would eject from a destroyed mech, sometimes they can get killed in action though. The red dots above their portraits at the bottom left of the screen represents a MechWarrior's health, as you run missions they can get injured from one thing or another.
Once a mission is complete, you are presented with the results screen, showing statistics, salvage, reward earned, as well as MechWarrior growth.
Barebones.
When I rate things, I always use a three-point system.
1 for Bad
2 for Okay
3 for Great
I must point out that I have very low standards and is easily impressed.
so it's very hard for me to give a score of 1,
and very easy for me to give a score of 3.
MechCommander, 1998, 3/3. Awesome.
The Good:
- One of a kind.
- Live action cinematics.
- EVERYTHING!
- RNG
The Bad:
- Dated.
- You won't be able to run it out of the box.
- RNG
The Neutral:
- There's not a lot of games like it currently.
- it has pathing issues.
- Being a commander of kids in mechs sure is hard.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4RysZQnzrPuA_05EG0O0lzZRJT--FMBV
So people. what's up? I decided to make story/campaign mode videos on youtube which is why I am mostly inactive in Hive.
It's addicting. Well.. I just record gameplay, no cams, no commentary, just gameplay. I have made a personal goal of trying it for a year, 2024.
So far it's going quite nicely.
I have no expectations on what might happen, but I would be quite ecstatic if it grew nicely.😁
Cheers!