Windows

MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries

MechWarrior 2-Mercenaries is a top of the line combat simulator which should not be passed up by anyone who isn't afraid of multiple commands and options...

But the AI enhancements alone make Mercenaries a must-own for MW2 veterans. The breadth of gameplay options and variety make it a must-try for Mech newbies. So what are you waiting for, MechWarrior? Fame and fortune await.

In the dry desert on Draconis IV, a slight ripple in the sand caused the scorpions to stir, scurrying for any small hills and dunes they could hide their invertebrate bodies in. In the distance, a small Commando Mech, both arms shot off and spraying lethal gasses from its crippled engines ran for its life.

It's certainly another MechWarrior game, but this time there's a healthy bit of cynicism about it. MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries may have three levels of difficulty to gently ease you into the action, but even at the easiest setting, you still need to be pretty darned quick with the multiple button pressing, joystick and/or mouse twiddling and keyboard whacking. Either that, or pretty quick with the Load Saved Game button.

In the end, there's an awful lot to like about MechWarrior: Mercenaries, and those who liked the first two games are in for a real treat when they open the shrink wrap on this follow-up. All new AI, an amazing network play system that allows players to host their own multiplayer games over the Internet, and some really great pre-made missions ensure that the game is almost certain to appeal to any fan of action or simulation games.

Ein wenig mehr hätte ich mir von Mercenaries schon erwartet. Die Grafik wurde nur minimal verbessert und in puncto Geschwindigkeit hat sich überhaupt nichts getan: ein schneller Pentium bleibt immer noch oberste Voraussetzung. Dennoch machen die neuen Missionen sehr viel Spaß, vor allem in den Städten entfaltet MechWarrior 2 ganz neue Perspektiven. Eine wenig spektakuläre, aber gelungene Fortsetzung.

MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries is een prachtig spel. Het heeft al de actie van Mechwarrior, man nu beslis jij zelf wat je waar, wanneer en met wie gaat doen. Ook het feit dat je geen ongelimiteerde middelen hebt zorgt ervoor dat je belangrijke beslissingen op lange termijn moet nemen. Vandaag winnen is niet voldoende. Je moet ermee rekening houden dat je de dag nadien ook moet zegevieren.

Spilbarheden er i top som i forgængeren, men nu kan man spille multiplayer over Internet. Der er nye missioner og motiver, og alt i alt er Mercenaries et fornuftigt produkt. Er man Mechwarrior-fan, bør ens hylde ikke være foruden denne skive, og andre vil hurtigt forelske sig i spillet.

Puh, das ist aber wirklich schwer. Der Schwierigkeitsgrad von MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries ist trotz dreifacher Staffelung, wahrlich nicht von Pappe. Spätestens wenn die Clans auftauchen, will jeder teure Schuß gut überlegt sein. Die "Feuer frei"-Mentalität des Vorgängers sollte man schnellstens ablegen, um nicht vorzeitig bankrott zu gehen. Doch das steigert die Motivation eines echten Mechpiloten erst.

In spite of these (considerable) drawbacks, Activision has done an admirable job taking their Mechwarrior engine to the next level. If you're not going to make an entirely new game, if you're going to loiter somewhere between an upgrade and a sequel, this is the way to do it. Sure, it's the same old song and dance, but with a few new steps and a much prettier girl.