MechAssault

Last updated
MechAssault
MechAssault Coverart.png
Developer(s) Day 1 Studios [1]
FASA Studio
Publisher(s) Microsoft Game Studios
Producer(s) Michael J. McDonald
Designer(s) Tom Dowd
Artist(s) Timothy Zwica
Tim Coman
Series BattleTech
Platform(s) Xbox
Release
  • NA: November 12, 2002 [2]
  • PAL: November 22, 2002
Genre(s) Action / Shooter
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer

MechAssault is a video game released for the Xbox notable for being one of the first games to support Xbox Live online multiplayer. Developed by Day 1 Studios and FASA Studio and published by Microsoft, MechAssault was initiated when Denny Thorley of Day 1 Studios approached Jon Kimmich of Microsoft about developing an original BattleTech game built from the ground up to support console play. [3] "MechAssault" was released in November 2002. A sequel, MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf , was released on December 28, 2004. Both games are set in the BattleTech fictional universe.

Contents

Plot

MechAssault takes place in the BattleTech universe, a science-fiction universe that often revolves around pitched battles between human-piloted walking, heavily armed and armored machines, called BattleMechs. The plot of the game centers on an inhabited planet called Helios in the dominion of the Inner Sphere, a powerful coalition of feuding factions in control of large areas of space. The player is a BattleMech pilot (referred to throughout the game as simply "Captain" or, "MechWarrior") in the employment of an elite mercenary organization called Wolf's Dragoons. The player's ship is hired to investigate the cessation of communications from the planet Helios. The Dragoons' ship, the Icarus arrives at the planet and is shot down upon entering the atmosphere, causing the ship to crash-land on the surface of Helios. It is later discovered by the player that a rogue technology-worshipping cult known as the Word of Blake has invaded and conquered Helios, and is under the rule of an iron-fisted fanatic called Commander Strader. The game follows the player as, commanded by elite officer Major Natalia and assisted by inept techie Lieutenant Foster, they fight the military forces of the cult, assist in the liberation of the planet from Word of Blake rule, and assassinate Commander Strader.

Multiplayer

MechAssault was one of the first games on the Xbox to feature the ability to be played on the Xbox Live service. "MechAssault" included many of the basic Live services that are now considered standard on any Live-enabled video game. These features included options for finding and creating online matches, such as the common "Quick Match", which enables a player to find an online match quickly regardless of qualifications. For players who wanted to join a specific type of online session of MechAssault hosted by another player, "Optimatch" allowed the player to specify the criteria for the session they want to join. The player could also create and host an online session of MechAssault. Once the player defined all the characteristics of a game, they could invite other players from their friends list or leave slots open for any online player to join the battle.

MechAssault had several modes of combat in which players could engage, often based around by-now-common forms of online competitive gaming. In Grinder mode (local play only), the player tries to survive as more and more 'Mechs are spawned into the battle. This mode can be played with one or two players. In 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. Last 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. Capture the flag is a team based game where the opposing team spawn on opposite ends of the map and try to "Capture" the enemy flag without giving up their own.

A fairly common metagame during the height of online popularity was known as "Elemental". A Last Man Standing match, "Elemental" saw only one player choose a Mech while all others chose the Elemental mobile armor, a much smaller and weaker playable class. This was decided by players in voice chat prior to the start of the game. It was later released as an official game type known as "Giant Killers".

Reception

The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [4] Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot said, "If you're going to buy one game with your Xbox Live starter kit, MechAssault is the one to get." [14] In Japan, where the game was ported for release on June 12, 2003, Famitsu gave it a score of 28 out of 40. [10]

By July 2006, the game had sold 750,000 units and earned $26 million in the U.S. NextGen ranked it as the 85th highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in that country. Combined sales of the MechAssault series reached 1.1 million units. [21]

GameSpot named it the best Xbox game of November 2002, [22] and later presented it with the annual awards for "Best Online Game on Xbox", [23] "Best Shooter on Xbox", [24] and overall "Game of the Year on Xbox". [25] It was a runner-up in the publication's "Best Sound" and "Best Graphics (Technical)" categories. [26] [27]

Notes

  1. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 9/10, 8/10, and 8.5/10.

Related Research Articles

<i>Medal of Honor: Allied Assault</i> 2002 First-Person Shooter Video Game

Medal of Honor: Allied Assault is a 2002 first-person shooter video game developed by 2015, Inc. and published by Electronic Arts. It was released for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Allied Assault is the third game in the Medal of Honor series. The game uses the id Tech 3 engine, with modifications from Heavy Metal: F.A.K.K.², to simulate infantry combat in the European and North African theaters during World War II.

BattleTech is a wargaming and military science fiction franchise launched by FASA Corporation in 1984, acquired by WizKids in 2001, which was in turn acquired by Topps in 2003; and published since 2007 by Catalyst Game Labs. The trademark is currently owned by Topps and, for video games, Microsoft Gaming; Catalyst Game Studios licenses the franchise from Topps.

<i>Unreal Tournament</i> 1999 first-person shooter video game

Unreal Tournament is a first-person arena shooter video game developed by Epic Games and Digital Extremes. The second installment in the Unreal series, it was first published by GT Interactive in 1999 for Windows, and later released on the PlayStation 2 and Dreamcast by Infogrames in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Players compete in a series of matches of various types, with the general aim of out-killing opponents. The PC and Dreamcast versions support multiplayer online or over a local area network. Free expansion packs were released, some of which were bundled with a 2000 re-release: Unreal Tournament: Game of the Year Edition.

<i>Unreal Tournament 2003</i> 2002 video game

Unreal Tournament 2003 is a first-person arena shooter video game developed by Epic Games and Digital Extremes, and published by Infogrames under the Atari brand name. The game is part of the Unreal franchise, and is a sequel to 1999's Unreal Tournament. Like its predecessor, the game is designed mainly for multiplayer gaming.

<i>Steel Battalion</i> 2002 video game

Steel Battalion is a video game created by Capcom for the Xbox console where the player controls a "Vertical Tank"—a bipedal, heavily armed mecha. To control the tank and play the game requires the use of a large controller made specially for Steel Battalion. The controller consists of 44 input points, mainly buttons, but also uses two joysticks, a throttle handle, a radio channel dial, five switches, an eject button, and three foot pedals. Only limited quantities were made available. These quickly sold out, making the game a collector's piece. It has since been re-released in limited quantities worldwide, with blue controller buttons distinguishing it from the first edition with green buttons.

<i>TimeSplitters 2</i> 2002 video game

TimeSplitters 2 is a first-person shooter video game, developed by Free Radical Design, published by Eidos Interactive, and released in October 2002 for PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube. The game's story focuses on the efforts of a space marine who seeks to recover powerful time crystals from a race of alien mutants called TimeSplitters, which leads them to taking on the form of an individual dealing with their own problems across different time periods between the 19th and 25th century. The developers focused on expanding the story element following 2000's TimeSplitters, and features influences from various film genres, including horror, action and science fiction.

<i>MechCommander</i> 1998 real-time tactics video game

MechCommander is a real-time tactics video game based on FASA's BattleTech/MechWarrior franchise, developed by FASA Interactive and distributed by MicroProse in 1998. An expansion pack, Desperate Measures, was released in 1999.

<i>Unreal Championship</i> 2002 video game

Unreal Championship is a first-person arena shooter video game developed by Digital Extremes and Epic Games, published by Infogrames, and released for the Xbox. Part of the Unreal franchise, Unreal Championship is the console version of Unreal Tournament 2003, and was developed to take advantage of Xbox Live. The game is notable for being the first ever console game to receive a downloadable patch. In 2003 Unreal Championship was added to the Xbox "Platinum Hits" line.

<i>Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix</i> 2002 video game

Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix is a first-person shooter video game developed by Raven Software, the sequel to Soldier of Fortune. It was developed using the id Tech 3 engine as opposed to the original's id Tech 2, and published in 2002. Once again, Raven hired John Mullins to act as a consultant on the game. Based on criticisms of the original game, Raven Software developed Soldier of Fortune II to be a more "realistic" game, with more modern tactical shooters like Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis (2001) and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six (1998) serving as inspirations, rather than Quake (1996).

<i>NASCAR Thunder 2003</i> 2003 Racing simulator video game developed by EA Sports and Budcat Creations

NASCAR Thunder 2003 is the sixth edition of the EA Sports' NASCAR racing simulator series. Developed by EA Tiburon and Budcat Creations and published by EA Sports. It was released for PlayStation, PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox on September 18, 2002, and for Microsoft Windows on October 21. The product features Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the cover. It was the first time the NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award recipient was featured on the cover, although he did not win the award for the first time until the following year. Dale Earnhardt appeared in the game as a driver as a result of entering his name as a Create-A-Car driver's name; he did not appear in the previous game due to his death. He appeared as a legend in subsequent games.

<i>Sega Soccer Slam</i> 2002 video game

Sega Soccer Slam, also known as simply Soccer Slam, is a sports game released for GameCube, Xbox, and PlayStation 2 in 2002.

<i>Bruce Lee: Quest of the Dragon</i> 2002 video game

Bruce Lee: Quest of the Dragon is a beat 'em up video game featuring martial artist Bruce Lee. It was developed by Ronin Entertainment and published by Universal Interactive. It was released in Europe and the United States for the Xbox in 2002 to a negative critical reception. A planned sequel was cancelled.

<i>MechWarrior 4: Vengeance</i> 2000 video game

MechWarrior 4: Vengeance is a vehicle simulation game, developed by FASA Interactive and published by Microsoft. It was released on November 22, 2000. It is the fourth game in MechWarrior series. It takes place in BattleTech universe where the pinnacle of all war machines are huge, heavily armed robots called BattleMechs. The player pilots one of these "'Mechs" and uses variety of available weapons to battle enemy 'Mechs, tanks and other vehicles. An expansion pack, MechWarrior 4: Black Knight, was released in 2001, and a subsequent stand-alone expansion, MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, was released on November 7, 2002. Two smaller expansions, Inner Sphere Mech Pak and Clan Mech Pak, were also released in 2002.

<i>MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf</i> 2004 video game

MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf is a 2004 video game developed by Day 1 Studios and FASA Studio and published by Microsoft Game Studios exclusively for the Xbox console, and set in the BattleTech universe. Development of MechAssault 2 was announced shortly following the release of MechAssault, with the developers focusing on the expansion of online and networking features to capitalise upon the success of the original game as a pilot title for the Xbox Live online service, and creating a more open-ended gameplay style in which players are able to exit their mech and occupy multiple vehicles.

<i>MechAssault: Phantom War</i> 2006 video game

MechAssault: Phantom War is an action video game that is part of the MechWarrior series and part of the BattleTech universe created by FASA. Players assume the role of a BattleMech pilot in a 3D environment with a third person view of the combat via the top screen of the DS, while the touch screen displays the inside of the cockpit and acts as the game's controls.

<i>MechWarrior 3</i> 1999 video game

MechWarrior 3 is a vehicle simulation game, part of the MechWarrior series. It featured a new 3D accelerated graphics engine at the time of its release. The game contains over 20 missions, with access to 18 different mechs. A novelization called Trial Under Fire was written by Loren L. Coleman.

<i>MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries</i> 2002 video game

Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries is a vehicle simulation video game for Microsoft Windows, released in 2002. It is a standalone expansion of MechWarrior 4: Vengeance, based on the BattleTech/MechWarrior game universe. The game was developed by Cyberlore in tandem with FASA Studio. This studio would also be responsible for MechWarrior 4's previous expansion, Black Knight - as well as both the InnerSphere and Clan Mech Packs.

<i>Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge</i> 2003 video game

Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge is a first-party video game developed by FASA Studio for the Xbox. The game, like the earlier Crimson Skies for the PC, is an action-oriented arcade flight game. Nonetheless, there are significant differences between the gameplay of High Road to Revenge and that of the original PC title. For example, while the Xbox game has a more open-ended mission structure, it offers less plane customization than the PC game. A Microsoft Windows port was planned but was cancelled.

<i>NCAA Football 2003</i> 2002 video game

NCAA Football 2003 is a video game of the sports genre released in 2002 by EA Tiburon. Its cover athlete is former Oregon Ducks quarterback Joey Harrington.

<i>MechWarrior Online</i> 2013 video game

MechWarrior Online is a free-to-play vehicle simulation video game, officially launched during September 2013 by Piranha Games for Microsoft Windows. The game takes place within the larger BattleTech universe.

References

  1. ↑ "Products". Day 1 Studios . Archived from the original on 15 February 2005. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  2. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (October 21, 2002). "MechAssaultin': The Interview". IGN . Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  3. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (October 21, 2002). "MechAssaultin': The Interview". IGN . Ziff Davis . Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "MechAssault for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic . Red Ventures . Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  5. ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "MechAssault - Review". AllGame . All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  6. ↑ Edge staff (February 2003). "MechAssault (Xbox Live)". Edge . No. 120. Future Publishing.
  7. ↑ Edge staff (Christmas 2002). "MechAssault". Edge. No. 118. Future Publishing.
  8. ↑ EGM staff (January 2003). "MechAssault". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 162. Ziff Davis. p. 198. Archived from the original on February 29, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  9. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (November 22, 2002). "MechAssault". Eurogamer . Gamer Network . Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  10. 1 2 "メックアサルト". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain . Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  11. ↑ "MechAssault". Game Informer . No. 116. FuncoLand. December 2002. p. 136.
  12. ↑ Atomic Dawg (November 14, 2002). "MechAssault Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro . IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 13, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  13. ↑ Sanders, Shawn (November 2002). "MechAssault Review". GameRevolution . CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  14. 1 2 Gerstmann, Jeff (November 8, 2002). "MechAssault Review". GameSpot . Red Ventures. Archived from the original on December 29, 2004. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  15. ↑ Hodgson, David (November 8, 2002). "GameSpy: MechAssault". GameSpy . IGN Entertainment. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  16. ↑ Knutson, Michael (November 18, 2002). "MechAssault - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  17. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (November 6, 2002). "MechAssault". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  18. ↑ "MechAssault". Official Xbox Magazine . Imagine Media. January 2003. p. 72.
  19. ↑ Keighley, Geoff (January 10, 2003). "Mechassault [sic]". Entertainment Weekly . No. 690. Time Inc. p. 77. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  20. ↑ Boyce, Ryan (November 13, 2002). "MechAssault". Maxim . MaximNet, Inc. Archived from the original on December 3, 2002. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  21. ↑ Campbell, Colin; Keiser, Joe (July 29, 2006). "Top 100 Games of the 21st Century". NextGen . Future US. Archived from the original on October 28, 2007.
  22. ↑ GameSpot staff (December 7, 2002). "GameSpot's Game of the Month, November 2002 (Xbox)". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on March 15, 2004. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  23. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Online Game on Xbox)". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on February 12, 2003. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  24. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Shooter on Xbox)". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on February 21, 2003. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  25. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Game of the Year on Xbox)". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on June 13, 2003. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  26. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Sound on Xbox)". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on December 23, 2002. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  27. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Graphics (Technical) on Xbox)". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on February 2, 2003. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.