MechWarrior: Living Legends

Last updated
MechWarrior: Living Legends
MechWarrior Living Legends mod logo.jpg
Developer(s) Wandering Samurai Studios
Series MechWarrior
Engine CryEngine 2
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Release2009
Genre(s) Vehicle simulation
Mode(s) Multiplayer

Mechwarrior: Living Legends (also known as MW:LL or MWLL) is a free, fan-created multiplayer-only game based in the BattleTech universe - originally a total-conversion mod for Crysis , it's since become stand-alone - running on Crysis Wars, and using CryEngine 2 as its engine. It's one of the few mods based on the BattleTech universe (and its supporting Intellectual property) to have been sanctioned by Microsoft—who currently (as of 2011) owns the rights to the Mechwarrior video-game franchise—and additionally received pre-SDK support and sanctioning directly from Crytek, producers of the games' engine. [1] [2] On December 26, 2009, an open beta (version 0.1.0) was released via BitTorrent and other distribution methods. [3] Because the project changes the play-style and feel of the game it is originally based on (Crysis and Crysis Warhead) so completely as to be unrecognizable in comparison, it is billed as a "full-conversion" mod, since little to no trace of the original game's art or play-style (besides the most basic menus seen when first loading the game) exists any longer within MW:LL. [4] [5] It was created by American developer Wandering Samurai Studios.

Contents

History

Mechwarrior: Living Legends is based in the BattleTech universe and began as a mod for Quake Wars . However, for a number of reasons, the team decided to switch to Crysis and continue development on the CryEngine 2. Not long after the switch, German Crysis developer Crytek announced that the team would be one of only four to receive the Crysis Software Development Kit (SDK) in advance.

On Friday October 28, 2016 a new development team, unaffiliated with Wandering Samurai, [6] released a 0.8.0 version of the game. [7] [8] [9]

Since the community team took over development, Mechwarrior: Living Legends has received a number of new playable mechs, vehicles and aircraft as well as maps, in addition to significant gameplay and balance changes. As of August 2022, the game is in version 0.15.3.

Gameplay

MW:LL is a multiplayer-only game with no single-player mode. As such, it has no specific story and does not seek to establish canon. However, it is loosely set during the Clan Invasion of 3050-3061, with the playable teams being the Inner Sphere and the invading Clans. With some exceptions, the majority of playable assets are from this era in BattleTech canon.

The game is limited strictly to the first person point of view, and focuses largely on vehicular combat, including the franchise hallmark BattleMech. Additionally, it is the first game in the MechWarrior series to allow players to operate a wide range of vehicles in addition to 'Mechs; Battle-Armor, tanks, hovercraft, VTOLs, and aerospace fighters.

Each 'Mech, ground vehicle and aircraft chassis (asset) has multiple variants to choose from, sporting different weapon and equipment loadouts - determining their combat roles, effectiveness and capabilities in a given scenario.

Players must manage their asset's heat, ammo and damage in combat. Most energy weapons (lasers) are hit-scan and tend to build the most heat, but do not require ammunition - while Ballistic and Missile weapons fire projectiles, with a limited ammunition pool and generally producing less heat per damage, with some notable exceptions. Overheating can cause an automatic shutdown, which can be overridden at risk of causing severe damage or outright destruction to the asset. Maps have different ambient temperatures, as well as environmental features such as bodies of water or lava, all of which can effect an asset's cooling.

Each asset is divided into several different hitboxes - For mechs; the Center, Rear, Left and Right torsos, Left and Right legs, Head, and any external pods. Tanks have front, back and side panels, as well as their turret and internals. Aircraft have the body, wings, tail and engine. Arms and external pods on mechs, as well as wings on VTOLs and Aerospace fighters can be destroyed, along with any weapons carried in them - these are not replaceable through repairs. Mech side-torsos can also contain weapons, but if destroyed they can be fully restored. Destruction of the turret on tanks and hovercraft reduces its turn rate, but does not disable its weapons. The rear torso on mechs, and rear panel on tanks, contains the asset's engine - severe damage to these will reduce their top speed. Mechs can be mobility-killed by destroying one leg, or by severely damaging both legs. Destruction of the center torso for mechs, internals for tanks and hovercraft, or body for aircraft will destroy the asset.

Gamemodes

Mechwarrior: Living Legends offers five game modes. In each, the player will spawn as Infantry equipped with Battle Armor (BA), and is able to purchase an asset if they spawn at a factory - or weapons for their BA at these and all other spawnpoints - using the C-Bills they spawn with. By dealing damage, destroying enemy assets, capturing control points and using certain electronics systems, players earn more C-Bills in their current life - and progress towards the next rank, enabling them to respawn with more C-Bills. Team-based modes can be played in "PureTech" mode - restricting players on the Inner Sphere and Clan teams to their respective faction's assets.

Terrain Control

In Terrain Control (TC), similar to the Battlefield series' Conquest mode, the objective for each team is to capture and maintain control of several capture points spread across the map, in order to drain the opposing team of their Tickets. Each team starts with 625 Tickets, and each player starts off with 43,000 C-Bills - enough to choose from a small selection of light mechs and vehicles. Player deaths, the destruction of enemy assets, and controlling a majority of capture points, will bleed the opposing team's tickets. Some capture points may feature factories, from which players can buy mechs and vehicles, while others may be worth more in terms of their effect on ticket bleed.

Each asset has a specific ticket value, with heavier mechs and vehicles costing more upon destruction. Upon a team reaching 0 tickets, dead players will be unable to respawn, and a 3-minute timer begins. If both teams reach 0 tickets, the team with the most players alive at the end of the 3 minutes wins. If the round timer runs out before either team reaches 0 tickets, the team with the most tickets remaining wins.

Solaris Arena

Solaris Arena (SA) is a free-for-all deathmatch mode, with most maps being set on Solaris VII - A planet famous for its gladiatiorial Solaris games. George Ledoux reprises his role from Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries as Duncan Fisher, a Solaris announcer, providing commentary during gameplay.

Team Solaris Arena

Team Solaris Arena (TSA) is a team-based deathmatch mode, and can be played on most TC maps. The objective for each team is to destroy as many tickets' worth of enemy assets as possible.

Test of Strength

Test of Strength is similar to TSA, however players start with a finite number of C-Bills, and have no way of earning more.

Practice

In practice mode, players spawn with a large amount of C-Bills and can give themselves as much as they require, in order to test out all the game's playable assets.

Reception

In 2010, MechWarrior: Living Legends was declared the winner of Mod DB's 2009 Players' Choice - Mod of the Year contest. [10] As of August 2022, MW:LL is rated 9.5/10 based on 528 reviews. [11]

In 2014, it was named by PCGamer among the "Ten top fan remade classics you can play for free right now". [12]

Sequel

In 2021 it was announced that a sequel titled 'Living Legends 2: Armored Combat' was in production, dropping the "MechWarrior" title. Living Legends 2 is being developed as a standalone title on Unreal Engine 5. [13]

Related Research Articles

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>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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CryEngine</span> Game engine by Crytek

CryEngine is a game engine designed by the German game developer Crytek. It has been used in all of their titles with the initial version being used in Far Cry, and continues to be updated to support new consoles and hardware for their games. It has also been used for many third-party games under Crytek's licensing scheme, including Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 and SNOW. Warhorse Studios uses a modified version of the engine for their medieval RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Ubisoft maintains an in-house, heavily modified version of CryEngine from the original Far Cry called Dunia, which is used in their later iterations of the Far Cry series. The Dunia engine would in turn be further modified and used in games such as The Crew 2.

MechWarrior: Dark Age was a tabletop wargame by WizKids set in the BattleTech universe that uses the Clix system. The game's miniatures are pre-painted models of infantry squads, vehicles, and giant walking war machines known as BattleMechs or more simply "'mechs".

Project Reality is a series of military tactical first-person shooter video game modifications that aim to create a realistic teamwork-based shooter centered around modern warfare and combined arms. The original version, Project Reality: BF2, was released in 2005 for Battlefield 2; this version is still being updated on a regular basis and became a stand-alone game in 2015. Project Reality: ARMA 2, a version developed for Arma 2, was released as a beta in 2011; development was later moved to Arma 3 in 2013, with the project being renamed to Project Reality: ARMA 3. In September 2015 it was announced that the Arma project had been suspended.

<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>Crysis</i> (video game) 2007 video game

Crysis is a first-person shooter video game developed by Crytek and published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows and released in November 2007. It is the first game in the Crysis series. A standalone expansion entitled Crysis Warhead was released in 2008, following similar events as Crysis but from a different narrative perspective. At the time Crysis was released, and years thereafter, it has been praised for its milestones in graphical design.

<i>MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat</i> 1995 video game

MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat is a vehicle simulation game developed and published by Activision, released in 1995 as part of the MechWarrior series of video games in the BattleTech franchise. The game is set in 3057, and is played as a tactical simulation that incorporates aspects of real-time first-person combat and the physical simulation of the player's mech. It is a game recreation of the "Refusal War." The player can join one of the clans, Clan Jade Falcon or Clan Wolf while engaging in up to 32 missions.

<i>MechWarrior</i> (1989 video game) 1989 video game

MechWarrior is the second video game released in the BattleTech game series. MechWarrior was the first video game to offer the player a chance to pilot a BattleMech from the view of a pilot. With this game the player has a great deal of freedom when compared to many of the follow-up MechWarrior games, which include choosing missions, buying & selling mechs and parts, hiring lance-mates, and traveling throughout the Inner Sphere. Underneath the major game mechanics, the player had the option of following a role playing style story arc that would unfold over five in-game years.

<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>MechWarrior</i> (1993 video game) 1993 video game

MechWarrior, known in Japan as BattleTech (バトルテック), is a first-person action video game for the Super NES set in the BattleTech universe. The SNES game was based upon the original PC MechWarrior, with updated graphics that utilized Mode 7 for the Battlemech mission sequences instead of the PC version's flat-shaded 3D graphics.

<i>MechWarrior 3050</i> 1996 video game

MechWarrior 3050, also known as BattleTech in its original Sega Genesis release and in Japan as BattleTech 3050 (バトルテック3050), is a 1994 mech-based video game developed by Malibu. The first BattleTech based game to be released for the Sega Genesis, it was later ported to the Super Nintendo by Activision as MechWarrior 3050. The Super Nintendo game was localized and published in Japan by Ask Group.

<i>MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries</i> 1996 video game

MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries is a video game released in September 1996 as a stand-alone expansion to MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat and the last BattleTech game made by Activision. In this game, the player takes control of an Inner Sphere mercenary squad, with control over finances and free choice of missions.

<i>MechWarrior</i> (role-playing game) Science fiction tabletop role-playing game

MechWarrior is a set of role-playing game rules published by FASA Corporation in 1986 that were designed to be used with FASA's previously published mecha wargame BattleTech.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piranha Games</span> Canadian video game developer

Piranha Games Inc. is a Canadian video game developer based in Burnaby, British Columbia. The company was founded by Russ Bullock, President and Executive Producer, and Bryan Ekman, VP and Creative Director. Piranha Games is one of the oldest game developers in the Greater Vancouver area and was housed in the International Village Mall in the Chinatown area until their relocation to their current Burnaby headquarters. On 25 November 2020, Piranha Games entered into an agreement to be acquired by Enad Global 7.

<i>Crysis 3</i> 2013 video game

Crysis 3 is a 2013 first-person shooter video game developed by Crytek and published by Electronic Arts. It is the third installment in the Crysis series, and a sequel to the 2011 video game Crysis 2. The multiplayer portion of the game was developed by Crytek UK. Crysis 3's story, which serves to end the Crysis trilogy, revolves around a Nanosuit holder named Prophet and his quest for revenge against the Alpha Ceph, the leader of the Ceph alien race. Gameplay revolves around the use of the Nanosuit, which grants players a variety of abilities such as invisibility. New features introduced in Crysis 3 include a new Nanosuit ability called "Rip & Throw", a compound bow and hacking, which allows players to hack into enemies' equipment, drones, and security defenses.

<i>Crysis Warhead</i> 2008 video game

Crysis Warhead is a first-person shooter video game developed by Crytek Budapest and published by Electronic Arts. Crysis Warhead is a stand-alone expansion game and does not require the installation of the original Crysis to play.

<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.

<i>MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries</i> 2019 video game

MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is a BattleTech mecha game developed by Piranha Games released on December 10, 2019, on Microsoft Windows. It is the first single player MechWarrior game since 2002. It was initially available as an Epic Games Store exclusive title, which, like other games with Epic Games Store exclusivity deals, was met with criticism. On May 7, 2020, it was made available through Xbox Game Pass for PC. On May 27, 2021, it was made available on additional platforms including Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Steam and GOG, in addition to the DLC pack Heroes of the Inner Sphere, Call to Arms, and Rise of Rasalhague. On PC, it features ray tracing as well as DLSS. The game has sold two million units as of October 2024. Piranha Games released a sequel, MechWarrior 5: Clans, on October 16, 2024.

References

  1. ↑ Chris Faylor (24 September 2007). "MechWarrior Crysis Mod Given Legal Clearance". webcitation.org: Shacknews.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  2. ↑ Cry-Alex. "New Crysis pre-SDK Mod - MechWarrior: Living Legends". Crymod.com: CryTek. Archived from the original on 4 November 2008. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  3. ↑ "MechWarrior: Living Legends Crysis mod stomps out". webcitation.org: shacknews.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  4. ↑ "MechWarrior: Living Legends mod gives Crysis Nanosuit a run for its money". webcitation.org: Joystiq.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  5. ↑ "15 Modders who changed PC gaming". gamingbolt.com. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  6. ↑ "MechWarrior: Living Legends | official website".
  7. ↑ "MechWarrior: Living Legends - Lebenszeichen der eingestellten CryEngine-Mod".
  8. ↑ "Fans Are Keeping a Mechwarrior Mod Alive". 2 November 2016.
  9. ↑ O'Connor, Alice (2 November 2016). "MechWarrior: Living Legends Revived by Players". Rock, Paper, Shotgun.
  10. ↑ "Players Choice - Mod of the Year feature - MechWarrior: Living Legends mod for Crysis Wars". Mod DB. 23 December 2009. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  11. ↑ "Reviews - MechWarrior: Living Legends mod for Crysis Wars". Mod DB. 23 December 2009. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  12. ↑ Craig Pearson (2014-01-01). "Ten top fan-remade classics you can play for free right now". PC Gamer .
  13. ↑ "Summer 2021 Development Update news - Living Legends 2: Armored Combat". Mod DB. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
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.