The long awaited sequel to MechWarrior has finally arrived, albeit late and allegedly over-budget. Five years in the making, MechWarrior 2 was delayed by many Hollywood-like ΓÇ£development problemsΓÇ¥; staff were fired, the original 3D engine was too slow, and the copyright holders threatened to pull their license from the product. Luckily the problems were finally resolved, because the game is worth the wait. The storyline revolves around exiled warriors returning to a civilization they left behind. If youΓÇÖve read the Battle Tech books, you can appreciate the finer points of the struggle between the clans as they fight each other with giant robots called BattleMechs in a war for domination of the Inner Sphere. But don't despair too much if you havenΓÇÖt. Any way you approach it, MechWarrior 2 is a great shoot 'em up sci fi fantasy for the personal computer.
MechWarrior 2 has a slick 3D polygon engine which creates cool terrain renderings of deserts, moonscapes and hazy atmospheric effects. Don't expect any complex mission trees; you are stuck if you don't successfully complete an assignment. Part of the fun of MechWarrior 2 is the ability to customize each BattleMech according to the complex rules of the BattleTech game system. Armor, chassis, engine design, weapons load out and ammunition supply can all be customized on each of the 15 BattleMech designs. Of course, with each mission having specific requirements, a great deal of thought must go into any customization. A lumbering heavy 'Mech may fail on a mission where a quick, lightly armored one would succeed.
MechWarrior 2 allows for head-to-head modem play and limited network multiplayer gaming. Activision plans a free full network upgrade, along with a Windows ΓÇÿ95 version late in 1995, and additional missions and 'Mechs around Christmas. If you watched The Transformers, or played Rock-Em Sock-Em Robots, MechWarrior 2: The Clans will provide you with hours of good clean robotic mayhem.
