MechAssault Preview

As the launch of the Xbox LIVE service draws nearer, Microsoft will keep optimizing more and more games for broadband gaming. Several official tests have already indicated that MechAssault could be one of the leading launch titles for the Xbox LIVE.

But for those players who prefer the single-player, MechAssault will have 20 challenging missions to complete. Players can choose from dozen powerful 40-foot tall Mech-units (known as BattleMechs) and participate in some serious intense 3rd person action. From what we've seen, the game also has amazing visual effects on display. MechAssault was created to push the Xbox graphics to the limit, featuring cool stuff like realistic weather effects, highly-detailed models and background, destructive objects in the environment - which means players can use buildings, bridges and similar things to defeat their enemies (once more, a great addition to both the multiplayer and single-player modes).

What makes MechAssault stand out from the rest of the lot? We chat with Day-1 Studios' executive producer Denny Thorley to find that out. According to his statements, MechAssault will appeal to MechWarrior and MechCommander fans, even though it's a completely different genre.

Wahoo, we're gonna set the world on fire!

Can you hear the love buzzzz!!!

Action Trip: Could you elaborate a bit on the storyline? Most of the info revealed thus far was pretty scarce.

Denny Thorley: The story is very straightforward, but foreshadows some dire upcoming events in the BattleTech universe. You are a member of Wolf's Dragoons and are part of an advance strike team that has to clear the way for the main regimental-level invasion force. What you think is going on becomes more complicated when it turns out that the evil government you've been hired to pound into rubble is actually backed by some other much bigger, more powerful enemy. Later in the game you find out why those other big bad guys are there in the first place... I could name names, but that would ruin the surprise.

AT: Do you think that this will be a game all Mech fans will enjoy? Even those who are partial to games like MechWarrior and MechCommander.

DT: MechAssault is focused on rapid pace action and appeals to a very broad audience. It is not MechWarrior or MechCommander, but I think fans of these titles will get a kick out of MechAssault. 'Mech fans have never felt the power of these devastating war machines like they do in MechAssault. Punching holes in buildings and glass shattering from weapon fire or smashing your 'Mech into a building and causing it to collapse... fun stuff. Are you tired of the enemy sniping at you for rooftops? Take the building out from under him and knock him down with your Auto Cannon.

So the answer is "Yes!" I think 'Mech fans will enjoy the game.

AT: How many missions can the players expect to get throughout the entire game? And describe some of the locations we will see in MechAssault.

DT: MechAssault takes place in several environments across the planet Helios. There is weather and wind for the player to contend with, in addition to extreme ranges in environmental conditions. Visibility is impacted and the player can damage his 'Mech if gets to close to molten rock. Like the buildings, you can use environmental objects as weapons. Blowing up lava domes or bringing an ice bridge down on an enemy is a very effective tactic.

The campaign has approximately 20 missions. We are supporting downloadable content with Xbox Live, so the player will have even more challenging missions to enjoy. We have plans to keep the MechAssault experience fresh with new missions, 'Mechs and unique multi-player game types that will release over the first 6 months of the games life.

AT: There are several mech-type games due for release this year. What do you feel makes MechAssault separate itself from the lot?

DT: The action in MechAssault is more intense and accessible. People at the trade shows were picking up MechAssault and immediately enjoying success. This was not the case with many of the other robot games. Players are focusing on tactics and skills with MechAssault not managing the robots internal systems. The fidelity and interaction with the world is also at an incredible level in MechAssault.

The most awesome advantage we have is Xbox Live Multiplayer absolutely rocks and the game is going to remain fresh for a long time.

Lost in the snow, nowhere to go.

How dare you take snapshots of me? Take that!

AT: What type of vessels will players come up against (air, land, etc)?

DT: Multiple types of tanks, infantry, planes, helicopters, boats and of course the enemy has a stable of cools 'Mechs to challenge the player. Many enemy units have several weapons to keep the player off guard as well.

AT: Name some of the weaponry players will be able to use and upgrade in between missions.

DT: Lasers and pulse lasers dispatch some of the smaller enemy pretty quickly, but when you pick up salvage to upgrade your lasers... stand back, cause the light show is amazing and the enemy die as fast as you can target them.

The Particle Projectile Cannon (PPC) is one of our favorites. It is a chargeable weapon and gains power as the player holds the trigger. When the trigger is released this wicked lighting ball bathes the world in a bright blue glow as it hones in on the enemy.

The Auto Cannon is a projectile weapon that brutalizes an enemy and can even knock down an enemy 'Mech...

There are tons of other weapons, but you'll have to wait for the game. Oh, one weapon I should warn you about. If you find yourself facing your friend in a Timberwolf, keep moving! One twitch of his index finger and his twin Gauss Rifles will ruin your day.

AT: Can you uncover some of your fresh impressions of the Xbox Live service and the way MechAssault utilizes its potential?

DT: As mentioned earlier: MechAssault's multiplayer experience is awesome on Xbox Live and we are going to keep updating the experience with downloadable content. Console gamers are in for a real treat with the ability to coordinate tactics and taunt your enemy by utilizing the voice communicator.

AT: It's clear that all of the abovementioned facets necessitate a great deal of work on the game's physics. Unveil a little bit about the game's engine and some of the visual features we can expect.

DT: Tessellating the holes in buildings while managing the polygon load ended up challenging us. We iterated a bunch of the art assets in the game to achieve the interaction with the 'Mech we were looking for and still keeping to our RAM budget. In the end we achieved an interesting and unique look and the player ends up feeling pretty damn powerful.

We also have some great special effects in the game. Weapon effects and visuals for the environment will certainly please are audience. The final mission in the game is incredible. The Xbox is a terrific development platform and we could not have made MechAssault at this fidelity on any other platform.

AT: What sort of music can we expect to hear in the game?

DT: Alternative rock.... Good music to put you in the mood to crush a few cities. (That's the stuff - ed.)

AT: Any chance we can expect a PC version?

DT: It is doubtful you will see MechAssault on the PC.

AT: Can you reveal an exact release date perhaps?

DT: MechAssault will be on shelves when Xbox Live launches.