MechWarrior
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MechWarrior is the general title of role-playing game based off of the fictional BattleTech universe, which started as a tabletop wargame. It later spawned the series of MechWarrior computer games and board game. The term "MechWarrior" is also used to describe the pilot or operator of a BattleMech.
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Role-playing game
MechWarrior RPG has three editions and many expansions and adventures. In addition, numerous fictional novels have been written that both create and flesh out the Battletech world by such authors as Michael Stackpole. There is also an animated series.
Board Game
In 2002, WizKids released Mechwarrior: Dark Age, a collectible miniature-based wargame similar to Heroclix and Mage Knight, distinct from the Battletech wargame. In 2003, Mechwarrior: Dark Age won the Origins Awards for Best Illustration 2002, Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures Series 2002 and Game of the Year 2002. In 2005, Wizkids updated Mechwarrior: Dark Age. In conjunction with a rules overhaul, the game was renamed Mechwarrior: Age of Destruction. Several open source computer games attempt to create a computer version of the standard Battletech board game.
Card game
A collectible card game, Battletech CCG, was also released.
Video games
PC
Simulations/shooters
In these games, players take control of a single BattleMech and combat other BattleMechs, tanks, infantry, and more, from within the cockpit of their machine. Both MechWarrior 2 and MechWarrior 3 were Origins Award winners, taking Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Computer Game 1995 and Best Action Computer Game 1999 respectively.
- Mechwarrior (1989) (review (http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=1647))
- MechWarrior (or MechWarrior 3050) (review (http://pc.ign.com/objects/006/006362.html?ui=cb_like_05))
- MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat (1995)
- MechWarrior 2: Titanium Trilogy (review (http://pc.ign.com/objects/010/010225.html?ui=cb_like_01))
- MechWarrior 2: Ghost Bear's Legacy (review (http://pc.ign.com/objects/008/008035.html?ui=cb_like_05))
- MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries (1996) (a stand-alone game)
- MechWarrior 3 (1999) (review (http://pc.ign.com/articles/153/153116p1.html?ui=cb_like_05))
- MechWarrior 3: Pirate's Moon (review (http://pc.ign.com/articles/163/163688p1.html))
- MechWarrior 4: Vengeance (2000) (a stand-alone game) (official home page (http://www.microsoft.com/games/mechwarrior4/)) (review (http://pc.ign.com/objects/014/014052.html?ui=cb_like_05))
- MechWarrior 4: Clan Mech Pack (official home page (http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/mechpaks.aspx)) (review (http://pc.ign.com/articles/369/369491p1.html))
- MechWarrior 4: Inner Sphere Mech Pack (review (http://pc.ign.com/articles/364/364970p1.html))
- MechWarrior 4: Black Knight (official home page (http://www.microsoft.com/games/mw4_blackknight/)) (review (http://pc.ign.com/objects/017/017082.html?ui=cb_like_05))
- MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries (a stand-alone game) (official home page (http://www.microsoft.com/games/mw4mercs/)) (review (http://pc.ign.com/objects/482/482767.html?ui=cb_like_05))
- Mektek Mekpak 1 (an unofficial expansion to Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries) (home page (http://www.mektek.net/))
- Mektek Mekpak 2 (an unofficial expansion to Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries) (home page (http://www.mektek.net/))
- Multiplayer Battletech: EGA - (one of the first online-dedicated Battletech/Mechwarrior games)
- Mutliplayer Battletech: Solaris - (second of the online-dedicated games)
- Multiplayer BattleTech 3025 - (third online-dedicated game, potential successor to Mechwarrior 4, discontinued)
- Battletech Generals - (a mod for Command & Conquer: Generals game) (home page (http://www.battletechmodproductions.com/btgenerals/index.shtml))
Role-playing
- BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception (1989) (review (http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?gameid=110))
- BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Revenge (1991) (review (http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?gameid=4880))
Real-time strategy
In these, players control a company of BattleMechs using their computer mouse to give each of the units orders to move, attack, or capture an enemy base structure.
- MechCommander (review (http://pc.ign.com/objects/003/003835.html?ui=cb_like_02))
- MechCommander Gold (contained original and expansion) (review (http://pc.ign.com/objects/013/013744.html?ui=cb_like_01))
- MechCommander 2 (official home page (http://www.microsoft.com/games/mechcommander2/)) (review) (http://pc.ign.com/objects/014/014227.html?ui=cb_like_05)
Strategy
- Battletech 3065 Online - also known as Battletech-Online.org Battletech MUX: Summary a open source MUX telnet server which hosts free computer-moderated Battletech wargaming (home page (http://www.xs4all.nl/~btech/))
- MegaMek - an open source project whose goal is to create a PC version of Classic Battletech boardgame, currently implementing all level 1 and most of level 2 and 3 rules (without hovertanks and VTOLs) (home page (http://megamek.sourceforge.net/))
Console
There are several games made for the game console market:
Snes
- MechWarrior
- MechWarrior 3050
PlayStation
- MechWarrior 2
Xbox
- MechAssault
- MechAssault 2
Arcade
- BattleTech: Virtual World
- MechWarrior 4: Vengeance as part of a 3-game Microsoft arcade machine.
External links
- WizKids (http://www.wizkidsgames.com/mechwarrior/)
- MechWarrior MyTopix (http://mechwarrior.mytopix.com/)