MechAssault (Xbox)

By JON MINIFIE

(Herald rating: * * * * * )

MechAssault is the first game inspired by Microsoft's long running MechWarrior series to appear on a console. There are numerous notable differences from the PC franchise, like the absence of any first-person view and no design or upgrade options for the Mechs: MechAssault has more of an arcade feel with user-friendly Mechs that need no upgrading or maintenance.

As an elite member of Wolf Dragoon, you and a small team of pilots are dispatched to a strange planet to weaken its defences before the main strike force can arrive safely.

The planet Helios is under the control of a sinister faction known as the Word of Blake who have seemingly endless supplies of troops, helicopters, tanks and Mechs to throw up against you.

Each Battle Mech has three main attack weapons — energy weapons (standard lasers), ballistic weapons like the Gauss rifle and a trio of guided missiles.

Some of the Mechs come with jump jets that temporarily propel you into the air listed as a defensive tactic. I found these just as useful for firing over trees or walls or rocketing to the top of a building to gain a tactical height advantage.

Initially your opponents are tanks and ground troops that can be dealt with in a variety of ways: launching a pair of guided Javelin missiles will work, or if you prefer to save ammo you can simply step on them.

The missions quickly become challenging so it's important to listen to any advice offered during the early levels. It's not too intrusive on the gameplay which generally flows well.

The larger Mechs, like the Mad Cat or the Timber Wolf, come with awesome firepower, releasing as many as eight missiles at once. These are added to your arsenal as you progress through the various missions.

There's an almost unrivalled sense of satisfaction when wreaking havoc from within a giant exoskeleton — bringing a large building down is truly dramatic but most of the goodies or salvage [health, armour, rockets etc] are hidden in small hangers or barracks.

As well as the regular versus battles, players can team up against insurmountable odds in Grinder which lets you (and your team mates) destroy wave after wave of freshly baked Mechs in a test of endurance.

If you have never experienced Mech gaming before, you're in for a treat — even without its online features MechAssault is still one of the best of the Xbox exclusives around.

$129.95

jon@tenthplanet.co.nz