MechCommander 2 ( Microsoft, PC )

By PETER ELEY*

(Herald rating: * * * * )

Deep inside the heart of every skinny, spotty teenager, there's a giant battle droid just waiting to stride out and save the world.

At least it seems that way, judging from the number of Mech-this-and-that games in the shops.

The latest offering in the heavy metal genre is MechCommander 2, a spin-off of the BattleTech books and games.

These were cult classics long before computers became must-have household items, and inspired the Transformer TV series and toys, which were all the rage a decade ago.

Microsoft's sequel to the original MechCommander (in reality an extension of the MechWarrior series of games) is set in BattleTech's combat ground, the Chaos March.

Here, three noble houses are slugging it out using giant robots to do their dirty work.

As a MechCommander you command a unit of up to 16 mercenary Mechs and need to lead the team and fight as an individual.

The game follows the pattern of similar games, with the ability to customise units and incremental weapon and armour upgrades as the game wears on.

What is new is the interactive environment, where you can blast your way through walls, knock down trees and stomp on anything in your way.

The 3D rolling terrain offers good cover, and you need to use your scout units and sensor probes to avoid falling prey to deadly sneak attacks.

Night missions are included and add a new tactical dimension to the game.

The graphics are excellent, and the game runs on a relatively modest system, although 3D acceleration is recommended, but not required.

As well as the usual sequential mission structure, there is a range of solo missions, a scenario editor and a beefed-up multiplayer mode.

*peter_eley@nzherald.co.nz