MechCommander & MechCommander Gold

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "MechCommander was the second real-time tactics (RTT) video game based on FASA's BattleTech/MechWarrior franchise (though often being called a real-time strategy game), developed by FASA Interactive and distributed by MicroProse. Although it is claimed that MechCommander is the "first Mechwarrior game of tactical command", this is not true. Another game — BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception — was released eight years earlier, and was also a game of tactical command staged in the same Battletech universe. MechCommander was released in 1998. It had an expansion which was later combined with the original title and released as MechCommander Gold. A sequel also exists (distributed by Microsoft) – MechCommander 2. MicroProse also used many of the ideas in their 2000 Starship Troopers game.

MechCommander, in being a squad-based RTT, is more in the lines of X-COM: Apocalypse (also by MicroProse) than RTS games like Age of Empires or StarCraft.

The player assumes the role of the commander of Zulu company from the Federated Commonwealth's First Davion Guards, a member of the Inner Sphere (IS). The planet Port Arthur must be taken back from the Clan Smoke Jaguar. The game's campaign progresses through 30 different mission broken into 5 operations with 6 missions apiece. Each mission consists of a number of objectives which may include destroying ememy units, capturing or defending enemy units, protecting friendly units, and capturing and defending bases. Some missions must be completed within a certain time limit.

In each mission, the player controls a limited number of units which are either 'Mechs or support vehicles. Each mission restricts both the combined tonnage and the number of units allowed. Briefings are supplied prior to the start of the mission which lists the objectives and other relevant information. A wide range of strategies and tactics may be used on any given mission, and the player can customize his or her forces for each one.

In between missions the player can repair and refit 'Mechs, assign mechwarriors to each 'Mech and purchase 'Mechs, vehicles, mechwarriors, and components. These items are purchased with Resource Points which are awarded for completing previous mission objectives. Few 'mechs, vehicles, 'Mech pilots, and components can be purchased at the beginning of the campaign, but more become available as the game progresses. However, only IS technology can be purchased. Clan technology ('Mechs and components) must be salvaged from the battlefield. Salvaging equipment is a important feature of the game.

Each 'Mech is piloted by a mechwarrior. Pilots increase in skill as they use them during missions. The more missions and kills a particular pilot has, the more experienced and valuable he or she becomes. If a pilot gains enough experience, he or she will increase in rank. The four ranks from least to greatest are "green," "regular," "veteran," and "elite." Rank determines how effective a pilot is in a certain class of 'Mechs (light, medium, heavy, or assault)."

• DOWNLOAD GAME: MechCommander

• DOWNLOAD GAME: MechCommander Gold