First impressionMechAssault Xbox

Microsoft gave us a demo of its recently announced mech combat game MechAssault during its recent visit to the GameSpot offices. Developed by Day 1 Studios, the game is set in the BattleTech universe and makes use of the mechs fans have come to expect from BattleTech games. Microsoft reps were quick to point out that while MechAssault will feature many elements from the MechWarrior and MechCommander games, the game will be a very different type of BattleTech game--MechAssault's gameplay emphasis will be on combat rather than strategy. There will be some nods to the conventions of the BattleTech games, such as the weapons, the ability to upgrade the mechs, and heat management, but MechAssault will be geared toward a more casual action experience. The mechs in the game will be able to strafe, and the overall pace of the game will be much faster.

The game will offer two modes to choose from, a single-player campaign and multiplayer mode. The campaign mode will feature 20 story-based missions that put players in the role of a mech pilot. Each mission will open with a briefing that will lay out the player's objectives. While players will have to select their weapon complement before each mission, they'll be able to swap in new weapons at set points as they play through. Players will pilot 12 different mechs over the course of the game, but the structure of each mission will dictate which mech players will pilot in that mission. However, the game's multiplayer mode may be its most intriguing feature. In addition to standard multiplayer options such as four-player split-screen and system link, MechAssault will support online play. Microsoft representatives said that the game will support online matchmaking and voice communication--although it looks as though voice augmentation will not be on tap for the game.

In the demo, Microsoft walked us through an outdoor area with a variety of terrain types. The first area we saw was a valley ringed by mountains the were populated by turrets and enemy troops. Further into the level, we came upon a large city composed of a several buildings of varying sizes and quite a few ground troops. Beyond the city was another part of the valley patrolled by more enemy troops.

While the build we saw was roughly 30 percent complete, the graphics were coming along very nicely. The frame rate wasn't entirely stable yet, but the game still ran fairly smoothly. The onscreen action was fast, and the amount of detail onscreen was excellent. Weapons fire illuminated the surrounding area, and crushing ground troops with a mech yielded satisfying crunches. The city area showcased the beginnings of some truly impressive procedural damage--the buildings were slowly damaged when they came under fire, beginning with glass shattering and lights dimming with the first few hits, and continuing with chunks of the structure falling away after repeated hits. As buildings came apart it was possible to make out 3D elements in the interior of the buildings. The level of detail, even in this early state of the game, bodes well for the final version of the game.

MechAssault is currently slated to ship this holiday season. We'll bring you more on the game as it becomes available.