MechCommander

MechCommander is 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. 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.

Overview

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

Gameplay

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 missions broken into 5 operations with 6 missions apiece. Each mission consists of a number of objectives which may include destroying enemy units, capturing or defending enemy units, protecting friendly units, and capturing and defending bases. Some missions must be completed within a certain time limit.

MechCommander 2

MechCommander 2 is a real-time tactics video game based on the BattleTech/MechWarrior franchise, developed by FASA Interactive and distributed by Microsoft. It is a sequel to MechCommander.

Development history

In 2006, Microsoft released a portion of the source code along with most game assets (i.e. everything needed to compile the game without networking support and without all the art) under a Shared Source licence in order to demonstrate its XNA Build system. The source release documentation warns developers that not all code necessary to produce a complete build has been included.

Currently, the game is under mod by several projects and on a GitHub repository.

Plot

The single-player game takes place on Carver V, a planet previously held by House Liao. At the beginning of the story, the Federated Commonwealth is breaking apart due to Archon Katrina Steiner's controversial seizure of power. It had claimed a few territories in Carver V, killing Mandarin Cho, Liao ruler of the planet, in combat. All the Houses on Carver V are avoiding any military action that could endanger the peace, so when a suspiciously well-equipped bandit force threatens Steiner territory, the House Steiner employs a mercenary team led by the player, who takes the role of their commander.