Mech Assault (Xbox)

Aesthetically, things are brilliant, as the game makes good use of the Xbox’s power. Buildings and Mechs are well detailed, and combat is a shower of lovely particle effects. Particularly outstanding are damage effects. Mechs limp and smoulder, buildings burn beautifully and explosions are truly incredible. Mechs detonate in enormous pyrotechnical displays and buildings crumble and collapse into huge clouds of dust, like watching a block of flats being demolished. Fighting in cities is intense, as just about everything is destructible. It is truly satisfying to take down a Mech and watch the explosion bring down skyscrapers all around it, or to collapse a bridge when a particularly tough enemy is going across it, taking him out as well. This detail adds significantly to the gaming experience.

The gaming experience benefits from its PC pedigree, and there is a little more depth than most of the competition. Each Mech has its own advantages and disadvantages. Smaller Mechs are harder targets and much speedier, as well as usually having bonuses such as invisibility or jet-boosters. Larger Mechs absorb more damage, but they need to as they are slow-moving and rarely have bonuses. Needless to say they pack some series firepower. The choice of which Mech to use is always crucial to the mission. An additional gimmick is the “overheating” concept. The more you fire your weapons, the hotter you get, and if you max-out you can no longer fire your weapons. Different weapons overheat different amounts, so you always have to watch what weapon you are using. These tactical decisions help add depth to the game.

The single player campaign is, unfortunately, too generic to really engage. The plotline isn’t particularly award winning, and the game is the usual routine of taking on worse odds and unlocking tougher Mechs with each mission. The usual female commentator gives reason to your rampages, but the storyline never affects gameplay any more than defining what particular target you are aiming for.

Where the game really shines is in multi-player. The game modes are the usual deathmatch and tag variants, although the “Grinder” mode is an engaging distraction. Basically you, and an optional friend, have to last as long as possible against increasingly tough enemies. It is great fun, and the deathmatch modes are also great, particularly if the number of players is high enough. If you are lucky enough to have broadband (Xbox Live) than this game is downright essential.

Overall I would definitely recommend this game to anyone who regularly plays with friends. The whole experience is very “WOW” inducing, and this is a game to play if you want to impress rival console-owners. If you don’t often play multi-player then you can probably find better, although fans of the genre will probably love the single player.

The graphics are something special, be it the dust from the building you've just destroyed, to the electrical weapons being fired from your mech they all look stunning.

In the story mode, you progress through missions, with specific targets to take out. These can be infantry (Stamp on them!), buildings or other mechs. As you progress through the game, the targets get more difficult to hit, and the opposition force becomes stronger.
From mission to mission you can choose the mech you think will be the best for the job. You start with one mech at the beginning, and as the game progresses more become available to you. The new mechs are generally bigger, or better, and each has it's strengths and weaknesses.

In multiplayer mode this game gets even better. I am lucky enough to be an Xbox live beta tester, and so am able to play over the service. I'm not very good, and keep getting beaten by the americans that I'm up against, but it's fun none the less. Especially with the voice communicator to shout instructions to team mates or threats to opponents!

I only gave this game four stars rather than five, because I feel that they could have added more game types to the multiplayer mode, but this is a good game, and woth getting.