- The Computer Game Preview -

Inside the Cockpit

Despite the game looking good from a third-person perspective, nearly all 'Mech fans will agree that most of the enjoyment comes from piloting your robot inside the cockpit.

In order to make this realistic you will be faced with a vast array of different data screens. The most important information that you will need to monitor and keep track of is featured on your Heads Up Display (HUD) - beamed onto your retina via the Neuralhelmet that all MechWarriors wear while piloting a BattleMech.

                           
Click on an image to enlarge

Some of the data images shown are similar to the old BattleMechs in MechWarrior 2. This includes a radar screen (large or small) a Nav pointer and the targeting reticle. A new feature in the cockpit is a pop-up targeting window that works wonders with some lock-on targeting weapons!

Throughout the game the Smoke Jaguar forces are unaware that your scientists and technicians have cracked their radio code. This means that you can listen to their communications throughout the missions and gain vital clues. At the same time you can use your radio to keep in contact with your Commanding Officer.

Game Physics

Apparently the programmers at Zipper Interactive created a complete physics model for the game world and then proceeded to animate it. One of the advanced battle dynamics includes attacking a cave's ceiling to bring down a pile of rubble, blocking an enemy 'Mechs path.

All of the animated 'Mech models have fully articulated limbs adding immense realism to the game. A 'Mech with a damaged leg will limp, and destroyed 'Mechs don't always explode, but sometimes fall to the ground.

According to Zipper Interactive FASA enabled them to modify the structure of the 'Mechs involved in the game. This allowed them to make the movement of them much better.

                           
Click on an image to enlarge

Zipper Interactive also created separate animations for the different speeds a 'Mech can travel. For example, a running 'Mech will not simply be a walking 'Mech speeded up! The animations for walking, trotting and running have been carefully designed to portray excellent realism.

As with MechCommander, graphical details are abundant throughout the game. BattleMechs leave dust trails, missiles are seen to smoke and tumbleweed can sometimes been noticed rolling across the ground. Another feature that no company producing a giant robot game today would dare to leave out are tiny little humans scuttling over the place, capable of being stomped on!

The use of more sophisticated targeting systems allow you attack particular areas of an enemy, the head, certain torso sections, the arms or the legs.

As explained earlier, the terrain throughout the game can also be interacted with. Blasting a crater into the ground makes an excellent hiding place or booby trap.

The default controls for MechWarrior 3 will be similar to those used in MechWarrior 2, so you old Warriors do not have to worry about new technology too much.

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