Mech Warrior 3

MechWarrior 3, one of the most anticipated games of the year, slams a heavy metal fist into the senses from the moment it's fired up. With all the power of a real 'Mech, this game is undeniably a sci-fi combat sim grand slam.

Set in the same 31st century BattleTech universe as its two predecessors, MechWarrior 3 is a brilliant combination of story telling and laser dodging action. Stunning graphics, including great looking "debriefing" cut scenes, and a strong story line make this more than a game, it's an all-night epic that will have you skipping meals and dreaming 'Mech lingo for a month (skipping meals not recommended). Tie it all together with a Hollywood style musical score from Paul Mogg and Duane Decker and you've got a presentation of cinematic proportions.

The main game, a campaign mode with several missions and objectives, focuses on a 'Mech mission gone slightly awry. You and your crack squad are dumped into a commando raid with the sole purpose of bringing down the Clans once and for all. Before each operation you're given a debriefing, a chance to modify your 'Mech and an opportunity to allocate salvage you've picked up along the way. Then it's off to the bone yards where the enemy will throw everything it can in your tracks in an effort to see you fry.

The game has the familiar feel of the first two, but there are a few enhancements in this latest installment that show some impressive thinking on the part of the creators. If you shoot a leg, the enemy limps. You can target specific areas to disable weapons or cripple 'Mechs. Using a 3D joystick you can even move the torso of your metal beast around as you walk (you can also use rudder pedals or the keyboard to do this).

There are three modes of play: Campaign mode (the game itself), Instant Action (for those who just want to dive in and blow stuff up), and Multiplayer mode (for those who want to get blown up by a 10 year-old on the web or via direct modem connection). Choices, choices, and they don't stop there. Instant Action gives you the choice of fighting it out alone or with three partners in the 'Mechs of your choice, in any one of five or six battle modes. The Multiplayer mode can be played via modem with a friend or online via MSN's Gaming Zone.

Despite the stunning quality of this battle sim there were still a few glitches. Our testing labs tried three different joysticks on two different computers and still had a difficult time getting things set up. We had problems like constant throttle, constant turning in a specific direction and constant reverse regardless of having calibrated our joysticks in Windows. All of these things could be adjusted using the game's "control setup" menu, but why should we have to?

Over all, MechWarrior 3 lives up to its heritage with a powerful game and an excellent story. Long live the 'Mech!

Required: 166MHz Pentium or faster, Windows 95 or Windows 98, 32MB RAM, 640 X 480 X 16-bit color-2MB Video, 2X CD-ROM 240MB hard drive space and a DirectX compatible sound card.

Recommeded: 300MHz Pentium, Windows 98, 64MB RAM, 24X CD-ROM and a joystick with 3D "swivel" support for first person POV games.