Since there is no revised review of MegaMek as of yet I'm going to try and write a review based on the current version and my experiences with the game. I will also try to take ThatSino's review as a base for my text, although I think that there is just very little correct information to keep. So let's just start right away with analysing ThatSino's review and collecting information which is worth to keep, which is not and why.
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MegaMek is a turn-based strategy game based off of the classic board game Battletech, and while that game is classic, this one may not be.
I will keep the first part of that sentence, but leave away the early comment. What I will try to do is keeping all comments for the last paragraph and sticking to objective information. I also think that it is worth mentioning that MegaMek is not only BASED on the BattleTech rules but a 99% conversion of them.
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When you start the game, you have to choose between the Windows or Java BAT files, a selection that may break your game.
Since I didn't have any problems with installing and running the game, I need to rely on other experiences. Speaking for myself, the game ran smoothly using Sun's JAVA VM. It even detected both JAVA VMs running on my system and let me choose the one I preferred.
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When you finally get it up, you have two choices: Join Game or Start Game.
This information is outdated. The current Main Menu contains the following Options:
- Host a New Game
- Host a Saved Game
- Host a Scenario
- Connect to a Game
- Connect as a Bot
- Map Editor
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I was seriously pissed at the lack of single player campaign, or at least a battle-a-bot mode.
Again, a comment and a rather harsh one besides. The lack of a single player campaign will not go unmentioned though.
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And to top that all of, you have to find a server port, a process that took me hours.
I think this can be left out totally, since the standard port for MegaMek games is set to 2346 now.
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So when you start the game, you will be placed with you units of choice on a big battlefield, the combat is similar to Battle at Wesnoth, and yet has it's own quirks. You have a hexagonal battlefield, and fights obviously ensue.
I think I won't keep this paragraph, because the description of gameplay is VERY inaccurate. Instead I will try to give those who aren't familiar with the BattleTech rules (like me) a short overview about the 3 main phases.
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As for the battles, I can't say there is anything wrong. But when it comes to actually playing the game, I'm afraid to say that you have better choices.
I will try to keep generalization in my last paragraph as small as possible. Again, speaking for myself, I found the game interesting and fun to play, even as someone who never played the BattleTech tabletop game.
Summing it up, we have the following information from ThatSino's review that I'd want to keep:
- Conversion of BattleTech rules
- There MAY be some difficulties when installing (still hoping for your experiences in this aspect)
- No single-player campaign
And since that isn't very much, at least not enough to write a decent review, here's a list of things I want to add:
- Help on installing and running the game (based on your information)
- Short description of the game rules
- Simple but effective graphics
- No sound
- Large selection of units
- Open-source development guarantees constant enhancements
- No built-in matchmaking
- No built-in Mech-building tool
- A short notice about MegaMekNET and other online campaigns
Based on this information I will try to write a review as soon as I have the staff's and ThatSino's permission to do so.
All my regards
~Wasty
(EDIT) I am looking for a link or email adress to submit my review. Can't find any on the site. Thanks in advance.
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DeathDude, on Sep 11 2006, 05:02 PM, said:
