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Community => Video Gaming and Computers => Topic started by: The GrimSqueaker on June 2, 2017, 09:24:53 PM
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After a long development process the new BattleTech game is in beta. I Kickstartered that beast a while ago and it's great to see progress. The game currently only allows single player skirmish but that's fine with me as I've got no intention of multiplayer even after it's released fully in a few months.
The game itself is back to the classics as a turn based, initiative triggered game but now with gorgeous graphics rather than icons on tiles. Mechs smoke when hot, show battle damage, and you can run up and punch someone's head right off. Even better, if armless, you shoulder charge and headbutt the other mech instead, as you'd hope.
They're still working on bugs but even in this stage it feels solid and they designed this game with a campaign in mind from the get go as well as multiplayer for those of that wont.
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Good to hear! Harebrained have done some good work in the past (like my poor, lamented Golem Arcana) so I have high hopes for the final product.
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I didn't back the Kickstarter enough to get the beta. Gonna wait for the actual release.
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The game is currently very physical. Even on the larger maps you'll manage to get within punching distance rather quickly. Dodge and evasion abilities mean even light mechs can survive rushing a gun line. For a little while at least. The AI opponent seems to have a thing for beyond LOS sniping with Urban Mechs.
Lost one game as the lone enemy Urban headbutted the groin of my Orion taking out the last of the centre torso. The animation was a beauty to behold.
Pilots get injured a lot. Each head hit is an injury, every time you fall down is an injury. So you'll see some pilots dying of sustained injuries even though their mech is still looking fairly decent.
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The video's I've seen for it look really good. I wish I could find folks to play the battletech tabletop game. Just got my Commando painted up. I have a hellbringer somewhere too that I need to finish painting.
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I really enjoyed Hawken for a while, I may throw the dev team a few bucks and help them test the multiplayer.
We'll never get another Earthsiege game, thanks, Obama. >:(
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Now delayed till early 2018. Which is fine, I'd rather they did more work on getting the AI functioning better than rushing something out the door that's half arsed. Still enjoying the basic beta function and there's a large update coming soon as well.
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The day is nearly here. Game goes live Tuesday 24th. A new Mechwarrior is expected near the end of the year as well so a good year for Mechs punching each other.
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I just got my Kickstarter install key. Can't wait to play it.
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I'm happy due to their making an actual playable campaign being one of their primary focuses right from day one. Bucking the unfortunate trend where a campaign is either an after thought or tacked on as more of a short repetitive tutorial.
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Yeah. I'm not too much of an online gamer, so single player is a huge factor for me.
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Yeah. I'm not too much of an online gamer, so single player is a huge factor for me.
I was a huge online gamer... used to do really well, too! Then I got old and I just don't have the patience to try and get as good as these kids that play now-a-days lol. Turn based games? Bet your ass I rock that amphetamine parrot!
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I actually didn't see this game until recently, and though I'm familiar with Mechwarrior from PS1 days, never heard of battletech. But when I first heard of this game and looked into it, I was instantly sold! We don't get enough inter-galactic, mecha-based, space operas now-a-days, but this one looks so good! I agree on the more emphasized single-player aspect being something more enjoyable. Don't really like competitive games, but I do like me a great story.
That being said, I'm not going to be able to pick up this game right away. I'm preoccupied with finishing my second play through of Pillars of Eternity before Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire arrives on May 8 ;D. Second game I ever backed on kickstarter (Divinity Original Sin 2 being my first one).
Also if you guys like Battletech, you might also like the newly kickstarted game Iron Harvest. It's an Real-Time Strategy based in the 1920+ Universe, the same as the board game Scythe if anyone is familiar with it. It's basically an alternative reality set right after WWI, with giant 1920s style mechs roaming around. It kind of like a combination of Company of Heroes and the lore of Scythe.
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Which is why we're looking forward to this release. A throw back to the board game from decades ago and a game I used to play on the Amiga (also decades ago) that was turn based rather than FPS.
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I know Battletech is a game rather rich in depth and mechanics, I only hope it will not be as difficult to get into from an entirely new player's perspective. Harebrained Schemes is being published by paradox, but it is not a Paradox Inc. game right? I own most of the Paradox Grand Strategy Games, but I don't know why, because I'm not that great at playing them. I've spent quite a lot of hours in Europa IV and Stellaris, but I always feel like I'm not really learning what I'm needing to?
I hope Battletech is more accessible, which it does look like it, but I've only watched Paradox Devs play through it and they make anything look accessible :P.
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I Love the tabletop game, as cluttered as it is. I hope this game shares a lot of elements to that. Either way, I'm a fan of any battletech game.
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The board game was dead simple. Things only got a little screwy when the Clans turned up and suddenly nothing was the same anymore.
I've played a lot of Stellaris and this game won't be anything like that. More XCOM if anything.
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Sounds good, guys ;D! Cannot wait to play it! I also have never beaten XCOM 2 now that you mention that :-[. Too many games to play now-a-days for me lol. I also appreciate the great depth that this game will have, didn't want to come off as someone who wanted it dumbed down or anything. It's not really the tactical battles I felt I would have trouble wrapping my head around, but the whole mercenary company management aspect. But I'm sure I'll figure it out if I invest enough time into it :).
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By XCOM, I doubt you'll be researching anything as much as salvaging it. Same with Mechs, when you're rich enough you'll be able to buy them but recovering them off the battlefield is far more likely in the early stages.
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Battletech is officially released since yesterday, any hands-on experiences and opinions to share around the fire ;)?
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I had to spend my evening backing up files, and clearing space on my computer so I could install it lol.
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Sounds like you could use a second hard drive, Squid :P ;)! I know the feeling though lol!
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Well, your pilots still get injured if they even fart too hard in the cockpit so that hasn't changed since the beta.
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Well, got the game installed, and it just crashes immediately. So probably not going to be playing it. Already tried reinstalling it a couple of times.
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That sucks, Killersquid :-\. Do you happen to have an Nvidia Graphics Card? They just released drivers for Battletech later this morning. It might help to update your Graphics Card drivers, could solve your crashing issue if it's video related.
In fact it seems you're far from the only one with technical troubles with Battletech. Lots of people seemed to be plagued with the issue.
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Hmmmm... beslubber it, I can do this week a little lean on the spare cash!
Installing now!
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Got a "are you sure we're prepared for this?" prior to a mission. Well, the enemy lance consisted of a Firestarter, Locust, and a couple of vehicles. I think we can put on our big girl panties and have a go at them. :)
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I am intrigued by the gameplay. The first mission where you have to escort what's-her-name to the drop ship with your mentor was nice and straight forward. I didn't really see a need for any intricate tactics, just went in and beat face. Although, the mentor did lose an arm, so I wound up playing him more conservatively for the last quarter of the mission.
I got about an hour before I am heading out to see the Avengers, so I think I might go Mech out!
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For pure hilarity, you *have* to send a Locust to do a physical nasty upon another Locust. The animation is worth the price of this game more than anything else. *Headboink*
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Couple of these generic missions have really kicked my arse. Then started to run out of money till I realised there were 70+ medium lasers sitting around looking for a good home.
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Two weeks in and my appreciation for the game has improved. It can be annoying in the early stages when your four medium/light mechs get swarmed by vehicles and a lance of lights. There's a learning curve in there to suck your teeth and carry on.
Some of the missions are mislabled due to poor intelligence. You'll go in expecting two opponent lances and just have maybe a light and a heavy mech. Often times turrets but they're situationally avoidable. Many missions have "oh look, reinforcements" or "good place for an ambush" so here come more bad guys. Generally just fodder for your death machines though.
Just remember, you *only* ever have one lance of your own and maybe a guest star now and again who can't be relied upon to do much. Personally I still don't have anything heavier than a 65 tonne but them's the breaks when playing conservatively.
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Finally got enough medium mechs that nobody is in a scout mech any more. One trick that I found useful is that if you're doing really well you can spend morale to make a called shot on a leg, then destroy the other leg while it's on the ground. It won't be able to stand back up and you'll be able to recover the whole mech as salvage (if you got space for 3 parts)
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Just for amphetamine parrots and giggles I've got a pilot with maxed out gunnery in a Hunchback. A lovely wakeup call to the usual scout mechs that come out to play.
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Just for amphetamine parrots and giggles I've got a pilot with maxed out gunnery in a Hunchback. A lovely wakeup call to the usual scout mechs that come out to play.
Does that allow you to deal with the high evasion? one of the things I've been doing is I have a pilot with level 4 gunnery in a scout mech with a lot of small guns. He runs forward, splits fire, and peels an evade token off of 2-3 enemy mechs so that my other guys can actually get some hits in.
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I don't think so, high gunnery does more base damage and incremental accuracy with each weapon. To knock off high evasion targets I've been using a Shadow Hawk kitted out to run up and punch them one then add a flamer you're welcome.
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After taking a amphetamine parrot kicking in one mission where I had to assault an enemy convoy, I've changed up my loadouts. I lost three mechs in this battle (and three experienced mechwarriors) because the enemy was smacking the crap out of me with LRMs.
So I figured if you can't beat them, join them. I have my pilot in a Vindicator with an LRM 20, and then another pilot in a Centurion with an LRM20 + LRM10 + LRM5. I've found that when you lace the amphetamine parrot out of an enemy with LRMs, their stability gets hit hard. If the Centurion has a decent hit chance, then their stability is going up to 90%. A solid hit by a PPC, and that mech is going over!
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Knocking over an enemy mech is the best. Great feeling and you can get free called shots on it.
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Managed to rework that centurion so it has an LRM20 and two LRM10s.
Take 40 missiles to the face!
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Don't think I've done that one yet. Been toddle pipping knocking off 2-3 skull missions as I don't think my people are up to the Star League base story mission.
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I'm currently able to handle 2-skull missions but 2.5 skull missions still cause me trouble, and soemtimes I take hull damage on a 2 skull mission.
Currently running:
2 shadowhawks with midrange low-heat armament and jump jets
1 Dragon with a flamer up top
1 Hunchback with the awesome autocannon
sometimes it feels like i don't have enough staying power. The shadowhawks are great though because they can move around and get good angles, high evade, etc with jump jets
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Many missions have "oh look, reinforcements" or "good place for an ambush" so here come more bad guys. Generally just fodder for your death machines though.
I think some of the missions are a bit broken, as the reinforcements are already on the map and are often showing up at the same time as the core group. Facing 7 mechs at once is not fun.
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I just found out the hard way that I'd you start a story mission, you can't withdraw. And if you lose the mission it loads a save point... qhuchbia the loading screen for the mission.
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I think some of the missions are a bit broken, as the reinforcements are already on the map and are often showing up at the same time as the core group. Facing 7 mechs at once is not fun.
That's usually when you go up the middle. If you flank to one side and try not to activate both groups at once you'll often get a few turns defeating them in detail.
The story mission where you're blowing up the drop ship becomes dead simple when you avoid triggering the reinforcements till you're standing in perfect range for your mechs with their arrival point dead in your sights.
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The story mission where you're blowing up the drop ship becomes dead simple when you avoid triggering the reinforcements till you're standing in perfect range for your mechs with their arrival point dead in your sights.
especially after you clean out the lance and turrets before they arrive.
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That one's an easy button as they put the two turret generators right in easy LOS.
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The story mission where you go to Artru was a nail biter! I got penned on a corner and slammed with LRMs.
I had two mech get knocked down, then their CTs get taken out by called shots.
It was brutal!
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The story mission where you go to Artru was a nail biter! I got penned on a corner and slammed with LRMs.
That's the one I've been avoiding. Had one quick stab at it tonight and had our chosen guest wiped out by the turrets in the second act. So tomorrows try means keeping her in the backfield while the other mechs take the punches.
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For me, the turrets went down faster than cheerleaders on prom night. It was the drones that followed up afterwards that forced me to run her in circles near the doors.
But once you get past that, the following mission you get to play with some REALLY fun toys!
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Ah, but of course I'd split my forces to deal with the first wave of drones like a complete tool.So the next time we'll stay together and at least share the hurt.
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So how are impressions for those who have played it for a good while? Killersquid, have you had any luck getting the crashes to stop? I imagine at least some of the technical difficulties have been resolved through the game's patching.
I'll probably pick up Battletech the week after next ;D.
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But once you get past that, the following mission you get to play with some REALLY fun toys!
Calling bullamphetamine parrot on the second part. Sure, great mechs and then you have a series of waves including assault mechs of their own while you *still* only have four to get through the whole thing. Tedious bullamphetamine parrot.
Edit: Heh, went all Leeroy Jenkins and killed them all. Lost one mech and one warrior from the first phase, in the LAST turn. Still, mission accomplished with acceptable losses.
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I loved the LRM20++ that you got on the Highlander (I think). That extra stability damage is HUGE!!!
I have to say, though, I was disappointed with the looks of the Battlemaster. It might not be the top mech, but it definitely is my favourite.
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With proper positioning we murdered the Battlemaster. It has so little heat capability. It's like the Madcat attempt from the dropshop mission. It was always overheating and the best thing you could do was let it keep shooting.
Edit: My mechwarrior's stats: Deployments -30 Injuries - 31. Says it all really. Been in the medbay more often than the cockpit.
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So, currently running a Battlemaster, Highlander, Blacknight, and Orion as the primary lance. Really hating vehicle LRM carriers as I lost a mechwarrior to head hits due to their sheer proliferation of firepower but not like they take much of a smacking in return. Argo fully upgraded (not like you ever need the third mechbay but, you know, completion.
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Any one else take on the optional mission Heart of darkness, where you have to take out the king crab and load of other mechs?
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Haven't seen that one so far. Had a random Cataphract turn up during a mission.
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Guess which mech I was able to fully salvage from one battle? ;D
I have to say that I keep laughing at this game because of the comments the pilots make when they get hit and how juvenile my mind is.
I have never felt the need to say "That's what she said" for a video game more than I have with this. All because of these voice files:
"My internals are taking a beating!"
"My internals are taking a pounding!"
Best shot I've ever had happen.
Called a head amphetamine parrotbin a heavy mech, PLC with +5 dmg destroys the head. Mech down in a single hit!
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Ordinary mission - then a wild Atlas and Banshee turn up. Unfortunately they started with low armour and even sniping their legs meant a lot of transferred damage. Only got 2/3 of each.
GML - Took out an Orion's head with an AC20, there's an achievement for it!
Edit: Reminder - for the final story missions you do need multiple lances and mechwarriors so keep that training up.
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After *much* faffing about as it's fun to go mech hunting about the place I bothered to finish the story line. The last mission is two in a row. They've patched it as previously if a first story mech got any internal damage it couldn't be used in the second mission. Now you're good to go (my Highlander had *1* arm internal and passed through). Last mission you've got what's her name so only get three mechs. It's a gladiatorial event so an in your face kill'em all. My last lance was a King Crab, two Highlanders, and a Stalker (King Penis with LRM+++ beslubber offs). Just waltzed through the two missions due to before said faffing around and having 10/10/10/10 mechwarriors and good tech. After the story finishes it's open play with no further travel restrictions.
Damn good game, well worth the wait, would play again.
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The heavy lifter of my lance so far has definitely been the highlander. That Gauss you get is just devastating!
That being said, the story mission where you have to defend Panzyr caught me off guard. I lost on round two because I split my fire and didn't kill one of the APCs first. Those little beslubberers move fast!
I also found out on the second time through that mission that if you use DFA twice without leg upgrades, you will blow both legs off a Grasshopper lol
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Panzyr was a pain in the arse as the APCs are ridiculously fast and armoured. It wasn't till I realised you could block the two gates with a standing mech that the mission turned out to be a doddle.
Captured Highlanders later on only have an AC 10, lostech and all that.
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I sacrificed the wounded because I was running all heavy / assault and had no way to make it there in the two turns after they dropped while also defending the main objective.
As for later highlanders not having gauss, that's fine. Just slap an AC20 on them instead lol
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I have. That's what made the last mission such fun. Three AC-20+++ and a Gauss Rifle along with copious LRM 20+++ makes short work of must things. Add precision aim and the evil villainess was dead before she'd finished her monologuing.
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This game is such a beslubbering tease lol.
"Our scans indicate a very heavy mech at this planet. It's going to be a trap, but let's see what happens!"
Arrive at the primary mission objective, and it is an 80t PPC carrier. *Facepalm* lol
What I'm still trying to wrap my head around is how is something like that 80t, when it is about the size of a mech's foot and they are only 60t.
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Happens a lot. Disgustingly easy to kill and then mop up the support lance(s). Think of it as easy money.
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I don't want easy money. I want good mechs to salvage lol
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Then you need the assassination missions. Usually a heavy/assault mech involved with those once you've got some of your own. Border worlds have a few of them pop up. Hang around the Fed Suns and you'll snag a Victor easily enough. A "we don't have a claim on this world but the nobles have requested help" mission had a poorly supported King Crab begging to be kneecapped.
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Some DLC coming down the pipe later in the year. New mission types, chained missions, and new mechs - Hatchetman and Cyclops.
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I still haven't gotten around to buying this game yet, feels bad :P. Buuut, I think I will be picking it up if there is a bundle for the vanilla game and the Flashpoint DLC. I think the idea of Jungle biome is pretty interesting for a Mech-Oriented game to visit, so I'm keen to try it out.
I've a friend who loves Battletech and we looked over a couple of the Mech Designs. I think the King Crab looks incredibly awesome, along with the Atlas too.
So how the Light Class mechs in this game? Are they still viable in the later game or must you abandon them for higher tonnage mechs to survive?
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You only ever get four mechs for each mission so you have to maintain your weight/power advantage. Taking a light mech in the later stages means you're sacrificing durability and return firepower. The AI isn't superb but it will score enough hits on your light mech to take it out rather swiftly.
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The only light mech I ever really considered running in the late game was the Firestarter (I think that's the name). Anyways, you load it down with 6 flame throwers and have it just burn up the enemy! It actually scored a kill against a Heavy mech for me in one game.
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First DLC does a lot of rebalancing. They've rejiggered the skill set and cover actually does something now. Some skill and standing in trees can mean 60% damage reduction. Mechs are more survivable and moving around cover means more than a hit modifier.
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I've been looking at the laundry list of games that I intended to finish or play, but never did. Battletech, Dishonored 2, DOOM, and a host of PS4 games are now on my list lol. I think I'll pick up Battletech in the steam winter sale.
How is the sandbox mode and new jungle environments?
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Dishonored 2 is a whole lot of fun. I haven't played the DLC yet. Haven't done sandbox with BT so far, started a new campaign instead to dip the toes in.