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digitec plays: We bleed machine oil in "Battletech"

9.5.2018

Translation: machine translated

Despite mechs the size of houses and an arsenal of futuristic weapons, you will produce a lot of electronic waste in the turn-based strategy game "Battletech". A lot of tactics are required to ensure that your mechanical combat units survive the challenges unscathed. Watch us plunge into battle.

"Battletech" is based on the board game of the same name, which has spawned numerous successful spin-offs in tabletop, game and book form. My personal favourite is "Mechwarrior 2" by Activsion from 1995, and the indescribable feeling of controlling huge, steel fighting machines is also evoked by the latest addition, "Battletech".

The PC title was developed by Harebrained Schemes, which was previously known primarily for the cyberpunk games "Shadowrun". "Battletech" was financed via a Kickstarter campaign, among other things. The game is set in the year 3025. You command a spaceship, which also serves as your headquarters. From there, you accept orders, equip your mechs or train pilots, the so-called Mechwarriors.

You can take a maximum of four mechs with you on each mission. The selection gets bigger and bigger as the game progresses. There are small, medium and heavy mechs. All with individual strengths and weaknesses. Some are good scouts, others are powerful in close combat, others are better positioned as artillery. The turn-based battles are extremely tactical. It's not easy to get started, as the game doesn't explain much to you. And how you outmanoeuvre your opponents is essential. You have to pay attention to the terrain, not overheat your mech, hit the right spots on your opponent's mech, etc.

"Battletech" is played from a bird's eye view, but zooms in close to the action during attacks so that you can enjoy watching your long-range missiles hit the ground. The tactical variety is impressive. Even though I still don't have a complete overview and usually end missions with injured and armless mechs, I can hardly stop playing. Building new mechs, customising them, trying out new tactics - it never gets boring. If you enjoy mechs or challenging strategy games, then give "Battletech" a chance. <p

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Philipp Rüegg

Senior Editor

Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.ch

As a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.

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