MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf

MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf is a 2004 video game developed by Day 1 Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios exclusively for the Xbox console. It is the sequel to 2002's MechAssault and is backward compatible for the Xbox 360.

Canonicity

Computer games are explicitly excluded from the list of products that contribute straight Canon to the BattleTech universe while at the same time it was stated that the IP owners are "not in total denial about these sources either"; it has also been stated that fluff from certain official, licensed products (namely certain computer games including those produced by Microsoft) can be assumed to be part of the shared universe as long as it is not directly contradicted, and makes sense. On this premise, MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf is considered to be an apocryphal product.

Plot synopsis

After recovering the mysterious Datacore from Commander Strader's Ragnarok Assault Mech on Helios, the surviving Wolf's Dragoons: Major Natalia Kerensky, Lieutenant Foster, and the MechWarrior, are ordered to go off the grid on a black ops mission to see if they can learn its secrets. The team then goes to planet Dante, a member of the Outworlds Alliance, and operate undercover within the planet's capital city, Dante City. It is here that Lieutenant Foster uses the knowledge in the Datacore to design and construct the Battle Armor, a more sophisticated version of the Elemental.

Unfortunately, the Word of Blake has somehow discovered that the Dragoons are on Dante, and send a large force, including aircraft, tanks, infantry, and naval craft, as well as BattleMechs, to conquer the planet. As the Dante Militia square off against the Blakist forces in the streets of Dante City, Major Kerensky orders the MechWarrior to don the experimental Battle Armor and assist the beleaguered Militia.

Gameplay

The game is notable as allowing the player to control a variety of vehicles other than 'Mechs. These vehicles include tanks, battle armor, turrets, and VTOLs. The game also allows the player to leave their vehicle and plant explosives or roam around as a human/pilot. An interesting aspect of the game is the ability to "hitch" rides on friendly 'Mechs and VTOLs, while wearing battle armor. It is also possible to do the same to enemy 'Mechs and attempt a 'neurohack', with the result of ejecting the pilot and taking over his 'Mech if successful.

Multiplayer

MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf's multiplayer consists mainly of an OptiMatch feature,where games of a certain type are shown. It also has a Conquest mode that was very popular at the beginning of the game's life but due to flaws in the design of the Conquest mode quickly died down in popularity. Due to the high level of teamwork required, many clans enjoy competing on third party ladders such as Gamebattles.

Limited edition

The limited edition had a holographic cover. It came with everything the standard version had, along with a bonus disc that included new maps for multiplayer and a behind-the-scenes video of the making of MechAssault 2.

Featured BattleMechs

• Atlas
• Belial
• Bowman
• Catapult
• Cougar
• Raptor
• Stiletto
• Wendigo
• Nova Cat
• Blood Asp
• Star Adder
• Elemental
• Uller
• Owens
• Kit Fox
• Corvis
• Raven
• Hackman
• Puma
• Uziel
• Vulture
• Mad Dog
• Thor
• Loki
• Hellbringer
• Summoner
• Mad Cat
• Timber Wolf
• Prometheus
• Ragnorok

It is important to note that several 'Mechs are simply renamed variants of other 'Mechs. The original 'Mech type, in the event that both names exist as their own 'Mechs in canon, will be listed first(example: the Bowman is a reskinned Catapult).

• Catapult / Bowman
• Mad Cat / Timber Wolf
• Thor / Summoner
• Loki / Hellbringer
• Vulture / Mad Dog
• Cougar / Puma
• Blood Asp / Star Adder
• Kit Fox / Uller
• Nova Cat / Wendigo
• Raptor / Stiletto
• Atlas / Prometheus
• Raven / Corvis
• Uziel / Belial
• Owens / Hackman
• Ragnarok / Ymir

Some of these 'Mechs are original, and may have been added to the canon after the release of this game, such as the Raptor as the Raptor II.

Other Featured Vehicles

• The Battle Armor
• Rommel
• Aeron VTOL
• POV Turret

The Battle Armor

The Battle Armor is the highlight of MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf. It is similar to the Elemental. In the original MechAssault, the Elemental is actually referred to as the Battle Armor. It has several new features unique to MechAssault 2, a couple of which separate it from the other units in the game: it is capable of neuro-hacking a mech, climbing steep inclines, using Jump Jets, and hitching rides on VTOL craft.

The Battle Armor was developed by Lieutenant Foster from information he retrieved from a Datacore the MechWarrior found on Helios from their Ragnarok Mech. It was first used on the planet Dante when the MechWarrior and his two companions were under attack by the Word of Blake. Having not enough firepower, they decided to use the Battle Armor even when Lieutenant Foster expressed his concern that the Battle Armor wasn't ready yet and it could fry the MechWarrior.

Featured Planets

• Dante
• Thestria
• Northwind
• Hesperus II
• Terra

External Links

• Teambox.com