MechWarrior (SNES)
Apocryphal Product Although the subject of this article is an official BattleTech product, it does not meet the current criteria for Canon. Its content may or may not be canonical for the BattleTech universe, and for the purpose of the Sarna.net BattleTechWiki is considered apocryphal. |
MechWarrior | |
---|---|
Product information | |
Type | Computer game |
Development | Beam Software |
Publication information | |
Publisher | Activision |
First published | 1993 |
MSRP | ? |
Content | |
Era | Succession Wars era |
Timeline | 3027 |
Series | MechWarrior computer games |
Followed by | MechWarrior 3050 |
The MechWarrior video game, known in Japan as Battletech, was developed for the Super NES. Its plot and gameplay is based upon the PC MechWarrior game, but uses the tools available on the Super NES (Mode 7 graphics and sprites) for the first-person mission portions of the game. The game was developed by Beam Software and published by Activision in the US and Europe, and by Victor Interactive Software in Japan.
Story
The player takes on the role of a MechWarrior named Herras Ragen, the son of Colonel Joseph T. Ragen. Colonel Ragen was a soldier in the AFFS whose mission was to infiltrate and destroy the renegade mercenaries called the Dark Wing Lance. In 3017 the Dark Wing Lance attacked Colonel Ragen's home on Redondo, killing him and most of his family. Herras survived and in 3027, at the age of 22, he set out on a quest of revenge to hunt down the Dark Wing Lance. Herras acts as a mercenary, selling his services as he uses contacts to gather information on the Dark Wing Lance until he can avenge his family.
This is a significant alteration from the backstory of the original PC game, and the player character has a different identity and name. It should be noted though that the two backstories and storylines do not rule each other out and could technically both be "true". (See also Canonicity section below.)
Gameplay
BattleMechs
Unlike the BattleMechs in the game's PC version, the BattleMechs in the SNES version of MechWarrior were developed specifically for the game. There are eight 'Mechs in all. Four of them are Light 'Mechs, two are Medium 'Mechs, one is a Heavy 'Mech, and the last is an Assault 'Mech. Several of the BattleMechs share similarities to each other (the Nexus series of Mechs especially) and the Grand Crusader is a very similar design to the unseen design of the same name. The name "Ragnarok" is shared with a BattleMech from the MechAssault series, but the two designs are very different.
Weapons
Much like the later MechWarrior PC Games, the player can heavily customize BattleMechs. The armor, engine, and weaponry can all be changed between missions. This even includes changing the number of heat sinks or jump jets on the 'Mech.
Canonicity
Video games do not fall under the current definition of Canon. Although it is an official BattleTech product, MechWarrior can therefore be considered apocryphal at best.
It has been confirmed by the Line Developer that the storylines and backstories of video game can be assumed to be part of the shared universe at least in broad strokes where they "make sense" and do not violate other canon. In this sense, the game's backstory is acceptable but the 'Mech designs are not.
Images
- See also: Game Genie Codes
External links
- MechWarrior at GameFAQs
- Soundtrack information at SNES Music
- Mechwarrior (Super NES) at Wikipedia