Andy’s Top Three: Mechs in videogames

After a long discussion in the office I thought I was time I committed my thoughts on videogaming mechs to paper (or online… whatever).

Equally (after an even longer argument in the office), I thought it prudent to define exactly what I mean by ‘mech’, especially as one of the people in question gave me a bit of a lecture about the difference between a ‘mech’, a ‘powered battlesuit’ and the various definitions of Gundam suits (that bit went right over my head.)

So, to save any hate mail, a mech in the context of this article is:

“A mechanical vehicle of two or more legs which is directly piloted by a human being (or variations thereupon), rather than being controlled from a distance, virtually or through brain implantation (or variations thereupon) and is used in the realm of combat (or variations thereupon).”

So, with that in mind, it’s my top three: mechs in videogames!

Number Three: MadCat (Timber Wolf) - Battletech/MechWarrior series

The iconic ‘mech of the MechWarrior series, the MadCat (aka Timber Wolf) is a heavily armed ’mech designed for close combat. piloted by one brave soul, the ‘Cat can advance on the enemy at speed and fire a whole variety of weapons from its shoulder-mounted launchers and stubby arm cannons.

The MadCat stalking in a jungle

I first discovered the ‘Cat in MechWarrior 2, and found it to be the ideal killing machine. Fast and deadly, the ‘Cat was a match for almost every other battlemech wandering the tundra, even itself.

With the MechWarrior series going through something of a renaissance, the MadCat could soon be reappearing on game store shelves. But the feeling of piloting the mighty beast from inside is unlikely to surpass the original itself. Here’s a vid of the MadCat in action, taking on one of its kin.

 

Number Two: All Terrain Armoured Transport (AT AT) – Star Wars Battlefront 2

Ah, the AT AT, by far my favourite mobile spawning point and all around linebreaker. Springing from the mind of George Lucas, the AT AT is the Galactic Empire’s answer to ground assaults. With a considerable storage bay, the AT AT can handle just about any planet’s surface, march through enemy defences and put a squad of stormtroopers right in the enemy’s face.

AT ATs on Hoth

With massive cannons mounted under its ‘chin’, grenade launchers attached to the side of the ‘head’ and feet large enough to squash a snowspeeder, the AT AT seemingly has no weaknesses (other than tow cables and upstart Jedi brats).

Though there are many versions of the AT AT in the Star Wars game-verse, the truest adaptation of the vehicle is that of Star Wars Battlefront 2. In this game the AT AT served as a mobile spawn point for the forces of the Empire, as well as a huge, ponderous weapon perfect for blowing enemy lines (and enemy shield generators) to shreds.

Here’s a video of the AT AT doing what it’s best at. And yes, I know this is a ‘mechs in gaming’ article, but the AT AT really looks the part in its natural state…

 

Number One: Metal Gear REX – Metal Gear Solid/Metal Gear GOTP

Here it is. The ultimate mech in videogames. It’s the one, the only, Metal Gear REX.

Metal Gear REX – notice Solid Snake running away in the foreground… (Metal Gear Solid)

Designed by genius scientist Hal ‘Otacon’ Emmerich, Metal Gear REX is a bipedal, nuclear missile-armed tank capable of launching a ‘stealth’ missile from anywhere in the world. The rail gun mounted on REX’s right shoulder allows the missiles to be launched without detection, making it the perfect first-strike weapon.

For close defence REX comes armed with a pair of vulcan cannons, an anti-tank missile system and a laser (unfortunately mounted between its legs). The pilot, who sits in the vehicle’s relative ‘beak’, is protected from attack by meter-thick armour plate, and can view the world through a suite of sensors built into a ‘radome’ on the beast’s left shoulder.

If the radome is destroyed, the ‘beak’ swings open, allowing the pilot to see, but leaving him open to attack – this was apparently a purposeful decision by the designer, as “Everything needs a character flaw”.

I first encountered REX in Metal Gear Solid, Hideo Kojima’s first Playstation title in the long-running stealth series. At the time I found it to be a deadly weapon of war, more than capable of shooting me, stamping on me or wiping me out with a well placed kick. Only the intervention of a friend saved the day, at the cost of his own life.

The next time was in Metal Gear Solid 4, when (SPOILER ALERT) I got to finally pilot the ‘mech, storming about with it’s massive form, wiping out a legion of enemies and even defeating its mortal enemy, Metal Gear RAY – the US Marine ‘mech built specifically to destroy REX, in single combat. Despite a decade of abandonment on Shadow Moses island, Rex was more than up to the challenge.

Metal Gear Ray (MGS4)

 

After this final battle REX was finally decommissioned, but a legion of fans like myself will always have a soft spot for the mighty machine.