Overview

Publisher: Microsoft
Official Page: http://www.microsoft.com/games/mechwarrior4/

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The setting

Mechwarrior 4: Vengeance is the latest installment in the famous Mechwarrior series. In a way, it is a good mix of the previous games in the series. As you might know, only the first Mechwarrior game had anything resembling a personal storyline. The second followed your career but it shied away from any details concerning your character. The third had more personal details than the second, but it still concentrated more on the military-oriented plot than your actual character.

Mech 4 takes a big, big step back all the way to the original game. Your character has a name, a background, a face and a personality.

90 ton Mad Cat! *drool*

Mmmm my Atlas

It is a time of great turmoil in the Inner Sphere - the Federated Commonwealth has been split by Katrina Steiner. She has taken advantage of her brother's, Victor Davion, involvement in the Smoke Jaguar campaign to try and seize the Federated Suns - his half of the former Federated Commonwealth.

Her tactics are hostile and brutal. Wherever there is resistance, Lyran Commonwealth forces strike down mercilessly. People that don't show complete obedience are "replaced." Your father was among those that Steiner did not trust, and he was "replaced" by your cousin.

Mad Dog... er... Vulture!

Boom hahahaha!

Vengeance

Naturally you, as the rightful ducal heir, have taken it upon yourself to bring some righteous violence down upon Steiner's lackeys. With the help of your uncle and a few fellow rebels, you begin your campaign to restore your power.

Unlike the plain and rather dull settings used in Mechwarrior 3, the Microsoft development team has chosen to add in all the terrains available on a planet and then some. You'll face cities, deserts, arctic wastelands, grasslands and even lunar landscapes.

Fire yer guns boy!

Pile o' Rubble, Barney Rubble

Each has its own peculiar quirks that affect the way you fight. Deserts are intensely hot and make energy weapons far more difficult to use without extra heat sinks. The arctic and moon areas both dissipate heat easily, and though this might seem like a bonus, remember that your enemies can take advantage of the environments too.