They have also abandoned the iOS version of the app required to play the Golem Arcana board game (a really cool game IMHO). The only way to currently play the physical game is with Andriod and I fear any given update to my phone might also take that out. They made promises almost a year ago to update the iOS app (that they broke with an update) once Battletech is done as all hands were on deck.
I want to get excited for Battletech. It’s a childhood favorite. However I’ve had really negative experiences with Wiesman, Wizkids, and Harebrianed Schemes.
That said, my only beef with Battletech itself from watching videos is the AI looks a little weak. I worry the game may end up having a @tomchick parabola as once the systems are learned, the game won’t push back enough. But maybe they know that and it is mostly a weakness of even tactical battles. Perhaps they can tweak the odds in campaign missions by swamping the player.
Based on HBS’ prior work, at the very worst I assume the game will be competent but bland. The impressions and gameplay videos suggest something much better than that. For $32, it seems a safe bet.
I watched some of a let’s play of the early parts of the campaign. Initially, I became concerned because I had to skip through about six thirty-minute episodes of what were essentially tutorial missions and storyline cutscenes to see any footage of company management and mission selection. Three hours is a long time to have your hand held. But then, when I found footage of the actual campaign, it offered so many options and details: buying parts, outfitting and repairing mechs, managing your pilots, etc. It also looked as if you could choose between dozens of missions in different star systems. There’s a lot to do and it looked very open-ended. My concerns were assuaged, and I no longer had any doubts about my preorder. Three weeks to go.
Edit: I should mention that the actual combat looked solid, but we knew that already.
Yeah, it looks like you can have a great time managing your merc company. Some nice touches with the shipboard coms announcements that run in the back ground. One was about a bacteria infection. I wonder if you send lance members on shore leave? :)
I have to admit, the campaign system is looking more robust than I expected. Despite my love of BattleTech, I backed with some reluctance given HBS’ treatment of Shadowrun.
No one called me out on my misspelling on the first option there. GAH!
I closed the poll. Although opinions are mixed there are slightly more who think preordering is a good idea. I doubt that would happen on this forum with very many games these days so I’m taking it as a good sign.
Thank you all for voting! $32 on GMG with their APRIL20 code. So I went ahead and bit. Of course this means you’re all screwed because I have bad luck with preordering. :P
