Battle tech vs Mechwarrior

[ProgrammerSockBoi]

I’ve never really played one of these games but the in-depth customization of the mechs really intrigues me as a weapons nut. I know these two games are of very different genres but what is the defining aspect of each of them? I personally think I might like battletech more but I’m willing to hear more thoughts.

[Valen]

I have been around & played the orignal pc battletech games along with the first mechwarrior.

These games always had the same effect on me - the customization for your play style. I like both types of games.

Mechwarrior however gives you the feel of driving a mech.... while battletech feels more like a commanders satellite view - commanding forces on the ground.

Tactics are involved in both as well as customization - just different perspectives.

[Dux Aquila]

Well, BattleTech is turn-based. MechWarrior isn't.
Obviously there's also the difference between commanding and directly controlling 'Mechs.
Both games maintain the limb-based damage system from tabletop.
BattleTech doesn't actually require any aiming skills either. Accuracy is based on to-hit chances, not how good your hand-eye coordination is.

[bba525]

One thing about MechWarrior, it makes me appreciate what my pilots are going through in BattleTech.

[xarlie]

Well in my opinion, mechcommander is the best, real time strategy with mechs, you can have many lances not only 4 mechs, you can get inner sphere mechs, weapons, etc that are far superior to yours.... an excelent game. !!

[Menace]

I like both, but it really just depends on my mood.

[bba525]

Originally posted by Menace:

I like both, but it really just depends on my mood.

Same here.

[Exarch_Alpha]

It´s strategy versus action. You beat BT being smart, you beat MW mostly by skill.

[Wayz]

I would think it was blatantly obvious, one is a 1st person sim style tactical shooter, the other is a turn based tactical game both with same setting.

Pick ya poison.

[PURE MALICE]

B-TECH= TABLETOP / board game version /digital versions MECHWAR-et all= combat sim /1st person shooter version, EXTREAM difference in "customisation" over the years from,,,,,

(side bar nod to the crappy over the shoulder versions, personally detest non cocpit views)

if it fits, you can use it if the weight allows (ever wonder why old "posters and pics' have missel racks ON LEGS? its fit so can do it, and some came STOCK that way) to now in *MWO* "hard point system and STYLE of HP system is now fixed(but can alter points a touch by swapping for diff PRESET part,, big detraction to th hardpoint system current incarnation where size, weight AND class of weapon is restricted (MUCH less customisation)

[Mudpony]

If you're talking pen and paper, Battletech is pretty much table top turn based game, where you basically play one-of battles. Mechwarrior is an role playing game about playing pilots and other things in that universe.

The computer games sort of follow that. The Battletech (and Mech Commander series) are more strategy/tactical games, while the mechwarrior ones are about being in the cockpit (or sometimes, hanging out behind your mech).

And of course, there are the two Crescent Hawk games, the first of which is the BTech equivalent of one of the old SSI "gold box" D&D games (and still the best Battletech RPG), and the second more a precursor to the Mech Commander series.

I tend to prefer the games that ones that keep a bit more of a tactical focus, rather than becoming twitched based arcade shoot 'em ups. So mostly the Battletech/Mech Commander side of things, though some of the Mechwarriors are pretty good as well.

[DarkAcolyte]

Mechwarrior has poor voice acting and character models, not to mention the lack of idle character animations that make everyone look stiff and mannequin like, plus the lack of a proper character driven story makes it feel a little dull and uninspired.

That aside, Mechwarrior is a power fantasy designed to make you feel like you are a badass piloting a giant war machine in a massive sandbox, and it doesn't even try to bother to pretend to be anything else. It is an absolute blast if that is your thing. This is where the game truly shines, and this is what Mechwarrior is all about. I only wish they put in more effort into everything else.

Battletech on the other hand is developed by one of the original creators of the tabletop, and it clearly shows. Whilst the plot is relatively simple and straight forward and linear, it does give off some impression, or at the very least it tries to give off some impression that it is Game of Thrones in SPACE, and GIANT ROBOTS.

The ambient music, UI and design, along with the background dialog between your crew (if you pay attention to it) and random events helps bring the setting and characters to life. A few highlights include hearing Meyer asking someone to fetch her a cup of coffee over the intercom, or Darius announcing that everyone is to be subject to mandatory antibiotics treatment after stopping by an outpost that's currently undergoing some bacterial infection. Random events can be something completely unrelated, light hearted and inconsequential, such as deciding what to do with the footage of your mechwarriors unwittingly skinny dipping in full view of a security camera, or deciding how to handle someone else trying to poach your max level merc.

It's not perfect, but the game at the very least tries to make your crew as memorable as possible, provided of course you aren't one of those who spams the continue button without bothering to read the dialog.

As for the combat... it's an acquired taste honestly. At times, I enjoyed it. Other times, not so much. Don't get me wrong, nothing beats the feeling of finally putting together a brand new mech and taking it out on a test run, especially your first heavy and assault class mechs, but damn. When it drags, it really drags. Spending over an hour playing cat and mouse with 2 assault lances that constantly uses sensor lock to bombard you with PPCs and LRMs is a huge pain. Especially when the game performance starts to suffer.

In short?

If you are looking for a Mount and Blade style giant sandbox game with GIANT ROBOTS? Look no further, Mechwarrior 5 is what you are looking for.

If you are looking for a game with a character driven plot and progression, one that tries to immerse you into the Inner Sphere and it's blood soaked history? HBS's Battletech is what you want.

[Sparetime Gamer]

Mech warrior 5 is a slugfest in giant mechs. nothing more. battletech is more story driven and tactical. if battletech and mechwarrior 5 would fuse that would be the holy grail

[Eagle_of_Fire]

If BattleTech and MechWarrior would fuse together you'd get MechCommander. And yes, the original was indeed the holy grail. ;)

[Deus Ex Angel]

I find Battletech's graphics and mechs to be better than in MW5, which feels almost cartoon-like.

[76561198824376715]

Originally posted by Eagle_of_Fire:

If BattleTech and MechWarrior would fuse together you'd get MechCommander. And yes, the original was indeed the holy grail. ;)

Agreed, yo. Out of all of the franchise that I'd had the honor of playing through, honestly, the best three were MC1, MW2: Mercs, and HBS-BT.
Holy Grail indeed. o7

Though, my one complaint against MC1? The opening cinematic, although it was ostensibly excellent, didn't adequately portray the scenario and tactics as they should have. Why did Panther not have superior sensor range and pick up (and jam) the enemy contact sooner, despite him being in a Raven? WHY did they stay in the middle of the road to be shot to bits, especially Hardcase, and not dive into cover behind those buildings? Or even better--- just plain RUSH that Mad Cat? Superior numbers, element of surprise, AC20... they woulda taken heavy damage, in doing so, sure enough, but they'd easily have made it. Moreso than how an all-Light lance would have fared against the infamous Mad Cat in Op1, Mis3, even IF it'd been hit by arty.
Good on that first Clanner that they prioritized the Hunchback, though.