We check out the first turn-based strategy game set in the BattleTech universe.

The long and storied BattleTech franchise is no stranger to gaming, so it might be weird to think that it has never gotten the turn-based strategy treatment. Seems like it perfect fit, too, considering its firm roots in the rich tabletop RPG universe. Luckily, the team at Acronym Games took notice, and started work on the first turn-based strategy game set in the BattleTech franchise, MechWarrior Tactics.

Built as a browser game utilizing the impressive Unity plug-in, MechWarrior Tactics will be a free-to-play game that works through microtransations to purchase new vanity gear and upgrades to your mechs. However, its free-to-play, browser-based model shouldn’t fool you, as there’s a lot for MechWarrior fans to be excited about in Tactics.

The three main tenets that the development team is building the game on are collection, customization, and combat. Collection comes by way of STACs. STACs (or Surplus Tech/Armament Containers) are you bread and butter when it comes to creating your mechs, essentially working as weapon and armor loadouts that can be customized before each mission you embark on. You can use them to beef up the general stats on your vehicles, or give them specific boosts that the battle might call for. You’ll collect resources for STAC creation frequently by winning missions, but those who are simply looking for a quick and easy way to customize their mech would be able to do so with real-world money.

Customizing your mechs is all done through the Mech Bay, where you can upgrade various vehicle types, including Jenners, Hunchbacks, Atlases, Spiders, and the traditional 325. Missions are 4 on 4 (Lance vs. Lance) affairs, and unfold on a familiar hex-based grid. read complete article

via pc.ign.com