'Mech Warrior Online is an incredible shooter that, while not as 'simulation' heavy as the older titles in the series, still ends up coming out feeling like the only decent 'Mech Simulator on the market for the last 10 years. Forget that Hawken junk.

'Mech Warrior Online is set in the battletech universe and as such brings 30 years worth of history and lore with it, though admittedly most of is left on the table and instead you're given a solid, action packed shooter that focuses on what matters: The 'Mechs. And it pulls the combat off excellently. No absured spotting mechanic that plagues these kind of games, no stupid dice rolls and 24% deviance on impact, no sloping and facing that unrealistically bounces shots (Thoug this skill is replaces with your own skills at spreading damage) and of course, no Russian Bias.

BALANCE, as with most shooters is a hard thing to talk about. It's constantly in flux and tryhards always use the current meta builds that weild the most damage in a single strike and nothing else. However saying that, balance is in the best place it's ever been for a long long time. Sure there are still some usless weapons (Flame throwerers) but now it's more about what works on your 'Mech rather than how many of weapon X you can squeeze on. I have never once found a death in MWO to be annoying or 'cheap' in MWO. Something I don't think any other game can claim.

'Mechs themselves are also generally well balanced however there are 'Mechs that are simply better than others in certain weight catagories. They usually have tradeoffs, and many of the "Worse" Inner Sphere 'Mechs have "Quirks" to make them more appealing, like better refire rate on a weapon, more range, more damage, etc. You'll never disregard a 'Mech as fodder when it runs at you, but there are certainly others you'll back away from while calling to your team for help.

MAPS are generally all good in the regular queue. The maps that the community dislikes are being remade with new features added to them and old design issues ironed out and the rest of the maps are for the most part perfectly fine. Everyone has their own favorites but there are no maps that are beyond unplayable and straight up unfair . You'll never find yourself spawning in and thinking "Oh no I'm at this side of the map" at least.

And the big one: MICRO TRANSACTIONS\PAY WAL. Long and short there ain't one. It can be a bit grindy to get up to speed, it can feel like a chore to master a 'Mech you've grown to dislike and it can feel like you're so far away from earning that next 'Mech, but it certainly achivable and easily done for free. I have been playing this as a Legendary Founder since day 1 with a friend, who has never every, beyond that first payment put a further penny into the game and he currently has around 80+ 'Mechs.

If you do pay, it's going to make your life easier, wether it be getting 'Mechs from packs or enjoying the benifits of premium time or perhaps a hero 'Mech (A middling 'Mech on a partcular chassis, only used because they generate 30% more C-bills.) but there are no guns or 'Mechs that you can never have sooner or later.

Pay responsibly!

And now a little newbie guide:

A new player should hop in the tutorial and complete that, trying to score gold in the movement challenge before moving on to the main game. In the game you'll now get 25 matches that will grant bonus C-Bills known as a cadet bonus. Use these 25 games to get a feel for movment, positioning and managing heat in a range of chassis weights but do not spend a penny of your C-Bills until you get all 25 games done. You should come out with between 15-19 million depending on how well you did. This will let you get pretty much anything you like and I personally would recommend either the Timberwolf or Stormcrow, two very forgiving and powerful units.

A new player should stay _far_ away from Assault 'Mechs and should really really think about if they can handle a light before jumping on it. From here you can now customise your 'Mechs though it's likely going to take a handful of games to earn enough money to do that. Be sure to spend your 'Mech XP in the Skills tab after each game and then use that 'Mech to build up a large stockpile of cash, once you've got three of the same Chassis (But different Mechs, so like TBR-Prime, TBR-C and TBR-D) all skilled up you'll be able to do the Elite catagory of skills and from here you should be able to fend for yourself.

Now find a unit!

Good luck, 'Mech Warriors!!

'Mech Warrior Online is an incredible shooter that, while not as 'simulation' heavy as the older titles in the series, still ends up coming out feeling like the only decent 'Mech Simulator on the market for the last 10 years. Forget that Hawken junk. 'Mech Warrior Online is set in the battletech universe and as such brings 30 years worth of history and lore with it, though admittedly most of is left on the table and instead you're given a solid, action packed shooter that focuses on what matters: The 'Mechs. And it pulls the combat off excellently. No absured spotting mechanic that plagues these kind of games, no stupid dice rolls and 24% deviance on impact, no sloping and facing that unrealistically bounces shots (Thoug this skill is replaces with your own skills at spreading damage) and of course, no Russian Bias. BALANCE, as with most shooters is a hard thing to talk about. It's constantly in flux and tryhards always use the current meta builds that weild the most damage in a single strike and nothing else. However saying that, balance is in the best place it's ever been for a long long time. Sure there are still some usless weapons (Flame throwerers) but now it's more about what works on your 'Mech rather than how many of weapon X you can squeeze on. I have never once found a death in MWO to be annoying or 'cheap' in MWO. Something I don't think any other game can claim. 'Mechs themselves are also generally well balanced however there are 'Mechs that are simply better than others in certain weight catagories. They usually have tradeoffs, and many of the "Worse" Inner Sphere 'Mechs have "Quirks" to make them more appealing, like better refire rate on a weapon, more range, more damage, etc. You'll never disregard a 'Mech as fodder when it runs at you, but there are certainly others you'll back away from while calling to your team for help. MAPS are generally all good in the regular queue. The maps that the community dislikes are being remade with new features added to them and old design issues ironed out and the rest of the maps are for the most part perfectly fine. Everyone has their own favorites but there are no maps that are beyond unplayable and straight up unfair . You'll never find yourself spawning in and thinking "Oh no I'm at this side of the map" at least. And the big one: MICRO TRANSACTIONS\PAY WAL. Long and short there ain't one. It can be a bit grindy to get up to speed, it can feel like a chore to master a 'Mech you've grown to dislike and it can feel like you're so far away from earning that next 'Mech, but it certainly achivable and easily done for free. I have been playing this as a Legendary Founder since day 1 with a friend, who has never every, beyond that first payment put a further penny into the game and he currently has around 80+ 'Mechs. If you do pay, it's going to make your life easier, wether it be getting 'Mechs from packs or enjoying the benifits of premium time or perhaps a hero 'Mech (A middling 'Mech on a partcular chassis, only used because they generate 30% more C-bills.) but there are no guns or 'Mechs that you can never have sooner or later. Pay responsibly! And now a little newbie guide: A new player should hop in the tutorial and complete that, trying to score gold in the movement challenge before moving on to the main game. In the game you'll now get 25 matches that will grant bonus C-Bills known as a cadet bonus. Use these 25 games to get a feel for movment, positioning and managing heat in a range of chassis weights but do not spend a penny of your C-Bills until you get all 25 games done. You should come out with between 15-19 million depending on how well you did. This will let you get pretty much anything you like and I personally would recommend either the Timberwolf or Stormcrow, two very forgiving and powerful units. A new player should stay _far_ away from Assault 'Mechs and should really really think about if they can handle a light before jumping on it. From here you can now customise your 'Mechs though it's likely going to take a handful of games to earn enough money to do that. Be sure to spend your 'Mech XP in the Skills tab after each game and then use that 'Mech to build up a large stockpile of cash, once you've got three of the same Chassis (But different Mechs, so like TBR-Prime, TBR-C and TBR-D) all skilled up you'll be able to do the Elite catagory of skills and from here you should be able to fend for yourself. Now find a unit! Good luck, 'Mech Warriors!!