MechAssault is back, and just like the first smash hit game from Microsoft® Game Studios and Day One, MechAssault® 2: Lone Wolf is sure to become an Xbox Live™ staple. But, new features like 'Mech jacking, versatile BattleArmor, and an MMO-like persistent online universe won't mean jack (so to speak) if you don't know the terrain.
Unlike the first MechAssault, you'll have a limited choice of 'Mechs available, depending on the map, and not every map is available for every game type. As you become a Lone Wolf XboxLive vet, you'll learn which maps and 'Mech selections are your favorites. We're willing to bet at least a couple of them will be the following …
The cauldron: Red starts down left, blue up right.
Witch's Cauldron The Cauldron is a long, craggy valley filled with dead trees, big rocks, and some great strategic options for big team games. You won't be able to play "smaller" games like normal destruction or Last Man Standing, but if you're up for a big assault 'Mech blowout, this is your map. Use the Vertical Take-off Landing craft (VTOL) to traverse the lengthy expanse quickly and steal enemy rides.
Choose your 'Mech wisely—the Cauldron gets hot.
Available Game Types and 'Mechs
Grinder:BattleArmor, Uller, Vulture, Atlas, Wendigo, and Corvus.
Team Destruction:BattleArmor, Thor, Prometheus, VTOL, Nova Cat, Uziel, and Tank.
Team Last Man Standing: BattleArmor, Loki, Blood Asp, Atlas, Timber Wolf, Ymir, and Bowman.
Capture the Flag:BattleArmor, Tank, Mad Dog, Prometheus, VTOL, Raven, and Raptor.
Check It!:BattleArmor, Thor, Prometheus, VTOL, Nova Cat, Uziel, and Tank.
New River City, same opportunity for mayhem.
New River City Everyone's favorite mega-destruction map is back and looks fantastic. The terrain and layout are much the same, but with all the new vehicle and 'Mech options at your disposal, you'll want to take advantage of some cool new tricks.
Good ol' "Sniper's Hill" is back and in the same place, but now it won't just be popular with Catapults and Bowmansthe quick, maneuverable Tank also comes with NullSig and, of course, a zoom mode. Can you say invisible sniper? The hill is also a great place to drop a team of BattleArmored allied with the VTOL and watch them shellac the opposing team with mortars before taking cover.
For team games, Red starts in the valley to the south, and blue starts at the freeway tunnel at the end of the road out of town, in the Northeast.
Assume the Positions Unlike many other maps, certain game types played in River City will force you to hit the streets to find yourself something bigger than a suit of BattleArmor. Though the 'Mechs sitting there sometimes change from game to game, if you plan on playing Destruction, Not It!, or Last Man Standing in New River City, get familiar with the following locations, which we've conveniently numbered from 1 to 6. Start with 1 and go counterclockwise around the map. You'll end up at 6.
Run for Position 1.
Position 1, to the northwest of the map, is roughly between a road out of town and the small "suburb" that sits on the other side of the river, attached to the main metropolis by a pair of bridges. Head toward the 'burb, and you'll get to …
The view from Position 2.
Position 2 is on the city-center-side of the suburb, between the two bridges. Look for a 'Mech facing the bigger part of New River City. Now, head across the water to the right of the right-most bridge, and you'll run headlong into …
A Thor for thee at Position 3.
Position 3 is the riverbank opposite the 'burb, on the right of the bridge. You probably won't see the next 'Mech in the circle from here; you'll have to maneuver around some buildings ahead to get to …
Close the door on Position 4.
Position 4 is a small, treeless courtyard that's tucked into the southeast corner of the map. Pick up one of the new, target-blocking-enabled Mad Dogs (or whatever suits your fancy) and hit the road out of the city to find …
Overdrive to Position 5.
Position 5 is one of the easiest to find, and you'll often spawn right by the Loki sitting there. (Don't ask me why, but other 'Mechs change from game to game, while the Loki is always sittin' right here for the taking.) Your journey is almost complete. It's time to head for "Sniper's Hill" and …
Time for new tricks at Position 6.
Position 6 is tucked near the top of the map and is the closest to the deadly perch I've arbitrarily and unoriginally dubbed Sniper's Hill. Be careful heading for that Catapult, now.
