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MECHWARRIOR 2: 31ST CENTURY COMBAT
review | PLAYSTATION
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a.k.a. Mechwarrior 2: Arcade Combat Edition
Publisher: Activision. Developer: Quantum Factory. Released: April 1997. Genre: Action. Other versions: PC; SAT. Posted 20th October 2025. By Shane Battams © 2025 |
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With the PlayStation proving such a success, it was a fair bet that many companies would bring PC games to the 3D-capable hardware, but it raised an interesting dilemma. Would developers try to recreate the same experience, albeit somewhat compromised by hardware limitations, or would they opt to rebuild the game especially for the console? Activision would opt for the latter with Mechwarrior 2. The lauded mech simulator would come to Sony’s grey box in 1997, courtesy of Quantum Factory, and rather than attempt to ape its complicated sim aspects, the “Arcade Combat Edition” streamlines the experience to work on a controller and fit the mech-smashing action onto a single disc. While it’s not perfect, there’s quite a bit of fun packed into this shooter.
Based on the Battletech role-playing universe, Mechwarrior 2 focuses on the Refusal War, a conflict playing out between two clans: Wolf, and Jade Falcon. A brief opening FMV showcases the ideologies of each clan, with two campaigns split into 48 missions. 32 of them return from the PC original, though many are truncated versions designed to quicken the pace, with 16 brand new missions added for this version. Much of the campaign sees you either attacking enemy structures or defending your own, with many enemy mechs along the way to destroy. Along with these, Trials see you improving your rank within the clan, rewarding more if you opt to partake in a second wave of the challenge. Outside of the campaigns, you can start up an instant battle on each planet, or jump into some gruelling training exercises to hone your play.
Though it lacks the depth of the PC version, 48 missions ensure there's plenty of action for gamers to sink their teeth into
Controlling Mechwarrior 2 on the PlayStation is, understandably, quite streamlined next to a full keyboard and mouse scheme. It resembles a lot of mid-nineties shooters, with D-Pad aiming and face buttons used to strafe. There are several control presets available, with some adding further functions unavailable in the default scheme, including zoom, torso twisting and recentering. It’s definitely worth experimenting, as a couple of these functions feel like genuine game-changers, which makes it a bit baffling as to why the default layout omits them. Movement feels particularly weighty, with each step landing heavily, depending on the mech you select. You can also activate a jump-jet on certain mechs, which proves handy for high-placed power-ups. Speaking of which, a handful of these are scattered around each map, including boosts to power for quicker movement, repairs, and ammo restocks. It handles well for the most part, and the various control schemes allow for more adaptation.
Mechs are chosen at the beginning of each mission, with weight limits dictating which you can use. While the in-depth weapon changing is absent, each mech usually comes with two presets of weapons, offering a bit of flexibility. Mechs are equipped with, among other weapons, lasers, rocket barrages, and pulse fire, and are most often tied to the arms of the suit. This throws an interesting wrinkle, the ability to target individual limbs on foes to disable their weapons and give yourself a tactical advantage, though the enemy can send you a receipt and do the same. You also have to contend with overheating, as firing too often can temporarily shut down your mech, seeing you blown up rather quickly. While it’s not up there with the best shooters of the time, there’s still a fast-paced core to MW2 which is undeniably fun, and with plenty of enemies and three difficulty levels that all bear a challenge, it’s pretty tough too. It’s definitely recommended players start on Easy, as you’ll likely find yourself chewed up quickly on any higher settings.
Mechs are chosen at the beginning of each mission, with weight limits dictating which you can use. While the in-depth weapon changing is absent, each mech usually comes with two presets of weapons, offering a bit of flexibility. Mechs are equipped with, among other weapons, lasers, rocket barrages, and pulse fire, and are most often tied to the arms of the suit. This throws an interesting wrinkle, the ability to target individual limbs on foes to disable their weapons and give yourself a tactical advantage, though the enemy can send you a receipt and do the same. You also have to contend with overheating, as firing too often can temporarily shut down your mech, seeing you blown up rather quickly. While it’s not up there with the best shooters of the time, there’s still a fast-paced core to MW2 which is undeniably fun, and with plenty of enemies and three difficulty levels that all bear a challenge, it’s pretty tough too. It’s definitely recommended players start on Easy, as you’ll likely find yourself chewed up quickly on any higher settings.
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Mechwarrior 2 isn’t the prettiest game the console would see, but it does have a couple of tricks up its sleeve. Destructive elements, be it scenery or mech limbs flying off, is quite impressive for the time, resulting in a ton of explosions. The mech chassis also looks decent, adding to its immersive qualities. Little else is attractive, though: environments are large but vapid, relying on changing texture colours to differentiate between the various worlds. Performance struggles when there’s more on-screen action and the handful of FMVs look a bit choppy. The audio side works better, mainly due to a pumping soundtrack ripped from one of Mechwarrior 2’s expansions on PC. Mixing 80s-era sci-fi synth with bombastic rock, it fits like a glove, even if loops are a touch short. Explosions and gunfire are both potent, and voice clips do the job well enough.
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Visuals aren't MW2's strong point, dominated as they are by sparse landscapes
Mechwarrior 2 proves a success on Sony’s console, as while it certainly doesn’t recapture the depth of its PC counterpart, the intense and frenetic action is definitely enjoyable. It suffers from some issues in porting, mostly in terms of control quirks and lacklustre visuals, but those seeking a no-frills, explosive action game should find that Quantum Factory’s conversion will tick the boxes. It’s a shame that it seemingly ended up being their only game, as you sense the studio could have done even more, given the chance.
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VERDICT"While Mechwarrior 2 doesn’t capture the depth of its PC counterpart, its intense and frenetic action is enjoyable. Its 48 levels offer a challenging and explosive - if somewhat no-frills - action experience." OVERALL: 7/10 |
OTHER GAMES FEATURING MECHS REVIEWED
Transformers: War for Cybertron (2010, Xbox 360)
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Relayer (2022, PlayStation 5)
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