How will this be different from the current free2play
hawken ?
I've been in since the second round of closed beta invites, June last year. Hawken is an FPS where you happen to be mechs- some people like that, but personally I don't feel it is very distinct from other shooters. Mechwarrior Online, however, is a slow-paced game, where positioning and timing are far more important than rushing to get a kill.
A careful flank, a patient defense, or a sly ruse will often cripple an enemy who is superior in theory. And crippling an enemy battlemech is enough- if your little scout blew the leg off of an assault mech that's out of position- leave him. He's still got huge firepower, but you can now waltz away and leave him to limp after you.
Games are quick bouts, with no respawns. This means your participation is very important. Keeping not only your mech, but it's subsystems, intact is a core part of succeeding. One player running ahead of the firing line to their death is gone for good- and for little gain.
Besides the carefully considered gameplay, I spend most of my time out of the game- in the mechlab. The customization is overwhelming to a new player, but you can really do anything. Yes, you can build a bad battlemech, but after a few iterations, you'll eventually stumble upon a personal build that works for you.
It's free to play, but avoids pay-2-win situations. A paying customer will not have an inherent advantage over a free player- they can get cosmetics and increased earnings, or a hero mech, which is basically a regular variant with increased earnings, a unique paintjob, and a quirk or two.
It's still in open beta, so there are some bugs, and balance is ongoing. It's my main game at the moment though. I'd urge anyone interested in robots and huge customization to give it a shot. It's a bit overwhelming with no tutorial at the moment, but between the wiki and youtube videos, you should be up and running in no time.
If anyone needs any help with the game etc, I'd be happy to help
