Freeware Game Pick: Young's Modulus (Austin Meyer)
Review by Gr.Viper
Another big mech game coming right up! It's old but still has its charm. Unlike recently picked Bootfighter, Young's Modulus should be more appealing to Battletech (or Earthsiege) fans. That is the mechs here are ugly, heavy and steer like a sleigh full of bricks. But their enormous mass means that inside there's a lot of space for fitting weapons and equipment.
The curious might learn about the plot in game's readme but basically YM boils down to destroying two-legged steel balls that spit plasma. You can either do it in Quick Combat mode or start an alien extermination campaign where you'll have to fight for many planets and manage resources such as money, metal, energy to build more mechs. Research is also required to hit the enemy with the best stuff.
Despite simple graphics and bland menus the action feels very immersive because the view bobs with mech's steps and flashes from gunshots light everything in the area while you listen to cold computer voice listing failed subsystems. And you will feel the failures: controls start acting strange, HUD and tactical radar go haywire, IR and low-light vision flicker, reactor loses output, batteries leak and rear-view camera shows black screen. Then you fall down.
To prevent this you have to learn basic teammate controls and properly arm your mechs. Good choice of weapons allows all kinds of combinations: fast unarmoured gunner with jump jets, heavily shielded stomper with missiles and flamer, invisible cloaked laser sniper etc. You decide! Although in quick combat the choice of weapons is limited to mech's tech level while in campaign you can try to fit newly developed weapons into older gear. (tip: do not use emergency power while running up hill - mech's legs are more likely to slip with throttle over 100%)
P.S. It might be hard to see where the unlock "code" goes: main screen, bottom text field.
Name: Young's Modulus
Developer: Austin Meyer
Category: Action
Type: Freeware (demo unlocks with any 6-digit code)
Size: 25MB
Direct download link: Win, Mac
Comments
While this was being posted I discovered some other things.
One - to try arming Genesis class with top-notch stuff (like replacing a Vulcan with stealth gen) in Quick Combat just pick one Titanic in the pack. This makes all guns available.
Two - targeting computer is a liar. At least with autocannons you can hit targets beyond max range because projectijes fly in ballistic arc. Just zoom in and aim higher.
Three - cloak is completely blown if you open fire near an enemy.
Posted by: Gr.Viper | May 12, 2008 10:02 PM
I'm downloading this now, and it sounds like fun, but DEAR GOD those mechs are hideous. They've somehow taken the 'random geometric shapes mashed together and guns slapped on' designs of Battletech and made them worse. That's impressive.
Don't get me wrong here, I've nothing against the 'almighty walking tank' style of giant robottery, but these are just plain ugly.
Posted by: Dominic White | May 12, 2008 11:17 PM
I was all set to love it, but the subpar interface ruined it. Joystick mandatory? Sparse HUD? Bizarre UI?
Take note, the activation code will only take numbers that AREN'T from the number pad.
Posted by: Tzarius | May 13, 2008 10:27 AM
Arrgh... I've had joystick plugged into my PC for years so didn't notice it was mandatory. Damn.
Although there IS a free, Battletech game with better menu system, familiar mech designs, driveable vehicles, flyable choppers and walkable(?) infantry. And mouse/keyboard controls...
Posted by: Gr.Viper | May 13, 2008 2:13 PM