MechAssault was, in my opinion, the best Mech game of this console generation. MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf builds on this solid foundation by adding new gameplay features, vastly improved graphics, and new online functions. With so many clear improvements, Lone Wolf is an even better game than the first, but also has a few flaws that the original didnt.

The biggest difference in Lone Wolf is that there are other types of vehicles to pilot besides giant robots. Besides Mechs, youll control battle armor, tanks, and VTOLs over the course of the game. You can even get out of your vehicle at any time during a mission and run around. All of the different vehicle types control well, but the missions that require you to spend a lot of time on foot somewhat suck. My pilot character tended to stick to the environment a lot, leading to many deaths I couldnt avoid.

These on-foot missions, as well as a few others, contributed a lot to the uneven difficulty level of the campaign mode. While I beat the game in about 12 hours, much of my time was spent repeating a handful of tough stages scattered throughout the game, which made for some uneven pacing.

Okay, now that Ive covered what I didnt like about Lone Wolf, I can move on to what I loved about it. The core gameplay is just as fun as the first, and I really liked the variety of missions. I personally found the tank levels especially enjoyable – using its cannon as a sniper rifle will never get old. The ability to switch vehicles really emphasizes the scale of the Mechs – much more so than in the first title, I felt like I was piloting an unstoppable engine of destruction. The inclusion of both new and old Mechs makes for a good selection of the giant war machines.

The addition of a couple of classic boss battles is also a really nice touch. The final boss is one of the coolest-looking foes Ive faced in a long time, and overall the graphics are great. Both the Mechs and environments are much more detailed than in the first game (although there are some heavy draw distance issues), and the cutscenes look fantastic. The soundtrack is really fitting, and the story is engaging, while a bit sparse.

Of course, online play is a huge part of the MechAssault franchise, and in this arena Lone Wolf certainly doesnt disappoint. It plays much like the first titles online mode, although the new vehicle types add a lot of flexibility within individual maps. Its fast and frantic to the point where it can be difficult to formulate a strategy, but seldom frustrating. The new vehicle types have allowed for some interesting game types and maps, so Lone Wolfs online play really offers something for everyone. Conquest mode, in which different teams vie for control of the solar system in a persistent war, will no doubt become one of the biggest draws on Xbox Live.

While some of MechAssault 2s new features came with unexpected side effects, Day 1 must be applauded for doing so much with this sequel. Despite its flaws, Lone Wolf is a terrific game that deserves the huge following it will certainly develop.­