I think it's about time I introduced myself. I'd like to note that, to date, Mechassault is still my most played Xbox Live game.
I began my Live account when it first launched. Looking at the game choices, Mechassault seemed the most appealing with the Xbox Live logo, a game I had never played or heard of before. I can still recall that moment I walked into EB Games, asked for the game, and walked out with my copy. The first time I put the game in the disc tray, I immediately began playing the campaign (not knowing I would eventually unlock the Rag and Ymir). I was in awe.
Fast forward post single player. I finally head to Live and search a few rooms - CTF seemed like my cup of tea. This was my first Xbox Live match, and it was everything I had hoped for and more. Back then, players applauded each other, respected each other, and commented "good game", among others. This was the first game to ever hold my attention from what seemed like 3:00 in the afternoon to 5:00 or 6:00 in the morning during the first week or two. It was that good.
As timed passed by, I became friends with highly experienced players (though they may not remember me), such as Fluffyanimals, Dirt E Gomez, HeartlessSOLDIER, Monkie of Doom, Master Michael, and a few other original Mechassault gamers. I eventually learned to wallwalk, jump jet into explosions to grab the flag (I forget the term), double shot, and just generally adapting myself to the game. Then I learned the potency of Hammers, and it grew on me as if I was meant to use them.
I had the most fun defending the flag in CTF Midtown. I preferred Red Team for the uphill advantage, and Blue Team was always fun when gunning down flag runners on the left side. My defender of choice, as always, was the
Bowman. Once I became accustomed to Hammers, no single runner was able to get in and out unscathed (most would die upon entry). I remember a few times where a couple runners seemingly got away with the flag, and I'd throw Hammers straight across the map while I was mid-air, watch the Hammers perfectly align with their Mech, explode, and kill them just before they got to the base. Compared to other elite players, I was one of the best Hammer throwers to exist back in the day, where pinpoint timing and angle was normal for me.
Most of my time was spent playing CTF in Midtown on Mechassault. On occasion when someone else insisted on defending, I'd play
Kit Fox. My role with a Kit Fox was different than most, however. Rather than scouting midfield with a Belial, I'd scout with the Kit Fox. My typical fighting pattern consisted of pacing the middle with Null Sig active, and level 3 Hammers usually at the ready. Any time I started to see dust kick up from the ground meant that it was my time to strike the Null Sig runners. Occasionally, I used the Kit Fox as a secondary flag runner, but more often than not it was a midfield scout. In time, as I played both a runner and a defender, I quickly jumped up in the CTF leaderboards, and even made first place for a short time in 2003 (though my usual spot was somewhere in the top 5).
On the occasion that I wasn't in the mood for CTF, I played the
Ragnarok in Team Deathmatch. This was my tool of destruction, where I didn't have to worry about flags, runners, etc. I knew every possible advantage the Rag had at its disposition, and I utilized it extremely well. I adapted to different strategies, knew my way around the maps, and had fun picking off the occasional Mad Cat who had Target Jamming active with my Gauss Rifles.
There were a small group of regulars I used to game with almost every day (Fluffyanimals and HeartlessSOLDIER being two of them). As days went by and friends could no longer play on a daily basis, I became more of a rogue elite, the guy who jumped from room to room and picked off runners with a Bowman or Kit Fox mercilessly. Often, I'd hear someone say "Hey, there's that HaloHunter guy! Let's have him on our team", or "HaloHunter's here, sweet!".
Ah, those were the days. Once Mecassault 2 released, I had a short stint of fun, but a slower pace, lack of Mech selection, and the introduction to the VTOL somewhat killed off my interest. I still enjoyed the game, and spent many hours playing it with groups of different friends, but it came to a halt when the Mechassault regulars I used to game with just abandoned the game altogether.
So, why am I still here, you ask? Well, Mechassault started me on Xbox Live. I thrived in the universe built on Mech dominion. I played it for years to come and stand proud because of it. Mechs, explosions, destructive environments, everything was beautifully constructed, and as a result, holds a special place in my heart. How much of a fan (or nerd) am I? Well, I still have a sealed black label copy of the game (with the "Free Mechs, Maps, and more!" tag on the front cover art) so I can look at it and cherish the good times I once had. I also have a sealed Xbox Live disc that gives you 12 months of Xbox Live and Mechassault in one package (I'm talking about
this).
We're getting close to the 10 year mark for Mechassault, and I want to be here to celebrate it. Cheers to good times, good friends, and good memories.
