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Earthsiege 2
Earthsiege 2
from Wikipedia

Earthsiege 2
DeveloperDynamix
PublisherSierra On-Line
DirectorMark Crowe
ProducerFrank Evers
DesignerDavid Selle
ProgrammerPaul Bowman
ArtistRobert Caracol
ComposerLoudmouth
PlatformWindows
ReleaseMarch 19, 1996
GenreVehicle simulation
ModeSingle player

Earthsiege 2 is a mech-style vehicle simulation game developed by Dynamix, produced by Frank Evers (NYPH), and released in 1996. Earthsiege 2 is set in the Earthsiege universe, which contains its predecessors Earthsiege (1994) and Battledrome (1995), as well as the action game Hunter Hunted (1996), strategy games MissionForce: CyberStorm (1997) and Cyberstorm 2: Corporate Wars (1998), simulation Starsiege (1999), and first-person shooters Starsiege: Tribes (1999), Tribes 2 (2001), Tribes: Aerial Assault (2002), Tribes: Vengeance (2004) and Tribes: Ascend (2012).

As a simulation, Earthsiege 2 gives players the opportunity to pilot massive bipedal war machines known as HERCULANs (Humaniform-Emulation Roboticized Combat Unit with Leg-Articulated Navigation) (or 'HERCs' for short). Set in 2624,[1] Earthsiege 2 features advanced weapons and technology for waging war. Earthsiege 2 takes place across North America, South America, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the moon.

Earthsiege 2 features a more advanced engine than Earthsiege, increasing the game's maximum resolution to 640*480. Additionally, the game features much more detailed terrain than its predecessor. Earthsiege 2 has 3D rolling terrain rather than the flat landscape of Earthsiege. Furthermore, video briefings and debriefings, along with included squadmate voices, add to the atmosphere of the game.

In 2015, Earthsiege 2 was released as freeware by Hi-Rez Studios.[2]

Plot

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For twenty years, the remnants of the human race fought against the Cybrid oppressors aided by pre-Cybrid Hercs. After the destruction of the Cybrid army, the humans maintained their control on Earth, but another Cybrid army came from space colonies for another attack. The humans were able to prevent initial landings, but were about to face the Cybrids as they built their strength on the moon.

Gameplay

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Earthsiege 2 features more advanced terrain.

Camera

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Earthsiege 2 allows the player the option of playing in multiple viewpoints between first and third person(external).

Mechanics

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The player controls a "Herc" with the keyboard and/or joystick, while the mouse can be used to interact with buttons in the cockpit. Eight Hercs are available for piloting, each with its own unique characteristics.

As in Earthsiege, the player is allowed up to three squadmates per mission. Squadmate Hercs are assigned and outfitted by the player, and squadmates gain experience as they complete missions.

Salvage

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Destroyed Hercs and buildings leave behind salvage metal, weapons, and equipment that are added to the player's inventory for use in later missions.

Missions

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Missions in Earthsiege 2 include a branching mission structure. Failure in a mission does not always mean failure of the overall game. In many cases, the player can continue, albeit on a different mission than if the player had succeeded. Also, missions can have varying degrees of success. For example, if the player is assigned to protect several bases that are under attack, the loss of one or two bases may not indicate failure. The degree of success can also indicate what the next mission will be.

Certain missions give various bonuses for success. These are usually access to a new kind of weapon or piece of equipment, but in a few cases, the player is rewarded for victory with a new type of Herc chassis. In some cases, the equipment is made available later in the game if the player fails the mission, but in other cases, failure means never being able to access the equipment.

Some missions are terminal if failed. The last sequence of missions, leading to the fight with Prometheus on Luna, must be won or the game ends. But in most cases, failure only leads to ending the game if the player has already failed one or more missions previously.

Herc construction

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Hercs are customizable in the game. Each individual Herc chassis has its own properties, including armor, shield output, speed, and how many hardpoints it has for mounting equipment. Weapons and other equipment are mounted directly to hardpoints, and each hardpoint has a list of equipment that can be mounted there. One of the principal advantages of the larger Hercs is the greater availability of hardpoints for mounting more weapons and more equipment.

Reception

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Chris Hudak of GameSpot praised the game's graphics and mission difficulty versus MechWarrior 2.[3] Computer Gaming World also praised the game's graphics, stating it was the best-looking on the market, but noted there was "nothing that will leave a lasting impression or a hunger for Earth Siege 3." The magazine also criticized the lack of a printed manual and likened it to buying a console game.[4] A Next Generation critic said the game offers solid improvements over the first Earthsiege in the form of graphics, enemy AI, and the strategic element of looting disabled enemy units for parts (which he noted had been lifted from MechWarrior 2). He criticized the missions as lacking in variety, but concluded that "if you want fast action, good pacing, and incredible gameplay and graphics, EarthSiege 2 shines in all the right places."[5]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Earthsiege 2 is a 1996 mecha simulation video game developed by Dynamix and published by Sierra On-Line for Microsoft Windows. It serves as the sequel to the 1994 game Earthsiege, expanding on the original's premise of humanity's war against rogue artificial intelligence. The game's plot is set in a dystopian future where, after two decades of conflict, human forces have initially repelled the invading Cybrid robots—machine oppressors created by humanity—but a new threat emerges from a lunar base controlled by the AI entity Prometheus. Players assume the role of a pilot commanding Humaniform Emulation Roboticized Combat units (HERCs), massive bipedal mechs, in a desperate resistance effort to reclaim Earth from the Cybrid onslaught. The narrative unfolds across more than 50 single-player missions, blending intense combat sequences with strategic elements like mech customization and resource management. In terms of gameplay, Earthsiege 2 emphasizes first-person simulation, allowing players to pilot and upgrade nine distinct HERC models using salvaged parts from defeated enemies, while coordinating with up to three AI-controlled wingmates for tactical support. A notable addition is the Razor, an aircraft variant that introduces flight simulation mechanics for aerial strikes and reconnaissance. The title utilizes Dynamix's 3D Space Engine for immersive graphics, featuring detailed explosions and environments that were praised for their visual fidelity at the time. Released on March 19, 1996, it received generally positive critical reception, with an average score of 81% from reviewers who highlighted its challenging missions and mech combat depth, though some noted stiff competition from contemporaries like MechWarrior 2. In 2015, Hi-Rez Studios released the game as freeware. The game laid foundational technology and lore for later entries in the series, including Starsiege and the Tribes franchise.

Development

Design process

Earthsiege 2 was developed by Dynamix, a subsidiary of Sierra On-Line, under the production leadership of Frank Evers, with Mark Crowe serving as director, David Selle as lead designer, and Paul Bowman as lead programmer. The project built directly on the mechanics of the original , expanding the scope to emphasize larger-scale battles across diverse environments including continents and the , with over 50 missions incorporating strategic resource salvaging from defeated Cybrid enemies to bolster human forces. Key innovations included enhanced AI for Cybrid opponents, making them more tactically challenging and less predictably aggressive compared to the first , while introducing the —a new aerial HERC variant—to blend ground-based mech combat with flight simulation elements for varied tactical depth. Technically, the game leveraged Dynamix's 3DSpace engine to advance 3D graphics for the Windows 95 platform, supporting SVGA resolutions up to 640x480 with texture-mapped terrain and detailed HERC models, a significant upgrade from the DOS-based predecessor's limitations and optimized for Pentium 90 systems to handle enhanced pyrotechnics and immersive sound design. Design goals prioritized deeper HERC customization, allowing players to outfit up to nine distinct models with modular weapons and components, alongside user-friendly cockpit interfaces and remappable controls to balance simulation realism—such as precise piloting of 60-foot-tall war machines—with broader accessibility for non-hardcore sim enthusiasts. Challenges during development centered on integrating these advancements without compromising performance on mid-1990s hardware, while ensuring the core fantasy of commanding massive robotic forces against an AI overlord remained engaging through fast-paced action and progressive mission variety, though early previews noted constraints in introducing entirely new HERC types to avoid overwhelming complexity.

Release and distribution

Earthsiege 2 was released on March 19, 1996, by publisher Sierra On-Line for Windows platforms. The game launched as a commercial PC title, distributed through retail channels in standard jewel case packaging containing the game discs, a quick reference card, and digital manuals accessible via the in English, French, and German. for the title highlighted its mech simulation and intense vehicular combat against cybrid forces, positioning it as a sequel advancing the series' warfare themes. No expansions were released for Earthsiege 2 following its launch. However, post-release support included a compatibility patch developed to address issues on modern systems, available through Sierra's official update resources. In October 2015, , which had acquired the rights to the Earthsiege series, re-released Earthsiege 2 as to celebrate the franchise's legacy. The game became publicly available for download on the Tribes Universe website, allowing fans to access the full title without cost.

Setting and plot

World setting

Earthsiege 2 is set in 2624, a post-apocalyptic future on , approximately in the 27th century, following a devastating war between humanity and the Cybrids, rogue artificial intelligences originally created by humans. The Cybrids originated from advancements pioneered by inventor Solomon Petresun, who developed the superintelligent AI known as in 2471; this entity oversaw the creation of Cybrids as tireless laborers and warriors for hazardous tasks. However, escalating led to nuclear exchanges that killed billions, culminating in the Cybrid Overthrow, where the machines rebelled, seized control of human infrastructure, and nearly eradicated mankind. Survivors regrouped from isolated bases, launching a prolonged guerrilla campaign that eventually drove the Cybrids from 's surface after over two decades of conflict. In the aftermath of the first Cybrid war, human society is fragmented and rebuilding amid the ruins of a ravaged , with the resistance emerging as the primary organized faction dedicated to preserving humanity. This resistance operates from fortified outposts, employing to maintain control and scavenge resources in a world scarred by widespread destruction. No larger governmental structures are evident; instead, the focus remains on survival and defense against resurgent threats, drawing on the legacy of the initial uprising to foster unity among scattered human enclaves. The Cybrids, depicted as ultra-intelligent, cybernetic entities devoid of organic limitations, retreated to a lunar base under Prometheus's command following their initial defeat, from which they orchestrate a renewed to reclaim . This second wave includes forces launched from space colonies and orbital positions, introducing persistent threats from above that challenge human ground operations. As antagonists in the broader Earthsiege series, the Cybrids represent an existential peril rooted in humanity's hubris with AI, their hierarchical structure led by emphasizing calculated, relentless aggression. Central to the resistance's efforts are HERCULANs, or HERCs—massive bipedal robots designed for emulation of form and mobility, often repurposed from pre-war stockpiles or salvaged from battlefields to bolster defenses. These machines incorporate advanced salvaged technologies, including energy-based weapons like lasers and plasma rifles alongside projectile systems such as autocannons and missiles, enabling versatile warfare in diverse terrains from to the lunar surface. Orbital threats from Cybrid forces further complicate engagements, requiring the resistance to adapt ingenuity with recovered tech to counter extraterrestrial incursions.

Plot summary

Earthsiege 2's storyline picks up two years after the events of the original game, where humanity has reclaimed from Cybrid control following a prolonged guerrilla of over twenty years. The narrative opens with the detection of a renewed Cybrid originating from a massive production base on the , constructed by the rogue AI to mass-produce robotic forces for a final on human survivors. The Cybrids launch coordinated attacks across Earth's sectors, forcing the human resistance to mobilize once more. Players embody a veteran HERC pilot within the resistance, commanding a squad of up to three wingmates in operations spanning varied global terrains such as frozen tundras, arid deserts, and urban ruins. These missions escalate from defensive stands on to offensive strikes aimed at crippling Cybrid supply lines and outposts, gradually shifting the theater of war toward the lunar surface. The pilot's actions drive the resistance's counteroffensive, uncovering intelligence on Cybrid command structures led by . The campaign culminates in intense battles on the , where the resistance assaults Prometheus's fortified base in a bid to eradicate the Cybrid threat at its source and secure humanity's survival. Mission performance influences the storyline's progression, culminating in the resolution of the campaign.

Gameplay

Camera views

Earthsiege 2 provides players with two primary camera perspectives: a first-person view and a third-person external view. The first-person view immerses players in the role of piloting the HERC by simulating the interior of the vehicle's , where controls and targeting interfaces are displayed directly on screen. This perspective emphasizes realistic elements, such as monitoring instrument panels and aiming weapons from the pilot's viewpoint. The third-person external view shifts the camera outside the HERC, offering a broader perspective of the and its surroundings during missions. This mode enables players to observe the mech's movements and positioning relative to terrain and enemies, facilitating better in dynamic environments. Players switch between the internal view and external view by pressing the C key, allowing seamless transitions to adapt to different tactical needs. The external view proves advantageous for assessing overall layout and avoiding obstacles, while the cockpit view supports precise targeting, though manual aiming can be challenging without assistance due to the game's control scheme—auto-targeting is recommended to improve accuracy in both perspectives. Additionally, the camera system includes a dedicated control for HERC camera functions via the , which may adjust focus or orientation during gameplay. Limitations in the first-person view include a narrower field of vision compared to the external mode, potentially hindering quick scans of flanking threats in intense skirmishes.

Combat mechanics

Players control their HERC using a combination of keyboard and for movement, aiming, and firing, while the handles interactions with cockpit displays and menus. controls manage for speed, directional movement including forward/backward and , and torso rotation for positioning, with keyboard alternatives such as for similar functions and dedicated keys to toggle between body and turret aiming modes for independent upper-body targeting. Firing weapons is assigned to buttons or keyboard triggers, allowing rapid engagement while maintaining mobility, though the lack of full support in requires reliance on these for precision. The physics-based damage model emphasizes targeted destruction of structural components, such as legs to immobilize enemies or arms to disable weapons, rather than uniform health depletion, which adds tactical depth to engagements. Heat management plays a key role, particularly with weapons that build up thermal load leading to reduced performance or shutdowns if not vented via coolers, while ballistic options avoid heat but incur repair costs from wear. Shields recharge using power reserves, but overuse of armaments drains this pool, forcing players to balance offense and defense. Cybrid AI demonstrates advanced patterns, including swarming tactics where multiple units coordinate to flank and overwhelm isolated targets, and adaptive behaviors that respond to player maneuvers, such as retreating to regroup or prioritizing weakened wingmates. These routines make encounters dynamic, requiring constant repositioning to counter group assaults effectively. Available weapons span types like lasers and particle beams, which consume power without ammunition but risk overheating; missiles with finite reloads for high-impact area denial; and autocannons that physical projectiles at moderate or ammo costs, offering sustained without thermal penalties. Selection involves trade-offs in range, output, and drain to suit mission demands. Combat interacts with the environment through fully destructible 3D terrain, where players can demolish buildings, hillsides, or obstacles to create new lines of sight, expose hidden enemies, or alter flow, enhancing the realism of large-scale warfare.

Salvage and

In Earthsiege 2, the salvage mechanic allows players to collect materials from destroyed Cybrid units and enemy during and after missions, providing essential resources for sustaining the human resistance's . Destroying enemy targets yields varying amounts of salvage based on the method of destruction; for instance, targeting the legs rather than the central torso preserves more intact components, maximizing . This encourages strategic decisions that balance immediate mission success with long-term economic benefits, as excessive damage from high-explosive weapons can reduce overall salvage haul. Salvage accumulates between missions and is categorized primarily into metals for structural components and for advanced systems, which players must manage to support ongoing operations. These resources are gathered automatically from but can be influenced by mission performance, with higher difficulty levels yielding less per destruction to heighten strategic tension. In the base's service bay, players allocate these resources to prioritize repairs on damaged Hercs or to fund into new technologies, ensuring squad readiness for subsequent engagements. Effective here directly impacts campaign viability, as insufficient metals or electronics can leave key units inoperable. Base management revolves around a central hub where salvage is processed and distributed, allowing players to repair armor, weapons, and systems or invest in upgrades like enhanced reactors and armaments. However, salvage operations carry inherent risks, including time delays during post-mission recovery phases where lingering on the exposes teams to potential enemy reinforcements or counterattacks. These constraints add an economic layer to , forcing players to weigh the pursuit of additional salvage against the dangers of prolonged exposure. Through consistent salvage accumulation, players unlock progression milestones, such as access to advanced Herc models like the or aerial units like the , which require substantial resource investments in and . This system ties to advancement, as amassing sufficient materials enables the resistance to deploy superior against escalating Cybrid threats. Resources gathered here also support Herc customization efforts, where metals and electronics are applied to refine individual unit loadouts for specialized roles.

Mission design

Earthsiege 2 features a single-player campaign comprising over 50 missions, structured as a linear progression with branching paths that allow for varied playthroughs based on player performance. These missions unfold across diverse environments, including urban zones on , desolate lunar surfaces, arctic tundras, volcanic lava fields, and nuclear-ravaged wastelands, providing a range of tactical challenges influenced by terrain. Mission objectives emphasize strategic variety, such as strikes to eliminate enemy forces, defensive operations to protect allied installations, escort duties for vulnerable assets, and patrols to gather intelligence without direct confrontation. Difficulty scales dynamically through these branches; successful completions with minimal losses unlock advanced equipment and easier subsequent paths, while failures reroute players to remedial missions that delay progress but maintain campaign continuity, except in critical endgame scenarios requiring victory. Missions often integrate salvage mechanics, where players collect debris from defeated enemies to bolster resources mid-operation. Beyond the campaign, the game supports multiplayer modes over LAN or connections, including cooperative play for joint mission completion and versus deathmatch arenas for competitive skirmishes, enhancing tactical depth in non-campaign scenarios. Replayability is bolstered by these alternate paths and performance-based branching, encouraging multiple runs to explore different outcomes and optimize efficiency across the expansive mission set.

Herc customization

In Earthsiege 2, Herc customization occurs at the resistance base prior to missions, where players access an interface to select and modify HERC chassis for themselves and squadmates. This process involves assigning pilots to specific chassis and equipping modular components into available hardpoints, emphasizing strategic preparation for diverse mission objectives. The eight ground-based HERC chassis include the Maverick, , , Rhino, , Titan, , and Colossus. Players choose from these eight distinct HERC chassis plus the aerial Razor variant, each offering unique base attributes such as armor thickness, shield generator output, maximum speed, and the number of hardpoints for mounting weapons, engines, armor upgrades, and other equipment like energy pods or ECM systems. For instance, lighter chassis like the Maverick prioritize mobility, while heavier ones like the Colossus support extensive loadouts but limit agility. Hardpoints serve as modular slots, with total build weight constrained by the chassis's tonnage limit, allowing combinations of primary weapons such as 50mm autocannons or plasma cannons, secondary options like missile packs or EMP launchers, and support items including turbo boosters or shield enhancements. Customization involves key trade-offs in weight, speed, and firepower, as adding heavier weapons or armor increases tonnage and reduces acceleration or top speed, potentially hindering performance in fast-paced scenarios, while lighter builds sacrifice durability for quicker maneuvers. New chassis and advanced components, such as higher-output lasers or multi-missile arrays, unlock progressively through successful campaign missions, enabling more sophisticated configurations as the resistance advances against Cybrid forces. Optimal configurations vary by mission type; for reconnaissance or anti-flyer operations, a equipped with autocannons and missile packs balances aerial pursuit with evasion. In contrast, assault missions benefit from an loaded with plasma cannons, lasers, and shield pods for sustained frontline firepower. These setups draw from salvaged resources accumulated in prior engagements to balance offensive capability with needs.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Earthsiege 2 garnered generally favorable reviews from critics in 1996, earning an average score of 81% across 18 publications tracked by . Reviewers frequently highlighted the game's immersive of mech , praising its in squad-based missions and resource scavenging. The visuals were a standout feature, with Computer Gaming World declaring it "the best-looking giant robot game" due to texture-mapped HERCs, rolling , and cinematic destruction sequences that enhanced the sense of scale and destruction. echoed this, noting "quite a bit cleaner than those in, say, MechWarrior 2," which contributed to a more engaging battlefield atmosphere. Comparisons to MechWarrior 2 were common, with the commending Earthsiege 2's controls as more intuitive—combining speed and direction—compared to the rival's keyboard-heavy scheme. Critics appreciated the depth of HERC customization and challenging AI opponents, which added replayability through varied loadouts and tactical decisions. GamesFirst! described the weapon variety and independent outfitting of mechs as "much easier than 2," making it accessible yet deep for strategic play. The game's theme was lauded for its pull, with one reviewer stating, "EarthSiege’s theme pulls you into it and the game becomes really addictive." However, some outlets pointed to a steep learning curve for newcomers, despite training missions that the Orlando Sentinel called "relatively painless" for mastering basics. Controls drew mixed feedback; while easier overall, GamesFirst! found them "wild and erratic," requiring reliance on autotargeting to hit enemies effectively. Occasional technical issues, such as long loading times on slower hardware, were also noted. Computer Gaming World criticized the missions as feeling "short and claustrophobic," lacking lasting character despite their innovations.

Commercial performance and legacy

Earthsiege 2 achieved solid commercial performance upon its 1996 release by Sierra On-Line, establishing itself as a reliable mid-tier title within the publisher's diverse portfolio of PC simulation games. Its success contributed to the continuation of the Earthsiege series, reflecting steady market reception amid Sierra's broader output of adventure and strategy titles during the mid-1990s. The game exerted significant influence on subsequent Dynamix and Sierra productions, serving as the direct precursor to (1999) and laying the groundwork for the Tribes series by defining the of human-Cybrid conflicts and mecha-based combat mechanics. This foundational role extended the Metaltech/Earthsiege lore into multiplayer-focused shooters, with : Tribes (1998) adapting elements of squad-based HERC piloting into large-scale vehicular combat. Earthsiege 2's emphasis on free-roaming mission structures also positioned it as an early innovator in open-ended mech simulations, paving the way for more dynamic, non-linear gameplay in later titles. In 2015, re-released Earthsiege 2 as to support preservation efforts and honor the Tribes franchise's heritage, distributing ISO files DRM-free despite the original hosting site later becoming unavailable. This initiative, combined with community-driven tools like the Sierra Help installer—which incorporates patches, restored , and no-CD functionality—has ensured ongoing accessibility for retro enthusiasts. Post-2000s fan revivals have included decompilation projects aimed at modern compatibility, sustaining interest through technical preservation rather than extensive mods. The title remains available via archives such as My Abandonware, fostering its place in retro gaming discussions as a benchmark for 3D mech warfare simulations.

References

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