Activision's 1995 classic — its history, how the press received it, how it plays today, and what a copy costs.
- Released
- 1995 · PC (DOS / Windows)
- Developer
- Activision
- Publisher
- Activision
- MobyScore
- ★ 7.97
The history
Developed and published by Activision in 1995, MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat serves as the successor to the original MechWarrior. Set within the BattleTech franchise, it shifted the focus away from the RPG-like trading systems of its predecessor to concentrate heavily on combat and the immersive experience of being inside a BattleMech cockpit.
The title mattered as a landmark in the mech simulation genre, revolutionizing mechanized warfare with its deep world and 3D environments. Its impact was so significant that Activision reported floods of calls to their game counselors from players seeking hints, and it eventually became a benchmark for the genre according to critics.
How it plays
Players take on the role of a genetically engineered Clan MechWarrior, choosing between the Wolf Clan or the Jade Falcon Clan. The core loop involves piloting advanced Omnimechs into battle against the Inner Sphere and other Clans, where players must complete objectives and score high warrior ratings. These ratings are improved by using smaller or fewer 'Mechs than the "par" force requires, which grants the player a chance at promotion trials in an arena to eventually reach the rank of Khan.
The simulation emphasizes strategy and planning, with control complexity likened to a flight simulator. Players can customize their 'Mechs in the 'Mech lab to optimize their force. While the original PC release was single-player, the addition of NetMech later allowed for online combat.
How it was received
MechWarrior 2 was critically well received and a commercial success, selling over 500,000 copies within three months of release and ranking as the 12th-best-selling computer game in the US for 1996. It won the Origins Award for Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Computer Game of 1995 and was named the best action game of 1995 by PC Gamer US. Next Generation called it "the best 'mech simulator currently available," and Computer Gaming World described it as an "amazingly immersive experience."
The PlayStation version also received strong praise, defying predictions that it would be a watered-down experience. It earned scores such as 8.125/10 from EGM and 9/10 from OPMUK, with GamePro noting that the title deftly avoided the pitfalls common to PC ports.
In the magazines
The period press.
PC Gamer US gave it a glowing review, stating it had "everything an action game needs," while PCGUS awarded it 93/100. Next Generation gave it 4/5, and OPMUK rated the PS1 version 9/10.
Screenshots
The box & the art
Cover art, and real copies photographed in the wild.
Legacy
Activision continued to build on the title with expansion packs like Ghost Bear's Legacy and the standalone Mercenaries. The game's legacy is cemented by its induction into GameSpot's list of the greatest games of all time and its ranking by Computer Games Strategy Plus as one of the "10 Best Sci-Fi Simulations."
It remains worth seeking out today as a benchmark of the genre that provides a feeling of completeness and deep attention to detail.
What it's worth
Copies surface on the second-hand market from time to time, but listings are sparse enough that there's no reliable price band to quote — check the live search for what's available right now.
See current copies on eBay →Copies in the wild
Real listing photos — the range of condition you'll meet.
Photographed examples from past listings — illustrative of condition, not a live inventory.
How to play it in 2026
Easiest today: Steam or GOG (DRM-free) on modern Windows. Either way the core game is intact.
Verdict
With its high-resolution graphics for the era and a level of simulation depth that demanded genuine planning, MechWarrior 2 holds up as a masterclass in atmospheric vehicular combat. The tension of the Clan invasion and the rewarding progression system of the warrior trials create a compelling loop.
While the controls are complex, they provide an intuitive sense of power and scale that modern, streamlined action games often miss. It is a definitive piece of sci-fi simulation history.
Sources: MobyGames, Steam, and period/web coverage. Prices reflect the second-hand market and change over time.