First MechWarrior Tactics Screens Released

MechWarrior Online might be getting the lion's share of the attention these days, but it's not the only free-to-play BattleTech game on the way. While you've been off fantasizing about shooting robots in the face, Roadhouse Interactive and A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Games have been hard at work on MechWarrior Tactics, which they've aptly termed the "thinking man's Mech game."

Set in the BattleTech universe in the year 3025, MechWarrior Tactics offers a uniquely strategic mech combat experience. Think the classic MechCommander games, only with turn-based mechanics in lieu of real time.

Like its shootier big brother, MechWarrior Tactics will utilize a free-to-play model supported by microtransactions, allowing you to purchase cosmetic and functional upgrades for your mechs. Once your four bot squad has been assembled and decorated, you'll be able to head online and compete in matches to work your way up the global leaderboards.

he game will be on display behind closed doors at GDC next week, but in the meantime, feel free to feast your eyes on the first batch of screenshots, which you can find below in all of their hex tile glory.

MechWarrior Tactics is slated to launch on PC in the second half of 2012. There's currently an early registration page on the official site, though a beta has yet to be officially confirmed.