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MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person and third-person vehicle combat game in the MechWarrior series.
The game received two expansion packs, Ghost Bear's Legacy in November 1995 and the standalone Mercenaries in September 1996, each with their own campaigns and new 'Mechs. The multiplayer component, named NetMech, was incomplete at the time of the game's launch, and was later released both as a free download and as a purchasable disc.
The game had several different releases; see Version differences.
On modern systems, the DOS version of the game is commonly played via MechVM. However, the Windows-native versions do not work on Windows 8 and later unless DxWnd is used.[1][2][3]
General information
- BattleTech Wiki - A massive wiki for everything BattleTech related
- MechWarrior 2 Resource Forum
- Local Ditch Gaming - A good source for tips.
Availability
Source |
DRM |
Notes |
Keys |
OS |
Retail |
|
Mac OS version is a separate release. DOS and Windows versions are packed together except in the earliest releases. |
|
|
- Free demo versions are available from Archive.org: original, updated.
Version differences
- The Titanium Trilogy is a complete edition including both expansions and MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries. Note however it is based on the Mercenaries' engine and thus has different stats and textures to the original as well as a cut-down music score.
- The DOS version uses software rendering. This version can be played in DOSBox.
- The Windows 95, Pentium, Diamond Monster 3D, 3Dfx, Battlepack and Titanium versions can be played using MechVM. 95 and Pentium can be converted to be Glide capable with these files.
- The ATI Rage, Matrox Mystique, PowerVR, S3 ViRGE and STB Velocity versions are not usable on modern systems.
- There are many visual differences between the hardware-accelerated versions; see the 3D Acceleration Comparison for details. Also see MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat - DOS/Win95/3DFX/PS1/Saturn and Different Versions of MechWarrior 2.
Monetization
DLC and expansion packs
- A standalone follow-up, MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries, is also available.
Name |
Notes |
|
Ghost Bear's Legacy |
Sold separately or bundled with later releases. |
|
NetMech |
Online multiplayer service for MechWarrior 2. Was incomplete at the time of game release so was later released as an "expansion". |
|
Essential improvements
MechVM
- MechVM cannot run Windows versions on Windows 8 and later; choose the DOS version when prompted (not included with all Windows versions).[1][2]
Use MechVM[4]
|
- Download MechVM and extract it.
- Run
mechvm.exe and install the game through it.
- Go to the
directx folder on the game disc.
- If
dplay.dll exists, copy it to <path-to-game> .
- Set
mech2.exe to run in Windows 95 compatibility mode.
- For versions with 3dfx renderers (3dfx, Diamond Monster 3D, Titanium) use nGlide.
|
DxWnd
- DxWnd can run the Windows version on Windows XP all the way up to Windows 11.[2]
Pentium Edition[5]
|
- Insert the CD in your drive.
- Install WineVDM v0.8.1 or newer.
- Set
START.EXE to run with Windows 95 compatibility settings from the Properties menu.
- Running
START.EXE , click on the INSTALL button to start installation.
- After installation finishes, copy the
DPLAY.DLL from the DIRECTX folder of the CD to the game directory.
- Download and install the MechWarrior 2 v1.1 patch.
- After installation finishes, download DxWnd v2.05.81 or newer.
- Download this attachment for the Pentium Edition.
- Install the .sdb file given in the attachment.
- Open DxWnd and use import the profile given attachment. Set the executable path through DxWnd.
|
Titanium Edition[6]
|
- Insert the CD in a disc drive.
- Install WineVDM v0.8.1 or newer.
- Set
Setup.exe to run with Windows 95 compatibility settings from the Properties menu.
- Running
Setup.exe , click on the INSTALL button to start installation.
- During installation, choose the HARDWARE ACCELERATION option which installs the Titanium Edition of the game.
- After installation finishes, download DxWnd v2.05.81 or newer.
- Rename
Mw2win.exe to Mw2tit.exe .
- Download this attachment for the Titanium Edition.
- Install the .sdb file given in the attachment.
- Open DxWnd and use import the profile given attachment. Set the executable path through DxWnd.
|
Patches
- Install the latest Patch to fix various issues. Battlepack and Titanium versions are already patched.
Skip intro videos
Use replacement MINTRO.SMK
|
|
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
Save game data location
System |
Location |
DOS |
<path-to-game>\mw2reg.cfg |
Windows |
|
Mac OS (Classic) |
|
Video
In-game general settings.
In-game movie playback settings.
- The 3dfx edition can be played in widescreen (see the WSGF entry); other versions with 3dfx renderers can be run at higher resolutions using nGlide (choice of stretched or pillarboxed 4:3).
Use nGlide[citation needed]
|
- Install nGlide.
- Run the nGlide configurator from the Start screen/Start menu.
- Set the preferred resolution.
- Change aspect ratio to "4:3" for the correct perspective or "fit to screen" for a stretched output.
- Select the 3dfx renderer in-game.
|
View Distance
- A patch to increase the game's view distance is available here.
Input
In-game key map settings.
Audio
Audio feature |
State |
Notes |
Separate volume controls |
|
|
Surround sound |
|
|
Subtitles |
|
|
Closed captions |
|
|
Mute on focus lost |
|
|
Royalty free audio |
|
|
Red Book CD audio |
|
On Windows, CD music might not play correctly; see the troubleshooting guide for solutions. |
Localizations
Language |
UI |
Audio |
Sub |
Notes |
English |
|
|
|
|
German |
|
|
|
MechWarrior 2: Kampfspiel im 31. Jahrhundert. The ingame computer lore files are all in English; all other text is written and dubbed in German. MechWarrior 2: Erweiterungs-Set Ghost Bear's Legacy also has a German translated/dubbed version available. |
Japanese |
|
|
|
メックウォリア2. |
Brazilian Portuguese |
|
|
|
MechWarrior 2: Combate no Século 31. |
Network
- Multiplayer requires the Netmech expansion (sold separately or bundled with later releases).
Multiplayer types
Connection types
Issues fixed
No music
- The disc must be inserted in CD-ROM 0; see this page for details.
Joystick not detected in Ghost Bear's Legacy
Copy missing giddi/giddiwin files[7]
|
- Open the
giddi folder on the CD.
- Copy the contents to
giddi in the installation folder.
- Open the
giddiwin folder on the CD.
- Copy the contents to
giddiwin in the installation folder.
|
Jump jets not recharging
- Jump Jets don't recharge if the computer is too fast.
Reduce DOSBox cycles[8]
|
- Can be set on command line or batch file,
config -set cpu cycles 100000 .
- Ctrl-F11 or Ctrl-F12 can also adjust the game speed until jumpjets can recharge.
|
Audio quality issues
- The DOS version is sensitive to an incorrect Sound Blaster choice.
Change audio settings
|
- Open
mw2setup.exe .
- Choose "Configure Sound Devices", and "Select and configure digital audio driver".
- Choose the correct sound card.
- DOSBox uses the Sound Blaster 16 by default.
- If you are unsure, pick "Creative Labs Sound Blaster or 100% compatible".
|
Other information
API
Executable | PPC | 16-bit |
32-bit |
64-bit |
Notes |
Windows | | |
|
|
|
Mac OS (Classic) | | | |
|
|
- ATI CIF: Rage version
PowerSGL: PowerVR version
MSI: Matrox version
S3D: Virge version
Middleware
System requirements
DOS | Windows | Mac OS (Classic) |
DOS |
|
Minimum |
Operating system (OS) |
5.0 |
Processor (CPU) |
Intel 486 66 MHz |
System memory (RAM) |
8 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
45 MB |
Video card (GPU) |
SVGA 256 Color |
Windows |
|
Minimum |
Operating system (OS) |
95 |
Processor (CPU) |
Intel Pentium 100 MHz |
System memory (RAM) |
16 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
195 MB |
Video card (GPU) |
Direct3D or 3dfx compatible |
Mac OS |
|
Minimum |
Operating system (OS) |
7.5 |
Processor (CPU) |
PowerPC 601 |
System memory (RAM) |
16 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
40 MB |
Sound (audio device) |
Sound Manager 3.1 |
Other |
2x CD-ROM drive |
Notes
References