Mech Engineer - Permadeath Procedural Sandbox Mech Strategy

Mech Engineer Gameplay with Splat! Let's Play Mech Engineer and check out a game where you'll guide a society forward as they attempt to deal with a bug infestation on planet Erf.
Download Mech Engineer Early Access : store.steampowered.com/app/14...
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[@ezequielblanco8659]

"I wanna turn my missiles into hitiles, basically." This is why I love this channel.

[@K3end0]

Im really digging this game. Between this and highfleet, i think i am really becoming a fan of games that you play through a screen/panel

[@PinataOblongata]

That's all games :D

[@iliyan44]

Yea me too, try Fear Equation or Scavenger SV-4 if you want a pinch of terror in it added.

[@lucidnonsense942]

You'd have loved gaming in the 90s...

[@TheViktorPutin]

@@iliyan44 Scavenger SV-4 is so fucking good dude, nobody talks about that game. Genuinely a terrifying experience

[@briancarroll6716]

Papers please I think was the first one I ever saw do it, cool as fuck

[@renejaensch8723]

"I want to turn my missiles into hitiles" made my chuckle way to much x)

[@AtrakKarta]

"There are no downsides to putting people in the hospital." -Splatty 2021

[@ObscuriaDragunAed]

Lol. Awesome quote! Thus another one for the Splattyquotes.

[@paulietlg]

I remember when the demo for this game came out and got completely lost. I hoped that someone would make a video who can figure this out, and explain in a way the people will understand. Great job, hope to see a stream as well.

[@HappyAspid]

Game now significantly more and accessible than demo. Even dev had acknowledged that demo scares off new players.

[@mmaaddict78]

Everything about this game looks amazing, except for that tornado mechanic. That just kills it for me.

[@CreepyPersonCube.]

It's still in EA. so there's no need to give up already...

[@ztmackin]

there is apparently a mech that can survive the tornado called the castle

[@CreepyPersonCube.]

@@ztmackin Sounds cool, but it would kind of suck if they could only use Castles the whole time because they hated the tornado mechanic. Hopefully the devs will include a bunch of difficulty sliders including "Tornado Frequency" that goes to zero. It's easy to impliment and it'll get them at least one more sale!

[@CreepyPersonCube.]

@Space Vatnik You may like the tornadoes and that's cool, but the devs have to try to appeal to as wide an audience as they can.

[@michaelgrassmyer736]

Are they tornados? I was thinking they were a different type of bug that swarms in a tornado motion. Makes more sense. But maybe they spell out specifically that that is a tornado in the game docs or in the tutorial or something. IDK. But even then, if it helps, you may be able to just think about it as if it were a bug. I was wondering why would the mechs shoot at the tornado? Why would it chase them if not a different type of bug.

[@mikep8071]

I would definitely consider getting this, but that Tornado mechanic just looks stupid.

[@JerichoMultiMedia]

Right? What a weird mechanic to throw on top of everything else.

[@lucidnonsense942]

I think the tornadoes are meant to be bug terraformers, they are just wiping the board.

[@mikep8071]

@@lucidnonsense942 Eh, I don't mean to sound harsh, but I kind of don't care what they are 'meant' to be, they look ridiculous. They look like an artificial and immature way to create 'environmental hazards' for the player. They look very, very out of place in this otherwise serious-toned game.

[@TheOriganalPoppit]

@@mikep8071 I don't really like them much after playing. However, the developer did tone them down a little bit, as they are not heat seeking missiles anymore. Now they tend to be near the mechs but pick a vector and stick with it until off screen.

[@thomasknight-wagener6630]

@@mikep8071 considering the fact that the tornadoes would consist of a bunch of bugs that are viciously swarming in a continuous fashion, perfectly in order to create a tornado... you would have to say that the bugs have some awareness of the surroundings and would eventually move to the next part... where they haven't been to instead of just roaming around the same spot.... the mechanic is so questionable and artificial it is hard to put a natural looking label on it. the point is the tornadoes are a game mechanic that is implemented into the game on purpose by the dev. I would literally be more ok with it being a fucking looney toon taz that is the tornado ok. that is way better. taz is teleported through a portal made by doctor strange because thanos had his balls in a vice and really needed a taz tornado at that location with utmost artificial implementation.

[@MRwho35]

I'm gonna be honest here, I just used to watch your content to just check for new indie games for me to support, but considering your review of Mech Engineer I'm really starting to like you as a content creator as well Splatter, Thanks alot for giving this game a second chance and to take the time to explain some of it features. Keep up the good work!

[@cakeboss4194]

I feel like this could have been FANTASTIC as an Xcom by way of Battletech.

[@LaymensLament]

the map screen really reminded me of og xcom

[@owensthilaire8189]

This is the kind of game that reinforces to me that there are folks out there who's minds work a lot different than mine. This looks way more like work than fun. I'm glad you play these games so I don't have to.

[@Tsuchimursu]

There's a joy in learning and overcoming obstacles, all by yourself, with no one holding your hand and explaining things. :)

[@Jin-1337]

@@Tsuchimursu sounds like a terrible game design and an obvious oversight. people play games to have fun not have a second job. having no tutorial or direction to help with playing the game would result in a quick refund and not recommended.

[@Tsuchimursu]

@@Jin-1337 there is a tutorial but he didn't show us what it covers, so I can't say what it is like

[@markdaniels1839]

@@Jin-1337 Sucks to suck, maybe try not sucking? Game is fine as is cause it definitely gets that management feel greatly, I don't know what kinda crap you people would call a game

[@cementarii8458]

@@Jin-1337 In other words "stop having fun in different ways than me >: ("

[@BachikoiBabi]

What an incredibly useful resource to be able to ask the developer directly how to play the game whenever you have a question....

[@kingp1n817]

I imagine the self destruct mode would do very well with lots of Evasion module and melee using mechs. This way they would charge in and fight, then explode when critically damaged. Idk if it's worth it tho

[@TheBlackwolf5011]

probably gonna run out of mechs and pilots in a hurry. unless your production is just that good.

[@SeamusCameron]

Time for another episode of "Will It Stackpole?"

[@Boomchacle]

If the self destruct module was like a mini nuke, I can see it being useful for last stands.

[@philipcollier4883]

That's hilarious the after action report doesn't have a place to record time stuck in a tornado so just lists it as "disobeying orders"

[@Information_Seeker]

could the "disobeying orders" be due to you issuing the command to move and them having to say no due to staying put being the best way to deal with the numbers, and thus they "disobeyed" for X seconds because they couldn't comply until Y seconds?

[@thorveim1174]

someone else suggested it was the time spent in the tornado (thus, unable to follow orders)

[@Lexx2503]

"This is all your fault. You don't have to" at the repairs explanation clicking made me laugh. Thank you for explaining this game so entertainingly yet informatively.

[@ObscuriaDragunAed]

I bought this on Steam during a sale and ended up refunding it because I was too overwhelmed by the interface. I REALLY wish that this video had dropped before I refunded because it helped me understand wtf I was looking at and also looks very interesting as a result lol.

[@splintmeow4723]

This is incredible, love titles that break the mold!

[@HappyAspid]

Basically design of some strategy games of very early 90s - like Deuterium, Strike Fleet or original X-COM.

[@Adam-nc6qg]

@@HappyAspid I LOVE original X-COM still play new mods for it

[@MNNski]

If 86 and starship troopers had a baby and the baby grew up to be a game, this is what it would look like.

[@jadedandbitter]

Speaking of mechs, you should check out an older game called Engine of War which is a top down game where you have to design the power circuits for your mech and can make all kinds of slick complicated automation, like lasers that automatically reduce power when the capacitor gets low, etc. But its all up to you and your circuit design. Its a classic Splatty type game, though.

[@rizzy11111]

Hey dude, can't find this game on Steam or GOG. any idea where I can get it?

[@jadedandbitter]

@@rizzy11111 it was only sold through the guy's website. His name was Michael Todd, he still has videos for the game on his youtube channel. EDIT: His website was called Akith Games. Its not around anymore, but the free/shareware version may still be available somewhere on the net. It may need an XP virtual machine to run properly too, so more hassle than I was thinking originally. But it was such a cool concept, so ahead of its time. It was hilarious too, youd be killing enemies in your mech saving cash for that sweet new resistor or whatever you need to make a passive shield charging circuit kick in when you arent shooting EDIT 2: he apparently was also the guy who made Electronic Super Joy, i did not know that before my recent googling.

[@RobinTheBot]

@@jadedandbitter sounds awesome. Maybe can message him directly?

[@ThePiousMan]

53C is a spicy temperature to be around! Protein in human body protein start to Shear at about 42C. Water boil at 100C.

[@karry299]

52+ in shade is a regular temperature in parts of Africa, what of it ?

[@Muenni]

"There's no downside to putting people in the hospital." - Splat, 2021

[@seanbarber1452]

This game reminds me of an old mid nineties game called Cyberstorm: Corporate Wars. A game with a HUGE learning curve. I've always wanted a remake of that game, but it never came. This may be the closest I've ever seen tho.

[@DamsdelDrennon]

Wow, this was a lot to take in. I applaud both your efforts for making this video and the Dev's for making this game the way it is. If the cliff of difficulty progression is real, I think the joy and pride from the immersion you get passed that point is incredible.

[@blahblah7720]

joy and pride?really?is this an easter egg to "pride and accomplishment"?

[@pabloleal5729]

Hard learning curve;-; *dwarf fortress intro increases*

[@ZachTangen]

When Splat had been explaining I thought it sounded like the original XCOM games mixed with any of the mech games. Looks like a few other people did too. I've wanted something like this since playing the original XCOM games. It would be nice to see some of those improvements, but it also looks fun the way it is now, just harder.

[@Riftweaver1981]

after watching it, i cant see anything that reminds me in any sort of the old school xcom games..

[@TheBlackwolf5011]

@@Riftweaver1981 well the map feels a little like it. also the cold none hand holdy way it just gives you things and expects you to figure out what to do with it. I remember learning the hard way, that your troops need extra ammo to reload their guns. that big guns looked fun, but where not so useful. that having a full squad didn't mean victory. I could watch them run down the ramp and die one after the other. the base needing to be built in a specific way the game does not tell you, feels very much like the old game. so it feels similar, but not really the same. I don't know why you didn't get any of that out of the game, but more than a few of us picked up.

[@253637zero2]

You should try Front Mission for the SNES. There's no base building but you have a squad of customizable mechs. It plays like a campaign, you do one misson to the next and recruit new members to your squad. At many cities that you passed through you can buy new components, mech frames, and cage fight for money. It's kinda like Freelancer (2003) in it's story telling style. The combat is turn based with seperate limbs damage system. The combat and visual is very good imo, especially for a SNES game.

[@ZachTangen]

@@Riftweaver1981 a lot of what Wolff said. I played Apocalypse the most and it's been at least a decade since I've played. So I could be remembering some things wrong. But being able to train a limited number of characters at the same time. Losing a highly valuable character due to a stupid mistake. Losing equipment due to a stupid mistake. Having to manage stress of characters or they freak out and stop listening. Character pool management. Missing a menu because it looked like a decorative part of the UI. Reminiscing is making me want to bust out the old XCOM games again.

[@dojigothic1023]

This unlocked a core memory of mine, my mom bought me this game called Front Mission 2089 for the DS that I absolutely HATED because I could not wrap my head around it’s mechanics but played anyway. But looking back now I actually miss it and how intuitive it was. Maybe it’s just nostalgia but I’m thinking of getting this game to fill that void!

[@Beatle1283]

Man this game is amazing. It's complexity reminds me of Cata DDA or CoQ.

[@roslolian11]

What is Cata DDA and CoQ?

[@MrOwl-ej3so]

@@roslolian11 Cataclysm Dark Days Ahead and Caves of Qud. Both are Roguelikes.

[@kazudv1071]

*COQ*

[@joewilson3393]

I was trying to think who would like this game, and I think you nailed it.

[@moonman2051]

So you think about coq?

[@chaoxknight7228]

I'm gonna say... this is the game I always wanted, but thought did not exist. I appreciate you giving it some coverage SplatterCat.

[@Earthenfist]

This is actually pretty cool looking. Like, the Commander role from Chromehounds or ACV distilled into an entire game.

[@Lilitha11]

On one hand this looks really awesome. On the other hand, I feel like I would never finish a game and might spend forever just equipping mechs.

[@razenburn]

Man, is this game interesting and stressful! Watching you gave me "fresh out the box" Tie Fighter flashbacks.

[@war-stalker]

@SplatterCatGaming, if you don't want to suffer from tornadoes snatching your mech, use Caste mech - it is too massive to be moved by tornado. And it has 12 guns.

[@coyote169]

I actually really want to see a playthrough of this

[@LittleLadyLidbetter]

Thank you for the in depth effort on this game. I appreciate your hard work!

[@runnerman81]

Been playing it since I seen this vid, its brutal. builds and research are key(you'll more or less be tinkering with this till you get it right, the devs working on the tornados although for lore sake that maybe due to the bugs (I'd like to think). pay attention to everything, read the in-game manual it'll give you some idea or the basics and yes there's no shame in a retreating.

[@Greuf]

Awesome game. Tried the demo, as you said it is overwhelming at first, UI wise, but it gets fun finding out what's what. Thank you for the discovery SplatterCat!

[@mluby7828]

Glad you make videos like this now and then. True indie development! I really like that weapon test screen at 9:00. ∆V: Rings of Saturn has something similar. Hope more games do that too-show don't tell "+10% armor piercing."

[@deltoid77-nick]

The game is almost perfect mechanic wise but definitely needs a writer

[@barrymanning4861]

I remember playing this game years ago, no idea this was still being worked on. I loved being able to fiddle with all the parts, definitely going to jump back in. Edit: just found out it’s on steam now! Cool!

[@shannon1267]

Ty for being one of those people who makes a tutorial for a unknown game for those of us that like these Indy games

[@ColinTimmins]

Dang this looks really neat. Very 90s feel with the simulation.

[@mikew735]

Thank you so much for this, i missed this game and after watching your vid went and bought it, i needed something to do desperately andon top of that found an incredible game almost built for my tastes and i never even knew.

[@Gigusx]

"I'm gonna turn all this up real fast, because it feels very very quiet to me" -> the volume control is moved, and then moved back to where it was in the beginning "There we go!" :D

[@blargcoster]

This reminds me a lot of "Syndicate" for the SNES/MSDOS. I really enjoyed that one.

[@maciejglowacki1997]

I have this game on my wishlist for last year or so, but the lack of attention made me feel like this is some kind of garbage project. Good thing that you cover such games, maybe I will give it a try. Btw: Tornado looks anyoing as hell.

[@potatoboy6094]

Wow, making the player an AI is such a good fucking idea, it explains any future large amount of skill from the player, often times with quick saves and meta knowledge, no npc is capable of permanently defeating the main character except for plot reasons, if a player wants to do something, either if it’s with mods or quick thinking, it’s going to happen, and if you set up an ai who basically can and effectively does run multiple simulations of attempting to solve the problem of getting the planet back, for an infinite amount of time, eventually it should be capable of succeeding in its mission

[@SonySteals]

Wow! This seems amazing! Thanks for bringing it up, I had no idea this game exists

[@danyael777]

Strangely enough, this game somehow reminds me of "Battlecruiser 3000 AD". I soooo wanted to like this game and get fully immersed but there was this clunky, oversimplified (regarding its complex functions) and absolute inhuman UI. I never got around to fully embrace the suck this interface resembled.^^

[@Assassinss77]

'Pilots who get high on the CBS test are essencially think of the mech as an extension of their body. While those who get low, can press wrong buttons from time to time.' Let me give you an example: Pilot1 is the one with high test score. Pilot 2 is with low test score. Pilot 1: Requestion cover fire! Pilot 2: Providing cover fire! *Pilot 2 self destructed*

[@inkeddecker9964]

This is really cool I love all the detail

[@johngrey5806]

"I want to turn my missiles into hittles," ...and I almost peed myself!

[@Vulture2k]

What a crazy deep game, reminds me of old gaming times.

[@LordHengun]

I cannot express how much this game isn't for me, but I'm SO GLAD games like this exist.

[@therealquade]

Randomly got recommended this video. This is a game I have never heard of, That I have been fantasizing about having and playing. I plan on getting it. thanks

[@morgansmith1529]

would L O V E to see a series on this one!

[@markdowse3572]

A highly scientific and intricate game. Even Mr SplatterCat speaking at full speed takes @ 30:00 to get into the actual gameplay..... A very dedicated audience will love this game ! M 🦘🏏😎

[@lechking941]

when he made it noted of the HUGE AS BALLS curve the learning is im like "why do i hear dwarves mining bellow me suddenly getting into a drunken rage and tyrant? aka DF in a nutshell feel

[@05Matz]

Oh, that's really cool! I'm going to have to keep an eye on this one.

[@zoraius]

"After alien bugs, like the Tyrinids" ah i see you are a man of culture as well

[@theldraspneumonoultramicro405]

Mr. Green is clean because it is Mr. Clean in disguise. Donald is inside Mr. Clean and they both enjoy that very much.

[@EleonMythos]

So mechwarrior, Duskers and into the breach had a baby. And I like this baby.

[@Damiv]

I think I'd enjoy this game if I was retired with an empty nest, and had 6+ hours a day to fiddle with a game.

[@Baron_Blue_Max]

I keep telling myself the same thing with some of the larger monster board games I have. I'm in my early forties though so most of the people that still play those will probably be dead by the time I retire

[@tenchuu007]

Oh, hi, I didn't know we were a group, but apparently "Guys in their 40s with too many board games that refer to their Steam collection as their "Retirement plans"" is an actual type.

[@alexisguzman296]

This game is like a live action series... lots to do, but one slip up n you're got!!

[@DPtheOG]

"...like the Koolaid Man, just ruins your life. That's a wall right there..." OH YEAH **smash**

[@TheReinhartt]

This looks pretty fascinating! I hope you'll run it on stream at some point :)

[@phantomhck]

Awesome video, I'll definitely try it. Great explanations. Time markers would be nice for longer videos.

[@funnyman6974]

"Down to the most sacred of numbers." ..... Nice.

[@masonmason22]

Nice video. Thanks for taking the time to explain.

[@MrDapperGent]

This should be fascinating.

[@TheRadradrobot]

This looks amazing!

[@thiccbeaver3132]

An interesting looking game 👍 well done Splat

[@shadowqueen1701]

The only good bug is a dead bug.

[@Denis-bo8ms]

Looks interesting, still needs a lot of work

[@Mercento]

I stopped at the 5 min mark and immediately went on steam and bought it. Thank u splat

[@senhorlampada]

You mentioning trying to figure out games took me way back to twilight 2000 in the dos era 😂

[@KingAlpaca]

Oh, i like it! that's how a game should be! Just need a bit of work.

[@alibimcjohnson6929]

12:35 PEN-18? I know that’s a higher number but I think PEN-15 is the sweet spot 👌

[@Mercento]

Great find!

[@Darkoriax17]

The story of this game sounds like EDF Iron Rain. We lost Earth but we still keep fighting to take back our home.

[@ApoMaTu3aTop]

This game is insane =)

[@ManApeGoneWrong]

This looks dope. Checking out the demo.

[@Darkkatana101]

Missed the opportunity to make a pen 15 joke when you upgraded the missiles there.

[@shayminthedoctor9663]

I was wondering when you were going to get to this one. I've been watching it for a long time, and I was hoping it would get some more exposure

[@jerichohasfun]

This game seams neat. I would like a small playthrough of it!

[@scronchgoose7403]

Sandbox fighting game heavily focused on building with a tall learning cliff… can’t be as tall as from the depths’, now I want to try

[@atrixsanna4157]

Just bought the game myself! The missiles are actually guided, so they are hittiles regardless, might be better to have them faster firing and more damage :P This video really helped me through a rough spot though: I didn't understand how to start a reactor, until I just simply saw SplatterCat drop the reactor onto the mech table.. Since you can literally adjust every component.. I'm going to be busy figuring out all these settings :o The temperature and cooling mechanic is a bit beyond me at the moment though.

[@Oleoay]

+1 for the Centurion/Battletech reference :)

[@robdisco9287]

I am in disbelief as to gow you came to your initial decesion about the game i couldnt believe how advance he made this game wowowow i want it and i will have it

[@chrisscott9564]

Just from the first 30 seconds..... there's nothing wrong making a video on a game you tested even if you think it's bad and don't like it. :o)

[@phillipmitchell2254]

Games like this end up slowly growing on me like slime mold until I am a human/protist hybrid

[@daktaklakpak5059]

This game looks freaking interesting.

[@senyaborovikov1015]

"only 53 degrees Celsius" ..... bestie, that's more than halfway to boiling

[@bloodrunsclear]

This reminds me of Missionforce: Cyberstorm (a very underrated turn based mech game!)

[@RogueSwordThesco]

Man this is like Dwarf Fortress on the learning curve

[@davidb.3678]

Wow very nice looking game !

[@TeoHarlan]

supercool, I think this might scratch my tinkering/pacific rim itch.

[@SandrockCustom]

Such a cool game! Those tornadoes are cancer though 😂

[@johngrey5806]

Today in the World of SplattyCat!

[@Mourningstar-kc7ft]

Who doesn’t enjoy a good learning wall

[@aronseptianto8142]

man you weren't kidding when you say this game is complex