An easy-to-play Mech game? Surely not...

Microsoft's fourth stab at the BattleTech universe is shaping up rather nicely, with stunning graphics and the promise of an easier control system. This time around, you're cast as the last of your family line, thrown into a desperate battle to avenge your father and retake your planet.

The whole universe looks far more dynamic than before, with heavily populated battlefields inhabited by armed allies and deadly antagonists. For the first time you really get a sense of scale as you lumber down a street, stamping on cars, downing power lines, uprooting trees and demolishing buildings. Day and night missions, coupled with variable weather conditions (fog, rain, snow, blizzards and lightning) add to the intensity and realism.

Online gamers are catered for with a variety of new multiplayer features. You'll be able to create your own missions for the first time, as well as host your own MechWarrior servers and participate in co-operative missions.

MechWarrior 4 is slated for a Christmas release.