There's no question that Zipper Interactive, developer of the forthcoming MechWarrior 3, has a tough act to follow. Activision's MechWarrior II, released in the summer of 1995, remains one of the most highly praised futuristic simulations to date. It's difficult not to feel skeptical about whether MicroProse and Zipper can successfully follow up the game that revitalized Activision almost single-handedly. But based on the beta MicroProse showed GameSpot on Friday, it looks as if BattleTech fans may well get the sequel they've wished for when the game is released in June.

　　MechWarrior 3 runs on an attractive 3D engine that Zipper Interactive promises will run just fine even in software-rendering mode on a Pentium 166. 3D-accelerated special effects, like bright explosions, fire, and lasers, all looked impressive, but the animation on the various mechs was especially detailed. The game's first-person perspective features a 3D cockpit that shakes and shudders as the mech lumbers about. Mechs can use their trademark torso twist to fire in one direction while moving in another, but you can also look and fire in either direction for quick lateral attacks. This feature places greater emphasis on how you equip your mechs, since their arm weapons will be more valuable.

　　Targeting is much more sophisticated than MechWarrior's last appearance. While you could zoom in on a target back in MechWarrior 2, the zoom affected your entire display and made movement disorienting. Now the zoom affects only the targeted portion of your screen, allowing you to focus on a target without isolating your perspective. You can also use onscreen indicators to help lead shots, and you can focus on specific enemy parts for precision shooting.

　　You'll need to take care to bring down your enemies cleanly, because you'll have to pry all your new mechs from your enemies' dead fingers. Shoot one in the cockpit to kill the pilot, and it's yours practically unscathed if you go on to win the mission. Take out its legs and salvage what's left. You'll need to pick up new mechs and new gear over the course of four operations, with up to six missions in each. In MW3, you fight for the Inner Sphere, as opposed to its enemies, the Clans in MechWarrior 2. However, you will have a chance to pilot both Inner Sphere and Clan technology over the course of the game, with a total of 18 different mechs, each of which you can customize with weapons and other accessories.

　　MechWarrior 3 includes a number of gameplay options that should make piloting mechs much more fast-paced and exciting than MW2. While keeping your machine cool remains an all-important consideration, especially with high-powered weapons like particle-projection cannons, your mech can now be equipped with a coolant flush system that can quickly reduce heat levels - but only a limited number of times. Likewise, you can call in repair vehicles in the middle of battle, which can patch up and reload your machine. Just make sure no enemy mechs are around to take advantage of the situation.

　　With customizable multiplayer and instant-action options, a flexible campaign structure, great graphics, and a faster but no less sophisticated feel to the gameplay, MechWarrior 3 has a good chance of satisfying gamers' high expectations for it.