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Kyle Katarn first popped up on the Star Wars scene during "Star Wars: Dark Forces", a rather innovative first person shooter made by Lucasarts some 10 years ago. We learn that it was Kyle Katarn who delivered the Death Star schematics to the rebellion. During his first time in the spotlight, he stopped the Empire's plot to create the next generation of super troopers, called that Dark Trooper project.

Kyle returned two years later in Dark Forces 2 to avenge his father and stop the Dark Jedi Jerec and his acolytes from discovering the hidden Valley of the Jedi. Katarn learned to use the force and confronted the Dark Jedi and his 6 minions and was able to stop them, but Kyle nearly turned to the Dark Side in the process. He turned in his Lightsaber and returned to his mercenary ways with his trusted companion Jan Ors.

Several years passed and Kyle returned in Jedi Outcast. While working on a mission for the New Republic, Kyle stumbles onto a plot which will surely mean the end of the New Jedi Order and the New Republic. To save the galaxy, Kyle must once again relearn to master the force to be able to confront the new Dark Jedi, Desann. But can he wield the force safely without falling to the Dark Side forever? One of the best story driven first person shooters available today. Even if you are not an avid fan of the Star Wars franchise, you will love this game.

The latest in Mechwarrior combat for the PC platform. This time you align yourself with one of the great Mercenary Companies through a sponsorship program. Northwind Highlanders, Wolf Dragoons, Gray Death Legion, Kell Hounds... all of these Mercenary Companies have certain benefits when you join them, like early access to Clan weaponry and 'Mech chassis, or better payment plans.

Set against the height of the Federated-Commonwealth (Fed-Com) Civil War, you take on various contracts around the Inner Sphere. You'll fight for various houses and in different realms, but eventually you'll have to choose which side in the civil war will support, either Prince Victor on the Davion side, or Archon Katrina on the Steiner side. Luckily the conflict isn't that black or white, since there are four endings to the game. The others involve you joining Vladimir Wards Crusader Clan Wolf, or you claiming a large base on Canton.

The game takes you through the highlights of the Civil War as described in the Battletech novels, as well as Solaris VII, the gaming world. There you can compete in the Arenas fighting for cold hard cash. Placing first makes you the most money, and for each kill you score you gain a cash bonus of 200.000 C-Bills. It's tempting to go all out in each round, but doing so makes it hard to see it all the way to the top, the Grand Championship. Each round you fight you can dedicate your victory to either House Steiner or House Davion, or decide to remain neutral. The Solaris Championships are a good way to raise a lot of cash, especially since there are no extra costs in the terms of paying the salary of your pilots, or maintenance on your 'Mechs.

If not for the Solaris games, the game would be really short. The missions are certainly varied, but at times the game can get tedious. Replaying the game after you finished it with one Mercenary sponsor is only for the die-hard fan, I can't imagine a regular gamer wanting to go through all of it, and especially Solaris, more than twice.

A final note, since the franchise shifted from the clutches of Activision, there seems to be a much smaller role for background events. In the Mechwarrior 2 series, which was in comparison a true simulation of 'Mech combat as described in the books, in between missions you were treated on the large scale events through news feeds. Ranging from local news, weapon development and galactic events, players got a fairly good idea on how large the Battletech universe really is. This has been downplayed during the later games. In Mercenaries, this tradition is once more picked up, although not as in depth as the earlier games. It's good to see some traditions making a comeback.

It's months after Mechwarrior IV Vengeance. While Kentares IV seems distant, your Merc Company is soon called upon to confront Ian Dressari (the very same YOU played in Vengeance) and end his reign.

Whatever ending you choose in Vengeance, it ended up with your sister in charge. Suddenly she died under suspicious circumstances and servants close to the Dressari family are quick to point out Ian Dressari was behind it, wanting the family throne for itself. A bloody civil war starts leaving thousands homeless, or dead. The Black Knight Mercenary Company steps in to deal with the situation.

Which follows is a story full with treachery and a noble quest to free the beleaguered people of Kentares IV from Ian Dressari. With the aid of old familiars from the original you are sure to bring him down.

The expansion basically gives a few more maps and 'Mechs to play with.