Gameplay
Gameplay in Earthsiege consists of piloting the mecha-style Hercs in combat against opposing Hercs. The Herc can be steered with a keyboard or joystick, though some controls are only found on the keyboard. The mouse can be used to interact with the various buttons in the cockpit.
Hercs battle with various ranged and projectile weapons, including lasers, missiles, and autocannons. They offer rechargeable shields and armor plating for defense. When the shields are depleted, armor begins taking damage; when armor is low, internal components can take damage, and weapons and even limbs can be destroyed. A Herc that has lost a leg is immediately incapacitated, leaving more salvage (in the form of scrap metal and weapons) for the player.
Outside of battle, the player manages his squad's Hercs and resources. The player selects the weapons mounted on each Herc, and can repair existing Hercs and weapons, as well as build new ones, with scrap metal. Additionally, the player can bring up to three squad mates along on missions. Squad mates can be assigned Hercs before the mission beings, and during a mission they can be issued basic orders. As squad mates complete more missions, their skills and rank rise.
Read more about this topic: Metaltech: Earthsiege