The IS mechs look really nice, perhaps a bit chunky. The Clan mechs moreso.
Art evolves and in many ways Battletech is just as much about the art of the models as it is about the mechanics of the game and the story of the fictional universe.
Looking at other miniature companies. GW focuses heavily on the art. Hell their terminators couldn't actually fit in the armor unless wearing terminator armor moves your shoulders 6 or 12 inches upward. But they look cool so, they go with it.
Privateer Press has a number of models that just look cool or are entirely impractical.
Battletech's art and Iron Wind Metal's figures have evolved too. Away from Robotech and Crusher Joe material and inspired looks, to what we see today. In between was an anime influenced period that I call the "Gun Tumor" phase. Where the mechs looked pretty bad (in my opinion) and only the "rule of cool" could justify barrels so exposed, oversized and prevalent.
Today is a nod to the origins of our beloved game's miniatures and art with a focus on at least the potential for looking "real," or at least possible and modestly rational. These mini's certainly have some compromises to make them miniatures and not just art or 3D models.
The "MWO look" is the beginning of this renaissance in Btech art and so you see some strong similarities. Of course, because some of those artists are the same (I think) you would expect that.
Now what bothers me is that with a few exceptions, I thought I was done buying models for several years. I have precisely what I want to make up the units I envision. Yes the odd miniature is coming and a new book will come out that I might want. Now I have to work these in. What a TERRIBLE BURDEN! ::)
I will back this if for no other reason than to support the game I love. I say that and I really dislike some of the plot choices in the last say 20 years (Jihad onward) that and the "gun tumor" period almost made me quit. MWO and Mekwars 3025 brought me back to the hobby. I think this shows there is a chance for Btech to remain viable after old Ogre's like me pass on. So I'll put some money where my all too big a mouth is. Worse comes to worse, my younger boys will have some plastic robots they can play with. (8 and 9, just a bit too young to play Btech in earnest. Just starting to teach them strategy games)
