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To start with, the good things!
- Going right to the configuration options and having them all in one place is great! I no longer have to click "configure" after I've already selected a 'mech from the MechLab, and I don't have to play back-and-forth between two separate options in order to change out upgrades or modules! This is an excellent improvement that will save millions of mouse-clicks in the years to come.
- Filters for owned, and unlocked, and types of module! Owned items and mounted weapons filters for guns and ammo! I loves you all!
- Filters in 'mech selection are excellent! Now I can pick a 'mech without sorting through eleventy billion thumbnails - many of which are identical to each other...
- Trial 'mechs no longer show up while filtering for "owned 'mechs!"
- I love how the eligible components highlight when I pick up anything that can fit into that location.
- You can increment engine ratings instead of pulling out your engine and manually adding another one! Squeeeee!
- Autofilter for stuff that goes into a component by clicking on it!
- FINALLY! I can see what modules are on all of my 'mechs at a glance from the inventory screen! Now, where the heck did I put that second Seismic Sensor...
- The color coding for when things - including upgrades - can't fit (and different colors for why) is a nice touch, and shows attention to detail.
- You took away the mech selection thumbnail functionality from the Mechlab! Don't get me wrong; it's good to go right to configuration in your MechLab tab instead of having to click an extra button - don't change that. But for the love of all that is SANE, why take away the thumbnails?! NO ONE uses "Select 'mech" from the home screen; it's totally inferior to simply picking out a 'mech from the MechLab and clicking on that handy Configure button. Not only does "Select 'Mech" require extra clicks, the clicks are far apart, and I can't even hit Escape to back out of the screen.
- If I must click to expand a list item into a 'mech thumbnail, please let me click (or double-click) on the thumbnail I want, instead of mousing over to the edge of the screen to click a button. Just the blue "configure" button from the live UI would be great here.
- There is not yet a WeaponLab or similar place to model expected heat performance. If you want your Mechlab to replace Smurfy's, I think you'll need something like it. The heat efficiency rating in the UI is notoriously opaque to users (what does it mean,) and the ability to model heat in-depth like Smurfy's does is a requirement, in my mind, for a truly comprehensive MechLab.
- Certain quirks are listed, but not modeled in the 'mech's stats - the Highlander's speed quirk, for example. See also the previous point: a WeaponLab that models quirked heat (and preferably heat scale) would be a wonderful tool.
- I had this whole explanation of how I couldn't see the whole 'mech at a glance any more, and then noticed the Layout button. I'd suggest that you center the Expanded layout on the screen, and make it the default.
- Why can't I filter for cockpit items I don't have like I can for modules, etc? The Store is thatbutton. ;]
