Actually I'll disagree with you there Geist, there is definitely a resemblance. But yes, with the limited polygonal and texturing ability they had in MC2, it does look atrociously bad compared to the TRO drawing.
In reference to the Cataphract, I don't think it looks like it actually. Between the dual humanoid-esque shoulders/arms, the lack of giant missle bay shoulder, addition of the nice big torso cannon, and the relative flatness of the Cataphract's torso/cockpit in contrast to the Lao Hu's protruding design. Also, the catapract is bird legged while the Lao Hu is human legged.
Similar design style I would say, more than likely one inspired the other in the overall structural aspect, but there are definitely enough of the differences like I pointed out to differentiate them.
Edited by Mautty the Bobcat, 26 May 2012 - 04:20 PM.