it's slower like a mech game should be, but the matches are shorter because, at least from what i've played so far, it's one life only. Basically it feels like you're playing an old school mechwarrior game with updated graphics and online.

I'd agree with that for sure. How is Mechwarrior?

I tried out hawken in the closed beta, it was OK, but felt more like an fps than a mech game.

I saw you trying out Mechwarrior. I highly recommend giving Hawken a try. (free to play, just entered open beta.) playhawken.com

These accursed steam sales are wallet smashers, man.

My wallet hurts right now.