Get a good joystick with a twist function. It's no
surprise that Microsoft's SideWinder family of sticks
fits the bill perfectly. Though you can play with the
keyboard, you'll be at an instant disadvantage to someone
who has a twisty stick. Go for the legs. Yes, they're harder to hit, but they're
less armored than the main body. Plus, if you can shoot
the legs out from under a mech, odds are you'll be able
to salvage the chassis at the end of the mission. Be aware of the environment when you outfit your mechs.
Avoid weapons that generate too much heat when you're
battling in the desert, or else you'll find yourself
shutting down after every other shot to cool down. Learn the Circle of Death maneuver, or die. If you stand
still in this game, you'll get hammered. Be careful, though.
Sometimes you can circle around an opponent too far so that
you're in range of his guns. Always try to stay behind a
mech; it can't shoot you from there.