aren't those "HAWKEN" mechs?

That is definitely some amazing art. Would love to see some of this for perpetuum.

You know Perpetuum tends to have a more "Human" feel to the robots, then these lingering hulks.  I really enjoy them, but I am dying for some new robots|modules.

I agree, the speed bonus, the surrounding environment, quickness of animation and camera perspective, and the bug-like light/assaults paired with the very directly anthropomorphic mech proportions all give the feeling of smaller droid-like robots, and less so 'Mech' as has been traditionally understood.
As an aside, this is perhaps what some people with the recent launch react to most violently, is the sheer disappointment that the robots seem small and playful, and less lumbering and ominous.   

The question then is, do the devs pander to this, or try to push for their own sci-fi internet-space-robot aesthetic?

Great point Logical, anyone from AC willing to comment on the design concept of the robots?