https://myanimelist.net/anime/40608/Muv-Luv_Alternative?q=muv&cat=anime

Honestly, mecha and action really isn't my type when it comes to anime, but 86 made me give this a chance

didn't like total eclipse that much, but will wait a bit and see how this does.
Had always wanted to play the visual novel.

You should play Extra and Unlimited before watching Alternative. It will take ~10 hours.
Otherwise, you won't "fully" enjoy this. This will just be another human v. alien anime to you.

I'll take note of that, thanks for the heads up.

I know I basically just told you in more words to "Go read the VNs", but Total Eclipse sucked balls, so I'm weary of Alternative meeting the same fate. Maybe that was because the source material being adapted wasn't as good. I wouldn't know.
I just want to say that Alternative's VN was fucking amazing and was one of my best experiences as a teenager. The payoff from reading the first two VNs before going into Alternative really helps, too.

Without spoilers, if you don't read them, Takeru will also look like a generic overpowered MC who is God's gift upon the world for no reason. But there is reason.

Cheers, mate.