It’s been over twenty years since a numerical MechWarrior game has been released, so I was excited but also cautious. What hit me right from the start was how quickly I got pulled into the heart of the Clan Invasion. Playing as a fresh Smoke Jaguar cadet, I was immediately thrown into Operation Revival, commanding my own five-mech “Star.” The narrative set up a classic war story, which wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but it still managed to hold my attention with solid characters and some interesting moral dilemmas along the way. The first thing that stood out to me was how incredible the game looks. Every planet I landed on felt unique, from icy tundras to dense jungles. The environments weren’t just pretty to look at either, destruction in this game feels real and satisfying. Firing a barrage of missiles into a building and watching it collapse into rubble or cutting through a forest as my Mech charged forward added so much immersion to the battles. I could tell a lot of care went into making each battleground feel alive, and it definitely paid off.
But let’s talk about the real reason I showed up, piloting massive BattleMechs! Combat in “MechWarrior 5: Clans” feels fantastic. Each Mech has a sense of weight and power, and every skirmish felt like a proper clash of titans. I loved the Mech customization system. The MechLab, Hardpoint, and OmniPod systems allowed me to tweak my loadout and make sure I was prepared for whatever the mission threw at me. Whether it was loading up with heavy artillery for a defense mission or opting for faster, lighter weapons for a hit-and-run style skirmish, the amount of customization really allowed me to approach each battle with a tailored strategy. I also appreciated how streamlined the controls felt compared to older entries in the series. I remember some MechWarrior games being a bit daunting with all the buttons and commands you had to juggle, but here, the new Battle Grid and Command Wheel made it much easier to issue orders and keep track of my squad in the heat of combat. The tactical depth was still there, but the game didn’t overwhelm me with complexity, which made it one of the most accessible MechWarrior games I’ve played.
As someone who’s been a fan of the MechWarrior franchise for years, I was excited to see how “MechWarrior 5: Clans” would hold up in comparison to other recent Mech games like “Armored Core VI.” I’ll be honest, “Clans” doesn’t quite have the twitchy, fast-paced action that “Armored Core VI” offers. As difficult as both games can be, surprisingly Armored Core was more forgiving. If you’re looking for something that feels more like a lightning-quick shooter, this isn’t quite it. Combat in Clans is more deliberate, more tactical. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The slower pace gave me time to really think through my strategy and make sure my squad was executing exactly the way I wanted. It may not be as instantly approachable as “Armored Core VI,” but in terms of MechWarrior games, this is probably the easiest one to pick up and enjoy.
The game starts you off in lighter Mechs like the Adder and Arctic Cheetah, which were fast but a bit fragile. As I completed missions, I worked my way up to the heavier, iconic Mechs like the Timberwolf, and eventually, the hulking Assault class Mechs. Each time I got my hands on a new machine, it felt like a genuine upgrade, both in terms of firepower and durability. And when I wasn’t busy blowing up enemy forces, I spent a lot of time in the MechLab customizing and upgrading my Mechs for whatever challenge was coming next. That said, the combat, while fun, did start to feel a bit repetitive after a while. The mission objectives didn’t always have the variety I was hoping for. Too often, I found myself either defending a point or destroying enemy forces in what felt like a similar loop, just in different environments. Don’t get me wrong, the environments were gorgeous, but I would’ve liked to see a bit more creativity in the mission structure to keep things feeling fresh.
Outside of combat, there’s a whole other layer of strategy to manage with resources. The in-game currency system lets me make important decisions between missions. I could invest in scientists to speed up research, hire more technicians for quicker repairs, or save up for that next big Mech purchase. It gave me a sense of control over my Star’s development and kept me thinking long-term as I progressed through the campaign. At the end of the day, “MechWarrior 5: Clans” scratched that giant robot itch in the best way. While the repetition in some missions was noticeable, the combat, customization, and overall sense of progression kept me engaged. It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys tactical, mech-based warfare. If you’re a fan of giant robots stomping around and blowing things up, this game delivers.
Score: 8/10
For more information, visit the official website.
Related: Reviews by Nick Navarro
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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