MechWarrior 5: Clans

MechWarrior 5: Clans offers a linear, story-driven campaign that many players find engaging, especially fans of the BattleTech universe. The game excels with high-quality motion-captured cutscenes and a narrative that, while sometimes clichéd or wooden, improves over time and provides a fresh Clan perspective. Gameplay features big, heavy mechs with satisfying combat mechanics, though the progression system tends to favor assault-class mechs in late stages, limiting mech variety. The graphics are considered solid and a clear improvement over previous titles, with immersive environments and detailed mech designs. However, the game suffers from technical issues such as performance drops, crashes, and AI limitations, particularly with lance-mates who often behave poorly tactically. Mission design is often criticized for being repetitive and lengthy, with frequent enemy waves leading to grindy encounters. DLCs, especially the Ghost Bear expansion, are praised for adding depth to the story but share some technical shortcomings. Overall, the game is a worthy entry for MechWarrior fans but less appealing for those seeking open-world or sandbox experiences.

Highlights

Players praise the engaging and lore-rich storyline that brings the Clan invasion to life, supported by excellent motion-captured cinematics and improved voice acting. The mech combat is satisfying, with a good sense of weight and tactical depth, and the graphics are widely regarded as impressive and immersive. The game successfully captures the nostalgic feel of classic MechWarrior titles, especially for longtime fans. DLC content like the Ghost Bear campaign adds meaningful narrative extensions and is considered worth the investment. Customization through mech loadouts and omni pods is appreciated for adding strategic options, and the game’s linear structure appeals to those who prefer a focused, story-driven experience over open-world gameplay.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include poor AI behavior, with lance-mates often blocking shots or following in restrictive formations that hamper tactics. The mission design is repetitive and overly long, featuring waves of enemies that can feel like tedious bullet sponges. The progression system is grindy and heavily encourages using the largest assault mechs, sidelining lighter classes. Technical issues such as performance drops, crashes, and bugs—including invisible lasers and mission-blocking glitches—frustrate players. The UI and mech lab are considered clunky and unintuitive, and the lack of sandbox or career modes reduces replayability. Some players also find the voice acting and character development lacking depth, with story pacing sometimes dragging. DLC mechs appearing locked behind paywalls in the shop is viewed negatively.