The gameplay loop of tactical combat and mercenary management is engaging and satisfying, offering depth and complexity.
The soundtrack is exceptional, enhancing the overall experience with beautiful orchestral scores that complement the narrative.
The game has high replayability, especially with mod support, allowing for varied playthroughs and extensive customization options.
The pacing can be slow, with repetitive missions and a lack of comprehensive tutorials that may frustrate newcomers.
The graphics feel dated and lack polish, with performance issues such as long loading times and occasional glitches.
The character development and emotional depth are inconsistent, with some players finding the narrative clichéd and unengaging.
story
15,285 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
76%
5%
The story in Battletech is generally described as engaging but somewhat predictable, often revolving around themes of betrayal and political intrigue within the Battletech universe. While many players appreciate the depth of the lore and the character development, some find the narrative to be clichéd and the dialogue options to lack meaningful impact. The campaign missions can be challenging and varied, but the overall mission structure tends to become repetitive, leading to a grindy experience as players often face overwhelming odds against multiple enemy mechs. Despite these criticisms, the combination of tactical gameplay and story elements keeps many players invested in the game.
“The campaign story is a fantastic emotional journey and has great storytelling.”
“The story is engaging, the soundtrack is amazing, the gameplay is pretty solid and addictive... oh my, this is a pretty amazing game.”
“The story is quite nice, albeit not very original for the most part, but it still feels good and adds to the lore of the universe.”
“However, I found the story boring, the characters unlikable and hard to care about, and the world-building very average.”
“The story is dull next to non-existing, repetitive combat and missions, and when it's enemy turn and you have all 4 mechs on the same initiative and there are more than 4 enemies, you can go talk to your friend on video chat or go plant a tree in your yard because you're not missing anything.”
“The story is weak, the writing and story line is mediocre.”
gameplay
4,393 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
62%
6%
The gameplay of Battletech is characterized by a blend of tactical turn-based combat and mercenary company management, offering a satisfying loop of combat, repair, and resource management. While many players appreciate the depth and complexity of the mechanics, some criticize the slow pacing, repetitive missions, and lack of comprehensive tutorials that can hinder the experience for newcomers. Overall, the game is well-received for its engaging tactical gameplay and customization options, though it may require patience to fully appreciate its intricacies.
“Bang-on vibes, with highly enjoyable gameplay loop alternating between tactical 'mech combat and mercenary company management layer for upgrading your base ship and lance of 'mechs.”
“The gameplay loops of combat, repair/refit, merc company economics is engaging.”
“The tactical gameplay is fun as well.”
“Gameplay becomes a repetitive slog.”
“The tutorial feels like it's designed to waste as much time as possible while teaching you nothing about the game, there's tons of meaningless fluff cutscenes -- there's not even any gameplay for almost fifteen straight minutes if you chose not to skip them.”
“The gameplay is not a direct translation of the board game - it has many similar elements but is a different system.”
graphics
2,354 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
51%
9%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the visuals are decent and capture the aesthetic of the Battletech universe, they often feel dated and lack the polish expected from a 2018 release. Some players appreciate the art style and detailed mech designs, while others criticize the performance issues, long loading times, and occasional graphical glitches. Overall, the graphics are seen as functional but not groundbreaking, with a strong emphasis on gameplay and story over visual fidelity.
“The graphics are great, the story is interesting, and the bits and pieces of gameplay that I could figure out are genuinely intriguing.”
“The graphics are beautiful, and the mechanics are a bit overwhelming at first, but you pick up quickly.”
“The visuals in Battletech are also top-notch, with detailed mechs and environments that bring the world of Battletech to life.”
“The graphics are terrible for 2023 standards, feels like a 2010 game.”
“The graphics while now dated are still decent.”
“The graphics are quite ugly and don't hold up well when you zoom out, which is required for any tactics.”
optimization
1,451 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
63%
27%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as long loading times, stuttering, and frame rate drops, even on high-end systems. While some updates have improved stability, the game is still considered poorly optimized, particularly due to its reliance on the Unity engine, which has led to memory leaks and inconsistent performance. Overall, while the gameplay is praised, the technical shortcomings detract from the experience, prompting many to recommend waiting for further patches before purchasing.
“The game runs smoothly and I have experienced no glitches or crashes.”
“Excellent strategy game - initially a little rough performance-wise but updates have really improved UI and overall performance.”
“Despite the issues with sluggish loading times, slow combat resolving, and somewhat poor optimization... the game is enjoyable and the strategy is stellar.”
“The game is poorly optimized and loading times are long even on decent systems.”
“This game is so poorly optimized.”
“The performance issues have been half-heartedly addressed, a little bit more life has been added to the characters and world through flashpoints and when it runs well and you speed the combat up, the missions are fun.”
music
874 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the overall experience. The orchestral soundtrack is described as both beautiful and atmospheric, effectively complementing the game's narrative and gameplay, while some players noted that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere and emotional depth.
“The soundtrack is phenomenal and is franchise defining.”
“The soundtrack complements the game perfectly, with epic orchestral scores that heighten the intensity of battles and quieter, atmospheric pieces that enhance the storytelling.”
“The music is stunning and for someone who wasn't coming into the game as a fan of the franchise, it was able with almost no words to communicate a huge amount of history and lore to me.”
“The shadowrun game and expansions by this same studio had killer soundtracks, but the music in this game is a bit too mellow - doesn't match the tension of the fights.”
“The music is background noise.”
“The battle music in particular really seems a bit 'tame' for a game about giant mechas punching each other in the face.”
stability
594 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
2%
92%
The game's stability has been a significant concern among players, with many reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various glitches that hinder gameplay. While some users have noted improvements over time and found the game enjoyable despite its issues, the overall consensus is that it remains buggy and poorly optimized, leading to frustration during play. Players with high-end systems have experienced fewer problems, but many still encounter persistent stability issues that detract from the overall experience.
“No glitches, so worth the buy!”
“The game runs smoothly and I have experienced no glitches or crashes.”
“Game runs great, looks great, and is a faithful recreation of the board game.”
“The game crashes and freezes a lot; for me, it happened in the second half of the story, which was frustrating as I was invested in the game.”
“It's riddled with glitches, the damage system is an unpredictable mess, the mission design is horrible and doesn't work at all with the way game mechanics work, and sometimes, it straight up cheats.”
“This game is a horrible buggy waste of time.”
grinding
524 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players, with many noting that while it can be enjoyable and rewarding, it often becomes tedious and repetitive. Players frequently mention the necessity of grinding for better mechs and resources, which can lead to a sense of monotony, especially during long missions and slow animations. Overall, the game appeals to those who appreciate turn-based strategy and mech customization, but the grind can deter casual players or those seeking a more streamlined experience.
“Fun to play, not too grindy.”
“The threat is real but it's not tedious.”
“Your mechwarrior's skill progressions weren't tedious grind fests and each point bought felt worth it and always made notable differences in combats.”
“The game becomes incredibly tedious and nonsensical once you really get the feeling of a massive dropship holding 12+ battlemechs and you can never field more than four.”
“The missions rarely lasted longer than half an hour, just enough to keep your attention going without requiring you to spend full days just to keep up with the game; the balance was pretty good, although once you figured out certain mechanics it did become a bit too easy at times, never tedious though, it was still an enjoyable experience even though I steamrolled every mission in the end.”
“The repetitiveness of the missions can be tedious.”
replayability
516 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
54%
3%
The replayability of Battletech is highly praised, with many players noting that the game offers immense potential for repeated playthroughs, especially when utilizing mods like Roguetech and BTA 3062, which significantly enhance gameplay variety and depth. While the base game may feel somewhat repetitive after several campaigns, the extensive customization options, procedural generation of missions, and active modding community contribute to a nearly infinite replay value. Overall, players find the combination of campaign and career modes, along with mod support, makes Battletech a game that can be enjoyed for countless hours.
“The modding community has added a great amount of depth and replay value to the game.”
“Battletech has a lot of replayability, especially with its career mode.”
“The campaign has a well-written story and the career mode allows for endless replayability.”
“However, know what you are getting into: a grind fest with low replayability.”
“Eventually it gets pretty same-y with very few mission types, and only so many maps, so it doesn't have much replay value beyond one campaign or two, but it's quite enjoyable for that.”
“The story is satisfying for a single playthrough but doesn't have much replayability to it.”
atmosphere
168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
37%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, effectively capturing the essence of the Battletech universe through a combination of compelling storytelling, atmospheric soundtracks, and detailed visuals. Reviewers highlight the impressive audio design, including orchestral scores and environmental sounds, which enhance the overall experience, making each mission feel unique and engaging. Many fans of the franchise feel that the game successfully evokes nostalgia while providing a rich, atmospheric backdrop for strategic gameplay.
“The soundtrack complements the game perfectly, with epic orchestral scores that heighten the intensity of battles and quieter, atmospheric pieces that enhance the storytelling.”
“They did a tremendous job capturing the atmosphere.”
“From the very beginning, the game oozes atmosphere, with a fantastic soundtrack, stellar art, and a story that hooks you in before setting you on your mercenary path.”
“I tried to enjoy this steaming pile of shit because of the atmosphere, but this can't pull the game alone.”
“The game lacks any atmosphere that feels 'Battletech'.”
“The atmosphere just isn't there.”
emotional
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
84%
16%
The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed feedback from players. While some praise the campaign for its heartfelt storytelling and the ability to form attachments to characters and mechs, others criticize it for lacking depth, with unengaging narratives and characters that fail to evoke strong feelings. Overall, the game offers moments of emotional resonance, but many players feel it falls short of delivering a consistently impactful experience.
“The campaign is a fantastic emotional journey and has great storytelling.”
“Losses have an emotional impact beyond the gameplay; the event and morale systems make your pilots and your mercenary company feel alive, dynamic, and valuable.”
“The cutscenes and music were fantastic and thematically amazing; the OST is now on repeat as my work music and I love rewatching the in-game movies to relive emotional moments like finding that very, very special treasure trove.”
“Boring story and gameplay, forced to help incredibly unlikable characters that should've been villains; the game is more concerned with gender pronouns than gameplay for some reason.”
“A boring story with 'current year' politics shoved in for good measure.”
“The story is boring too, not very engaging, and none of your dialogue choices have or make any difference at all, so anyone thinking this is an RPG is wrong; it's more like reading a very long boring storybook about MechWarrior before it ever got interesting.”
humor
96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players enjoying witty one-liners from characters like Glitch and amusing interactions during battles. The writing includes a mix of clever, crude, and situational humor that enhances the overall experience, often leading to unexpected comedic moments amidst the chaos of mech combat. While some players find the humor to be a refreshing addition, others note that it can become repetitive or overshadowed by gameplay frustrations.
“Oh, and I love Glitch's lines and humor: "You'll take it, and like it!" LOL daily from her!”
“The chat is hilarious and doesn't flow at all; in one option, you can hear something horrific about someone's entire family dying and then just be like, "Okay, onto the next topic please, let's talk about how many crates of cheese are on board."”
“I loved the voice acting and comments lancemates make (like when a pilot got hit she rattled off, "Boss, my insides are leaking out!") got me chuckling.”
“All the while time is ticking away on loans, contracts, salaries and you start to feel the unfunny part of being a fair play mercenary boss.”
“It is not annoying on its own, but when you need to overcome it again and again, then it becomes not funny.”
“The voice overs when you are in the ship, the 'funny ones' are not funny.”
character development
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
71%
7%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its depth and the ability to customize characters and mechs, enhancing immersion and engagement. However, others criticize the character designs as bland or inconsistent, and note that character development can feel sparse or lacking in certain areas. Overall, while there are strong elements of narrative and character progression, opinions vary on the execution and creativity of character design.
“This narrative depth is further enhanced by the excellent character development and voice acting, which breathe life into your crew and allies.”
“Tons of great character development and seemingly unlimited customization options.”
“Overall, a great game for those interested in combining story and character development with tactical, turn-based space combat.”
“Horribly uncreative mech, map, weapon, and character designs.”
“There is little to no character development for my own team of mechwarriors.”
“The character designs are all completely awful and the character creator is extremely limited but also has some weird features.”
monetization
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
17%
76%
The monetization model for Battletech has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling the DLC as overpriced cash grabs that fail to deliver substantial content. While the base game is generally well-received and free from microtransactions, the pricing of expansions and additional content has left a sour taste, leading to calls for more reasonable pricing and better value. Overall, players recommend caution regarding DLC purchases, suggesting that the base game is worth it, but the additional content is often not.
“No microtransactions - this developer wants to see the game succeed so that they can give us fully fleshed out expansion campaigns.”
“The price is very reasonable and there are no microtransactions.”
“I know this is kind of silly to add as a plus, but when the opportunity to have cosmetic microtransactions included in the game is ignored by a dev, they have my respect.”
“The DLC price is nothing more than a blood-sucking cash grab after years of the game being out.”
“Add to the fact that those DLCs are more like cash grabs than added content; I won't recommend this game unless it's like 50% off and includes all DLC.”
“My purchasing recommendation is only for the base game - the DLC and its pricing policy from the devs and the publisher are questionable at best, ridiculously cash grabbing when looking at it objectively.”