MechWarrior 5: Clans

About

In MechWarrior 5: Clans, you are a graduate of the Smoke Jaguar cadet program thrust into the Clan Invasion during Operation Revival. Piloting customizable BattleMechs, engage in tactical combat across diverse planets and biomes in this immersive MechWarrior universe entry. This is the first Clan-based MechWarrior game in decades, where the mighty Clans collide with the Great Houses for Inner Sphere dominance.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,282 reviews

story1.8k positive mentions

optimization347 negative mentions

Engaging story that immerses players in the Clan Invasion lore.
Improved graphics and visuals compared to previous titles, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 effectively.
Fun gameplay with satisfying mech combat and customization options through the omnipod system.

Poorly optimized, leading to performance issues and crashes on various systems.
Limited mech selection and customization options, which may disappoint long-time fans.
AI companions are often unhelpful and can hinder gameplay by blocking shots or failing to engage effectively.

story
7,113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
70%
5%
The story of "Mechwarrior 5: Clans" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its engaging narrative and strong connection to the Battletech lore, particularly the portrayal of Clan Smoke Jaguar during the clan invasion. However, some critics have pointed out issues with predictability, linearity, and character development, suggesting that while the story is a significant improvement over its predecessor, "Mechwarrior 5: Mercenaries," it still lacks depth and replayability. Overall, the game is seen as a solid entry for fans of the franchise, offering a cinematic experience that emphasizes storytelling over sandbox gameplay.
- “I’ve been waiting for a story-driven Mechwarrior game since Mechwarrior 4, and Mechwarrior 5: Clans finally delivered.”
- “I found the story engaging and very enjoyable, the cinematics were great (especially loved the space battles!), and the soundtrack really nailed that 'clan' vibe.”
- “The story is immersive and well created.”
- “But the story is dog shit, like if a dog shit in a box then ate that box and shit it out again.”
- “Mw5: clans is a weak campaign with an even weaker story.”
- “The story is to me, god awful.”
optimization
1,384 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
64%
25%
The optimization of "MechWarrior 5: Clans" has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users noted improvements following recent patches, the game is still considered poorly optimized, particularly for those with mid-range or older hardware. Overall, the game's performance issues detract from the experience, leading many to recommend waiting for further updates before purchasing.
- “Though some performance issues and bugs detract slightly, the developers have committed to addressing these in future updates.”
- “The performance is getting better with each update.”
- “The devs have released multiple patches so far and each one has improved the performance so I don't see this as a big issue (runs well on my machine).”
- “The game is unoptimized and runs inconsistently, which is no good for a title this cinematic.”
- “The performance is very poor, and the game has critical bugs; in the first actual mission there's a mini cutscene where some pirates land after surprise nuking your allied mechs, but that cutscene totally breaks the camera and makes it pretty much impossible to fight.”
- “I have refunded the game because of the awful performance issues, making the game unplayable for me.”
gameplay
1,347 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
The gameplay of "MechWarrior 5: Clans" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the fun and engaging mechanics reminiscent of previous titles, while others criticize its linearity and lack of depth compared to "MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries." The introduction of new mechanics, such as the scanning system and improved squad control, adds some freshness, but issues like AI behavior, optimization problems, and a cumbersome mech lab interface detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the gameplay is solid and enjoyable for fans of the series, it may not fully meet the expectations of those seeking a more strategic or sandbox-style experience.
- “Gameplay-wise, the title retains its tactical depth while adding fresh mechanics.”
- “The honor and salvage mechanics to unlock and upgrade your mechs is a nice touch that adds a lot to the vibe of playing as a trueborn clanner; better gear isn't about luck and c-bills in this game, it's about being a better mechwarrior.”
- “The gameplay is solid and the missions are mostly well designed, albeit some seem a tad too extreme and other a tad too easy.”
- “It offers nothing gameplay-wise that the previous game didn't do better, and fixing the issues with mods isn't nearly as simple in this game as it was with mercenaries.”
- “Gameplay currently lacks a significant hook into making you want to keep playing.”
- “I feel like there was almost no love put towards the actual gameplay mechanics.”
graphics
1,086 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
55%
4%
The graphics in "Mechwarrior 5: Clans" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals and art style powered by Unreal Engine 5, which significantly enhances the game's aesthetic compared to its predecessor. However, players have also reported issues with optimization, leading to performance drops and graphical glitches, particularly during intense combat scenarios. Overall, while the game showcases beautiful environments and improved effects, the inconsistent performance and some dated textures have left some players disappointed.
- “Mechwarrior 5: Clans is a standout addition to the beloved franchise, offering an exhilarating blend of refined mech combat, stunning visuals, and an immersive storyline that expands the Battletech universe.”
- “The graphics are absolutely beautiful and the cinematics are top-notch gorgeous, the gameplay is similar to what you expected with a few neat additions around commanding your star and changing who you control.”
- “The graphics have reached new heights, capturing the immense scale of each mech and battle sequence.”
- “However, the smearing graphics caused by TAA, the very poor voice acting/story so far, the vastly simplified mech outfitter, and the arcade-like fighting coupled with the poor companion AI just killed it.”
- “5/10, would have been a solid six without the graphic smearing; can't really recommend this to anyone.”
- “The graphics are worse somehow; the gameplay is worse too, with mechs feeling light and flimsy; weapons and physical attacks lack a sense of impact.”
replayability
275 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
74%
16%
Overall, the game's replayability is considered low to very low, primarily due to its linear story structure and lack of a sandbox mode or extensive multiplayer options. While some players appreciate the narrative and potential for alternate endings, many express disappointment in the limited content available after completing the campaign, with suggestions for a New Game+ mode or additional DLC to enhance replay value. Comparisons to previous titles, particularly "MW5: Mercenaries," highlight a significant reduction in replayability, making it less appealing for long-term engagement.
- “I think a new game+ mode would be a welcome addition as well and help with replayability.”
- “Good replayability, and the customization with the different pods per mech is insane once you start to give the mech hanger a chance.”
- “It is a narrative-driven, linear campaign that offers a lot of replayability once you find your footing.”
- “Unfortunately, the linear story with no room for you to wander means this game has very little replayability unless you are achievement hunting, or just want to try different loadouts.”
- “The main caveat is that the game has little to no replay value after a couple of runs.”
- “There is very little replay value currently.”
stability
200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
2%
81%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and performance issues, particularly during mission loading and after cutscenes. Many players have experienced frequent freezes, unresponsive menus, and graphical glitches, leading to a consensus that the game is currently unoptimized and frustrating to play. While some users report smooth performance on high-end systems, the overall sentiment suggests that the game is not ready for recommendation until significant patches are released.
- “The game has run smooth for me with no glitches or issues.”
- “Normal playthrough was relatively bug-free and smooth.”
- “The game runs great, it's absolutely gorgeous and the controls are fluid.”
- “The game frequently freezes after the mission briefings, meaning you have to force-close the program and reopen it a few times just to get to a mission to play.”
- “All in all, do not buy this game yet, it's a buggy, un-optimized mess right now.”
- “Game is terribly buggy and crashes a lot, especially during asset loading or mission completion.”
music
167 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
56%
9%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its nostalgic synthwave and tribal elements that evoke the "clan" vibe, while others criticize it for being forgettable or lacking in emotional impact during key moments. Many players noted issues with audio mixing and the absence of music in certain scenes, which detracted from the overall experience. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, it often fails to create the epic atmosphere that players expect from the franchise.
- “The music and ambient tracks are great and I'm surprised I haven't seen the soundtrack praised more.”
- “The soundtrack is awesome and I may have found my new favorite mech lab theme out of Smoke Jaguar (sorry Stutter Shark from MW4).”
- “Full of unironically fantastic 80s sci-fi style music, you'll be pew-pewing your way through a ton of narratively chained missions as opposed to the open format of mercenaries.”
- “Poor/minimal music: music is a powerful tool for storytelling, but this game straight up forgot the toolbox.”
- “Piranha could have propped up an unlikable story with the crutch that is emotional music, but they decided to let this thing limp along without it.”
- “Where the game fails is in the music and ambient sounds.”
grinding
79 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and unrewarding, particularly in terms of resource collection and mission repetition. While some appreciate the hand-crafted missions over procedural ones, the overall gameplay loop can feel monotonous, especially when grinding for upgrades or achievements. The lack of a new game plus option and limited resources further exacerbate the grind, leading to frustration among players.
- “It's long, tedious, and provides no reward.”
- “The grinding for extra resources is painful and needlessly slow.”
- “The game also doesn't naturally give you enough materials to complete all of the upgrades by the end of the campaign, and there is no new game plus option to continue grinding those materials since the simulator doesn't give you materials for replaying campaign missions that you've already done.”
atmosphere
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
52%
6%
The atmosphere in MechWarrior 5: Clans is widely praised for its attention to detail and deep connection to the Battletech lore, creating an immersive experience with fantastic visuals and a compelling narrative. While many players appreciate the atmospheric maps and engaging cutscenes, some criticize the generic dialogue and lack of dramatic audio elements that could enhance immersion. Overall, the game successfully recaptures the beloved aesthetic of the Battletech universe, though it faces some gameplay and technical issues that detract from the experience.
- “The atmosphere and attention to detail is superb - it is clear that this is a game made by people with a deep understanding and love of Battletech and its lore.”
- “The soundtrack, the atmosphere, the punchy way the weapons and damage feel, and the immersive visuals are all fantastic.”
- “A big thanks to the developers for getting the atmosphere right!”
- “They delved deep into the lore and the atmosphere to make the cutscenes and missions feel right, but the gameplay is meh at best.”
- “Next: while the overall atmosphere is fitting, the endless chatter is annoying.”
- “Many scenes and gameplay moments are dull; they feel like they should be more dramatic, but they simply miss any sort of music or ambient sound that would help immerse me into the atmosphere.”
humor
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
5%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding moments of unintentional comedy in the game's bugs and poor AI, while others express disappointment as the initial charm fades over time. Characters can be over-the-top, leading to both annoyance and laughter, but many feel that the humor does not compensate for the game's numerous flaws. Overall, while there are funny moments, they often stem from the game's shortcomings rather than intentional comedic design.
- “One particular character in the player's chain of command is over-acted to a level that wavers between grating and hilarious by turns, which makes mission briefings rather annoying whenever he is involved.”
- “A few cases where destroyed mechs continue to stand in place rather than falling, which I found more funny than immersion-breaking.”
- “It's also hilariously easy to crash the game in the mech bay.”
emotional
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by well-structured story arcs and character development, with some players feeling a genuine attachment to the characters and their struggles. However, critiques point to the characters' overly emotional responses and awkward expressions, which can detract from the intended emotional depth. Overall, while the game offers moments of emotional engagement, it sometimes falls short of delivering a cohesive and impactful narrative.
- “Single player story is a good one; I enjoyed it and even got emotionally attached to Ezra, wanting to help the Inner Sphere repel the clans instead of being a part of the clans.”
- “The dialogues and supporting cutscenes are crisp, there are a few emotionally charged moments, and each character has a narrative arc.”
- “It is faithful to the lore and, while it might be predictable in places for fans of the setting, it had mostly good pacing, with an emotional story that has ups and downs, as well as good moments of character growth.”
character development
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
82%
9%
Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and engagement, with players noting that it effectively transforms initial impressions of characters over time. However, some reviews mention that the development can feel rushed or lacking in certain areas, particularly for characters that players directly command. Overall, while the storytelling and character arcs are compelling, there is a desire for more nuanced development and improved voice acting to enhance the experience further.
- “The storyline is interesting, and they have good character development for the little time that the characters get to speak.”
- “Storytelling was surprisingly good and cinematic, and the character development with your squad had me going from hating the entire cast to being invested in what was happening around them.”
- “There's character development; information keeps coming out that makes you go back and reassess your first impressions, and it's definitely a large part of the fun.”
- “For a game that invested pretty much everything into cinematics and character development rather than smooth gameplay, they undo all of their efforts in the unprofessional audio work and cut-ins.”
- “Story and character development can feel rushed at times.”
- “The voice acting is pretty hit and miss, and they really need better character development for the people you are supposed to be directly commanding in the game.”
monetization
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has been heavily criticized, with many reviewers labeling it a "cash grab" due to the frequent release of expensive DLC shortly after launch. Players express frustration over the perceived lack of content and quality in the base game, suggesting that the developer prioritizes profit over delivering a complete experience. Overall, there is a strong sentiment that the game is designed to extract money from fans rather than provide substantial value.
- “I would recommend this game if not for the cash grab DLC the developer has decided to push out a month after release.”
- “This is a cash grab game, because in order to fix the story and the end of the game, there is a significant amount of DLC that you will be sold.”
- “Once again, another beloved IP being ruined by its developer in a half-baked cash grab, which is a tragedy from a true fan of the series who was excited for a clan-focused game.”