MechWarrior 5: Clans

MechWarrior 5: Clans delivers the classic mech-based action fans will expect, while adding a plethora of new dynamics and modernization to keep things fresh.

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In MECHWARRIOR 5: CLANS, players become new Smoke Jaguar pilots in the Clan Invasion of the Inner Sphere. Lead a five-mech "Star" squad across diverse planets, engaging in an expansive campaign with immersive gameplay and intricate combat. Customize BattleMechs and explore strategic...

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,952 reviews

story526 positive mentions

optimization122 negative mentions

The game offers a solid story experience with engaging lore and character development, particularly focusing on the Clan invasion.
Gameplay features intense, tactical mech battles with a good balance between strategy and action, making the mechs feel powerful.
The graphics and cutscenes are visually impressive, showcasing the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5.

The AI for both friendly and enemy mechs can be frustratingly poor, often leading to unhelpful behavior during missions.
Customization options for mechs are limited compared to previous titles, with a smaller roster of mechs available at launch.
Performance issues and bugs, including crashes and frame rate drops, detract from the overall experience.

story
2,093 mentions
25 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story in "MechWarrior 5: Clans" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its depth and connection to the established Battletech lore. The narrative is presented through handcrafted missions and cinematic cutscenes, which enhance immersion and character development, although some players find the voice acting and character animations lacking. While the linear structure of the campaign limits exploration and replayability compared to the sandbox style of "MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries," it offers a more focused and engaging storytelling experience that resonates with long-time fans of the franchise.
- “The storytelling has got to be one of the best I have ever seen in a MechWarrior title.”
- “Great storyline, customization, actual sense of connection with the characters, leaves you feeling like you're part of the story.”
- “The story is well-crafted and draws you into the MechWarrior universe, though the experience is slightly marred by some subpar voice acting sometimes and occasional odd animations, especially in the characters' eye visuals.”
- “The main story is soooo short (23 hours) and filled with some very poorly acted cutscenes that I don't think there is enough gameplay content for the money.”
- “While the gameplay is fun, the horrible story and voice acting just ruin the experience for me.”
- “The story feels like a central part of the game, real and in universe.”
optimization
542 mentions
12 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and inconsistent gameplay even on high-end systems. While some users noted improvements following recent patches, the consensus is that the game still requires further optimization to achieve stable performance across a wider range of hardware. Overall, players recommend waiting for additional updates before fully committing to the game, especially if using mid-range or older PCs.
- “Latest patch has significantly improved performance on my old PC running a Ryzen 5 5600 paired with a GTX 1660 Super.”
- “Game feels really optimized and smooth, and I hope they somehow manage to backpatch this into Mercenaries.”
- “The first performance patch helped a lot, so my min-spec machine is able to play the game smoothly, so expect performance to improve as they continue to patch.”
- “Mw5 c might be one of the most poorly optimized modern games I've played yet.”
- “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.”
- “Performance is atrocious.”
gameplay
426 mentions
35 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "MechWarrior 5: Clans" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging mechanics, improved AI, and satisfying combat that feels more polished than its predecessor, "MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries." However, some players criticize the linear mission design, lack of strategic depth, and cumbersome UI, which detracts from the overall experience. While the game offers a solid 20-30 hours of gameplay with a focus on narrative, it also faces performance issues and a perceived shift towards more arcade-like mechanics that may not appeal to all fans of the franchise.
- “Gameplay is excellent, expert mode did trip me up a few times, and once I figured out the salvage and upgrade system, there's a good amount of hyper optimization that you can undertake for any playstyle, which is a core feature of the Battletech universe I love.”
- “The gameplay is fantastic; every new feature feels like a solidly executed addition that felt useful, especially as the missions progressed.”
- “The gameplay is much improved from MW5: Mercenaries, whether it's level design, encounter design, or just how piloting a mech feels.”
- “Gameplay is one of the biggest shortcomings of mw5 clans.”
- “The gameplay itself, however, is just ... not mechwarrior.”
- “The gameplay loop feels solid in the scripted missions with just enough challenge.”
graphics
351 mentions
42 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received a mixed reception, with many praising the overall visual improvements and aesthetic quality, particularly in environments and cutscenes, thanks to the use of Unreal Engine 5. However, players have reported performance issues, including stuttering, frame rate drops, and graphical glitches, which detract from the experience. While some users find the graphics stunning and a significant upgrade from previous titles, others express disappointment over optimization and inconsistencies in visual fidelity, particularly during intense combat scenarios.
- “The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay is great, lots of nice little additions to the game.”
- “The graphics are very detailed and very atmospheric.”
- “The graphics are impressive, with detailed mechs and realistic missile effects.”
- “I'm a bit disappointed in the state at which this game was released, but I am more disappointed by the fact that, aside from a graphics upgrade and more cutscenes, MW5: Clans really does not bring anything new or innovative to the table.”
- “The performance is bad (a 4080 and i9-12900k combo drops to 40fps in the test arena? Are you kidding me?), and despite this, the graphics in-game are, in the opinion of everyone in my star, a downgrade from Mercs.”
- “The graphics can only really be described as serviceable, meeting minimal expectations.”
replayability
71 mentions
10 % positive mentions
77 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is considered low to very low due to its linear narrative structure and lack of a New Game+ mode or a sandbox-style experience. While some players find potential for replay value through mission challenges and branching choices, many express disappointment over the absence of a career mode and the limited scope for exploration after completing the story. The consensus suggests that while the game is enjoyable for a single playthrough, it lacks the depth and replayability found in previous titles like MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries.
- “It is a narrative-driven, linear campaign that offers a lot of replayability once you find your footing.”
- “A new game plus mode would be a welcome addition, giving players a reason to dive back in with their progress intact and adding to the game’s replayability.”
- “Good replayability, and the customization with the different pods per mech is insane once you start to give the mech hanger a chance.”
- “Game lacks a lot of replay value due to the story being very linear.”
- “There is little replayability after you finish the story (no new game+).”
- “The lack of any sort of expanded 'career' mode that was available previously kills any real replayability.”
stability
65 mentions
20 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
77 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report a relatively smooth experience with minor glitches, others experience frequent crashes, freezes, and significant performance issues. Some users highlight that the game is less buggy than typical releases, but optimization problems and various bugs, particularly in menus and during missions, detract from the experience. Patches are anticipated to address these issues, but as it stands, the game may frustrate players with its inconsistent stability.
- “Normal playthrough was relatively bug-free and smooth.”
- “The game has run smooth for me with no glitches or issues.”
- “The game runs great, it's absolutely gorgeous and the controls are fluid.”
- “Really enjoyed what I have managed to play so far, but it freezes and crashes randomly on missions, always after at least 20+ minutes, making it extra frustrating.”
- “Game is terribly buggy and crashes a lot, especially during asset loading or mission completion.”
- “Performance and optimization is poor; quality of life issues and glitches hinder the experience and are my biggest gripe with this otherwise solid game.”
music
54 mentions
37 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its nostalgic 80s sci-fi and synthwave influences, as well as unique elements like Mongolian throat singing that enhance the atmosphere. However, some players noted issues such as sound bugs, lack of background music in certain missions, and a general feeling that the soundtrack is less impactful compared to previous titles in the series. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, it is often described as inconsistent and at times forgettable.
- “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.”
- “The soundtrack is awesome, and I may have found my new favorite mech lab theme out of Smoke Jaguar (sorry Stutter Shark from MW4).”
- “The sound design and music in this game are great and have easily kept me immersed.”
- “I did encounter some sound bugs in the in-game cutscenes where nothing would play and there are some points within a mission where no music will play, which is a shame because the music is just as good as Mercs, less rock-oriented though. There would also be a little stutter every time new enemies would spawn, which can be a tad annoying.”
- “Some missions would not have background music when playing; I'm not sure if it is a bug or an intentional decision.”
- “Where the game fails is in the music and ambient sounds. 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.”
atmosphere
21 mentions
38 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive visuals, engaging soundtrack, and strong adherence to lore, creating captivating moments during gameplay and missions. However, some players note inconsistencies, such as a lack of dramatic elements in certain scenes and issues with audio quality, which detract from the overall experience. While the atmosphere is generally considered a highlight, there are mixed feelings about the execution of gameplay elements that could enhance immersion.
- “The soundtrack, the atmosphere, the punchy way the weapons and damage feel, and the immersive visuals are all fantastic.”
- “Both within the missions themselves and in the homebase, the storyline and atmosphere are great.”
- “Kudos for the atmosphere and the graphics (despite the stuttering issues Unreal Engine 5 brings to it when it gets busy).”
- “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.”
- “Poor writing, poor voice acting, poor audio mixing, and for playing clanners, really awful atmosphere.”
grinding
15 mentions
7 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the reduction of tedious missions compared to previous titles, many find the experience and unlock systems overly repetitive and frustrating. The lack of a sandbox mode and the need to grind for upgrades through the same missions repeatedly detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of tedium rather than rewarding progression. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a significant drawback, with many players feeling that they detract from the game's potential fun.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “However, having to unlock each pod by spending experience is kind of tedious.”
- “The post-mission loop of upgrading mechs, assigning mechwarrior skills, etc. can feel a little tedious, unrewarding, and unnecessary.”
- “It also means that if you are grinding for XP, you'll be doing the same missions a lot.”
emotional
13 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the well-structured story arcs and character growth, which evoke genuine feelings and nostalgia. However, others criticize the lack of a compelling storyline and find the characters overly emotional, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these critiques, many fans feel a deep connection to the game, highlighting its emotional moments and the warmth it brings, especially for long-time followers of the Battletech universe.
- “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.”
- “Its well-rounded and has an emotional end.”
humor
12 mentions
92 % positive mentions
-17 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often derived from its technical glitches and absurdities, such as mechs standing upright after destruction and characters exhibiting goofy animations. Players find amusement in the game's rough launch, with instances like crashing in the mech bay and the clumsy portrayal of the clans adding to the comedic experience. Overall, while the humor may stem from unintended bugs and quirks, it contributes to a lighthearted atmosphere that some players appreciate.
- “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.”
- “Lol, PGI putting the Roughneck in there is hilarious.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat; it tries too hard to be funny but ends up being cringeworthy.”
- “I expected some laughs, but the jokes are stale and feel forced.”
- “The comedic elements are more annoying than amusing, making it hard to enjoy the game.”
character development
11 mentions
27 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and ability to engage players, transforming initial negative impressions into investment in the characters' journeys. While the storytelling is cinematic and complex, some reviews note that character arcs can feel rushed or inconsistent, and there are calls for improved character design and voice acting. Overall, the game successfully maintains character interactions throughout, enhancing the narrative experience.
- “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.”
- “Compared to 'mercenaries,' this game has a longer, more complex narrative with character development and even a moment of choice.”
- “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.”
- “Also the character design is boring.”
monetization
5 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the developer, Pgi, has drawn significant criticism for being perceived as exploitative, particularly with past cash grabs like the "collectors edition" and issues in "MechWarrior Online." Many fans feel that the developer has a history of disappointing releases that prioritize profit over quality, leading to a lackluster experience that fails to meet the expectations of the franchise's loyal audience. Overall, players suggest waiting for substantial discounts before purchasing due to the game's current state and the developer's track record.
- “Pgi has a terrible record with cash grabs, cough the 'collectors edition', cough all of MechWarrior Online, and a spotty track record with stories set in the Battletech universe. In my opinion, the original campaign in MW5: Mercs is very dull, and despite playing many hours in that game, I've only completed the main campaign once.”
- “Once again, another beloved IP is being ruined by its developer in a half-baked cash grab, which is a tragedy for a true fan of the series who was excited for a clan-focused game.”
- “I expect them to iron out the bugs, but you can easily wait for this to be 50% off because of the abysmal state of release. The developer has a long history of attempted cash grabs with this IP but always falls flat, appealing only to a small hardcore set of fans.”