MechWarrior 5: Clans

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,229 reviews
  • story
  • optimization
  • gameplay
MechWarrior 5: Clans Game Cover
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, 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.

  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,229 reviews
story911 positive mentions
optimization178 negative mentions
  • Great story-driven experience with engaging cutscenes and character development.
  • Handcrafted missions provide variety and keep gameplay interesting.
  • Improved AI for teammates compared to previous titles, enhancing combat dynamics.
  • Limited mech variety and customization options compared to previous games.
  • Performance issues and bugs, including crashes and UI problems.
  • Linear mission design with little replayability after completing the campaign.
  • story3,686 mentions

    The story in "MechWarrior 5: Clans" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its depth and connection to the Battletech lore, particularly the portrayal of Clan Smoke Jaguar during the clan invasion. While the handcrafted missions and cinematic cutscenes enhance the narrative experience, some players find the linearity and lack of replayability limiting, as well as the character development and voice acting inconsistent. Overall, the game is seen as a significant improvement over its predecessor, "MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries," particularly in storytelling, but it still faces criticism for pacing and mission design.

    • “The handcrafted missions with varied goals do not let you get bored, the in-mission chatter helps to move the story forward and the surprising turns keep you always on edge.”
    • “The story was quite enjoyable and got me interested in MechWarrior lore and Battletech.”
    • “The story is engaging, offering a fresh perspective on the clans and their complex society, with each mission feeling significant in the larger narrative of Operation Revival.”
    • “The biggest issue is the weak story and characters; the resources that went into the story and characters should have been scrapped and focused elsewhere.”
    • “The story is terrible.”
    • “The missions are completely railroaded.”
  • optimization703 mentions

    The game's optimization has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users noted improvements following recent patches, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, particularly for lower-end hardware, and requires further updates to enhance stability and performance. Many reviewers recommend waiting for additional fixes before purchasing, as the current state can lead to a frustrating experience.

    • “Though some performance issues and bugs detract slightly, the developers have committed to addressing these in future updates.”
    • “The performance is better than MW5 Mercs while also looking so much better.”
    • “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 most serious issue with the game is its optimization.”
    • “It is poorly optimized and very taxing on the computer.”
    • “Until the performance issues are resolved, I cannot recommend this game.”
  • gameplay692 mentions

    The gameplay in "MechWarrior 5: Clans" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating the fast-paced, immersive combat and the solid mechanics that build upon previous titles. However, some critiques highlight issues such as repetitive mission structures, unbalanced gameplay, and technical problems like AI behavior and performance drops. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable mech combat and a compelling narrative, it also faces challenges in depth and variety, leading to mixed feelings among players.

    • “The gameplay largely consists of very long, scripted corridors filled with waves of enemies that appear in horde-like numbers but are not nearly fragile enough to avoid feeling like slogging through bullet/laser/missile sponges.”
    • “Because of the lackluster AI, the weapon balancing issues, progression mechanics (being limited in money for mechs + needing experience for good layout options), and only a few mechs not wasting their potential on jets, there is a very limited, and incredibly one-way progression towards heavier mechs that renders lighter mechs completely useless.”
    • “Gameplay felt less strategic compared to MW5: Mercenaries.”
  • graphics561 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the stunning visuals and detailed environments made possible by Unreal Engine 5. However, numerous complaints about poor optimization and performance issues persist, leading to significant frame rate drops even on high-end systems. While some players find the graphics to be a marked improvement over previous titles, others feel that certain aspects, such as character animations and effects, still fall short of modern standards.

    • “The graphics are absolutely beautiful, and the cinematics are top-notch gorgeous. The gameplay is similar to what you expect, with a few neat additions around commanding your star and changing who you control.”
    • “The graphics are impressive, with detailed mechs and realistic missile effects. The visuals really enhance the overall experience of the game.”
    • “The graphics have reached new heights, capturing the immense scale of each mech and battle sequence. The environments are stunning and contribute significantly to the immersion.”
    • “It runs like ass regardless of graphics settings.”
    • “The game is clunky even on the lowest graphical settings and the assets don't even load before the scene starts.”
    • “The graphics somehow are worse than in the previous game, despite using UE5.”
  • replayability141 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is generally considered low due to its linear story structure and limited mission variety, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of a sandbox mode or new game+ features. While some appreciate the narrative and potential for alternate endings, the consensus is that once the campaign is completed, there is little incentive to replay, making it less engaging compared to previous titles like *MW5: Mercenaries*. Future DLCs and modding support may enhance replayability, but as it stands, the game offers minimal long-term engagement.

    • “It offers a different experience and a lot more replayability.”
    • “Replayability: I will definitely play through the alternate endings and probably play through the campaign again.”
    • “Good replayability, and the customization with the different pods per mech is insane once you start to give the mech hanger a chance.”
    • “Ultimately it is worth playing for fans of the series and a tighter, more focused experience than Mercs, but with less replayability.”
    • “Low replayability - once you finish the campaign, there is not really much you can do afterward.”
    • “The main caveat is that the game has little to no replay value after a couple of runs.”
  • stability101 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent crashes, glitches, and performance issues, particularly during mission loading and UI interactions. While some users experienced smooth gameplay on high-end systems, the overall consensus indicates that the game is poorly optimized and buggy, making it difficult to recommend in its current state. Despite these issues, a few players found enjoyment in the gameplay, suggesting that future patches may improve stability.

    • “The game runs great on my system on an ultrawide monitor at max settings, no issues there.”
    • “Normal playthrough was relatively bug-free and smooth.”
    • “The game has run smooth for me with no glitches or issues.”
    • “That being said, the game is very buggy (can't get out of scanning mode) and crashes more than expected.”
    • “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.”
    • “Game is so buggy you can't even click on anything in the menu.”
  • music85 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its nostalgic synthwave elements and atmospheric qualities that enhance the gameplay experience, while others criticize it for being forgettable or lacking in emotional impact. Many players express disappointment over the limited accessibility of the soundtrack outside the game, and some report issues with audio mixing and sound bugs that detract from key moments. Overall, while there are standout tracks that resonate with fans, the music often feels underutilized or overshadowed by gameplay.

    • “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.”
    • “I love the music.”
    • “The game's in-mission soundtrack is pretty forgettable.”
    • “I literally just finished the campaign and I can't remember if there's music playing in the background.”
    • “Outside of that, the soundtrack is literally one of the most forgettable soundtracks there is.”
  • grinding40 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the missions repetitive and tedious, often involving wave after wave of enemies and limited mission variety. While some appreciate the absence of salvage grinding from previous titles, others criticize the slow resource acquisition and the lack of meaningful rewards for grinding, leading to a sense of frustration and monotony. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a significant drawback, detracting from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “As other reviews have noted, facing wave after wave after wave after wave of mechs every single mission is even more tedious than reading this sentence.”
    • “The grinding for extra resources is painful and needlessly slow.”
    • “The post-mission loop of upgrading mechs, assigning mechwarrior skills, etc. can feel a little tedious, unrewarding, and unnecessary.”
  • atmosphere27 mentions

    Overall, the atmosphere in the game is highly praised for its attention to detail, immersive visuals, and strong connection to the Battletech lore, creating a captivating experience for players. While many appreciate the intense narrative and atmospheric elements, some critiques highlight issues with voice acting and repetitive dialogue that detract from the immersion. Despite these flaws, the game's atmosphere is often regarded as a standout feature, successfully recapturing the essence of the Battletech universe.

    • “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.”
  • humor23 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mixed bag, with some players finding it unintentionally funny due to poor AI, awkward character performances, and bizarre game mechanics, such as mechs behaving oddly or mission briefings that veer into grating territory. While initial cutscenes and moments of absurdity provided laughs, many reviewers noted that the humor quickly wore thin as the game's flaws became more apparent, leading to a sense of disappointment rather than enjoyment. Overall, the humor is often overshadowed by the game's numerous issues, leaving players feeling more frustrated than entertained.

    • “You will wipe out a city and all of its defenders only for your commander to say *now* finally they are taking you seriously and drop in a small lance of mechs that are hilariously late to even remotely matter.”
    • “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.”
    • “The humor in this game falls flat; it tries too hard to be funny but ends up being cringeworthy.”
    • “I expected some lighthearted moments, but the jokes are stale and unoriginal.”
    • “The comedic elements feel forced and detract from the overall experience.”
  • emotional21 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 attachment and nostalgia, particularly for long-time fans of the Battletech universe. However, others criticize the characters for being overly emotional and lacking depth, detracting from the intended emotional impact. Overall, while the game offers moments of emotional resonance, it struggles with consistency in character portrayal and storytelling.

    • “First off, I'll start by saying that the story being implemented well here with cinematic and emotional (though often over the top) facial expressions was a breath of fresh air for this IP.”
    • “Single player story is a good one I enjoyed 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.”
  • character development17 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the depth and complexity of the narrative, which allows for evolving relationships and character arcs. However, some critiques highlight that character development can feel rushed or inconsistent, and there are calls for more nuanced interactions and better voice acting. Overall, while the game excels in storytelling and character engagement, there are areas for improvement in character design and audio quality.

    • “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.”
  • monetization10 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing frustration over the reliance on expensive DLCs to address significant gameplay issues and a perceived lack of substantial content. Players feel that the developers prioritize profit over delivering a complete and polished experience, leading to disappointment among fans of the franchise. Overall, the sentiment suggests that potential buyers should wait for discounts rather than invest in the current state of the game.

    • “But no, this wasn't created for the fans; it was a cash grab and a bad one at that.”
    • “This is a cash grab game, because in order to fix the story and the end of the game, there is a ton 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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

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Play time

27hMedian play time
50hAverage play time
10-45hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 36 analyzed playthroughs

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