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.

While there’s certainly several coats of polish still to add, the core of MechWarrior 5: Clans gives us an excellent storyline culled straight from the novels, combined with cutting edge graphics and gameplay only Piranha Games could deliver. THIS is the MechWarrior game we’ve all been waiting for, and damn, is it fun. Reactor online, sensors online, weapons online. All systems nominal.

MechWarrior 5: Clans takes the core of its predecessor and expands upon it by giving you on interesting cast and story to explore alongside the combat. Though some of it might be overpowering at first, you’ll find a lot to enjoy, despite the challenge of some of its missions.

MechWarrior 5: Clans delivers a strong story of struggling young warriors alongside the best-ever version its iconic, lumbering mech combat.

MechWarrior 5 Clans brings the series into a new generation of gaming engines while establishing numerous gameplay mechanics. From pilot upgrades and new command options to more modern controls, everything comes together effectively. The addition of a robust, linear storyline is a great success, portraying the grim reality of war through the eyes of a well-written cast of characters. It's just a shame that weaker AI and optimization hold it back a bit.

At the end of the day this is an approachable and enjoyable entry into a genre that doesn’t really get a lot of love these days. If they manage to optimize things enough to fix the performance issues you could probably consider it a 9 from me, but as it is I can only mostly recommend it.

Mechwarrior 5: Clans is a fantastic addition to the Mechwarrior lineage, offering a good mix of an engaging storytelling, deep customization options and some seriously satisfying mech combat. While the PC version has some technical issues and the overall game has a bit of a learning curve, the overall experience is well worth it for fans and newcomers alike. And the fact that Clans is hitting gamepass is sure to garner some new Battletech fans to the fold, which is great so we can get some new games form this legendary mech series.

MechWarrior 5: Clans delivers 100 tons of BattleMech joy with outstanding missions and superb storytelling.

MechWarrior 5: Clans surprised me with its excellent campaign, carried by a thoughtful, well-told story, great mission design, fantastic walking-tank combat, and all of the customization you could want. I genuinely loved playing Clans, especially in co-op, and several story moments and missions will stick with me for a long, long time because of the way they simultaneously made me consider the ethical questions of war while grouping my rockets and lasers to obliterate a target and turning my damaged armor out of harm’s way. I just wish my first playthrough hadn’t been so buggy, especially in co-op. If Piranha’s promised post-launch patches can fix its issues, Clans will have a lot fewer frustrating lows to drag down its many impressive highs – but one way or another, I’ll definitely be suiting up for the Smoke Jaguar Clan for another run in the future.

Developers of MechWarrior 5: Clans know their limitations and skills, and don't cram unnecessary elements into the game. Instead they focus only on the things they know they can deliver. Clans has the best story in the history of the series, and gameplay-wise it's like an upgraded Mercenaries. Christmas came early for true MechWarrior fans.

Flashy action and a compelling story! Only mission design and technical issues slow down MW5: Clans.

MechWarrior 5: Clans does a good job of balancing story, combat, and the all-important time in between. Customizing the mechs and gearing up the squad are both lots of fun and the battles themselves are appropriately oversized. The narrative is a bit reliant on overly familiar war story tropes and the battles themselves can get slightly repetitive. Overall, MechWarrior 5: Clans is a solid entry in the franchise and a more-than-equal partner to Mercenaries.

MechWarrior 5: Clans feels more arcade than MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries. For example, the AI of opponents is primitive. But more or less serious games about giant walking robots are rare these days, so I played MW 5: Clans in one breath.

A grandiose and adrenaline packed simulation of mech combat, marred by an incomprehensibly tame story shackled by its aderence to estabilished story.

MechWarrior 5: Clans is a fun new entry in the MechWarrior franchise, even if you don’t know all the intricacies of the world and its history. Players can get lost trying to figure out how to customize everything from their characters, to their mechs, to what things to research — as there is a lot to unpack here. I do recommend the game, it’s one of the better MechWarrior games out there. If you enjoyed MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, don’t pass this one up either.

The accessibility and approachability of MechWarrior 5: Clans then, may come at a cost – at least for now. It may just however, lead to a mainstream rejuvenation the series so sorely deserves, and with its launch into Xbox Game Pass, bring a whole new generation into our Sibko.

Mechwarrior 5: Clans does a lot of relatively new things for the series, and a whole lot more effort has gone into the polish and presentation of the game. The new changes aren't all for the better, and while I can respect that the game is meant to tell its own story, it comes at the expense of effectively removing all of the player's agency in influencing it. My idea of a perfect Mechwarrior game is some sort of middle ground between Mercs and Clans.

If you’re in it for the spectacle of giant robots and tactical combat, MechWarrior 5: Clans might just scratch that itch. Just be prepared to forgive its many missteps and focus on what truly matters—making things go boom.

Loyal fans of the MechWarrior franchise will happily induct this release into their gaming library with all due respect and reverence, and deservedly so. There is enough in this game to enjoy, especially several hours of genuine down-to-metal battle. As an RPG story line, this game seems to lack a strong compelling story line. As a platform for Mech battles and team-ups with friends, there is some serious fun to be had here.

Despite some iffy performance and a lot of proper nouns that I just couldn't track properly, I enjoyed my time with Mechwarrior 5: Clans.