MechWarrior Online

 PC
User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 874 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 323 out of 874
  2. Mixed: 177 out of 874
  3. Negative: 374 out of 874

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  1. Stasgamming
    Nov 17, 2019
    7
    I have to say for a free to play game this one does the job. But be warned this game does have a huge learning curve.
  2. Iracundus
    Mar 29, 2016
    5
    This game rides really on the Battletech franchise, yet strangely does little to nothing to actually promote the lore or lore based gameplay. Its faction warfare is basically fighting over the same few chokepoint maps for the right to color in a dot on the map, with no logistics or consequences for fighting whatsoever. The developers seem intent on trying to make an e-sports game yetThis game rides really on the Battletech franchise, yet strangely does little to nothing to actually promote the lore or lore based gameplay. Its faction warfare is basically fighting over the same few chokepoint maps for the right to color in a dot on the map, with no logistics or consequences for fighting whatsoever. The developers seem intent on trying to make an e-sports game yet many initial fans were attracted by the prospect of fighting for a faction or cause, not just endless arena deathmatches. The balance of the game is thrown by the customizing possible, creating a meta-game of laser alpha strikes that leads to repetitive gameplay. It is possible to not play this meta but you will be at a disadvantage. The business model is a ripoff, with the price per Mech at ridiculous levels of real $, and there does not seem to be a coherent development plan beyond releasing the next Mech and maybe jiggling around some quirks, creating as many problems as it solves. The game has potential but the developers seem to be consistently picking the least inspired and easiest $ squeezing way out.… Expand
  3. Qldgamer
    Feb 5, 2016
    7
    The cost of cash bought Mechs is too much, but the game play itself is fairly good fun. Smaller items like colours and patterns is way too expensive as is consumables.

    With the new Phase 3 I am hopefully it will get better.
  4. LakeDaemon
    Aug 12, 2015
    7
    The Mechwarrior franchise will never really die or even get old as long as blasting your enemies to flaming scrap in giant robot combat remains enjoyable and I think we all love that on a genetic level. It would be easy to write reams about it’s history, the tabletop origins and the minis, the fiction and the lore that spans well over one hundred novels, Technical Readout manuals, andThe Mechwarrior franchise will never really die or even get old as long as blasting your enemies to flaming scrap in giant robot combat remains enjoyable and I think we all love that on a genetic level. It would be easy to write reams about it’s history, the tabletop origins and the minis, the fiction and the lore that spans well over one hundred novels, Technical Readout manuals, and the distinguished line of PC and console games but, suffice it to say, the following and anticipation for this game has been huge since the last PC release Mechwarrior 4 Mercenaries was about 10 years ago. The bottom line is… Does Mechwarrior Online deliver?

    The short answer is a strong Yes but with major caveats that make portions of MWO seem incomplete and downright clunky as Piranha Games continues to develop this title. There are frustrating refinement issues as a result of the small dev team and development approach adopted by PGI. The road has been rocky for PGI and MWO. By 2013, the word was MWO was a shameless money grab and a lost opportunity to be something great by a disinterested, tunnel-visioned development company. PGI however maintained that their numbers were always strong from a silent fan base despite the bad press and angry fans represented a vocal minority. By 2015, MWO has survived and grown to over half a million registered players (probably 5% playing), a greatly improved community relations approach, increased staff and talent, added and evolved game content, launched servers in Europe and Asia, and has plans to add Steam as an additional distribution method.

    So where does MWO stand presently?

    Free to Play – This is a free to play game that has successfully negotiated the hazy line between pay-to-win and grind-to-insanity. Grinding for in game currency isn't as mindless as some other games and you can build very competitive mechs. If you have the money but don’t have the time, you can pay for content that will save you grind time and effort (such as hero-level mech). Unfortunately for the grinding player, some things (such as mech-enhancement modules) are over-priced and newly introduced mechs are only available with real money at first so paying players tend to dominate game play when new mechs are injected into the game. It takes about 3 months before these new mechs become available for purchase with grindable currency.

    Multiplayer – MWO delivers solid and refreshing mech combat. Public matches are easy to access offering 12v12 combat that feels more than adequate (and sometimes glorious) as the teams tactically engage each other in rolling brawl fests of blistering lasers and canon fire. There is plenty of long range sniping, missile barrages, and air strikes to be had as well. Private matches between organized teams can be accessed from group menu as long as at least the captains of each team are premium subscribed players. These are often used for various tournaments and league matches. Currently in playable beta is planetary combat based on the classic star map of Battletech. This feature represents another pillar of the game and supports attack, defend, and counter attack modes.

    SinglePlayer – There no single player experience in MWO much to the disappointment of fans. PGI has said this could be added in the future after all the goals of the multiplayer game have been adequately completed.

    Graphics – Visually enticing and exciting graphics but this is where more and development is needed. The mechs themselves are beautifully designed (if you can call a mechanized bipedal war machine beautiful) and are unequivocally superior to any designs of past MW titles. Newer maps tend to be rich and visually varied with cityscapes, lunar, industrial, alien marshes and barren deserts. Older maps produced during beta and up to about 2014 tend to be smaller, dated looking, use repeated textures and are otherwise beta-level content. PGI has a team that is currently reworking older maps to update them making them far larger, more interesting, adding day and night cycles, destroyable content such as trees and streetlamps.

    Over all MWO is a solid combat action sim surrounded by layers of potentially wow-factor content if ever finished. The key to MWO is connecting with a team as solo public play feels more like grinding and team play feels more like the real game. MWO of 2015 has more to offer than MWO of 2013. It’s fun and engaging with friends on the field but needs work on nearly all the layers of features. If PGI can address those, MWO will achieve that wow-factor.    … Expand
  5. corumeach
    Apr 27, 2015
    5
    I still play it (although less and less) as there simply is no alternative when you want to play a battlemech simulatior on PC. Too bad the developer broke too many promises (or simply forgot about them), doesn't really know how to handle the game engine, has zero experience in designing tactical MMOs more ambitious than Unreal Tournament. Three years have been waisted for bug fixing,I still play it (although less and less) as there simply is no alternative when you want to play a battlemech simulatior on PC. Too bad the developer broke too many promises (or simply forgot about them), doesn't really know how to handle the game engine, has zero experience in designing tactical MMOs more ambitious than Unreal Tournament. Three years have been waisted for bug fixing, nerfing and boosting everything 3 times, creating basic gaming content (like maps) and producing tons of mechs for a brilliant mechlab that actually causes the major issues of this game: had they simply chosen to release stock mechs ONLY no balancing issues, no cheese builds, no frustration would have arisen. Instead the community would have about 200 mechs and their (stock) variants at hand now, happily playing. the other thing is the flawed elo ranking, team building and match maker, especially in Community Warfare mode. They released the BT universe map with over 3000 systems to fight over, BUT every day you are allowed to fight over about 6 or 7 of them. The different factions may even fight in remote areas siding with their arch enemy to face clan invaders without paying for transferring their units over there. The game had minor logistic during beta (ammunition and repair costs) - it was taken out forever... Logistics for sending your mech lance from system A to system B? No, it's instant teleport now, all you need is, that the developer opens the jumo gates for a specific system and there you go. So we have zero strategy in the game, tactics are very thin as you know the mini maps after a few weeks by heart. Players use the mechlab to build overpowered alpha strike (one shot) killer mechs, not well balanced interesting ones, that would allow to show skill and give everybody a fun experience. No, it's all about killing your enemy on sight,preferably by a single mouse click and auto aiming long range missiles. By now I doubt that the developer still has the means to get this cart out of the dreck (or actually the dreck off the cart). Community is tiny and dwindling, so I guess I will play on a little bit until the servers will shut down one day or I really can't stand it anymore.… Expand
  6. Axeface
    Jan 27, 2015
    6
    The game has gone through many problems, a period of total pay-2-win, but what is the game currently? It's a battletech deathmatch simulator with micro (and not so micro) transactions. Combat is good, prices are high, and the grind is long - but there is fun to be had.
  7. Ming120
    Jan 23, 2015
    6
    Back in the mid-late 1990s, getting into the Mechwarrior franchise was a matter of going to the store, paying the average price of oh, say, $55, and taking home a rather large box that contained a disc and a beautifully printed manual. Within the disc was the core game--a game that contained up to 60 'mechs to drive, unlimited customization, a single player campaign with an engagingBack in the mid-late 1990s, getting into the Mechwarrior franchise was a matter of going to the store, paying the average price of oh, say, $55, and taking home a rather large box that contained a disc and a beautifully printed manual. Within the disc was the core game--a game that contained up to 60 'mechs to drive, unlimited customization, a single player campaign with an engaging storyline, a richly composed musical score, and a function to connect to a multiplayer community where people really got to know each other.

    Today, paying $55 dollars to get into Mechwarrior Online can afford you maybe one 'mech and a couple variants to that 'mech, and pretty much lacking most of the mentioned features above. To be fair though, you really don't have to pay a dime to get into Mechwarrior Online, but this is how the developers of the game earn their their money. Generally, getting what you want in the game either involves earning in-game currency by playing with mostly random people on the same three game modes over and over again, or by paying up.

    The game itself is okay though, and hence why I would be hesitant to give it a lower score. To some extent, the sounds and the graphics are top-notch, so it really does feel like you are driving a large 'mech while playing. Most of the maps are beautifully crafted as well.

    What really hinders MWO from the get-go, however, is that it is probably the most hollow game of the series. The lack of features is appalling; the business model is appalling; and the need to grind gets old over time. There are also times when you really don't feel like you accomplished much after a game outside of grabbing a bit of in-game currency and xp to unlock stuff (kind of like your typical F2P game). Factions and the implementation of community warfare seems to improve on the game, but it just doesn't feel like much. Is it a likeable game? Sure. I do like the game myself. I just can't love it.    … Expand
  8. snip4r
    Dec 10, 2014
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. At its core this game is incredibly fun. However, yet again this free to play game is ruined by you being forced to pay just to get an OK mech outside of the 4 free ones you are given. SPOILER ALERT Takes a month to get your first free mech with out spending any money. Then you need atleast 2 just to get started on the ingame tech trees that add so much stuff to your mechs and make you so OP. This game would have gotten a better rating if it wasn't such a big grind. However, they really messed this game up and made it too pay 2 win.… Expand
  9. Jetfire
    Oct 28, 2014
    7
    I have been playing the game since closed beta and all through its ups and downs. I can say at this point they are making real progress and with the launch of CW this winter could have a real winner on their hands very soon. If you have any interest in Mechwarrior or slow tactical mech combat give it a shot or keep an eye on this one. It's been a somewhat painful birth but I haveI have been playing the game since closed beta and all through its ups and downs. I can say at this point they are making real progress and with the launch of CW this winter could have a real winner on their hands very soon. If you have any interest in Mechwarrior or slow tactical mech combat give it a shot or keep an eye on this one. It's been a somewhat painful birth but I have enjoyed every moment I was actually playing.… Expand
  10. Chocksa
    Jul 23, 2014
    5
    This is a game i have mixed feelings about. On one side i like it, on the other side i hate it. Explanation below.

    Things i like: - Strategic gameplay: The actual battles require a higher amount of tactics than most others games in this genre. - Mech costumization: There is a lot of it available. - Numbers of mechs: There are a lot of mechs to choose from. There is something for    This is a game i have mixed feelings about. On one side i like it, on the other side i hate it. Explanation below.

    Things i like:
    - Strategic gameplay: The actual battles require a higher amount of tactics than most others games in this genre.
    - Mech costumization: There is a lot of it available.
    - Numbers of mechs: There are a lot of mechs to choose from. There is something for everyone.

    Things i don't like:
    - The F2P label shouldn't be on this game: I am the kind of guy that, in this kind of games likes to play different mechs. And here is my problem. You start with 4 mechbays. Once you have 4 mechs in those bays and have grinded enough in game currency to buy a 5th you also have to spend a bit of real money to buy a new mech bay to house this new mech. For me this means this is a payed game masquerading as a F2P game.
    - Gameplay is not fast: This is a bit personal but i like a slightly faster paced game than this. This is by all means not a fast game. Sometimes it takes minutes to take down a single enemy. I prefer fast excillerating duels wich rely on adrenalin fueled reflexes, i don't get that in this game.    … Expand
  11. Vunguard
    Jul 14, 2014
    5
    Allow me to preface this by saying that I adore the Mechwarrior/Battletech series, besides the very first two Need For Speeds, Mechwarrior was the very first game I ever played, and I have loved every other installment in the series, even the flawed MechAssaults. This though... this makes me want to cry. The core mechanics are perfectly serviceable. The mechs move and feel appropriatelyAllow me to preface this by saying that I adore the Mechwarrior/Battletech series, besides the very first two Need For Speeds, Mechwarrior was the very first game I ever played, and I have loved every other installment in the series, even the flawed MechAssaults. This though... this makes me want to cry. The core mechanics are perfectly serviceable. The mechs move and feel appropriately clunky and tough, though I do think some of the light mechs should jiggle around more. The jump jets feel about right. The heat management is exactly what should be expected and works perfectly. The autocannons are different from the styles of the old games but in my opinion feel much more appropriate to the type of combat that Mechwarrior is based on. The lasers are weird but not unreasonable, much like Mechwarrior 3's variants actually. The missiles are exactly what they needed to be. The PPC's (the big dogs of the laser family, for those not in the know) need a little more punch for the amount of heat they cause, in fact you never see them used for the most part, but they're not bad feeling, just need balancing. The gauss rifles are awkward to use, but rewarding. I think there's only two or three mechs in the entire garage that I would call useless, most of them have some sort of place for certain playstyles. Heck, this game made light mechs actually usable finally! That NEEDS to be worth some kind of medal. The damage system is nice and accurate, the hud is pretty decent though I think that some of the indicators need tweaks. The hangar hud is a bit clunky and crowded, but not unusable, a bit like how some websites need to lay off the side bars. The radar system is great and is pretty much World of Tanks' system without the invisible-tank nonsense. And to top it all off, even the customization system is very much something that translated straight from the old Battletech games, and in a good way.

    So why is the score so low?

    Well, while the mechanics are fine, they've been slapped onto a multiplayer system that is ten kinds of awful. First, the maps. The maps are downright dreadful. Most of them are urban maps, and to be very blunt, mechs aren't great for urban fighting, they specialize in mountains and small facilities--hell one of the best maps is one with high temperatures which make your mech overheat easier... and that's something that I should be raging about. And most of the non-urban maps have mountains too steep to climb, another big no-no for the mech series; you should have a few unscale-able mountains, but most should be just steep enough to be dangerously slow to assault mechs, but perfectly usable for scouts. Actually, a lot of the maps are kind of small to begin with, especially the already claustrophobic urban maps. On top of that, in the old games you were able to change your load-out depending on the map. Why? Because if it's cold or snowing you can go crazy with whatever you feel like, but if you're in deserts you should drop the heat-happy lasers and maybe even put heavier reactive armor on to repulse more common bullets. But here? Nnnooope. You're stuck with what you've got... which may be part of the reason for the heat-happy PPC's not being used now that I think about it.

    The monetizing is aggressively tight-fisted, worse than World of Tanks in a lot of ways actually. I don't mind monetizing custom gear or quick ways to get mechs, but make it so that in-game credits are actually viable, not something where you need to fight a hundred battles in one of the stock rentals just to get a scout mech. Actually, the 'rental' mech idea is pretty neat as a concept, but with the credits being so useless, it becomes taunting.

    And then there's the matchmaking. Sweet Jesus. In World of Tanks, the idea is that usually there's about the same number of tanks from certain tiers, or it's supposed to be balanced. Doesn't work, but whatever. Well not MWO. Here it's possible to have nothing but assault and heavy mechs on one side, and maybe two assault mechs and a support Catapult with a swarm of mediums and scouts on the other. It makes the game almost unplayably unfair.

    Also, why in Heaven's name can't I set my weapon groups in the hangar? It's annoying to be stuck with a new or modified mech at the beginning of a match and just sitting there regrouping everything.

    Beyond that, the graphics are CryEngine standard: good but hard on the computer. The animations are great, especially the start-up stuff. And there's some nice visual modifications to be had if you want to shell the money out.

    There is a wonderful mech game somewhere in here just begging to get out, but somehow it got buried under tedium, money grabbing, and horrid maps. Someone save Mechwarrior! Because these guys sure won't from the looks of things.    … Expand
  12. kelvincasing
    Jul 8, 2014
    5
    At its core, MWO provides some extremely fun mech on mech action. Be prepared for a steep learning curve, but the game looks slick and plays well. That said, there are some clunky in-game "balancing" quirks that no one fully understands (e.g. ghost heat).

    Unfortunately, that's as far as the game goes. The developers originally proposed a roadmap offering a wider meta-game, with mechs    At its core, MWO provides some extremely fun mech on mech action. Be prepared for a steep learning curve, but the game looks slick and plays well. That said, there are some clunky in-game "balancing" quirks that no one fully understands (e.g. ghost heat).

    Unfortunately, that's as far as the game goes. The developers originally proposed a roadmap offering a wider meta-game, with mechs battling it out for control of territory in a persistent universe. Many other features have seemingly fallen by the wayside as well. Currently, you can expect no in-game VoIP, no lobbies, no training, and no community warfare. It's just drop, shoot, rinse and repeat on a woefully small collection of maps. And it gets old fast.

    The game is F2P. However, if you do choose to spend, BEWARE. The game is ferociously overpriced for what it delivers if you buy into the packages. The latest Clan packs cost up to $500, or $55 for a single mech of your choosing. That's the price of a new AAA title for ONE mech, which you can only use in the same limited game and does little to change the core experience. Many fans have also been alienated by the fact that the developers have repeatedly failed to deliver on previous design promises and deadlines.

    Compared to today's in store retail titles, this entire game could never sell for more than £15 ($25). Unfortunately, the developers have clearly made the decision to focus on new "sellable" content, rather than content that would add to the overall game. Spending £15 on some new camo, or a couple of the unique "hero" mechs, is justifiable - but on no account spend more; there is simply no deeper game here to warrant it.

    The core of MWO is good fun, and it's sad that the developers have not built on this solid foundation to produce the compelling Mechwarrior game fans have been hoping for since Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries hit the shelves. A focus on making money, rather than a love of the franchise, seems to be at the crux of this. MWO pulls off the remarkable feat of being both completely free to play and horrendously overpriced at the same time.

    Bottom line: A fun mech shooter that's worth your time, but not your money.    … Expand
  13. McApple14
    Feb 15, 2014
    6
    Before I move into the review, I must state that these results are skewed when you take into consideration the following: This game was brought up without the use of advertising or significant marketing techniques, meaning its fan base is primarily hardcore Mechwarrior fans. Second, this game is entirely free and relies on donations, optional premium memberships and optional in gameBefore I move into the review, I must state that these results are skewed when you take into consideration the following: This game was brought up without the use of advertising or significant marketing techniques, meaning its fan base is primarily hardcore Mechwarrior fans. Second, this game is entirely free and relies on donations, optional premium memberships and optional in game purchases, so the funding for the development team is likely pretty low. Third, this game was designed using a game engine that does not play towards the strengths of Mechwarrior (I'm currently using Cryengine 3 in my current dev teams work, so I do understand some of the strengths it plays towards). Now on to my review.

    Graphics: 8/10
    If there is one thing that Cryengine does well, its graphics. While not entirely optimized for mid to lower level PC's, this game plays with a decent framerate. The maps are definitely designed to look the part, and from afar this game looks pretty good. The animations for the mechs and the mech models themselves actually look really good and grabbed my attention. All in all, the game LOOKS good.

    Sounds:
    I'm not going to give a rating for sounds and music mostly because there is not too much to go off of. What music does play, especially at the beginning of a round, really gets you pumped, but primarily sound is not really utilized in this game (unlike the single-player predecessors).

    Gameplay: 6/10
    The scheme of gameplay has a HUGE amount of great concepts. The weapons systems are done well and for the most part follow that of its predecessor. Weapon grouping is heavily utilized and done well (groups can even be changed in game on the fly) and does not detract from gameplay at all. Heating is done well, as was mech cooling, shutdown and system overrides. Aiming, firing, and basic weapons usage are where the game detracts a bit from its good concepts. This game caters towards the SKILLED PLAYER, or at least attempts to make you into one. For most players, these fire systems will be difficult to use as you must utilize an independently moving torso AS WELL AS independent arms (if you disable the lock in the menu). The current scheme is difficult to use with mouse and keyboard, and it can frustrate a large number of players because of the difficulty of using weapons. Mouse acceleration (at least in my experience) cannot be disabled in-game and has detracted somewhat from my gameplay. It is hard to describe entirely what makes this fire scheme so frustrating at times, but, for lack of any better descriptions, I would best describe it as "clunky" and "unpolished"

    Game Modes: 6/10
    Honestly, the game modes are done well, but there is not a lot making them different from other games. Quite average to say the least. One thing that threw a lot of players away from this game was the lack of a single player campaign, which, while certainly understandable, is what made a lot of Mechwarrior games shine. As for the multiplayer, they do a FANTASTIC job at forcing the players to work together. Lone wolves do not last long in this game, but the system is still unpolished. They enable VOIP, but the multiplayer system feels like it could be expanded upon. While it would be understandably difficult to do, I feel that the devs could learn a thing or two from Planetside 2 and how they forced cooperation. Unfortunately, they are designed with totally different game schemes, but nonetheless there are some aspects that could be learned.

    Miscellaneous (UI, Server reliability, etc): 5/10
    The first UI was crap. No other way of describing it. The second UI improved on the first, but also lost some of its better features (crap 2.0). While it is progress, it is still severely unpolished. You had no idea what the reliability of a server was going into it, and the game does not seem to entice players to continue working together after a single game. The number of purchases required to avoid grinding is annoying at times, but understandable. It would have been better for a cheaper premium (i.e. $5 monthly), but even better for a one time purchase up front. The premiums have an ENORMOUS advantage over the average players, and even more so if they are skilled, but that does not mean the average player isn't catered to. For both premium and normal players, the Mech lab is done incredibly well and realistically; it really makes the game feel like a Mechwarrior game. So yes, it has its ups and downs, but I feel that if this game were designed and tested in an alternate or more traditional fashion, that it probably would've done well.

    Overall: 6/10
    This is not a bad game. It just wasn't paid enough attention, both by the market and the devs. It could have been something good, but it still feels too much like a fan-made ripoff. I would still recommend taking a look. I think something good can be taken from this game.    … Expand
  14. Sivea
    Jan 13, 2014
    6
    As a Mechwarrior title, I expected this to be that game we have been waiting for. That game that would put the latest AAA titles to shame. As a free to play game, I didn't expect much. The sad truth is that I had gotten what I expected. Not much.

    The game is unique as its own. For a free to play title as well, it stands out among many other titles. It's refreshing to the genre, in    As a Mechwarrior title, I expected this to be that game we have been waiting for. That game that would put the latest AAA titles to shame. As a free to play game, I didn't expect much. The sad truth is that I had gotten what I expected. Not much.

    The game is unique as its own. For a free to play title as well, it stands out among many other titles. It's refreshing to the genre, in which I am very glad to see. The downside is how the game itself is executed. It's a basic Mechwarrior game. You have Mechs (that are based on the Battletech universe) kill each other in a mindless game mode, get money, the end. Fin. That's how the core game is. There are 3 games modes as of now, there were only 2 at launch. The launch was quite a shame to be. The 3 game modes are Assault, Conquest, and Skirmish. In assault, you kill the enemy team or capture their base, in Conquest, you kill the enemy team, or get 750 resources (in reality, there are just more bases), in skirmish, there are no bases; and that is all. The game modes aren't unique at all, and they can become very boring and repetitive at times.

    The gameplay is quite good, as said before, it's refreshing to the free to play category. Mech customization is nice but sometimes feels too restrictive. It's semi-tactical, not as I expected it to be (I wanted it to be as tactical and strategic as the Arma series but got a basic game instead). You have 4 different classes: Light, Medium, Heavy, and Assault. They have their different roles, but it almost feels like the current game always encourages one type of style. High Alpha, pin-point damage, LRMs or something else. A lot of the times you will find the same type of builds in almost every single match. No one has the creativity or skill to come up with their own unique and effective build. It seems as if there is only one build that works. Another gripe are modules. These act as perks and killstreak rewards from the modern Call of Duty franchise. You push a button to call in airstrike, you have your passive ability that scans for things. The game would feel much more balanced if these were removed so no one can have a benefit.

    The graphics are really nice, as they run off the Cryengine 3, however. The game has pretty bad performance issues. White Knights cannot run to their only reason for it being "beta" anymore. The only aspect that actually made the game "Beta" was the beta logo. That was literally the only thing making it beta. There are a lot of missing content from the game. Such as Community Warfare, which was planned long ago and was said that it was being developed when it actually wasn't. That is the biggest complaint of mine about the current game. The massive lack of any features.

    Matchmaking seems to be almost ruined. I am a PUG, yes a PUG which is for some reason ridiculed on the forums and is a reason why I don't want to talk to most people on them. As for the matches, most of them now feel like steam rolls. By steam rolls I mean, your team either wins fast and the enemy gets 4 kills or less; or you lose and your team gets 4 kills or less. They are never fun, they weren't like this before, I'm not sure how matches suddenly got like this.

    What bothers me the absolute most is that there is no progression system. The game can feel like a huge grind at times since your only real incentive is money (C-Bills). Apparently C-Bills were inflated before as PGI has actually decreased the income of everyone drastically. *A Warning For New Players* be careful not to spend any money for a while. The game does not encourage experimentation, it actually punishes you, so keep that in mind and spend your C-Bills wisely. Other than money, there are mech skills, which are more of a grind since they require a large amount of C-Bills to use on mechs. It feels like you're getting no where. You can have 100 Billion C-bills, and if you try to explore a variety of options, you will end up broke. It ends up becoming a huge turn off for new players who can be potential customers.

    There are a lack of basic features that make any game all the better such as in game voice chat, a real clan system, and a nice variety of maps and game modes. When basic features are added, I wish that PGI would consider community work for the game, it's always a good thing. The game is also very expensive, as they have $500, golden mechs that are somehow limited in quantity even though they are digital. I understand that it's free to play and that you don't have to buy anything. If they would lower the prices, they would sell more and make more money, a win win for everyone. As a F2P game, anyone can play, no one is obligated to pay, it was the devs choice for making the title F2P.

    It's definitely not the Mechwarrior game we have all been waiting for but it is a good free to play title worth checking out, just not good as a Mechwarrior title itself. Still worth checking out though.    … Expand
  15. filter41
    Dec 5, 2013
    6
    At its core MechWarrior Online (MWO) is a MMO-FPS and -TPS (you can change perspective at every moment of the match) with very big tactical and strategical component. This means, that high shooting-skills like reactions and awareness will pay off for sure, but also a deep understanding of reasonable mech loadouts (strategy) or right choice of useful combat zones (tactics) gives greatAt its core MechWarrior Online (MWO) is a MMO-FPS and -TPS (you can change perspective at every moment of the match) with very big tactical and strategical component. This means, that high shooting-skills like reactions and awareness will pay off for sure, but also a deep understanding of reasonable mech loadouts (strategy) or right choice of useful combat zones (tactics) gives great benefits. That point makes the biggest difference to its brother in mind: World of Tanks (WoT). MWO shares with this very popular game the FreeToPlay and Anti-PayToWin architecture.
    You can get into MWO with instant PvP combat on a trial mech together with 23 other players. The matchmaker tries to balance such a so called 12v12 PuG (randomly merged teams) for a close finish. You can also jump in a battle with a group of 4 (lance) or 12 (company) mates. In that case you will meet similar team structures on the other side. At the moment two game modes are provided: conquest (get resource points out of capturing bases) and assault (kill all opponents or get their base). Further modes are promised since months. But unfulfilled promises by the developer PGI would be another story...
    The first look and feel of MWO with a good performance PC is fancy, grounded on CryEnginge3. After some hours the lifeless and indestructible environment, multiple texture errors, not optimized effects or some breakdowns are a pain in your neck.
    The unique experience you can get in MWO is the high AND long learning curve, besides the official BattleTech IP. No matter where you veteran come from (WoT, BF, CoD, TF, etc.), there is a long way to go to become a good MechWarrior and this can be addictive. The complexity and interdependency of different weapon mechanics, mech classes, maps, teamwork opportunities, match-up situations and so on need hours of gaming and a high resistance against frustration. Even more because there are no introductions, tutorials or PvE-missions. As a reward for invested time you get a big stock of (necessary) equipment or access to special modules. They provide for example better sensors, visuals or movement and can not be bought with real money right at the start. You have to learn it the hard style, but spectator mode and the grown-up and international community helps significantly.

    MWO is a recommendation, if you played the previous games of the series with fun. Same for other Robo-Mechas-Tank-sims or -shooters as Heavy Gear, Steel Battalion, Front Mission Evolved, World of Tanks, Hawken and so on. Supporters of BattleTech in general, its table top game or other spin offs can take a look on it, but will have a rough start. At least it is the right choice for (semi-)competitive-PvP-gamers, which dislike the idea of respawn and appreciate substantial outcome from the needed combination of different skills and team play.
    Thus its hard difficulty MWO is NOT the right choice for newbies. Even more as the high priced, so called Hero-Mechs will not deliver any high value in challenge. They are just "bling-bling" chassis. So keep your money and save it for mech-bays or premium time, to minimize the grind.

    Summing all this up: 6 points out of 10 for me. And that means PGI sadly did not add strength or popularity to BattleTech or MechWarrior as a concept of SciFi yet. There are still some additions promised by PGI, but I would not bet on something substantial in the next months...    … Expand
  16. SupaChigga
    Nov 19, 2013
    6
    Single Player/Multi Player (1/2)

    (If the single player is better than the multiplayer, review this section as if it had no multplayer) (If the multiplayer is better than the multiplayer, review this section as if it had no single player) Gameplay (2/2) Visuals/Story (2/2) (If the visuals are better than the story, review this section as if it had no story) (If the story is    Single Player/Multi Player (1/2)

    (If the single player is better than the multiplayer, review this section as if it had no multplayer) (If the multiplayer is better than the multiplayer, review this section as if it had no single player)

    Gameplay (2/2)

    Visuals/Story (2/2)

    (If the visuals are better than the story, review this section as if it had no story) (If the story is better than the visuals, review this section as if the visuals didn’t matter)

    Accessibility/Longevity (1/2)

    (Review this section only on Accessibility if the game has no longevity) (Review this section only on longevity if the game isn’t accessible)

    Pricing (1/2)

    Wildcard (-1)

    This is a guideline for how to properly review games. Many reviewers like to get a “feel” for a game, and arbitrarily give a game a score that they believe it deserves. This results in wildly different scores between different reviewers, and vastly different scores between similar games. This guideline addresses these problems and scores games fairly and consistently. This guideline also gives scores that are usually similar to the metacritic score.

    The review score is based out of 10 points. There are no “half” or 0.5 increments. It is impossible to have a score above 10 or below 0. The review score will change as the game gets new dlc, drops in price, or if more secrets are found through the game increasing its appeal.

    The scoring is split into 6 sections. The first five sections can add a possible 2 points to the final score. The first 5 sections are Single Player/Multi Player, Gameplay, Visuals/Story, Accessibility/Longevity, and Pricing.

    Notice that 3 of these sections have two parts. These particular sections will be scored based on the stronger part of the game of the two. For example, if a game has a lousy single player campaign, but an excellent multiplayer component, that section will be based solely on the multiplayer as if the single player did not exist. This allows games to be based on their own merits, as many unnecessary features are shoehorned into video games by publishers to reach a “feature quota”. Games that excel in both areas of a section don’t receive should be noted in the written review, but cannot increase the score past 2 in that section. However, it can be taken into account in the final section

    The final section can add 1, add 0, or subtract 1 to the final score. This final section is the “wildcard” section. This section is for how the reviewer “feels” about the game, but limits this only to this section, rather than the entire 10 point review. This section can include any positive or negative point that was not covered in the previous 5 sections.    … Expand
  17. Trance
    Oct 24, 2013
    6
    It's fun. Sit around the computer at get drunk fun. But before that is a lot of time wasted and plenty of frustration to accommodate the experience to an average level at best.
  18. Kaizor
    Oct 24, 2013
    5
    I was very excited to try the game out, waited a night for it to download, and was sorely disappointed after playing a few matches. The game kept tossing me up against grizzled veterans, and squaddies who hated anybody who wasn't very good. I have to say, the community for this game is horrible when it comes to new players. I'm not saying it's a bad game, if you had friends or knew whatI was very excited to try the game out, waited a night for it to download, and was sorely disappointed after playing a few matches. The game kept tossing me up against grizzled veterans, and squaddies who hated anybody who wasn't very good. I have to say, the community for this game is horrible when it comes to new players. I'm not saying it's a bad game, if you had friends or knew what you were doing it'd probably be fun, the sounds are nice, the graphics are okay, but really none of that makes a difference when you're being murdered horribly.… Expand
  19. Idle_anon
    Oct 5, 2013
    6
    This game has its good points and bad points but it's also still under continuing development. It might be a while before we start seeing things such as the strategic element but they do have a roadmap and have given it much thought.
    I'd say this game is alright and has potential. Certainly worth checking in to see how it progresses but not something I would hold my breath over since the    This game has its good points and bad points but it's also still under continuing development. It might be a while before we start seeing things such as the strategic element but they do have a roadmap and have given it much thought.
    I'd say this game is alright and has potential. Certainly worth checking in to see how it progresses but not something I would hold my breath over since the progress is a touch on the slow side. Still, I enjoy it from time to time.    … Expand
  20. microcoma
    Oct 4, 2013
    7
    A fun and nostalgic game, but PGI made a huge mistake by bringing the game out of beta in the state that it's in. If they had waited until the release of UI 2.0, more game modes, and more polish, I believe the game would have been better at the official release, and subsequently, the reviews would have been better. The game needs a good bit of work to be great.
  21. ComradeWinston
    Oct 1, 2013
    5
    Boring.

    Where some games like Arma aren't action packed ADD experiences, they're still enjoyable. Mechwarrior is painfully uninspired and the customization system is too all over the place.
  22. Stackzonyou
    Sep 29, 2013
    6
    An adequate mech shooter marred by a polarised and toxic community, indifferent developers and what appears to be a main screen/menu that's comprised of 80% ads for overpriced in-game items.

    It is recommended that prospective players first approach the forums for information regarding C-Bill spending, as earnings after the initial cadet bonus are abruptly castrated not constructing the    An adequate mech shooter marred by a polarised and toxic community, indifferent developers and what appears to be a main screen/menu that's comprised of 80% ads for overpriced in-game items.

    It is recommended that prospective players first approach the forums for information regarding C-Bill spending, as earnings after the initial cadet bonus are abruptly castrated not constructing the first owned mech properly can make or break a new user's experience.

    If you're here purely for stompy-shooty, then this is your game. If you seek depth and the big vision of interplanetary mech warfare initially foisted on the wary long-time players by the dubious developers, look elsewhere.

    Teamspeak is a must.    … Expand
  23. Dexyt
    Sep 26, 2013
    7
    Mechwarrior Online is a decent game. The concept is solid and has potential, but at the moment there is not much content (and a lot of grinding to make up for it) and there is an inexcusable technical problem which makes small fast mechs unreasonably difficult to hit. Aside from this, the matches are fun. In organized groups, there is considerable depth to the gameplay as well.
  24. almeras
    Sep 26, 2013
    7
    UI (1.5) 4
    Gameplay 8
    Balance 8
    Graphics 9
    Replayability 9
    Progressing 7
    Chat 2
    ----------------
    6.7 from me. The core core is there they just need to add more game modes and a better UI which should be in soon
    Result 7
  25. Revenge
    Sep 25, 2013
    5
    A game of great potential, but persistently hampered by increasingly slow development times. There is a strong admitance that the game is not complete, but as it has been in beta for over two years, nobody should be holding their breath for the features that initially suckered us in to the game 2 years ago. I can certainly say that if Mechwarrior Online can sustain itself long enough toA game of great potential, but persistently hampered by increasingly slow development times. There is a strong admitance that the game is not complete, but as it has been in beta for over two years, nobody should be holding their breath for the features that initially suckered us in to the game 2 years ago. I can certainly say that if Mechwarrior Online can sustain itself long enough to truly full-fill its original design document, then it will be a great game to play, one worthy of proper competitive gaming. But I anticipate that this time is going to be at least another year or two, and it might not have hat long left to live.… Expand
  26. AntharPrime
    Sep 25, 2013
    7
    Mechanically and visually, MechWarrior Online is at it heart a 10 point rating game. However MWO is supposed to be a MMO but does not have any of the features that it should have as a launched title. It lacks in game VOIP and an overall immersive experience linking all the endless coliseum style matches.

    That being said, a majority of the negative reviews can be attributed to poor    Mechanically and visually, MechWarrior Online is at it heart a 10 point rating game. However MWO is supposed to be a MMO but does not have any of the features that it should have as a launched title. It lacks in game VOIP and an overall immersive experience linking all the endless coliseum style matches.

    That being said, a majority of the negative reviews can be attributed to poor community management at MWO. Other games have their detractors but have very little effect on the game reviews, in PGI's case with MWO, they are experiencing a backlash from their poor PR skills. As far back as Oct 2012 in closed beta, there were many vocal members pointing out all of the shortfalls which are being highlighted now by professional reviewers such as poor initial game experience and a longer grinding experience compared to other games. PGI unfortunately belittled them through posts on their forums, twitter, FB and in podcasts (yeah it wasn't just a one time careless comment) essentially telling them to off. While some of the negative reviews can be taken word for word, others are simply a vindictive backlash. There are plans to introduce a more immersive experience but no solid dates have been given.    … Expand
  27. bobthebomb
    Sep 25, 2013
    5
    This is mechwarrior so this is a good game !!

    But on the other hand we have no game room, no matchmaking, no way to balance different mech (no battle value, no tonnage), no visibility of your level (ELO, rating..) In itself the game is not bad, but the way we play it is terrible "Click the play button and hope you be in a good game". 30% of time you get pug stomped, 30% of time you    This is mechwarrior so this is a good game !!

    But on the other hand we have no game room, no matchmaking, no way to balance different mech (no battle value, no tonnage), no visibility of your level (ELO, rating..)

    In itself the game is not bad, but the way we play it is terrible "Click the play button and hope you be in a good game". 30% of time you get pug stomped, 30% of time you pug stomp, 30% of time you get a 900 tons vs 700 tons battles, 10% of time you get a good game.

    12vs12 game are terrible, and are forced, it's impossible to challenge an enemy lance to do a 4vs4 vs friend....heck we don't even have chatroom "Do you really want chat rooms?" ;)

    It's a good game but very far from completion, it's only alive because of the battletech fan base.    … Expand
  28. MRJayJ
    Sep 22, 2013
    7
    I have played since closed beta and the game is very fun and entertaining, but there has been a major lack of variation in game play and mechanics since closed beta. PGI has taken a big stance on giving the finger to some of their player base due to decisions made for the game (and i agree they are bad (3pv)). Other than that the game shows great promise just does not have a lot ofI have played since closed beta and the game is very fun and entertaining, but there has been a major lack of variation in game play and mechanics since closed beta. PGI has taken a big stance on giving the finger to some of their player base due to decisions made for the game (and i agree they are bad (3pv)). Other than that the game shows great promise just does not have a lot of variation or content to be worth paying money into it. Whenever Community warfare and some other key features are released this game should be well worth any monetary investment, but at its current state I would definitely take advantage, playing for free, the best mechwarrior game since mw3.… Expand
  29. CombatVolcano
    Sep 21, 2013
    5
    This review is impartial toward past-and-future. I don't care what was promised or what will be, only what is.

    I will rate those primary areas I feel are most important to average a final score and they are as follows; Learning Curve (approaching MWO as a newbie): (3/10) Let's start off with getting started: While MWO is not a difficult game by any means once a player can learn and    This review is impartial toward past-and-future. I don't care what was promised or what will be, only what is.

    I will rate those primary areas I feel are most important to average a final score and they are as follows;

    Learning Curve (approaching MWO as a newbie): (3/10)
    Let's start off with getting started: While MWO is not a difficult game by any means once a player can learn and map the controls to their liking, some very important options are not immediately obvious (such as the zoom feature, torso centering, leg centering) and some default options don't seem to make any sense whatsoever such as the 'hold button to move' being default instead of 'slider sets speed' which is a far more manageable mode.

    Critical to end-game success but not necessarily required for play is the mechlab. Those who are heavily familiar with Battletech will have little trouble understanding the basic principles however even these likely-also-computer-nerds will stumble around figuring out how to navigate at first. It is (perhaps by design) sometimes not immediately obvious which choices are best or even worse which choices cost real money and which cost in-game currency. Those who are unfamiliar with Battletech weapons and configurations will find that there is absolutely no build-in tutorial or tips whatsoever to guide them. While the development staff has done much better in recent months with providing tutorials and new player help, the in-game interface is absolutely devoid of information pertaining to how the game works. It is extremely common for a new player to go through their first 25 matches, earn the 'newbie bonus' credits, waste them all and then feel like they need to abandon their account for a new one to earn the newbie bonus over and do it right. Some of the best mechs (in general and also to get started with) cost the entire newbie bonus and then some. Much better would be to let you choose any mech you like once you complete the initial battery of newbie matches.

    Graphics: (7/10)
    While MWO does have modern graphics that in most cases are quite stunning the developers also have a very long way to go toward optimizing their engine. Often it seems that they will tack on new features that drastically reduce framerate without fully optimizing the engine, which leads to inconsistency between play sessions. With 8 GB of ram, 6 core processor and a Radeon HD 7970 on a fresh install of Win7 and the game on an SSD I was struggling to get a reliable 40 FPS out of the game on any settings level. While verbose, slow and sometimes even confusing (some of the screen shake effects are downright strange feeling) the graphics are very GOOD. Things look like they should and the game doesn't suffer from that that 'shrink wrapped in plastic" Crysis feel that plagues so many modern engines. Smoke and particle effects look very convincing and some weapons are downright pretty when fired.

    Control: (6/10)
    Ugh. They really should take an average of what people have configured for this game and change what the default options are. It can take quite a few matches to really understand how to set your controls up properly and how important doing so is. Some players never really seem to learn this at all which is really a stain on this game because this is the largest reason that players quit it simply is so very hard to understand what exactly is expected of you when piloting a mech though once you find a schema that works you shouldn't have a problem.

    Configuration aside, the controls do feel responsive once learned. I've never felt like the mech ignored my keypresses or that my mouse wasn't tracking correctly. The missile lock controls feel fair (if quite unforgiving) and leading properly will usually land you hits... but read on.

    Engine/Programming: (2/10)
    MWO in this regard is an absolute tragedy of Shakespearean proportions. Very frequently when firing certain types of weapons they will (seemingly randomly) appear to strike the target but return no red "confirmation" flash on the reticule or they will return that reticule but in both cases do no damage about half the time. Players often claim that light 'mechs have a "lag shield" that protects them from legitimate damage and this does actually appear to be the case. While certain measures (client side hit detection aka please hack our game) have been implemented for particular weapon types to compensate, nothing can change the fact that the hit detection in the underlying engine does not seem to be up to what they are asking of it.

    Taking damage also isn't very well explained. Supposedly your 'mech has as many internal hitpoints per location as it does armor points but this is not information that the developers seem willing to divulge. How the weapons and mechanics in the game actually function on a numbers level is gilded in dark obscurity and it makes one wonder if anyone on the developer staff actually has a clue what everything in the game is supposed to do.    … Expand
  30. Flavor-Country
    Sep 21, 2013
    6
    I love this game and play it near daily. I have for most of a year, since open beta began. I've learned to dislike the devs as promises made are not promises kept. 3pv specifically. Anemic content, horrid tutorials, broken hit boxes, bad netcode, cbill nerf, but...it's getting better. Someday we'll have a complete MechWarrior game. Someday just not now, not yet.
  31. Sabbath61
    Sep 21, 2013
    6
    Great potential, egregiously consummated. I'm not certain that the Devs are even concerned about the "big picture," rather financial interests in the short term.
  32. BillAnderson
    Sep 20, 2013
    7
    Would like to see more to it and the grouping function is clunky, otherwise I like it. Have only been playing it since July, however. I like where it's going.
  33. Lord_Banshee
    Sep 20, 2013
    5
    Slow-Paced gaming, piecemeal-destructible battlemechs are back. Worth a try, if only to understand why all these old guys love them so much.

    Mechs are cool, don't usually die in one shot like squishy soldiers, and can be sorely messed up but still functional. Wonderfully rendered by artist Flying Debris, they make awesome sounds with their weapons and when hit by effects. To some, the    Slow-Paced gaming, piecemeal-destructible battlemechs are back. Worth a try, if only to understand why all these old guys love them so much.

    Mechs are cool, don't usually die in one shot like squishy soldiers, and can be sorely messed up but still functional. Wonderfully rendered by artist Flying Debris, they make awesome sounds with their weapons and when hit by effects. To some, the pace of the gaming, like baseball, is a plus. If you find it too slow, hop in a Light Mech and double-time it.

    I got more value out of my $60 Founder's pack than I did with Skyrim or Starcraft2. However, getting that value is Fraught With Peril and best attempted with a masochistic streak or Asperger's or both.

    Allegedly there are over 1 million MWO accounts. Read before you download and have a chance to be one of the 2-4% of accounts that actually still play.

    1) Buddies!

    You'll enjoy the game more, and be able to use all of its drop modes, only after you meet others who play and drop into games with them. Solo players operate under multiple disadvantages:

    A) you'll never drop as a group, and can never play premade 12v12
    B) other groups will drop against you in a coordinated fashion, making it more likely that you face 2-1 or worse tactical engagements
    C) less likely to learn tips of gameplay, mech loadouts, or gain cbills/experience
    D) "win" a match is either kill all enemies or occupy the most bases. There are two similar flavors of base occupation. This is the way it has been since first day of closed beta, and there is no concrete assurance of expansion. You will face this realization alone, with no one to inspire you or challenge you.

    Dropping with others helps alleviate these conditions. Once the repetitive aspects of the game take hold, you show up more for your drop buddies than the "same-old, same-old" gameplay.

    Therefore, your first download should be TEAMSPEAK. Grab it, set it up, use it. Meet peops at the NGNG or ComStar TS servers. Find a group that mirrors your personality and gaming experience. Look for experienced helpful pilots while you conduct...

    2) the Learning Curve

    No one you met completely turned you off to this game? Good, now it's the game's turn to try that. Install MWO and ignore all attempts that this FtP game tries to remove your money from you.

    Pick a trial mech and then activate a Training session on a map of your choice.

    Get familiar with the options menu and assign keys as you see fit. Get used to third person view, then turn it off and enjoy the minimap.
    Get used to movement, targeting, firing, managing heat, then doing them all simultaneously.
    Learn the maps: what you can see, where you can/can't go, timings. Boring, I know, but less boring than spectator mode or the seat-sulk after a ragequit.

    3) the Constant is Change

    Being alpha/beta and unfinished, it'll change, early and often. Sometimes ridiculously so, as PGI can't balance weaponry to save our lives, and they don't ask the oldschool elite players for help.

    So, in the case of LRM missiles, we were treated to multiple waves of LRMageddon, where misses rained from the sky in wildly OP batches, only to be nerfed into oblivion. Rinse, repeat. Mech variants were not immune either.

    4) Promises, Promises

    Entice the old-schoolers who start the word-of-mouth for you and then change your mind for business reasons.

    This was to be first-person view, no coolant used, never pay-to-win, with a slick UI, new mechs/maps regularly, timeline-accurate, and all leading up to backing your favorite faction/merc corps/clan and live out Mike Stackpole novels during Community Warfare.

    Hated third-person view crept in under cover of darkness.
    Hated coolant was initially added with pay-to-win overtones until the hue and cry reached epic levels.
    Influx of new mechs gradually slowed, maps appear sporadically and some are environmental rehashes of existing maps.
    No lobby at all.
    Timeline was junked once it was obvious that the Dev team fell behind for good.
    Clan mechs and weapons? Dream on.
    UIv2.0 for Launch? Nope. You may look upon the clumsy current UI and frown, but I assure you it was worse in Closed Beta.
    Community Warfare? No guarantee this company will be alive to implement it, and I'm leery of what it will look like if they do. The Launch amounted to nothing more than a typical bimonthly update. No new concept was instantiated that hadn't been tried before. PGI in their Launch gave thousands of online gamer guys a glimpse of what it's like to be the hot girl who finally gets the stud of her dreams in bed, only to find he consistently cums in 3 seconds. Is MWO fun? Yes. Hard to learn? Can be. Boredom sooner than later? Yes. Is it the only MechWarrior genre game that will have future updates? Yes. Could be great and actually implement its vision? Maybe, 20% chance.    … Expand
  34. JoachVil
    Sep 20, 2013
    5
    Faction warfare nowhere in sight at launch (despite it being a "design pillar" from day 1). Small selection of maps, and very unimaginative game modes.

    Incredibly poor communication between devs and the community. Hostility from the company president towards fans who were critical of his design decisions...

    Give it a pass. it just isn't worth committing cash into at this stage.
  35. Aastarius
    Sep 20, 2013
    7
    Taken for what it is the game is a lot of fun and just officially taken out of beta the upcoming additions planned for the next few months look to be taking the game in a very good direction. Should they be implemented well then score will increase accordingly.

    Has to be said that new players will find their enjoyment of the game greatly enhanced simply by avoiding the games official    Taken for what it is the game is a lot of fun and just officially taken out of beta the upcoming additions planned for the next few months look to be taking the game in a very good direction. Should they be implemented well then score will increase accordingly.

    Has to be said that new players will find their enjoyment of the game greatly enhanced simply by avoiding the games official forums. Appears [some] people don't like the decisions made by the developer for the game and have decided no one else should either     … Expand
  36. polaco
    Sep 20, 2013
    7
    The game is really fun to play. However you have to know something about battlemechs. This is a thinking game where you can't just charge to battle as a brainlesss horse. You need to know your mech, it's abilities and flaws hence you won't last long in battle. You need to also know how to play your mech and where to stand in battle, an scout is not the same than heavy and a heavy hasThe game is really fun to play. However you have to know something about battlemechs. This is a thinking game where you can't just charge to battle as a brainlesss horse. You need to know your mech, it's abilities and flaws hence you won't last long in battle. You need to also know how to play your mech and where to stand in battle, an scout is not the same than heavy and a heavy has nothing to do with an assault Mech. Each has it's role in the battlefield and to survive it needs to be played as so. The game still has it's issues and lacks of many things. However it's very enjoyable and since matches last just some minutes you can jump into battle at any free space time you have, for instance to take a short break while working or studying. The game looks impressive and guns sounds impressive. Still is a game in development and I really wish the developers don't turn it into a brainless shooter for the masses.… Expand
  37. R_Razor
    Sep 19, 2013
    7
    The principle behind the game is sound, and the in-game combat is fun and exciting for the most part. The game needs more content, an in-game voip and more content. I'm confident that these issues will be addressed as the game matures but would not hesitate to recommend it as it stands now to anyone that grew up loving Battletech.
  38. Gremlich
    Sep 19, 2013
    6
    With all of the problems the crytek3 engine has given PGI which has resulted in all but invincible Light mechs, poor hit box detection, a poor excuse for a UAV, totally forgotten pillar of Role Warfare (scouts anyone?), the lack of knowledge of what Information Warfare actually is or "how to do it" (ECM), no CW yet, no Lobbies, no combined arms aspect, mis-sized mechs, out of canonWith all of the problems the crytek3 engine has given PGI which has resulted in all but invincible Light mechs, poor hit box detection, a poor excuse for a UAV, totally forgotten pillar of Role Warfare (scouts anyone?), the lack of knowledge of what Information Warfare actually is or "how to do it" (ECM), no CW yet, no Lobbies, no combined arms aspect, mis-sized mechs, out of canon timeline mechs (the ECM SDR-7Kr for instance as a SDR-5 model), two game modes that are kinda like each other, win requirements that state both are required but only satisfying one will net you the win, DX9 STILL (I know not everyone has a computer that can handle DX11), and the sloppy way they have implemented some features and the constant bi-weekly money grab related patches (seriously, no mechbay with a hero/champion mech purchase!!), I would be hard pressed to grant anything above 6. To give an 8 is mucho generous. Even a 7 would have to be seriously debated.

    Poor community interaction has also not helped PGI at all and their obvious contempt even for the ones who made every reasonable attempt to provide constructive and useful feedback and solutions during the Beta phase is shameful.

    I would rather PGI have stayed in 3025 and worked on the IS milieu and balance for a while and taking the time know the game engine better and to develop and balance the Clans with the more accomplished gamers in the community as betas before bringing the Clans into the game. I think the Clan implementation/balance issues have PGI by the short hairs in their attempt to make mucho dinero way too quickly. A zero to 2 or a 10 would be very misdirected scores obviously intended to cancel each other out. Despicable tactic be honest guys, not full of rage one way or the other.

    It's all about the Benjamins, Baby! Be smart about how you try to take it.    … Expand
  39. grrzoot
    Sep 19, 2013
    7
    I have had over a year of fun playing this game, i really don't understand how peoplewho have played that long, and still play, give bad reviews just because of unrest over a particular issue or feature.

    Is everything you want in a mech game in yet? NO specifically it is missing the following important features which would raise my score: No community warfare No Lobby/ U.I. update yet    I have had over a year of fun playing this game, i really don't understand how peoplewho have played that long, and still play, give bad reviews just because of unrest over a particular issue or feature.

    Is everything you want in a mech game in yet? NO specifically it is missing the following important features which would raise my score:
    No community warfare
    No Lobby/ U.I. update yet

    But darnit the game is Fun, the group dynamic in the 12v12 full drop ques is great and room for alot of strategy and tactics. I would call it backbone complete feature light at the moment. I honestly don't believe it was in shape for launch but with patches 2x per month and smaller and larger features coming nearly every patch it is off to a running start. I do beleive they should have waited for more features to be complete before they took off the beta tag, but i am still having fun, still enjoying the game, and there are so many mechs now that at the current rate you can play a new mech every week for a good long time.

    If you want more complete features, wait, but if you want to get a leg up on the competition come community warfare now is a good time to join in.    … Expand
  40. MrBlonde
    Sep 19, 2013
    5
    I am a hardcore BT fan, and have waited long for a game like this. I find the graphics to be excellent and gameplay to be pretty decent, there are issues but nothing not fixable. The downsides...numerous missed deadlines for content, namely Community Warfare, which should be the heart of the game. Also, the 3rd person view issue was badly mishandled, and the community was in my opinionI am a hardcore BT fan, and have waited long for a game like this. I find the graphics to be excellent and gameplay to be pretty decent, there are issues but nothing not fixable. The downsides...numerous missed deadlines for content, namely Community Warfare, which should be the heart of the game. Also, the 3rd person view issue was badly mishandled, and the community was in my opinion disrespected by the developers (that probably went both ways). Hopefully the addition of Community Warfare will cause former players to give it a second look. That should be priorities #1,2, and 3 for the developers until complete. It should have pushed all other new features (ahem...3rd person...) to the back burner until completed. Everything else is irrelevant without it, although still fun to play.… Expand
  41. ShadeZ
    Sep 19, 2013
    6
    I am not a founder but yet I still enjoy this game. I've been playing it for almost a year and there are lots of bad reviews written that is utterly untrue.

    The game is balanced and anybody says it otherwise should review what were they doing on the battlefield and with what mech because every mech in the game is designed differently with different roles. Don't tell me you were killed    I am not a founder but yet I still enjoy this game. I've been playing it for almost a year and there are lots of bad reviews written that is utterly untrue.

    The game is balanced and anybody says it otherwise should review what were they doing on the battlefield and with what mech because every mech in the game is designed differently with different roles. Don't tell me you were killed because you go 1v1 with a long range support against a melee brawler and then you say its not balanced. You must be some kind of special stupid to say that otherwise.

    Learn your mech and use trial and error to learn your mistakes and be a good pilot of your mech. I grinded my way to own 3 mechs for almost a year and I am still not done out fitting them with the proper equipment I planned to outfit it with. So don't complain that you've grind for a week or two and say its a cash whoring game because it is a typical cash whoring F2P game and get over it!

    The reason why I rate this game at 6 mainly because you really do have to grind countless hours of gameplay to get to where I am and along with various disappointments such as the absence of faction warfare. Overall it is still an enjoyable game.

    GLHF    … Expand
  42. StoneMason
    Sep 19, 2013
    5
    tl:dr Great game, terrible experience. Right now this is a f2p team deathmatch game with no greater meta or community features on the immediate horizon. The inconsistency of communication implies a serious divergence of goals between the developers and producers. You'll probably have a great time playing it but I wouldn't spend a single cent because you can't trust it'll feel the same intl:dr Great game, terrible experience. Right now this is a f2p team deathmatch game with no greater meta or community features on the immediate horizon. The inconsistency of communication implies a serious divergence of goals between the developers and producers. You'll probably have a great time playing it but I wouldn't spend a single cent because you can't trust it'll feel the same in six months, or be around at all.

    I'm a long time Mechwarrior/Battletech fan who has been captivated by the universe since Mechwarrior 2: Mercenaries. I've really enjoyed playing in the closed and open beta for MWO but the overall experience has been very conflicted.

    The Good: Imo this is the best interpretation of both Mechwarrior and the Battletech tabletop game we have ever seen. You might disagree with a choice here and there, but the art, animations, weapon and damage effects all work together to capture the punchy feel of Mech combat like never before. Despite some radical changes from patch to patch, the balance is good and each match feels relatively consistent. You can be confident that the developers making the game love the franchise and have a very coherent view of how the basic mechanics should work. I've played thousands of games and on balance, enjoyed them immensely.

    The Bad: Despite what the Founders program may have suggested, this title is not crowd funded. The developers are responsible to their producers and investors rather than the player base. Features are missing from the game that should have been in over a year ago and if we extrapolate the process, we probably won't see true mid or late game content for another year at least. The current maps and game modes are badly underdeveloped and basic community enablement systems like game lobbies and communication tools are non-existent. This in itself is not the issue, especially given the inexperience and the small size of the development team but it does point to some larger problems.

    The Ugly: Communications between the developers and the community have broken down badly in the last six months, with major backpedals on design decisions being very poorly managed. The flow of information between the developers and community is uneven and external sources, like the NGNG podcast and Twitter receive far more attention that the games frontpage or the forums. Recently highly restrictive moderation powers were updated and are being enforced, often developers will openly troll community members posting well thought out and reasoned responses. This is probably symptomatic of two things:

    1) The developers are brutally overworked, and have been for some time. They simply cannot be responsible for managing the communities expectations because they are so flat out and behind schedule. The recent 'Launch' trailer hosted by the official Mechwarrior youtube channel, is actually fan made and includes footage from over a year ago, also gameplay that is not planned to exist for at least two years.

    2) The investors are pushing to grow the game in a particular way and the producers are enforcing that vision, at the expense of both the developers and the community. Often we see certain Mech's released (at high cost) along with meta changes that make them very attractive, only to be superseded by others a few months down the line. This feels like a cashgrab because it is, especially given that any mech you buy might not work in a weeks time.    … Expand
  43. Dark_Awakening
    Sep 19, 2013
    7
    Expect a slightly flawed game which makes tremendous fun. It has solid core mechanics with lots of promised but not yet delivered content and a switch around developer who doesnt take his own promises that seriously.

    Nevertheless I've never invested that much time in a single game. If they can deliver more content, it will rock. 7/10 atm
  44. Donut64
    Sep 19, 2013
    7
    MechWarrior: Online, despite its derpy developers, over-controversial forum-base, incomplete state, and horrible sound effects is a fun stompy 'mech game.

    For an aged 'Mech game fan, MWO has a few new things. While all 'mechs in the game have a torso that rotates independently from the legs, all 'Mechs have arms that you may control independently. Weapons mounted on the arms have a    MechWarrior: Online, despite its derpy developers, over-controversial forum-base, incomplete state, and horrible sound effects is a fun stompy 'mech game.

    For an aged 'Mech game fan, MWO has a few new things. While all 'mechs in the game have a torso that rotates independently from the legs, all 'Mechs have arms that you may control independently. Weapons mounted on the arms have a separate crosshair. Depending on the 'Mechs arm actuators, sometimes you may have a full range of motion with the arms, other times you may be locked to vertical up/down traverse with the arms. With the wide variety of 'Mechs already in the game, this, along with weight class, is the most basic difference between them. Each 'mech also has a unique ****

    For how little MechWarrior Online tries to do in-game, it does more things right than it does wrong. Most of the issues you'll run into without browsing the forums is the games hit registration. This makes it difficult to hit light 'mechs, but, users who live near eastern Canada should expect to have a better ping making the game more playable.

    MWO's out-of-game "metagame" is not so bad. It is not nearly as "grindy" as games like World of Tanks or League of Legends. If you enjoy 'Mech games, you'll probably spend more time enjoying yourself than grinding through something you didn't necessarily want to. New players also enjoy a fat bonus to C-bills for a limited number of games; C-bills being the in-game currency. The C-bills a new player accrues over these 24-25 games amounts to enough to buy a 'Mech from any weight class in the game, be it a Light, Medium, Heavy or Assault 'mech.

    While the game does have an "experience" system in place, where more experienced pilots will have more efficient 'Mechs, XP is easy to come by and a few hours every day a week will have you become 100% competitive if you stick to one chassis.

    So what's so bad about MWO? Piranha Games, referred to as "PGI". Simply put, MWO's developers are really, really derpy. They don't seem to want to listen and please their fans which have supported them with a boatload of cash. This leads the forum-scene to be a dreadful one. If you're a new player and want the most out of MWO, don't visit the forums unless you specifically wish to view patch notes and join a unit (guild or clan). For that, view the front-page and go to the various "Factions" section of the forums.

    The graphics for MWO are also pretty sub-bar. While the BattleMechs are mostly correctly scaled relative to the environment, there are very little cues that get across, "Hey, I'm in a 20-ft tall, 70-ton walking tank of doom!". The game's sound effects are also some of the worst I have ever had to hear. What's worse is, you can't mod the sounds to something better. The developers also haven't made much use of their awesome fully-rendered ****

    For a player who becomes dedicated, you'll find that MWO's content is pretty thin, and the longer you play the more you'll realize that its going to stay relatively thin. There are a lot of "promises" on the horizon of great, fun new content, and there's even a pack of 5 new 'Mechs coming along in October.

    Another weak point is the interface. It's not the easiest to navigate, it doesn't explain a whole lot and it's a lot like World of Tanks... and we all know that WoT's interface is, well, bad.

    I'll close this review by saying you should definitely check out MWO whether or not you're a BattleTech fan. The game rewards close teamwork and trustworthy allies almost more than in MOBA games. And, with an average match time of 10 minutes, it's not too deep of an investment if your team isn't good.
    But, I'll also say that, if you want to become dedicated to a game and see it grow all according to a well-developed plan, MWO is not your game. Currently, it's little more than rock'em sock'em robots ultra-teamwork mode and it looks like it's going to stay that way.    … Expand
  45. Felix_Emlen
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    The art and visuals are exceptionally well done, though every patch now and then causes frame rates to drop. Terrain effects are not to the level of an A class launch title, but are generally decent.

    Game play is usually well orchestrated, though still prone to some balancing issues. Each patch has a tendency to resurrect old bugs, though their occurrences are fewer and farther    The art and visuals are exceptionally well done, though every patch now and then causes frame rates to drop. Terrain effects are not to the level of an A class launch title, but are generally decent.

    Game play is usually well orchestrated, though still prone to some balancing issues. Each patch has a tendency to resurrect old bugs, though their occurrences are fewer and farther between. Map variety is decent at the moment, though map balance needs some work in some cases. The grind required to adequately participate in the customization aspect (which many feel is central to the Battletech series of games) is a bit steep at the moment. Playing with friends can mitigate the harshness of the grind, but ultimately, the game is not new player friendly with respect to learning the game mechanics and reaching a basic level of competency both in player owned items and combat performance.

    Developer Community relations are 50/50 at best. Some dev's are very open and friendly with community feedback, other's are extremely defensive about their decisions and feedback on the forums.

    Overall the game is making steady improvements (though some areas are focused on more than others) each month at an ok pace for the size of the studio. The official "launch" of the game feels a bit arbitrary, as many feel that the foundation of mechs shooting other mechs with a moderate level of balance and variety isn't enough to qualify it as a "launch ready title". There is still a fairly large number of important features that have been advertised as part of the original launch experience that are still in development.

    Thus I rate this game at a 7; it has many good selling points, but also many issues that still need ironing out or developing. Could this game develop into an 8 or 9 later? Possibly, but this review was written at the time of "launch", and for the time being, the game has a long way to go before it reaches that standard.    … Expand
  46. TheCheese
    Sep 18, 2013
    5
    Positives:
    - Looks beautiful.
    - Captures the 'hulking war machine' feeling well. - 'Mechbay' customisation system gives players a lot of options for influencing how they want to play. - Free to play. Option to try it before you buy anything. - Not pay-to-win. Anything that's available for real money (or something that is functionally equivalent) is available for in-game currency.    Positives:
    - Looks beautiful.
    - Captures the 'hulking war machine' feeling well.
    - 'Mechbay' customisation system gives players a lot of options for influencing how they want to play.
    - Free to play. Option to try it before you buy anything.
    - Not pay-to-win. Anything that's available for real money (or something that is functionally equivalent) is available for in-game currency. Nothing that is real-money-only gives any distinct advantage.

    Negatives:
    - Lacks communication options appropriate for the game type. I.e, there is only text chat and a minimalist commander interface.
    - There are currently only two game types and matches tend to play out the same way. I.e, destroy the opposition.
    - Very limited social system.
    - No long-term goal. There is the in-combat game, but no greater objectives (think; PlanetSide 2's territory capture system)
    - Intermittent hit detection issues (shooting at your target and occasionally not registering a hit) can make for a frustrating experience.
    - New-player experience is rough. There is little in the way of instruction or explanation of how things work in-game. The first few matches will likely be spent in spectator view.

    Overview:
    In it's current state, MW:O has a strong base in it's in-combat gameplay and personal customisation options, however the game's replayability factor suffers from the lack of any long-term goal and the few game types available. Also, although the game is advertised as an MMO, the poor communication and social systems can make the game a lonely experience unless you turn to the community-run voice chat services.

    An important thing to note is that the game is free to play, so there's little to be lost by trying it out for yourself.    … Expand
  47. Erasus
    Sep 18, 2013
    5
    Hi there,

    I am playing the game since closed beta (yes i am a founder) and have roughly 5000 games under my belt. This is my honest opinion about MechWarrior: Online so far: Tech aspects: The Graphics seem to become worse and worse, graphics are sub par, given that this game is using the astonishing good looking Cryengine 3. The game is heavily CPU bound, because it still uses    Hi there,

    I am playing the game since closed beta (yes i am a founder) and have roughly 5000 games under my belt.

    This is my honest opinion about MechWarrior: Online so far:

    Tech aspects:

    The Graphics seem to become worse and worse, graphics are sub par, given that this game is using the astonishing good looking Cryengine 3.
    The game is heavily CPU bound, because it still uses the dated DirectX9 API.
    So if you have an "old" AMD 4 core Processor with 3,8ghz (like i have) and a top of the line graphics card (which should do the brunt of the computing), you will be able to play MWO only at medium graphics settings at HD resolution, with FPS breakdowns under the 25 FPS mark on heavy fights.
    This might change when PGI reintroduces DX11, but as of now they did not deliver and graphics and performance are mediocre at best.

    Netcode issues are plaguing the game since its closed beta days, which were fixed at one time, but then the game made a few steps back and that pretty much sums up the games current state.

    The mech models however are beautiful! From the art standpoint this game elevates the BattleTech franchise to a whole new level.
    For the most part the maps are very well done, too.

    Gameplay:
    Like any other Mechwarrior game, you are sitting in a giant robot and control the mech either via jostick, joypad or Keyboard/mouse.
    The movement pattern is that of tanks in recent tank games like world of tanks (thats a lot of tanks in one sentece!) and requires the unfamiliar getting used to.
    The newly introduced third person view helps with that.

    The gameplay itself is pretty straight forward and a lot of fun in the beginning: you pick your mech, drop in matches, and get experience and money for every game you finish. Of course, wins gain more money and xp as losses.
    With the money you then customize your mech to your likings and with the XP you incrase the efficiency of the mechs` systems.
    But it only carries the game that far. Your drop in, end the game upgrade your mech and repeat until your mech is tricked out, then you take another mech and do it all again, which is the whole meta game MWO currently has to offer.

    By now, the game was promised to have a meaningful metagame aka community warfare. But PGI did not deliver.
    The balance is not quite where it needs to be, but this is a rather moot point, given that even games out there that are almost a decade old struggle to accomplish a good balance.

    The price model of the current game is somewhere between solid and... "outlandish", to say it politely.
    For people that just want to accelerate XP earnings, PGi offers a reasonable price model, however, If you are a collector, this game will eat you alive, because the game itself is free to play, but in order to have everything, you will have to pay literally thousands of dollars. And the game is just out of Beta!

    The frequency in which the game is patched is solid, the patches, for the most part are not, fixing bugs and introducing other, more severe bugs is more or less the rule than the exception.

    The bottom line: This game is a solid game for casual drop ins, while offering no long term motivation

    The technological base is awesome, the implemetation of said base is lackluster at best.
    Prepare yourself that your gaming rig that runs Crysis 3 on VERY HIGH settings, to struggle with MWO on MEDIUM settings!

    Tis game is promising, but PGI has yet to deliver the key features of the game and up the performnce substantially to even be calles a really solid game that has reached GOLD status.
    At this point, this game is a good BETA game, but not a GOLD game .

    A lot could be said aboout the communication and service habits of PGI towards their customers, but i am here to review MWO, not PGI, right? So I leave it at this.    … Expand
  48. Shael
    Sep 18, 2013
    5
    I wont give this game a 0 score or a 10 score.

    Overall the game play as it currently is decent. The graphics are beautiful, the mech designs and artwork are amazing. There are unfortunately many major issues of this game: 1. Hit Registration is atrocious and PGI have been trying to fix this for over 6 months and still hasn’t been fixed. At times you can poor multiple shots onto a    I wont give this game a 0 score or a 10 score.

    Overall the game play as it currently is decent. The graphics are beautiful, the mech designs and artwork are amazing.

    There are unfortunately many major issues of this game:
    1. Hit Registration is atrocious and PGI have been trying to fix this for over 6 months and still hasn’t been fixed. At times you can poor multiple shots onto a mech and do minimal damage i.e. Ravens, Spiders or you can shoot at a mech aiming for an arm/ leg side torso and core out the mech stupidly fast i.e. Awesome’s, Dragons and then finally there are mechs that just wont die i.e. Zombie Centurion (its nicknamed the Zombie for a reason)
    2. The bi monthly patches release new mechs, fix bugs and "fine tune" the game play and mechanics.
    a. Unfortunately after each patch, more bugs show up, weapon balancing is at times hit and miss and can break a previous good weapon I.E. Gauss Rifle shot delay.
    3. "Ghost Heat" that has been implemented to stop the "high alpha" builds which has been poorly implemented,
    a. "cannon" mechs like the Hunchback HBK-4p which are designed to Boat Lasers or the Awesome AWS-88 which was designed to Boat PPC's cannot do so due to the Ghost Heat Penalty.
    4. Every patch there is another tweak to the weapons heat that can break a previously good mech configuration.
    a. Shooting delay on the Gauss Rifle is the latest “fix” that has in my opinion broken the weapon.

    GAMEPLAY:
    When it comes to game play, well it’s pretty damn boring now.
    1. It’s the same two game modes that have been available for almost a year i.e.
    a. “Team Death Match” or “Conquest which usually results in “Team Death match” anyway,.
    2. There is no Community Warfare or Role Warfare and while it has been stated information is forthcoming, many older players in the community have heard this too many times before.
    3. New maps get released but you cannot choose which map to play on and at times you can get the same map 10- 20 times in an evening with maybe a couple of different maps thrown in.

    For a new player running a trial mech coming into these sort of battles is going to leave a very sour taste in your mouth as you won’t survive for very long.
    • The only way to get anywhere in the Game is grind out the CBills to buy a semi decent mech and just keep grinding (if you can manage to do this as a PUG congratulations because it is very tough),
    • The alternative is to your fork out real money “MC” to buy a better mech or a hero Mech. This isn’t “Pay to win?”
    • Or join a organised unit so they can help you improve and help your survivability and win/loss ration

    Most games now degenerate into sniping battles and this meta has been prevalent for over 6 months in MWO (Why “ghost Heat” was introduced to attempt to combat this)
    • You will find the majority of the experienced players running almost exactly the same builds across different mech chassis as the weapon load out is the only way to win i.e.
    • 2 x PPC/ERPPC and Gauss rifle or
    • Triple UAC 5 mechs, or
    • DUAL AC20 Mechs.... you get the picture.

    The learning curve for new players is atrocious, the new movement tutorial barely even touches what a new player needs to learn to pilot a Mech effectively.
    There are no tutorials on Weapons, mech configuration customization as yet.

    Overall I do love this game and I want it to succeed but at this moment in time the game is not even “polished” in my opinion and does nothing to help the new players in learning the game and also does not provide any substance for the competitive players who need more that a “Big Stompy robot Shooter” .

    In closing the game is not a MechWarrior Simulation, there is no substance to the game currently and there are major technical issues with the game itself and in my opinion the development of the game.
    So I will be watching and waiting over the next three months to see if a lot of the current issues are fixed with DX11, UI2.0 and Community Warfare as it has been stated they should be released over the next three months but i don’t have any hope of this time frame being stuck too.

    Play and enjoy the game but don’t expect too much from it.    … Expand
  49. IAmVeranova
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    The game is still very young and still in full on development, but it's great fun to play on your own or (especially) with a team.
    Those who love mechs will love every minute of it, but some deeper features (Achievements, Leveling, Community Warface, varied game modes, and a large variety of maps) are yet to materialise.
    They are a small dev team so patience is important, and it's worth    The game is still very young and still in full on development, but it's great fun to play on your own or (especially) with a team.
    Those who love mechs will love every minute of it, but some deeper features (Achievements, Leveling, Community Warface, varied game modes, and a large variety of maps) are yet to materialise.
    They are a small dev team so patience is important, and it's worth checking in every now and again to see how the game develops.

    Overall I highly recommend it, but it will be a while until casual mech lovers will be glued to this game. However those dedicated mech lovers are already glued to it, as it's highly enjoyable, better balanced than any previous Mechwarrior title, and constantly evolving to something better.    … Expand
  50. BigBlue481
    Sep 18, 2013
    5
    No rational being can give this game an absolute top or absolute bottom score. That is the true problem, for all their effort PGI has turned out a mediocre game.
    As a “hardcore” MechWarrior player I will continue to play, mainly because it is the only game in town, and it is free to play. I was an early beta contributor, but I have become so disillusioned by the rationalized non- canon    No rational being can give this game an absolute top or absolute bottom score. That is the true problem, for all their effort PGI has turned out a mediocre game.
    As a “hardcore” MechWarrior player I will continue to play, mainly because it is the only game in town, and it is free to play. I was an early beta contributor, but I have become so disillusioned by the rationalized non- canon attitude that each tweak flip flops the game play.
    My intention is to continue in the ftp mode, but purchases will only be enough to keep this alive and certainly never anything large ever again.
    If something bright and shiny catches my interest; I will migrate to a new game.
    MechWarrior 2 Mercenaries and MechWarrior 3 remain the BattleTech computer game high water marks.    … Expand
  51. ZenDragon
    Sep 18, 2013
    6
    Positives:
    Visually the graphics are good, and the game does a decent job of bringing some of my favorite mechs to life.
    The game offers a FPS experience that is fast paced, and takes an enjoyable level of skill to do well. Compared to other FPS titles I have tried, I found this one extremely easy to get into. Meh: Technology I would like to see the game fully support multiple    Positives:
    Visually the graphics are good, and the game does a decent job of bringing some of my favorite mechs to life.

    The game offers a FPS experience that is fast paced, and takes an enjoyable level of skill to do well. Compared to other FPS titles I have tried, I found this one extremely easy to get into.

    Meh:
    Technology
    I would like to see the game fully support multiple monitors and SLI. The controls really need to be waay more configurable. The game has a problematic implementation of 3PV by default, in short it should prompt you to select which view you would prefer.

    Gameplay
    There is currently no metagame, in-game story, or honestly reason to be fighting to speak of, and a limited number of static battle grounds to play on. In short, the game play starts feeling redundant quickly. The game does have potential and hopefully it will start to be realized in the short term.    … Expand
  52. Pnakotic
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    Most of the reviews I'm reading aren't telling a new player anything useful about the game itself, so I'm submitting a revised review to capture things that might be useful for the uninitiated.

    MWO is a fun game. The 'mechs are beautiful reimaginings of classic Battletech designs, weapons types are varied, and the hardpoint customization system and chassis quirks system give each design    Most of the reviews I'm reading aren't telling a new player anything useful about the game itself, so I'm submitting a revised review to capture things that might be useful for the uninitiated.

    MWO is a fun game. The 'mechs are beautiful reimaginings of classic Battletech designs, weapons types are varied, and the hardpoint customization system and chassis quirks system give each design a unique piloting experience and customization options.

    Customization gives way to balance problems, and a lot of development time has been devoted to balance tweaking instead of introducing new content. As a result, some core features are not progressed as far as might be desired at this point. There are only two game modes at present, and no overarching metagame or lobby system. The lack of lobbies is ameliorated by a number of publicly run Teamspeak servers which provide a place for new players to group up with more experienced ones, and to socialize.

    On the topic of teamwork, it is OP, as should be the case in any team/squad tactics game. Charging out the gate blasting wildly is the surest and shortest route to a dirtnap, and "sticking together" and focusing fire with teammates is essential. Despite paucity of game modes, the flexibility of tactics, loadouts and chassis gives the game good replay value. I've been playing the Beta at a moderate level of activity for over a year now, and the game is still more consistently entertaining than anything else I've picked up in that time.

    Game pacing is good with matches now in 12v12 mode (formerly 8v8) time-to-kill is a bit too short IMO for new players, but the pacing of spotting, sniping, flanking and maneuvering leading up to a decisive engagement lends a satisfying layer of dramatic tension to the matches.

    Grind is... a matter of individual preference. The good and bad on MWO: new players get an incentive bonus for their first 25 matches which should allow them to purchase and customize their first mech within the first few hours of playing, but after that point, cash earnings drop off rather sharply. The reward system was reduced in the wake of 12v12 over fears that players would accumulate cash and XP too fast, but at the moment it's a bit too sluggish. C-Bills can be earned and spent on new 'mech chassis, on customizing owned chassis, and on purchasing "Modules" or consumables which grant bonus abilities. XP can be spent on purchasing "efficiencies" which improve 'mech performance, and on unlocking better modules and consumables. Without a metagame in place, there really isn't any high-level goal to grind for (if you're into that).

    The efficiency trees are the same for every 'mech, which limits role specialization and skill-tree development. The "Modules" are intended to supplement this, but the number available is limited, and some are obviously better choices regardless of your combat role. A revisiting of this system would make the game more interesting IMO, but it would set off another round of re-balancing.

    Back to the topic of balance, it is currently pretty decent. "Medium" chassis (40 tons 55 tons) are a bit weak, and the meta currently favors the heaviest chassis the most, as does the XP/C-Bill rewards systems that heavily weights high damage and number of kills.

    Certain design features are confusing and poorly explained firing large numbers of the same type of weapon together applies bonus heat penalties which can overheat your 'mech, shutting it down and causing engine damage. Steep slopes will slow down units crossing them (more of an issue for bigger mechs), and in some areas there are map bugs that can cause you to become hung up on what is appears to be flat land. Battlemech controls are also not well documented, though the new movement tutorial is pretty good.

    The forums (if you couldn't guess from the reviews here) are like a game of Dwarf Fortress gone bad everything is on fire, everyone is screaming and insane, the moderators are striking people down, and the nauseating maisma hangs over the entire mess. I wouldn't recommend visiting there except the Developers Corner, where you can get some insight into how some of the less-comprehensible gameplay features are designed.

    Monetization is good as F2P games go, there isn't anything you can buy for real money that will help you win more than what you can grind for (and very few things you can't get in an exact, or at least equivalent version). You can speed advancement with Premium XP/C-Bill bonuses and buying new 'mech chassis, and lots of customization trinkets like special paint jobs. Be careful, as its easy to blow money fast!

    I'd give MWO a higher rating, but it isn't ready for a Launch with no "Community Warfare" metagame, sparse "Role Warfare" and "Information Warfare" features, only two game modes, harsh learning curve, balance fixes that are counter-intuitive and poorly documented, and severe communication and public-relations issues between the developers and playerbase.    … Expand
  53. Calico01
    Sep 18, 2013
    6
    From a midaged, old time BT Fan with medium Income that has been playing for about 3 Months.

    Positive: - Overall Gameplay is Fun and has somewhat suceeded in catching the "Mechwarrior Feel" of previous Titles. - Decent Graphics: Not very good but not bad either. Less then what you would expect from a game running Cryengine 3, but most Online-Games tend do to the same to increase    From a midaged, old time BT Fan with medium Income that has been playing for about 3 Months.

    Positive:

    - Overall Gameplay is Fun and has somewhat suceeded in catching the "Mechwarrior Feel" of previous Titles.

    - Decent Graphics: Not very good but not bad either. Less then what you would expect from a game running Cryengine 3, but most Online-Games tend do to the same to increase performance on low end specs, so i guess it's ok.

    - Niche Game: The only "real" Mechwarrior/Battletech Game out there. If you loved BT or previous MW Titles, there is really no alternative ATM.

    - No Pay-to-Win: Although there are a few things that are borderline or maybe even a step over it, the overall feel is that your skills count a lot more then bought consumables or HeroMechs.

    Negative:

    - No Metagame: The by far biggest failure in IMHO. One Year Beta and still only 2 Gamemodes on less then a dozen Maps. It was promised that "Community Warfare" would fill this gap, but with launch we still miss any real infomations about this. This hurts longtime playability very much.
    Recent Income Nerfs reduce playability for active but low budget Players.

    - Bad communication from the Devs: PGI is lacking some fundamental skills in Communication. Explanations are usally rare and/or late. With some broken promises in between (which lead to the almost 300 negative reviews right now). Forums are a wasteland.

    - Bugs/other missing Conten/Balancet: Most features that could have improved Gameplay have been delayed and are still not implemented (UI 2.00 for one). There are still issues with Hit Detection, frequent Disconnects and a lot of smaller Bugs. Balance is ever changing, with sometimes overly complicated changes. Annoying, but mostly not game breaking.

    - New Player experience: The Ingame Tutorial only features very basic movement. Forum Threads are poorly maintened and often have very outdated Data. Some crucial things arent even explained ingame, like the famous Ghost Heat. People who dont read the Forums/Patchnotes very regularly are at a disadvantage.

    Fazit:

    If you love the BT Franchise, give it a try. If you like to shoot People but are annoyed from the usual arcade style shooters and want to try something with a bit more "simulation" feel, this could still be a game for you. Despite all its drawbacks the fact remains that the overall Gameplay is fun and it doesnt feel like a Pay-to-Win.
    Still, this Game is far away from beeing a AAA Game and there is no hiding in the fact that PGI are a small and inexperienced studio that still have a lot to learn.    … Expand
  54. DPACK
    Sep 18, 2013
    5
    I'm bad at leading into things, so here we go:

    Actual Gameplay: 9/10: FANTASTIC! Mech combat is epic and very fun and designing mechs is immensely satisfying. The first time you build a mech and break 1000 damage testing the build... The feeling can't be easily described, but I can tell you it's good. The number of matches I've walked away from with my pulse pounding in my ears and my    I'm bad at leading into things, so here we go:

    Actual Gameplay: 9/10: FANTASTIC! Mech combat is epic and very fun and designing mechs is immensely satisfying. The first time you build a mech and break 1000 damage testing the build... The feeling can't be easily described, but I can tell you it's good. The number of matches I've walked away from with my pulse pounding in my ears and my whole body shaking with adrenaline... This bit is really good.

    Mechlab UI: 4/10: UI seems unfinished for a launched product. The Mechbays at the bottom can't be sorted so if you have more than 10-20 mechs and you like to switch around a lot it's really a pain to keep scrolling. Devs advised this would be corrected in UI 2.0 which has been pushed back enough times to miss launch. Bottom line, it's ok for a beta, but launch should have a more robust UI.

    Free to Playness: 8/10 Game feels greedy like more F2P products, but my $340 has been enough to keep me in premium time, hero mechs, founder pack, project phoenix. It's a little harder to look at, but I'm an accountant, when I got to that much cash I compared it to a standard mmo with a 60$ purchase price and a 30$ expansion with $15/month sub and I was within 5 bucks. Also, you can't get anything that impacts gameplay with cash that you can't get with c-bills. Single mech prices still feel a bit high, but with packs like project phoneix 12 mechs+mechbays+90 days of premium time+in pretty things $80. Bundles feel like a good deal, single mechs are a little steep.

    IGP/PGI: 2/10: I really dislike how the developers treat the playerbase and how dishonest they are. When I payed in my founders cash the devs were singing the praises of the core MW community. First person only, no coolant flush, no pay to win. Along the way it was the dishonesty around these 3 components that caused me to lose faith in this developer. The first issue was when consumables came out. The cash version was better than the c-bill version. They weren't equal after being told that everything game changing was c-bill and cash accessible. The community slapped em and they apologized and fixed it. Coolant flush is one of those modules, again, something that they stated would never be in the game in the game. Then they had a 3rd person view issue. They announced it and the community rejected it. So they told us we'd never have to use or play with others using 3PV. Then they added 3PV, but required everyone to drop into a mixed queue where anyone can switch from 1st to 3rd at any time. Then they posted that any opposing opinion was part of a 'vocal minority'. What I'm trying to illustrate is that I'm not a fan of the developers because they won't communicate with the players on anything because when they do communicate they lie to us. To be exceptionally clear. I do not care about consumables, 3PV, or coolant flush. But I do care when someone acts contrary to what they've said while asking for and accepting my money. (My apologies this section is longer. I wanted to shed some light into why the playerbase is upset in as objective a way I could within a subjective review)

    Nerf/Buff Cycle: Things get buffed(increased in utility), then they're OP(Overpowered), then they get nerfed(reduced in utility), well now they're UP(underpowered) and need a buff again. To see what happens next, reread the first sentence. This cycle is an oscillation that seems to be reducing in magnitude, but is still something to know about.

    Metagame: 0/10: The game isn't finished yet but they hit the launch date so they removed the beta tag. Community warfare was to be the main pull for competitive players. This content was supposed to be coming out shortly after open beta, then sometime in open beta, then just before the end of beta, then just after launch. As of right now the matchmaker is random, to play a match with a specific group you jump into teamspeak, have someone count down and try to launch at the same time and hope luck matches you up. There's nothing to do but drop 12 people against another 12 people over and over.

    TL:DR; If you like skillful fighting, try it. F4 is the key to switch between 1st and 3rd person. If doing business with a developer that has difficulty communicating with players and will outright lie to your face isn't something you think sounds like fun, you may want to look elsewhere. (Also posting under an Alias to avoid being banned for giving an honest review.)

    On the plus side the game itself is good and gathered up a lot more cash than expected so even if MWO flops there's a strong chance the IP won't lie dormant for another decade.    … Expand
  55. GholaX
    Sep 18, 2013
    6
    The game is fun to play, once you get the hang of it. Something to watch out for :
    * You cannot edit the loadout of a starter Mech, you have to buy one to do that
    * The purchase and configuration processes are convoluted, but are supposed to be fixed in UI2.0 * you make a lot of money up front as a new player for the first 25 matches, after that you grind for every CBILL. Buy a Mech you    The game is fun to play, once you get the hang of it. Something to watch out for :
    * You cannot edit the loadout of a starter Mech, you have to buy one to do that
    * The purchase and configuration processes are convoluted, but are supposed to be fixed in UI2.0
    * you make a lot of money up front as a new player for the first 25 matches, after that you grind for every CBILL. Buy a Mech you like, because you will be playing it alot to buy equipment and/or the next one.

    The Developers chose to launch the game without many key features, such as the meta game (the point of playing, beyond blowing things up) or the updated UI. Why this is, only they know. Communication with the Devs is spotty at best, as I am sure other reviewers have espoused profusely.

    If they game had the major gameplay features that really make the game, then I would have given a higher score. Today, they are not there, despite being overdue by a year, and so I leave you with this: The game is fun to play, but it has its problems, replayability being a major one. It just gets stale after a while. Despite that, I can't put it down.    … Expand
  56. Shibas
    Sep 18, 2013
    6
    Good: The game looks great, sounds great and is fun to play. Mech customization (and current balance) offers enough variety to have multiple builds on a chassis work well. The skins and colors for visual aesthetics look great and add a nice personalized touch to each mech. The maps look amazing, though some blander than others, but give a nice feel for fighting in variousGood: The game looks great, sounds great and is fun to play. Mech customization (and current balance) offers enough variety to have multiple builds on a chassis work well. The skins and colors for visual aesthetics look great and add a nice personalized touch to each mech. The maps look amazing, though some blander than others, but give a nice feel for fighting in various climate/locations. The game does a good job giving money to new players so that after about 20-25 games (about 2-3 hours of playing) you have enough to buy any mech (or a few cheaper ones) and work on customizing them.

    Bad: The game only offers a handful of maps and some are low on the rotations, so you tend to get 1-2 of the same maps over and over while others you don't get hardly at all. The game also does a very poor job in letting players know any information about playing the game. They give a mediocre tutorial on movement/shooting and they don't really give you the hot key information for all the things you can do in game (open missile bay doors, change 1st/3rd person view, grouping weapons, chain/link firing weapons, show map...etc). You have to go to the options to figure most of that out and turn off ones they preset for you. The match maker can be very poor at doing it's job; making 1 sided match ups or having a tonnage disparity of upwards to 200+ tons. You currently only have 3 options to play the game, solo, with a group of 4 or with a group of 12. If you have 5-11 people, you're not playing together. As well, currently there are only 2 match styles, conquest and assault (capture points or kill mechs and capture base or kill mechs, respectively).

    Ugly: The game has been plagued with developer problems and constant lack of information. The 2 big things mentioned, U.I. 2.0 and community warfare have been worked on and promised for a long time with very little information about either coming out. Constant date changes and push back of content have left most people disheartened and spiteful. The implementation of their new heat scale (dubbed "ghost heat" by the community) is a mechanic created to curb certain builds and limit customization on top of their hardpoint system for weapons. Outside of the addtional limitation, they don't mention it anywhere in the game itself and so anyone starting to play won't realize why they overheat so fast firing 3 large lasers or why 1 ac/20 goes up little heat but 2 fills up half the bar.

    Redemption: PGI has been consistently putting out patches ever 2 weeks with content.; At least 1 new mech chassis (with variants) a month for a while. They have had the occasional weekend tournaments to get people playing to win C-bills (in game cash), MC to game money) and items as rewards. There are plenty of things to buy with MC and there are sales going on from time to time on hero mechs, skins and colors. Constant sales make sure you don't have to wait long to get something cheap for your money. Finally, after an incident with doing consumable modules, the game seems to be keeping on track of having a no pay to win attitude, which is nice for this game. Instead it's more of a pay for convenience or pay to not grind for those feeling it's a grind to play the game.

    All in all, the game is fun to play. Ignoring the dev problems or past issues and just downloading it and playing for a while, it's a decent game. If community warfare and UI 2.0 manage to come out and works well enough, it could be a good game.    … Expand
  57. 3ffigy
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    As a mech simulator this game is a lot of fun to play, and I typically play at least a few matches a couple nights a week. That said, the game still isn't feature complete. The user interface was slated to be revamped to include many improvements that won't see the light of day until more than a month after the official release and has been used by the development team as a constant excuseAs a mech simulator this game is a lot of fun to play, and I typically play at least a few matches a couple nights a week. That said, the game still isn't feature complete. The user interface was slated to be revamped to include many improvements that won't see the light of day until more than a month after the official release and has been used by the development team as a constant excuse as to why other core features can't be implemented. Fair enough, these things take time, but I feel release should have waited until they had finished implementing a proper user interface as well as new player tutorials, which to this date only cover basic movement and are at best alpha quality.

    The main draw to the game for me was the promise of community warfare, a system that would extend the game beyond 10-15 minute battles into a more strategic realm of play. This also would bring with it the ability to have in-game player organizations, better chat functionality, a pre-match lobby system, private matches, and many of the social and metagame features players of other games take for granted.

    Without these core features the game to me is incomplete, and maintaining the interest of friends beyond a couple weeks after first playing has been a constant challenge. Right now you have to approach the game as a work in progress and come into things even at this stage with a large helping of patience and awareness that it is a game with a limited, but still very fun scope of play. My rating reflects my enjoyment of the game in its current state, with a small dose of knowing good things are likely to come over the course the following year.    … Expand
  58. Yassum
    Sep 18, 2013
    6
    The game is far from finished, the development is glacial at best. I am a founder and played from closed beta to now (on and off). The features creep in too slowly to keep it truly interesting for long. 2 Game modes which most of the time end up in team deathmatch, only 6 maps if you don't count the night versions of them. The developers also lied at least 2 times to the community, whichThe game is far from finished, the development is glacial at best. I am a founder and played from closed beta to now (on and off). The features creep in too slowly to keep it truly interesting for long. 2 Game modes which most of the time end up in team deathmatch, only 6 maps if you don't count the night versions of them. The developers also lied at least 2 times to the community, which is a shame. The game is not so beautiful even with a powerful computer.
    The gameplay is fun for a while, but quite basic. Some weapons are useless and there are a lot of undocumented mechanics, which will prevent newbies to be effective.
    It's lackluster, but fun for a while. I much preferred Tribes Ascend.    … Expand
  59. Propofol
    Sep 18, 2013
    5
    Long time fan of tabletop Battletech, Battletech MU**'s and Mechwarrior series of PC games. Would gladly pour money into this game if there was some sense of purpose to it. The game itself is beautiful (and I don't have a high end PC) and you get the sense that you really are piloting one of those mechs. But it can get old quickly and I find myself having more fun playing Minecraft. ILong time fan of tabletop Battletech, Battletech MU**'s and Mechwarrior series of PC games. Would gladly pour money into this game if there was some sense of purpose to it. The game itself is beautiful (and I don't have a high end PC) and you get the sense that you really are piloting one of those mechs. But it can get old quickly and I find myself having more fun playing Minecraft. I really want to like this game....I really do....Heck I'd even pay a monthly sub if I felt it were worth it.....… Expand
  60. tuffy963
    Sep 18, 2013
    6
    The Good: Great experience "piloting" the mechs (giant robots). A visually compelling game! A clear skill set needed to pilot the mechs, hit your target, and position your mechs for maximum effect.

    The Bad: No overarching sense of progression, Meta-game is somewhere between non-existent and muddled beyond recognition. Stagnate, repetitive game play (Disclaimer: It kept me interested    The Good: Great experience "piloting" the mechs (giant robots). A visually compelling game! A clear skill set needed to pilot the mechs, hit your target, and position your mechs for maximum effect.

    The Bad: No overarching sense of progression, Meta-game is somewhere between non-existent and muddled beyond recognition. Stagnate, repetitive game play (Disclaimer: It kept me interested for about two months, but that is short for an MMO, IMO). Very little social features (No outfits, no LFG, Friend list is simplistic)

    Summary: Be prepared to spend some time learning to pilot. Enjoy the stunning visual combats. Don't look for too much meaning as to why you are stomping around in the robot in the first place. You will need to make friends using guild websites and public TS servers, etc.    … Expand
  61. Livewyr7
    Sep 18, 2013
    6
    Graphics: 9/10 (It is very pretty)
    Gameplay depth: 6/10 (In actual organized matches; it's good. In Random matches.. no organization: Also, no real incentive for anything but direct engagement, favoring heavier fighting machines.)
    Balance: 9/10 (No current egregious balance issues.) Developer relationship with community: 2/10 (A consistent disconnect with their own forums and having    Graphics: 9/10 (It is very pretty)
    Gameplay depth: 6/10 (In actual organized matches; it's good. In Random matches.. no organization: Also, no real incentive for anything but direct engagement, favoring heavier fighting machines.)
    Balance: 9/10 (No current egregious balance issues.)
    Developer relationship with community: 2/10 (A consistent disconnect with their own forums and having to check Twitter, Reddit, and Facebook for the up-to-date information.)
    New user experience: 5/10 (Dismal New user experience right now, the complex moving and fighting system is a learning cliff, however there is a tutorial out now, and more to come, to help out the new players.)
    Metagame: 2/10 (It really deserves a zero right now due to being non-existent at the moment, however it *is* coming, so since I know it's coming, but I don't know when, or in what form- it gets a two.)

    Game has a heck of a lot of potential in the form of meta-game to come, but core gameplay is now stable overall and within the confines of what you're playing, it's engaging. The developer needs to connect more with the community and actually engage in dialogue rather than "this is why you're wrong" scenarios.

    5.5/10 (and since that is even between 5 and 6.. I'll go with 6/10 to show a little hope...)    … Expand
  62. yiffy99
    Sep 18, 2013
    6
    Review from Mizarpanzer

    This game plenty of upsides. There is a lot of interesting things, such as customizing mech loadout and test them in combat, which can keep you hooked to the game for hours. The combat is exciting, the visual effect is top-notch (although you need a decent computer), and the amount of tactics and teamwork involved to win a game is high. The game also have    Review from Mizarpanzer

    This game plenty of upsides. There is a lot of interesting things, such as customizing mech loadout and test them in combat, which can keep you hooked to the game for hours. The combat is exciting, the visual effect is top-notch (although you need a decent computer), and the amount of tactics and teamwork involved to win a game is high.

    The game also have plenty of downsides. First of all, the game desperately needs a lot of features to be completed. It need a detailed tutorial on control and weapon systems. There is also no lobby system, the social interaction in-game is lacking. The developers have indicated that they are working on a revamped UI and a 'community war' system that allows players to fight for planet control. But it has been 'in production' for a very long time without actual tangible update from the developers.

    And finally, speaking of the developers, their communication with both the playerbase, and amongst themselves, are questionable at best. They have made a lot of pledges which they failed to keep (which is why you see a number of disgruntled rant here). Sometimes they do not seem to know what is going on on the other end of their building (search for Russ' apology). It does give out the feeling that they are dragging the game back and the game is not realising its full potential, well, not yet anyway.

    Conclusion: This game is worth a try if you likes some shooting with stompy robots. However, I strongly recommend not spending any real money until the developer is able to polish the game and roll out the big features such as the eagerly anticipated (for over a year) community warfare.    … Expand
  63. Grendalsh
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    I bought into Founder's Beta, and bought the Phoenix bundle. So far, I feel I've gotten my money's worth. A highly tactical, multi-layered stompy mech combat that moves at giant chunks of metal pacing, not manga twitch speeds. Given that this is a F2P game from a smaller dev house, I've been impressed with what they've brought to the table, and look forward to the fulfillment of all theI bought into Founder's Beta, and bought the Phoenix bundle. So far, I feel I've gotten my money's worth. A highly tactical, multi-layered stompy mech combat that moves at giant chunks of metal pacing, not manga twitch speeds. Given that this is a F2P game from a smaller dev house, I've been impressed with what they've brought to the table, and look forward to the fulfillment of all the features planned for the game, especially the Community Warfare metagame (docked one point for this alone). The Official Launch was a bit soft, not really adding anything that wasn't in Beta. But the game is a solid play for BattleTech/Mechwarrior fans, and it'll only get better.… Expand
  64. MustrumRiduclly
    Sep 18, 2013
    5
    Mechwarrior Online is the newest title in the series of Mechwarrior games. It is a Free To Play Game. Unlike its predecssors, it is a pure online PvP game. There is no campaign or story node and no Player vs Enemey combats.
    As a mechwarrior game, it is based on the Battletech Table Top game and as a mechwarrior title, it puts you in the position of the pilot of a mighty, heavily armed and    Mechwarrior Online is the newest title in the series of Mechwarrior games. It is a Free To Play Game. Unlike its predecssors, it is a pure online PvP game. There is no campaign or story node and no Player vs Enemey combats.
    As a mechwarrior game, it is based on the Battletech Table Top game and as a mechwarrior title, it puts you in the position of the pilot of a mighty, heavily armed and armoured war machine fighting together with 11 team mates against 12 others. In the Mechwarrior business, we like to call this "Big Stompy Robot Fights".

    = Gameplay =
    The gameplay is a mix of an FPS (now also with 3PV camera drone mode) and (walking) tank simulator. The controls are on the more complex side of things. You can twist your torso (similar to a tank's turret) seperately from your legs, and you can also move your arms seperately. Mechs consist of multiple hit locations (like Center Torso, Left Rear Torso, Right Arm etc) with seperate hit points for each location, and each location containing items that will be lost if the hit location is destroyed. The mechs are customizable to some extent in their weapon loadout, armor distrubtion, engine and other equipment, and each mech comes in multiple variants with slight diffferentiation in model or possible loadouts.
    You queue up for a match alone or with friends, and the match-maker tries to pit two equally strong 12 man teams against each other on a randomly selected map and with a randomly selected game mode.
    There is currently no lobby feature, though there is one announced for the future.

    = Character Advancement =
    For each match you pla you earn C-Bills and XP depending on your performance (kills, assists, spotting, win/loss). You spend C-Bills to buy mechs, weapons or other equipment, and you can use XP to unlock mech efficiencies (passive buffs to mech stats, like torso twist range or maximum heat threshold before shutdown) and modules (slottable buffs or even active abilities). You start the game only with access to trial mechs, which cannot be customized. You earn bonus C-Bills for the first 25 matches so you can afford your own mech soon.
    Overall, the advancement is relatively slow and shallow. The mech efficiencies are the same for every mech, there is only a small number of modules, and if you want to gain all mech efficiencies for a mech, you also have to buy variants of the same mech.

    = Long Term Motivation and Metagame =
    When the title was announced, community warfare was intended to act as metagame and provide long-term motivation. Community Warfare means you fight for a faction (be it as part of it, as a merc corp, or as a lone wolf) and gain or lose territory for that faction, and earn loyality.
    This feature is not implemented yet, so currently, there is very little long term motivations or metagame.
    Without any lobbies, there is no easy way to organize player-run tournaments or leagues, though that hasn't stopped players from trying.

    = Game Balance =
    Being a PvP only title, balance becomes a naturally important topic to players. Without game balance, the many mech build choices are quickly narrowed down to the few good options, and the overall enjoyment drops due to lack of variety and surprises. Be warned that this is one of my "favorite" topics and I might be the least subjective here.
    The game balance is still not in a good state.
    Some of the problems arose from underlying systems.
    The heat system (a core component of any Battletech derived game) effectively makes balancing weapon stats much more difficult. The stats for weapons come basically from a game that worked very differently, and so it just won't fit together well. Mech armor values are derived from the table top game, too, ignoring that there is a big difference between randomly rolled hit locaitons and mouse-aimed hit locations (with all FPS typically conceits added in).
    There are also technical issues that affect game balance, like the hit detection still not being reliable (sometimes dependent on mech models) and imbalanced hit box sizes.
    Personally I am having the impression (impression fact) that the development team is not prepared to analyize their own game design well enough, and are also a bit unwilling to accept critique or change certain systems due to their own emotional investment in them. (As I said, this part will be very subjective. Make up your own mind, if you're interested enough in the game.)

    = Advice =
    If you like stompy robot fights, or a battletech fan, check the game out. But the current game is not really worthy a released title, lacking too many features and still having too many shortcomings. There have been many delays and changes of stated goals (some might speak of broken promises and lies).
    I'd carefully consider spending any money on the game in its current state.
    Rating is 5/10. It might improve with future features, depending on their quality. (+1.5 for Community Warfare, +1.5 for Balance, +1 for game modes and +1 for advancement)    … Expand
  65. KravenKor
    Sep 18, 2013
    5
    What you see going on here is a war between those who support PGI giving 10 ratings to counteract those who hate PGI who are giving low, low, low ratings.

    There are accusations here of forum censorship: I am Kraven Kor on the forums, they have yet to ban me or put me on moderation preview, and I have little positive to say. The truth is: MWO is a good, but not great, robot shooter.    What you see going on here is a war between those who support PGI giving 10 ratings to counteract those who hate PGI who are giving low, low, low ratings.

    There are accusations here of forum censorship: I am Kraven Kor on the forums, they have yet to ban me or put me on moderation preview, and I have little positive to say.

    The truth is: MWO is a good, but not great, robot shooter. The major uproar here and everywhere is all about PGI making big promises early on, which they failed to deliver on, and then the fiasco that was the introduction of the Third Person View feature where they directly went back on their previous promises of 1PV-only players never being forced to play with or against 3PV.

    Any way you slice it, PGI has mishandled this in various ways, and the game is far from where they originally stated it would be. The community's response was "the summer of rage" and it has done jack and squat to improve anything.

    Buyer beware: MWO is a lot of fun, the mechs look great, but the game is overall very repetitive with very few maps, only the two game-modes, no real overarching metagame or storyline type stuff, no ability to set up custom matches for the various Mechwarrior clans to arrange matches or challenges or tournaments, and is filled with a lot of angry geeks.    … Expand
  66. Jzaltheral
    Sep 18, 2013
    6
    Mechwarrior Online, fresh from an extended open beta, is a solid game, despite the growing pains. The graphics are good to exceptional, and the Crysis engine provides a solid backbone for the game to run on. There are some issues with using 20 meter tall robots with the engine rather than 2 meter tall human models, but the game play is good, and matches are normally relatively quick, soMechwarrior Online, fresh from an extended open beta, is a solid game, despite the growing pains. The graphics are good to exceptional, and the Crysis engine provides a solid backbone for the game to run on. There are some issues with using 20 meter tall robots with the engine rather than 2 meter tall human models, but the game play is good, and matches are normally relatively quick, so you can get your fix in a hurry if you only have a few minutes to play.

    A lot of reviewers had very high expectations for this game at launch, based on information that the developer (PGI) released. Many of the promised features have been continually delayed, and the company is particularly poor at communicating with its customer base.

    That said, I gave the game a 6 out of 10 because it does offer good, solid entertainment value, and it is continuing to expand the features offered. It runs cleanly, with few glitches, and allows the players to get into the heat of battle rapidly. The maps are well done, and beautiful, and in most cases, offer a variety of tactical options for defeating your opponent besides the standard "Everyone run to the middle and shoot each other in the face."

    My rating would have been higher if the game had possessed more of the polished features that were supposed to be included at launch (UI 2.0, Community Warfare, etc). It is my sincerest hope that PGI can build on what they've started here and become the Battletech game we truly want, not just the only one we have.    … Expand
  67. SplenectomY
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    MechWarrior Online is the only show in town for Battletech fans who want the most modern pitch on their beloved franchise, and while Pirhana Games has done an admirable job of making beautiful 'Mech destruction in an easy-to-grasp PVP setting, the game doesn't deliver an experience that lives up to the reputation of its awe-inspiring predecessors, despite an attractive free-to-playMechWarrior Online is the only show in town for Battletech fans who want the most modern pitch on their beloved franchise, and while Pirhana Games has done an admirable job of making beautiful 'Mech destruction in an easy-to-grasp PVP setting, the game doesn't deliver an experience that lives up to the reputation of its awe-inspiring predecessors, despite an attractive free-to-play business model.

    Hardcore fans of the MechWarrior universe find much to be wanted for a game that is fresh out of beta, most notably the ability to eject, 'Mech explosions on death, knockdowns and crouching. And while PGI has set timetables for some of these mechanics, others have been left in the dark. Knockdowns and tripping were originally part of the game in closed beta, but have since been removed with no resolution in sight.

    Some features, like destructible environments, have been purposefully omitted with no plans to implement them, despite its use in a mouth-watering "MechWarrior 5" trailer released several years before MechWarrior Online went live. While this game makes no attempt to live up to anything from the now abandoned MW:5 project, many of the series' fans expect this game to emulate that trailer's awesome combat and immersion. While this might be unfair to the developers, many now see MechWarrior Online paling in comparison to the dreamy "in-game" trailer footage and demand that PGI start delivering.

    Unfortunately, after nearly two years of beta development, very little progress has been made in the game mechanically, with patches seeming to focus more on combat balancing and new 'Mechs. Only a handful of maps exist, and without the ability to choose your 'Mech/loudout after you know where you're going to be dropping (a feature PGI has teased to, but not until at least 2014), you're sometimes left bringing a short-range loadout into a long-range game a frustrating and unrealistic twist on a series that banks half of the battle on preparedness and pre-drop tactics.

    Many of these caveats wont mean a thing to new fans of the series, a fact PGI might be banking on as many of the "we want old school features" complaints seem to be falling on deaf ears. This has been infuriating enough to some of the game's supporters that organized protests have been made, in and out of game, in attempts to bring attention to their plight. This adds an unsightly tarnish to an otherwise older and mature community who are clearly concerned about this game's direction.

    MW:O is far from a blockbuster game, but if PGI wanted to make any attempt at honoring a blockbuster franchise, they should have waited longer to come out of beta and tried to be something more, rather than something different. If this game's current state is any indication of it's "final" product, MechWarrior Online could easily find itself completely shunned from the serious Battletech community.

    PROS

    MechWarrior Online's developers (PGI/IGP) have done an excellent job of modernizing the Battletech universe's graphics and proving that the best opponents are human ones, and the game is free to play. The developers take combat balancing very seriously, and even the most greenhorn 'Mech pilots will be able to jump into a game and tear some limbs off with ease. The addition of an "elo" system for matchmaking sweetens the deal so you'll be playing with other pilots of your skill level (most of the time).

    CONS

    If you're looking for a continuation of the MechWarrior/MechAssault bloodline, you're out of luck. This is a robot-building arena PVP simulator that doesn't seem to be even trying to live up to the expectations of an aging but dedicated Battletech community. With the complaints of the game's earliest supporters (called "founders") being summed up as "the loud minority" by the gaming staff, many have already given MW:O up for dead. With an out-of-beta "launch" in such troubled waters, PGI might have committed developer suicide with a slow poison.

    VERDICT: 7/10. Taken by itself, MW:O is a free and solid PVP sim. The community problems are a curable blemish, and if you take this premature "launch" out of the equation, time can still turn this game into a true Battletech masterpiece.    … Expand
  68. Aerokii
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    This isn't a game without problems. That much is obvious from the get-go, and one might even say it's not ready for launch. There are features missing that would turn this game into something great rather than your average deathmatch-stravaganza. Plus, developer communication has been horrid.

    That being said, the game can still be tremendously fun. The graphics are gorgeous, the sound    This isn't a game without problems. That much is obvious from the get-go, and one might even say it's not ready for launch. There are features missing that would turn this game into something great rather than your average deathmatch-stravaganza. Plus, developer communication has been horrid.

    That being said, the game can still be tremendously fun. The graphics are gorgeous, the sound is well done, and there's nothing quite like the feeling of standing in an 18 story tall 100 ton war machine that turns fear itself into your ally. The core mechanics are all there, and strong. This isn't your average twitch shooter- this game requires a lot of thought, strategy, and team work in order for you to be successful, and the level of customization available to you is enormous. Arguably I'd say that may actually be more fun than the combat itself, since I've always enjoyed building and designing things- so now you get to design your 'Mech just the way you want it, and then use it to blow people up! What could be better?

    The learning curve can be a bit steep, but once you're in, you're hooked. Plus, the game's free to play with no P2W elements (I paid and still suck!), so you've got nothing to lose but hardware space in trying it. Forget the reviews- just give it a shot yourself and see what you think!    … Expand
  69. Hatachi
    Sep 18, 2013
    6
    This game is a rough, but possibly promising game in an underrepresented genre.

    The game is a game featuring high customization, single spawn, game with heavy use of terrain needed for survival. Different roles: Brawlers, Snipers, Missile Support, Calvary/ Hit and Run Harrying, Mid-Range Sustained Damage, Damage Soaking Assault Center-points. If you have have a dedicated group to play    This game is a rough, but possibly promising game in an underrepresented genre.

    The game is a game featuring high customization, single spawn, game with heavy use of terrain needed for survival. Different roles: Brawlers, Snipers, Missile Support, Calvary/ Hit and Run Harrying, Mid-Range Sustained Damage, Damage Soaking Assault Center-points. If you have have a dedicated group to play with the intricacies will reveal themselves. The staleness sets in at the same time with the lack of variety in gameplay modes and a feeling of progression that matters beyond more chassis to choose from. Promised relief for these issues has been promised but has not been delivered. This leads to my next point.

    This game has had a troubled development with, what is widely considered a awkward player/ developer dynamic. The game itself in its current state I would give a stretching it seven. It would of been bumped up a further point due to the fact it just has no competition and is operating in a vacuum. If you want an experience like this, this is your only fix. I have to knock a point for the developers constant lack of reaching stated goals in a timely manner. This is a game that is selling itself on further development down the road and those behind the rudder aren't the best helmsmen.

    In summation, It's worth a check to see if it's a niche that feels an itch for you. Be prepared to take breaks from the game if you feel the game wearing thin on you. I would also like add the game is NOT pay to win. The grind is noticeable, but most of the money only mechs lend themselves to esoteric, very extreme, or sometimes under performing builds, but very few rival or can't be replaced by freely available mechs.    … Expand
  70. Lakota_Wolf
    Sep 18, 2013
    5
    Overall the game itself isn't horrible. I look at the launch and consider it to be the worst launch of any game in recent history though. The one thing in this game that is really bad, the player base. I have never seen so many hateful minds in one location in my entire gaming history. The game itself has a good balance of mechs to choose from, the maps look really good, and as with allOverall the game itself isn't horrible. I look at the launch and consider it to be the worst launch of any game in recent history though. The one thing in this game that is really bad, the player base. I have never seen so many hateful minds in one location in my entire gaming history. The game itself has a good balance of mechs to choose from, the maps look really good, and as with all online games balancing weapons seems to be in constant flux. I have seen a lot of people complain but I'm having fun with this game, to me that's the bottom line.… Expand
  71. Kazma
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    Is this game perfect? Definitely not, but it is much better than people are saying here and the developers try their best do improve it with every patch. There will also be Community Warfare and a new UI soon, which will improve the score further!
    It may be hard, to learn the movement of the Mechs and how to use the weaponry as it's best, but when you managed this as a new player you will    Is this game perfect? Definitely not, but it is much better than people are saying here and the developers try their best do improve it with every patch. There will also be Community Warfare and a new UI soon, which will improve the score further!
    It may be hard, to learn the movement of the Mechs and how to use the weaponry as it's best, but when you managed this as a new player you will have a lot of fun!    … Expand
  72. IgrokU
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    I have been playing MWO since beta, and can recommend this game. Is it perfect- no, but is it fun- yes.

    The learning curve for new players is steep, but once you get playing, it is fun. The price is right= free, so you have nothing to lose giving this game a try.
  73. TenderLoving
    Sep 18, 2013
    6
    My recommendation for this game is definitely "try it before you buy it." It's free to play, so give it time before you open up your wallet.

    The game has amazing potential, but the gamble is that it may never be realized. Currently it is a shooter with no meta-game other than upgraded and customizing your mecs. Matches are largely repetitive as there are only 2 game modes where the    My recommendation for this game is definitely "try it before you buy it." It's free to play, so give it time before you open up your wallet.

    The game has amazing potential, but the gamble is that it may never be realized. Currently it is a shooter with no meta-game other than upgraded and customizing your mecs. Matches are largely repetitive as there are only 2 game modes where the true objective is simply killing the other team. There are plans to add more game modes in the future, but if variety is what you want you should spend your money on something that actually exists.

    Actual gameplay is solid, the mechs move and feel like giant robots, and the graphics are great. There are myriad smaller issues such as the UI, game balance, matchmaking, and other features, but these are overshadowed by the fact that its core the game is very shallow. If you are looking for quick mindless fun then the game may be up your alley; the irony is that MWO was advertised as something entirely different.    … Expand
  74. MightySpike
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    Voted. For a better Vote should be more Gamemodes in the Game. 2 are really not enough. Lets see what waits for us in the near future. I really hope they will deliever us a good Mechwarrior game with CW and more.
  75. Lyte
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    Mechwarrior Online is a multiplayer giant robot 1st/3rd person combat game set in the Battletech scifi universe. In addition to twitch shooting you are struggling with mech controls, fighting against inertia and your attention is divided between understanding the streaming data from sensors and focusing to your sights to make those shots in.

    I like this game, it gets the Mech part    Mechwarrior Online is a multiplayer giant robot 1st/3rd person combat game set in the Battletech scifi universe. In addition to twitch shooting you are struggling with mech controls, fighting against inertia and your attention is divided between understanding the streaming data from sensors and focusing to your sights to make those shots in.

    I like this game, it gets the Mech part right. Right now the game suffers from lack of content, there is only a handful of maps to play on and the battles tend to play out in predictable patterns so you can get bored at times, also their netcode is a bit buggy and not all shots get registered atm.

    In the game environment cannot be destroyed at all, you bounce off buildings without making a dent and walk through trees like they are holograms instead of real objects, this is a real shame as most new players expect these features when they start playing a game about giant stompy robots.

    Still the game is free to play, so give it a shot you lose nothing by trying it out and as I said, I like this game even with all it's shortcomings.    … Expand
  76. Cart1082
    Sep 18, 2013
    6
    For players, who don't really know the BT-Universe and it's content (let's say: someone with no expactations), it's maybe a nice first person shooter with big robots. The Graphics are nice, the sound too and the most bugs are fixed since a while.

    But for people, who know the BT-Universe and had some expectations, it's quite disappointing...there is so many potential in this    For players, who don't really know the BT-Universe and it's content (let's say: someone with no expactations), it's maybe a nice first person shooter with big robots. The Graphics are nice, the sound too and the most bugs are fixed since a while.

    But for people, who know the BT-Universe and had some expectations, it's quite disappointing...there is so many potential in this universe...not only two teams of Battlemechs who stomp each other to the ground or cap each others bases...and with the Launch, I had expected some of that...at least CW...
    They said, they want to follow the timeline from the books...and you would fight for planets etc...but you are still fighting for nothing...

    I will play on, but mostly because of the player I know there, than because of the game itself...    … Expand
  77. ppetermann
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    Its a nice casual MW game at the moment, it still lacks a lot of content, basically it is like World of Tanks without clan wars, with Mechs.

    If you can live with - the lack of PVE content - no territorial conflicts through battles - comparably low amount of Mechs available - some game design balancing choices that break with canon boardgames - an extremely whiny community you    Its a nice casual MW game at the moment, it still lacks a lot of content, basically it is like World of Tanks without clan wars, with Mechs.

    If you can live with
    - the lack of PVE content
    - no territorial conflicts through battles
    - comparably low amount of Mechs available
    - some game design balancing choices that break with canon boardgames
    - an extremely whiny community

    you will have a good time.    … Expand
  78. Typhoon2142
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    PGI made alot of promises that they didn't keep. The game is still beta, despite their efforts to make it look like a full release. Finally the chat is working. Can you imagine? For many months, it was not possible to chat properly in this game, because some words were cut off. Now they fixed it. And that's the best thing about the launch. A proper chat. I wonder how long they will try toPGI made alot of promises that they didn't keep. The game is still beta, despite their efforts to make it look like a full release. Finally the chat is working. Can you imagine? For many months, it was not possible to chat properly in this game, because some words were cut off. Now they fixed it. And that's the best thing about the launch. A proper chat. I wonder how long they will try to fool their customers. The game is pretty nice for a beta, that's why I still give it 4 points, but it gets boring real quick. Not enough weapons and tools to give the game real depth and only two game modes make MWO pretty dull after a while.… Expand
  79. Boyinleaves
    Sep 18, 2013
    5
    I have never bothered writing a review on Metacritic before, because I've never beofe cared enough about a game to bother. However, I care enough about Mechwarrior Online(MWO) to make a statement, so take it as you will.

    MWO has amazing potential. It derives from source material with a wealth of history, a long and iterative development process, and a bunch of tie ins, and it enjoys a    I have never bothered writing a review on Metacritic before, because I've never beofe cared enough about a game to bother. However, I care enough about Mechwarrior Online(MWO) to make a statement, so take it as you will.

    MWO has amazing potential. It derives from source material with a wealth of history, a long and iterative development process, and a bunch of tie ins, and it enjoys a decently sized (though not huge) but very dedicated fanbase. Anyone attempting to reboot the franchise was almost guaranteed success, if they could just recapture some of the magic of previous titles, and give even only the long-time fans what was wanted.

    MWO could have been amazing (at launch, today, September 17th). Sadly, after nearly 2 years of 'BETA', the game looks to be a long way from the promised magic that led its founders to pledge $5,000,000 or more to its development, and myself to spend more on it than any other game in my life (almost $500 in the last 5 months). It could still be amazing, but it lacks most of the features that are standard in most multiplayer games, such as player lobbies and competitive brackets.

    It has a steep learning curve, and though it can be played sufficiently well without even spending a cent on it, new players will feel that MWO is somewhat unapproachable if they do not already have a vested interest in playing it, due to a love of the IP or friends that already play.

    Given that I absolutely love the franchise, I would simply encourage people to go and play it, and spend money on it, in the hope that more money would fuel more development, and thus make the game better, but unfortunately, the developers/publishers do not seem to have any insight as to what they should do to improve the game, so I don't think more money would actually help.

    MWO is not terrible, and given that it costs nothing, I can't score it too badly. There is just not enough there to make it worth investing any time or money into it at the moment, and the developer's track record wouldn't give anyone any faith that it will get better. Take it for what it's worth.

    Sorry guys.    … Expand
  80. chiXu
    Sep 18, 2013
    5
    If I was to judge a game purely, in this case, the 5-15 minutes you're sitting down and playing an actual match I'd likely be scoring higher than I am in this review. Anyone that knows anything about this incarnation of a Mechwarrior game will know, however, that there is a lot more to this game than those scant minutes and those are the areas where I feel it starts to fall short.

    On    If I was to judge a game purely, in this case, the 5-15 minutes you're sitting down and playing an actual match I'd likely be scoring higher than I am in this review. Anyone that knows anything about this incarnation of a Mechwarrior game will know, however, that there is a lot more to this game than those scant minutes and those are the areas where I feel it starts to fall short.

    On the face of things, my personal experience has been fairly bug free with minimal crashes and or technical issues. The graphics are pleasant without being too colourful to take away from the grim reality of mech combat and future war on such a destructive scale. For a game that is still optimizing the technical aspects of its graphics setup, notably the current lack of DX11, that's one of the better points.

    The 'mech combat and the matches themselves, when judged match to match, are an enjoyable experience for the most part. A personal grievance of mine, coming from a history of competitive twitch shooters, are the various hit registration lag related issues that have a tendency to rear their ugly head. Playing on state-side servers from the depths of Sweden obviously isn't a great help but, when European servers are finally introduced I'm hopeful that those issues will largely be alleviated. There's nothing more frustrating than watching missiles or shells explode against the armor of a 'mech that's right up in your face only to note that they don't take damage. It's an unfortunate drawback to what is otherwise an experience one might be willing to invest, not only time, but real life money into developing.

    There's various niche's and "meta's" that pop up in terms of the gameplay; jump sniping, high-alpha builds, missile spam etc. but to anyone with enough experience and ability they're not problems that could be classified as game-breakers, nor do I believe any of the methods employed to deal with could be classified as the same.

    The game isn't new-player friendly. For a person coming to it without prior experience of Battletech Mechwarrior or friends that are currently playing and can advise, there are a lot of elements to know which simply aren't documented. The simplest form of a tutorial has basic information regarding movement and weapons fire but there's so much more going on that it's simple a pre-face to what needs to be covered, and what isn't covered. As such, unless a person is willing to delve into the forums and pull as much as possible from numerous different topics and posts, a new-player experience could be a trying and lengthy process. Something of a stipend is in place, however, the first 20 or so games on a new account garnering increased credits to help get a person into a 'mech of their own (The process until that point being a new player uses one of 4 rotated 'mechs called trial mechs which cannot be customized).

    If I was only coming to this game now and had no prior experience of it, my scoring would be higher, of that I have no doubt. My issues, however, come from having played the game since the early days of closed Beta. This doesn't warrant me to any extra attention, I don't claim to know better than anyone else or say my experience is greater than the next guys, I'm speaking purely from what I have personally experienced and what I view to be the shortcomings of the game and why I score it 5/10.

    Once the appeal and glitter of a new, 'mech based shooter is gone, the game very quickly becomes very "samey". What I mean by this is that, due in large to a stale metagame, limited game-modes and a slow development cycle on maps, one game quickly begins to feel like the next which feels like the next and there's very little sense of progressing in any meaningful direction.

    Meta-game end-game is a big deal in games nowadays, to give them life and continuity and in Mechwarrior Online the primary method for offering this is Community Warfare.

    Community Warfare was first slated for release late 2012, then January 2013 then spring and then the official Sept. 17th release and has consistently been pushed back further and further. I believe at the latest mention it was said to have the first stage (Choosing a faction or something similar, it won't effect gameplay or much else other than that until, I believe, stage 2) hopefully landing in November. For anyone that's been playing since April May 2012 this wait has long since passed the point of reasonable acceptance. One of the key reasons I was able to continue playing as much as I did, personally, was that I always had the feeling that community warfare was "just around the corner".

    Similar things have happened with the promise of a new UI and maps and gamemodes gametypes, all of which is pushed back as the developers try and deal with numerous bugs and issues. One can't help but feel PGI has bitten off more than they can chew.

    My rating; 5/10 with the potential to becoming 8/10 or higher when those key features arrive.    … Expand
  81. Lordotic
    Sep 18, 2013
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm sorry ...but everyone who rated this game a 10 are....bah what the point. No I did not rate this game a 10 as a 10 would be a perfect score and there is no game ever that was perfect. So basically we are looking at a max score or 9. As there is no UI2.0 we will take 1 away....so we are at 8. No clans...-1, no meta game...-1, still only 2 combat modes....-1, and I'm sure other ppl can think of other ways to justify their score but a 5 is right about where this game is at right now.

    I mean if I had to rate where the game will be in 3 to 6 months then oh yeah it's a 9 maybe even a 9.5, but it didn't say rate the game whe it will be but rather what it is. I see some familiar names from the post( won't say their names but they know who they are) who just flat out rate this a 10....so what happens when those other features arrive will you rate this a 10++++..... That's my 2 cents please continue flaming.    … Expand
  82. Paddy71
    Sep 18, 2013
    6
    If you are Battletech enthusiast and have been wanting to find a place where you can fight pitched battles with your mech. This is it.
    It is very much in the spirit of older titles and foremost table top, with some deviations.
    Mech models, while not 100% faithful are well made and look and feel like huge machines of war, graphically mechs are the best looking part of game. (FASA did    If you are Battletech enthusiast and have been wanting to find a place where you can fight pitched battles with your mech. This is it.
    It is very much in the spirit of older titles and foremost table top, with some deviations.

    Mech models, while not 100% faithful are well made and look and feel like huge machines of war, graphically mechs are the best looking part of game.
    (FASA did “borrow” some models to original game they had no rights to, unfortunately. So a classic like Marauder will never be in exactly as it was in the original. But that is not a problem with MWO exactly) While graphics as a whole are not the best what Cryengine3 could do in single player, it gets the job done. To my eyes colors could use some vibrance, this is a little too bleak future view. Maybe upcoming directx11 update will improve graphic fidelity some. Maybe they are holding off on re-working maps until then? Who knows, unfortunately players are not much informed on whats and whys of the game.
    Weapon balance, which is still in flux, is reasonably good and weapons have their own flavor (albeit sometimes obvious OP weapons can get fixed too slow or too much, the process does go forward) and weapons sound good.

    Some maps are very pretty, some have good feel of scale, some not so pretty and some you don’t get feel for the scale. Ok enough I guess.

    There are unfortunately only two capture base gamemodes, but they’ll keep you entertained some time while you try getting new mechs. At least you will learn the maps by heart.
    Getting mechs does involve quite a bit of grind, especially the way skill trees are set up on mechs (They have been intending to re-work them for quite some time, but nothing yet) which means you need to get 3 variants of one mech to train the whole tree on one mech chassis to couple important improvements. And there are over 20 different chassis types, as a free to play you’d expect quite a bit of improvement when paying monthly fee… but it could really be better. It doesn’t feel like something you need to have when starting. As to buying mechs, they are real money expensive 5-20$ same with hero mechs (which are more distinct variants of a chassis, not pay to win)

    All in all, it is ok.
    You will get bored at some stage, there is no campaign. Gamemodes are effectively deathmatches to grind enough skill points/cbills to get new mechs.
    It does take ages, so if you want them all… prepare for a very long grind or very expensive shopping. (And more models are steadily coming)

    Then again, if you enjoy the game it is not really grind, at least once you master one mech model. You don’t HAVE to buy anything, but devs certainly make it as tempting as they can. (If only prices were a little more reasonable, I’d be buying stuff more. Guess this is free to play.)

    I have my gripes, I’d want the devs up their pace.. major features seem to be coming too slowly. Whatever you do in game, it doesn’t have any impact, you are just getting more cbills to get new mech models.

    I am bored with the endless deathmatch, but the game has me hooked (I hate it, but it is what it is). When I’m frustrated enough, I’ll take a break again and come back later.    … Expand
  83. BlastrMastr
    Sep 18, 2013
    5
    MechWarrior Online brings BattleTech back to the forefront of digital gaming once again.
    Anyone familiar with the series will recognize much of the content here.
    Pros: 1)Battlefield simulation is excellent. 2)Player versus Player is satisfying. 3)Graphics are very good. 4)No expenditure required to play! 5)Multiplayer appears to be fairly well balanced at the moment, although many    MechWarrior Online brings BattleTech back to the forefront of digital gaming once again.
    Anyone familiar with the series will recognize much of the content here.

    Pros:
    1)Battlefield simulation is excellent.
    2)Player versus Player is satisfying.
    3)Graphics are very good.
    4)No expenditure required to play!
    5)Multiplayer appears to be fairly well balanced at the moment, although many players will dispute this.
    6)Lots of vanity items, paint jobs, and camouflage available for players who are willing to spend real $$.
    7)"Hero" 'Mechs available for real $$.

    Cons:
    1)Aside from the beginners' "cadet" bonus, which grants new players a boon for their first 25 matches, the game is largely a grind, at least for the first ~30 hours of gameplay. This is due to the nature of the billing. It's "Free to Play", so there's got to be a strong incentive for players to purchase MechWarrior Credits(MC) in order to shortcut much of the game's more boring content.
    2)The learning curve for players new to the MechWarrior universe is very steep. There is a tutorial, but it does not explain anything beyond basic battlefield movement at this time.
    3)The 'Mech Lab, which is where players customize their 'Mechs, is unforgiving, at best. Most changes result in high CBill(in-game currency) penalties, and tinkering with new load outs in-game simply isn't feasible for newer players, who are the ones most likely to be experimenting to find their preferred 'Mech and load out. Testing a load out requires the player to purchase all the modifications they want to test, and then take the new load out into the "Testing Grounds". Most players will find they are better off tinkering in a 3rd party 'Mech Lab known as Smurfy's; a player created 'Mech Lab simulator which accurately displays custom load outs along with cost-to-own in CBills. Unfortunately, there is currently no way for players to experiment with any custom load out in-game without grinding out the CBills necessary to buy it, or injecting some MC into their account, straight from their wallet. The only other option for players to run in 'Mechs they don't own is a set of four Trial 'Mechs, which change regularly, and typically are not worth piloting, because most of them do not make optimal use of the options available to them.
    4)The real money aspect at this point does, unfortunately, still have "Pay-to-Win" aspects to it. Battlefield consumables like CoolShot, and Artillery Strikes are available for purchase for CBills(not real money equivalent), and each one has a bigger, badder cousin which is purchasable for MC(real money equivalent). This equates to consistent bonus damage for the player who can throw the most money at the game, which pretty much defines "Pay-to-Win".
    5)Another grind aspect entirely, the Pilot Lab allows pilots to spend accumulated per-chassis Exp, and General Exp on perks. Some perks only affect specific 'Mech variants, and some affect all. Players can convert excess per-chassis Exp into GXP for a small MC(real money equivalent) fee. Otherwise, new players have only another long grind to look forward to before they become truly competitive with other players. The only saving grace is that the CBill grind and the Exp grind can be completed simultaneously.

    All in all, while the game has solid multiplayer offerings, the in-game menu and the system put together for modifying and testing new 'Mechs is clumsy and unforgiving. If User Interface 2.0 proves to be what the developers are saying it will be, I would wait to spend any money on this game at least until we see what that brings.

    Also, as of this writing, one of the core features of the game, known as Community Warfare has still not been implemented. Presumably, this will bring the game to a whole new level, but again, I'd wait to spend money on this game until the planned features prove to be worth it.    … Expand
  84. ianli0928
    Sep 18, 2013
    5
    The battle is generally fun and exciting. Mwo definitely has a lot steeper learning curve than a lot of the other

    fps games out there. However the lack of content will put you off once you have grinded a few mechs. There are only 2 game modes that are extremely similar, and gets old quickly after a while. The core game, aka community warfare will not be released until next year. I    The battle is generally fun and exciting. Mwo definitely has a lot steeper learning curve than a lot of the other

    fps games out there. However the lack of content will put you off once you have grinded a few mechs.

    There are only 2 game modes that are extremely similar, and gets old quickly after a while.

    The core game, aka community warfare will not be released until next year. I would definitely suggest

    any new players to try this game out, but do not spend any money until you are absolutely sure

    that you want to stick with this game. I regretted every cent of my purchase in this game due to

    certain issues caused by the game company, and the constantly pushed back deadlines.    … Expand
  85. Mba400
    Sep 17, 2013
    5
    first of all I would ignore most of the crappy reviews less than 4) as well as all of the 9s and 10s. the bad scores are ppl who are pretty pissed right now and the high scores are mostly fake. the problem is there's a lot to like and hate about the game.

    The good? It's a good mech simulator, I feel like im in a big stompy mech. there was a time that colliding with another mech    first of all I would ignore most of the crappy reviews less than 4) as well as all of the 9s and 10s. the bad scores are ppl who are pretty pissed right now and the high scores are mostly fake. the problem is there's a lot to like and hate about the game.

    The good? It's a good mech simulator, I feel like im in a big stompy mech. there was a time that colliding with another mech could cause you to fall down and many are mad that that was removed (I don't have experience with it, b4 my time)
    there's many different kinds of mechs each with different versions to choose from and u can customize weapon loadout, armor, ammo and add equipment like jump jets and ecm (depending on the mech version) I personally have spent tons of time in the "mech lab" just trying out different builds for my mechs. depending on the mech u could get some crazy builds (might not be good but It can be fun)
    gameplay is pretty good too, you are able to blow off limbs and other sections of a mech instead of having just an HP bar.

    The bad? balance for weapons can vary wildly with each patch. while many patches have gradual minor tweaks to improve balance, every once in a while they have one that wreaks a certain weapon and by extension certain mechs. Its commonly called the "nerf hammer" and its something to watch out for. check the patch log on the forums so you're not caught unawares.
    the game economy can be rough for new players too. Newbies get a "cadet bonus" for the first 20 games or so that can add up to about 10 million c-bills to purchase new mechs. the problem is that even a "medium class" mech can cost anywhere from 4 to 7 million c-bills, not counting new weapons or upgrades and after the cadet bonus its a herd slog to earn more money for new mechs and hardware. MWO even released stats saying the average player only makes about 70k c-bills a game. a newbie would probably earn less initially so it could literally take you hundreds of matches to earn enough for a new mech, and that's tough for a casual player.

    So theres things Iike and things that can be improved. However theres big plans on the horizon with Community Warfare, U.I. 2.0, and the Clans. While I would hold off shelling out a lot of money at the moment in the future I could easily be changing my score to a 10 and cant-throw-my-money-at-this-fast-enough.    … Expand
  86. ravineh
    Sep 17, 2013
    7
    Rating it for what it is now, not what it could become in 1-2 years. There are a lot of promised features that would make the game complete, however that's not the game today.
    Today it's a game of mech deathmatches, in which the most developed part is the shop.
    There are a lot of problems here and there. Yet the gameplay itself is as engaging and fun as it was at the start of the game.    Rating it for what it is now, not what it could become in 1-2 years. There are a lot of promised features that would make the game complete, however that's not the game today.
    Today it's a game of mech deathmatches, in which the most developed part is the shop.
    There are a lot of problems here and there. Yet the gameplay itself is as engaging and fun as it was at the start of the game. You could have extremely developed game with boring gameplay and it would fail fast. MWO's basic gameplay is fun and thrilling, with a content to support it, it could be a great game, not just good at best.    … Expand
  87. gavilatius
    Sep 17, 2013
    5
    yes, for this I shall use my real username, "Gavilatius"

    lets start with a 5, that's middle ground for any game, now let's do the math +1 for Mechwarrior being brought to the masses (6) +1 for Alex Iglesias being such a great artist (7) +1 for a great community full of great artists and players (8) -1 for the lackluster mechanics (7) -1 for the lackluster launch (6) -1 for a    yes, for this I shall use my real username, "Gavilatius"

    lets start with a 5, that's middle ground for any game, now let's do the math

    +1 for Mechwarrior being brought to the masses (6)
    +1 for Alex Iglesias being such a great artist (7)
    +1 for a great community full of great artists and players (8)
    -1 for the lackluster mechanics (7)
    -1 for the lackluster launch (6)
    -1 for a DevTeam that doesn't listen to the community (5)
    -1 for their lack of community created content (4)
    -1 for the lack of vision in PGI (3)
    -1 for the lack of drive from PGI (2)
    -1 for the lack of responsibility from PGI (1)
    +1 for their great IT department (2)
    +1 for their wonderful customer support (2)
    -1 for a clunky game User Interface (2)
    -1 for a horrible netcode (1)
    -1 for missing mechanics (0)
    -1 for cashgrab "hero mechs" (-1)
    -1 for the extreme censorship in both their forums and in game(-2)
    -1 for the blatant disregard for the Battletech Franshise (-3)
    -1 for Community Warfare turning into a color coded progress bar (-4)
    -1 for lack of gameplay diversity (-5)
    -1 because it's unfriendly to new players (-6)
    +5 because of the Atlas... Atlas (-1)
    +6 because I'm trying to dig up some nostalgia towards Mechwarrior (5)

    yeah... the last 11 points added to MWO's score is because of it's legacy... you heard me, the only reason I'm giving any points is because of the games that came before it.    … Expand
  88. Lukoi
    Sep 17, 2013
    5
    Ok, so unlike alot of reviews here I'm not going to discuss the progression of this game since Closed Beta, through Open Beta to today. Today is what matters, as the game has officially LAUNCHED.

    Video fx/Graphics (8): The artwork for the Mechs is fantastic. Even if you don't necessarily agree with the direction of the Art team or modeling of the Mechs, they still look well done and    Ok, so unlike alot of reviews here I'm not going to discuss the progression of this game since Closed Beta, through Open Beta to today. Today is what matters, as the game has officially LAUNCHED.

    Video fx/Graphics (8): The artwork for the Mechs is fantastic. Even if you don't necessarily agree with the direction of the Art team or modeling of the Mechs, they still look well done and attractive. Intimidating and lethal, they look much as any fan of the intellectual property of BattleTech might imagine. I deducted points here due to a lack of DX11 support (it's 2013 folks), some pixelated terrain that looks like a game from 2003 in places and some odd modeling mistakes. Overall, a great effort and all indications are this will get better.

    Audio (9): Again, barring some minor aesthitic disagreements, the sound effects are well done and the game sounds good during gameplay. Autocannons have a great bang/crunch mechanic, lasers sound vicious and explosions/getting hit add to the immersion.

    Immersion (5): This is where the video excellence and audio excellence fall short, in tandem with other things that are decidedly lacking. There's no musical backdrop to get you pumped up right before the matches start, no backround music of even immersive backround noises while you are in the Mechlab/game join screens. If I'm in some giant bay somewhere modifying a 60-ton warmachine, shouldn't there at least be some air-wrenches screaming or the sounds of metal clanging or SOMETHING besides pure silence when I'm in there? Missed opportunity there. Additionally, there's no tie to a back story within the game. If you're not already familiar with the IP, most of the game will mean nothing to you nor does the game give you any significant information in that respect.

    Backstory (0): PGI makes no effort to tie the grand-lore that sets this IP apart from any other "walking-tanks" battlesim and misses out hugely there. Hiring some writers or poaching directly from the novels/game books that are associated with the IP would make sense here, but there's no history at all. Just some forum links to community based websites (such as sarna.net) that are great efforts, but in no way as reach, or as accurate as actually being source material.

    Gameplay (7): Purely from a gameplay mechanics and fun aspect, I enjoy playing it BUT I've been playing it for months. The initial stings of playing through the learning curve are long past for me. I can enjoy the new Mechs as they are introduced immediately for their various strengths and weaknesses. I'm not sure its the same for new players.

    Balance (6): The game's archaic, ill-articulated math to balance weapons, armor, modules and other effects in the game lacks synergy. "Ghost-heat" mechanics that are not explained in the game anywhere effectively, combined with confusing additional rules for mobility make it hard for the player (who's not a constant forum archeologist) to dig up how to build his machines most effectively or even to guess how to do so. The weapons have some balance issues that are bound to be improved upon but are not intuitive to the player. The Mechs themselves as the platforms have some glaring optimal performers and some glaringly bad Mechs, with the majority in the comfortable middle. If all Mechs had useful roles, even if those roles were not purely combat related, that would improve their value immensely.

    Modes/Replayability (2): The game has two modes....assault, where teams can kill the enemy team or capture a slow-ticking objective on their opponents' side of the map or conquest, where teams can the enemy team or earn points by owning up to 5 slow-ticking objectives scattered between the two teams. There is nothing else to the game right now, no other modes. I hope this changes soon, but right now...horrible for a released game that advertises itself as a thinking-person's shooter and Mech combat sim.

    EndGame/Why play factor (2): Once the fun wears off in playing the same two modes, you're left with grinding new Mech chassis for the sake of collecting them. Something called "community warfare" has been discussed for quite sometime but its launch and there's still nothing. Without a driving reason to fight AND no lobby system that allows players to set up private matches that could be used in community driven leaque or planetary conquest leagues, you're literally just playing because you enjoy the shootem up portion or to make your collection larger.

    F2P factors: There's no penalty to P4F, as the "hero Mechs" don't represent a real leg up in any true sense, but it does cut into the grind ALOT to pay for premium time.

    Clarity (2): Outside of limited tool tips and the occasional pre-match tip on your screen, there's only ONE rather dinky tutorial. A PDF attached to the game that would show information on the ghost heat, mobility rules, some lore backround etc would help immensely.

    Hopeful the game will improve but not great so far.    … Expand
  89. Watchit
    Sep 17, 2013
    6
    I thought I'd give a review that was actually helpful!
    -Player since closed beta.
    PRO's -Good/Decent graphics -Great customization/choice of available mechs -fairly balanced gameplay (You can't make everyone happy in an mmo, so it will never be "perfectly" balanced) -Giant mechs. Seriously, how can you say no to that? -Very immersive combat (if you don't count 3rd person view)    I thought I'd give a review that was actually helpful!
    -Player since closed beta.

    PRO's
    -Good/Decent graphics
    -Great customization/choice of available mechs -fairly balanced gameplay (You can't make everyone happy in an mmo, so it will never be "perfectly" balanced)
    -Giant mechs. Seriously, how can you say no to that?
    -Very immersive combat (if you don't count 3rd person view)
    -Free to play

    CON's
    -Lack of meta game currently, this is the biggest issue at the moment
    -rabid fanboys bemoaning the current state of the game can be a turn off (but for some reason they stick around anyway)
    -Devs are really bad estimating how long it will take to implemint certain features and many arrive much later then intended or dropped entirely
    -Map output is a little slow, but what do you expect from a 44 person team
    -steep learning curve (though some people enjoy that!)

    Mixed
    -Not everything is according to battletech canon. Some see this as a con. Some don't care. So, it goes under "mixed"
    -The current U.I. is horrible, but is being replaced with U.I. 2.0 soon(tm)
    -3rd person view (not extremely useful, and a little bit immersion breaking)
    -Cash shop.

    To expand on the cash shop, it can be a bit pricey, but thankfully most items are purely vanity items. Anything you can buy for cash that effects gameplay can be earned for free by playing the game. The only exception are hero mechs, which besides varying in hardpoints and paint job from regular mechs, they are indistinguishable from others in combat ability.    … Expand
  90. Valleye
    Sep 17, 2013
    7
    This game is what the Mechwarrior engine should be. It is well balanced and fast to get into. It lacks some polish and story. The fast and deadly action is still worth playing even after one year. I would still like to get (and wont) a PvE story arc.
  91. SmurfOff
    Sep 17, 2013
    6
    While it is the most modern mechwarrior title, it still has a long way to go to be the best. The most disappointing point is that the developers have moved almost entirely away from the core battletech rules and have gone off implementing random "nerfs" and fixes for problems.

    This leads to a very inconsistent gameplay, and factoring in that movement and hit detection are "still a work    While it is the most modern mechwarrior title, it still has a long way to go to be the best. The most disappointing point is that the developers have moved almost entirely away from the core battletech rules and have gone off implementing random "nerfs" and fixes for problems.

    This leads to a very inconsistent gameplay, and factoring in that movement and hit detection are "still a work in progress" there are some very aggravating situations that just should not exist in a game that has had over 18 months in beta with hundreds of thousands of players.    … Expand
  92. eblackthorn
    Sep 17, 2013
    7
    The game play is fun action packed and addicting. The Mech customization is extremely well done and the graphics look great.

    The game at release has fewer features then expected but over all it is a very fun well designed intelligent shooter. Looking forward for the features to come.
  93. OccumsRazor
    Sep 17, 2013
    7
    Great game, great community!! I hope the dev's will consider allowing players to design, build, and test mechs in the training grounds prior to making a rather expensive purchase. Also, the training grounds need to be dynamic, not static. Mechs should walk, jump, and shoot even in random directions on pre-programs tracks. This allows users to practice aiming, shooting, managing heat whileGreat game, great community!! I hope the dev's will consider allowing players to design, build, and test mechs in the training grounds prior to making a rather expensive purchase. Also, the training grounds need to be dynamic, not static. Mechs should walk, jump, and shoot even in random directions on pre-programs tracks. This allows users to practice aiming, shooting, managing heat while moving and allows practice of critical maneuvers like "circles of death," "jump turns," etc.… Expand
  94. Farpenoodle
    Sep 17, 2013
    6
    If I were to give this game a score on a personal level, it'd probably be an 8. I've always been a "gameplay is king" kind of guy and in my opinion MWO delivers. It's buggy and rough around the edges while doing so but it delivers on that front. However, since I'm scoring it for most people, it's basically around a 5 or 6. I'm erring a bit on the positive side because I do think mostIf I were to give this game a score on a personal level, it'd probably be an 8. I've always been a "gameplay is king" kind of guy and in my opinion MWO delivers. It's buggy and rough around the edges while doing so but it delivers on that front. However, since I'm scoring it for most people, it's basically around a 5 or 6. I'm erring a bit on the positive side because I do think most people can find something to like if they can get past the steep learning curve.

    Lack of modes, a bad UI, no tutorial of substance and lack of any kind of endgame besides grinding for more mechs make this a spotty proposition for anyone looking for a complete gaming package at this time.

    However, if you're like me and care more about the core of the game rather than the things built around it, you can find a lot to like.

    A lot of the above issues are also being worked on. My advice for most people is to wait until most of those features are online before diving in. If you want to take a chance, there's no harm considering it's a F2P, but keep in mind unless you're like me and are content with just the core gameplay you probably will not walk away with a particularly positive impression.    … Expand
  95. GFierce
    Sep 17, 2013
    6
    Been playing this game since closed beta. The game is in an incomplete state. The plans for the future sound promising. The current game is decently balanced but could use a few more tweaks. The graphics are quite good but some of the details are still missing. For a basic mech game this is not bad it just needs more.
  96. Laserkid
    Sep 17, 2013
    6
    6/10, Functional but with better thing yet to come.

    Business Model: Free to Play, this game is one of the many adopting this method of monetization. The real money currency (MC) is used to purchase camo pattern, paint colors, premium mechs (cred boost, unique variant), Premium Account time (XP/cred boost), Mech Bays, and premium consumables. Pay to Win? No, the premium (Hero)    6/10, Functional but with better thing yet to come.

    Business Model: Free to Play, this game is one of the many adopting this method of monetization. The real money currency (MC) is used to purchase camo pattern, paint colors, premium mechs (cred boost, unique variant), Premium Account time (XP/cred boost), Mech Bays, and premium consumables.

    Pay to Win? No, the premium (Hero) mechs give one a credit boost while using them and are different, not better, then their normal counter parts. Premium consumables have normal equivalents one can attain through in game means. Premium Accounts only give enhanced credits and XP. Como, paint, items are only ascetic. The only pay wall element is mech bays, which allow you to own and customize additional mechs. While this will not affect new players or their competitiveness, once they get their own mech kitted out properly, it does become an issue later on. This likely will change with the new game modes require multiple mechs that the developers have in mind.

    Front end: At time of release Mechwarrior Online is still using its place holder UI while a newer more functional one is in the final stages of development. This is one of the main reasons for the low score. It is very basic. Community building elements are missing or difficult to use. Tutorials on how to use this UI are missing, likely because it will be changing soon.

    Graphics: Unfortunately another negative point. Cryengine 3 has the potential for more detail, lighting and environmental effects, but this eye candy has taken a back seat to game play. Scaling is a letdown because what you mostly see are indestructible buildings and other 10 meter tall mechs. Trees stand obstinately despite lasers and missiles passing threw them. The ground isn’t cratered after 12 mechs get don’t pounding on another 12. Building care not for your puny hyper velocity rail guns hitting them.
    Game play: Utterly solid, once one figures out how to customize their mech it becomes a simple drag and drop affair. This though is the one of the meatier parts of the game, balancing or unbalancing damage with heat generation, mobility and armor. Mechs once “on the ground” handle well and uniquely based on their chassis strengths and weaknesses, combining with weapons unique properties makes for a very complex and in depth experience. The primitive UI again mars the experience though, the in game chat is up at the top left and you definitely will not be reading it in the thick of combat. There is no single player campaign in Mechwarrior Online, this has been stated at a design decision by the developers. More games modes are planned but at time or release, its eather a capture the flag mode or point control mode. There is also a limited selection of maps, with a few being just night variants or minor tweaks like snow.

    Sound: There is no background music in Mechwarrior Online, again a mixed blessing. There is no in game voice communications, again a mixed blessing. Bain for new players, boon for one who have more organization. The boom of large caliber weapons, impacts of said weapons, hum of reactors, alarms, thumping footsteps tend get stepped over and frantic in high intensity fights. A good thing?

    Meta Game: As of release, there is none. Players cannot even form their own units due to the primitive UI, leaving those with a mind to group up and cooperate to outside of game means. The planned meta game seeks to outright replace the current game play

    Community and Communication: As stated above the lack of a suitable UI is the major hindrance. The community itself that patched itself together despite it run the gambit of extremely dedicated livestreamers, Mechwarrior lore fanatics, casual gamers, redditers, and forum goers, a great many care very deeply for the game. The developers, fair or foul, are actually quite engaged with their customer’s compared to other online games.    … Expand
  97. Vanguard319
    Sep 17, 2013
    7
    Here is my review Of Mechwarrior Online, based on my experience playing the game since closed beta. I am going to leave out my opinion about the controversy surrounding PGI, in an attempt to maintain a neutral bias, and share what I feel they got right, and where they went wrong. The following is my personal opinion, and if you don't have the maturity to respect that, then that's yourHere is my review Of Mechwarrior Online, based on my experience playing the game since closed beta. I am going to leave out my opinion about the controversy surrounding PGI, in an attempt to maintain a neutral bias, and share what I feel they got right, and where they went wrong. The following is my personal opinion, and if you don't have the maturity to respect that, then that's your problem.

    First the good: Mechwarrior Online runs on CryEngine 3 and graphic wise is a gorgeous game. Environments range from abandoned cities buried in glaciers, to alien deserts, filled with sand blasted wreckage of dropships and mechs, to hellish lava worlds where even the air is filled with ash. As of this review, there are 21 different battlemechs in the game, each one having at least three different variants with differing hard point locations and even handling quirks, so you are bound to find a mech that suits your piloting preferences. All can be fully customized, provided you have the tonnage, hardpoints, critical space, and C-bills. In addition, you can not only customize the weapons and equipment on your mech, but you may also add modules that improve your sensors, targeting, support capabilities, and optics. There are even consumables that allow you to bleed off heat faster, call in artillery, or launch a reconnaissance UAV. Some of these consumable are bought with real money, but have have versions that can be purchased with C-bills, and these may be improved to real money quality through experience trees. You may further enhance your mech through the use of perks paid for via experience points, improving the efficiency of your mech's heat sinks, increasing your heat threshold, or your mech's handling.

    Core mechanics are good, and require you to work with your team mates. Running off on your own, or refusing to cooperate with your team will just get you killed over and over again. Weaponry is for the most part balanced, with each weapon having pros and cons: energy weapons are lightweight and don't require ammo, but they do generate more heat, which can be a problem on hotter maps, and is magnified with extended range versions. Autocannons do high damage, but are heavy, bulky, lose range as caliber increases, and are ammo dependent. Long range Missiles can be indirectly fired if you have a spotter, but are useless at ranges under 190m, while short range missiles come in both dumbfire and guided versions. You also have equipment like AMS (a point-defense system for incoming missiles), active probes that improve lock on times, and ECM, which can jam enemy sensors and provide addition protection from missile fire for your nearby team mates.

    Now for the bad. This game can be very unforgiving to new players, and there is a steep learning curve. You can aim your weapons independently of the direction of your legs, much like a tank, and learning to track and fire while on the move is paramount. There is a tutorial mode and training ground for new players however, as well as a highly controversial third person mode to help them learn torso twisting. As of this review, the highly anticipated Community Warfare has yet to be implemented, and game modes are limited to Assault, where you win by either wiping out the other team, or capturing their base, and Conquest, where you win by wiping out the other team, or collect more resources. Teams can be unbalanced, but this is more due to the quality of the players themselves than any failures on the part of the game itself, an ELO system does reduce the likelyhood your first games will be against a team of hardened vets, but pickup groups will be at a disadvantage against experienced and organized merc units. Die hard Clanners will be disappointed to find that Clan tech and Omnimechs are currently not among the available weapons and mechs, though these will likely be added in future updates.

    In summary: Whether or not you enjoy MWO will greatly depend on what you are looking for in a mech-combat game. If if you are a long time Battletech fan who lives by tabletop rules alone, you will probably not enjoy this game, more open minded fans will probably be able to play the game and find some satisfaction, and non-fans looking for something a little different from the usual FPS fare may want to give the game a try, as the game is free to play. As for myself, I've enjoyed my time playing the game, and while it is not what I would call perfect, I do not feel it is the doomed train wreck that others are proclaiming it to be either.    … Expand
  98. Psilos9
    Sep 17, 2013
    7
    Pros: Great graphics, sound, and Mech simulation. Tons of mechs and many more coming out all the time. Lots of weapons to choose from some less viable then others in my opinion and some of the recent nerfs went way to far.) Cool upgrade progression for your mech takes a long time though to get a mech totally upgraded and at the start you are at a small disadvantage.) They arePros: Great graphics, sound, and Mech simulation. Tons of mechs and many more coming out all the time. Lots of weapons to choose from some less viable then others in my opinion and some of the recent nerfs went way to far.) Cool upgrade progression for your mech takes a long time though to get a mech totally upgraded and at the start you are at a small disadvantage.) They are collecting tons of data on weapon use and damage so I have faith they will eventually get it right. Blows world of tanks out of the water, Mech Warrior is not pay to win you are limited to 4 mech bays so 4 mechs in less you want to pay for more). But if you play tell you collect 4 fully mastered mechs then you wont be sorry at that limit.

    Cons: Some weapon balance needed you get to out fit your mech w/ the weapons you want though so its not so bad if you don't like some). Sharp learning curve; It doesn't take to long, but controlling a biped tank with torso twist and arms takes some time to learn and most weapons have a unique fire rate and speed so also takes time to learn and even more to master( but after a frustrating start I found this to be a pro its fun that a Mechs control and weapons takes skill). At the moment only 2 game types and i only like one of them, but its tons of fun and they will be releasing lots of new types soon. It takes a really long time to elite your mech (max out its little bonuses) and they charge you in game currency for silly things like changing back and forth between armor types.

    I only gave the game a 7/10 for its current state, but I assure you it easily has the potential for a 10/10. There are Tons of negatives because people have really strong feeling about the franchise and for a lot of people it doesn't fit their view at the moment. Please give this game a try its FREE TO PLAY, if you can get past the initial grind and learning curve you wont be sorry.    … Expand
  99. bearless75
    Sep 17, 2013
    5
    This is a game with potential, however only the basic combat sim exists at this time. It should have been given another 6 months to complete basic community warfare features, though it should be acknowledged the developers have been unable to implement this so far despite it being on the timetabled for release at the start of the year.
    Graphics are good, combat is fun rather than fast,    This is a game with potential, however only the basic combat sim exists at this time. It should have been given another 6 months to complete basic community warfare features, though it should be acknowledged the developers have been unable to implement this so far despite it being on the timetabled for release at the start of the year.
    Graphics are good, combat is fun rather than fast, evoking the feel of big stompy robots! Weapon balancing is badly off though this is a recurring theme when trying to apply a tabletop model to a first person game, with some truly bizarre methods chosen to try to balance direct fire weapons.
    Expect a steep learning curve. Starting equipment is decidedly sub-par due to the balancing issues mentioned, but this makes the rewards for sticking with the game significant once you can afford to buy and customise your first mech you will quickly notice the difference it makes.
    Hopefully we soon have more than just a combat simulation to give us all something to fight for!    … Expand
  100. Crais
    Sep 17, 2013
    5
    MWO is fun for a while then it becomes a tedious grindfest. There are only 2 types of matches available at launch and a handful of maps. Numerous features are missing (DX 11 support, UI2.0, net code optimization) and community warfare, a large scale battle galaxy wide type that was sold as a core feature of the game, has no set deadline for being added.

    The developers of the game also    MWO is fun for a while then it becomes a tedious grindfest. There are only 2 types of matches available at launch and a handful of maps. Numerous features are missing (DX 11 support, UI2.0, net code optimization) and community warfare, a large scale battle galaxy wide type that was sold as a core feature of the game, has no set deadline for being added.

    The developers of the game also have a very poor track record of communication with the community and are often arrogant and rude to players who question balance issues or proposed features, such as the inclusion of the 3rd person camera mode (that was originally promised to not be included in the game).    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Most Discussed PC Game of 2013
96
#96 Most Shared PC Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. IGN Italia
    Sep 14, 2014
    85
    Nice gameplay and deep strategy for the latest incarnation of Mechwarrior. Too bad it lacks any kind of Single Player content.
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  2. PC Gamer
    Nov 4, 2013
    83
    Slightly overpriced, but a more than worthy successor to one of PC gaming’s greatest franchises that nails the important part: combat.
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  3. Multiplayer.it
    Oct 22, 2013
    65
    MechWarrior Online does a pretty good job in balancing out the gameplay and gives you lots of BattleMechs, weapons and items to buy, but it's got only two game modes and it's definitely not that fun.
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