As I was getting ready to review MechWarrior 5: Clans, I had a stunning realization—it’s been quite a while since I last played a MechWarrior game. Back when I was a kid, Metal Mech was one of those oddities that ended up in my NES collection. While not a true MechWarrior game, I had always believed it was.
While I dabbled in the MechWarrior series here and there, I think my last real foray into it was with MechAssault on the original Xbox, along with a few rounds on those awesome 360-degree arcade cabinets. So, I was pretty eager to see what I’ve been missing all these years, and I’ve got to say—I was pretty impressed.
MechWarrior 5: Clans is a bold mix of interesting gameplay ideas, combining intense mech-based combat with strategic RTS elements for a truly unique experience. What’s impressive is that the game is crafted in such a dynamic and modern way that even newcomers to the series can jump right into it without feeling lost.
In MechWarrior 5: Clans, players assume the role of Jayden at the pivotal moment he and his battle-mates graduate from the Smoke Jaguar cadet program. However, shortly after their promotion to Star Command positions, the galaxy is thrown into chaos when a spacecraft from the Inner Circle materializes. The galactic collection of Clans declares a righteous invasion, placing Jayden and his squad at the forefront of a battle that will not only shape the galaxy but also define their lives.
That might sound like you need a whole Wiki page and a deep dive into previous games to grasp what’s going on, but you really don’t. MechWarrior 5: Clans creates a story that stands on its own—only tangentially connected to MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries—and focuses on delivering a more narratively driven experience.
“MechWarrior 5: Clans is a bold mix of interesting gameplay ideas, combining intense mech-based combat with strategic RTS elements for a truly unique experience.”
What I really enjoy about the story is how earnestly ridiculous it is. It reminds me a lot of Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers, but played completely straight—so more like Robert A. Heinlein’s Starship Troopers. The fact that it takes itself so seriously adds a kind of charm to the game’s narrative and world, and if you have even a little understanding of irony, you’ll likely find it hilariously endearing.
Backing the narrative is some stellar mech-based gameplay. As in previous entries, players pilot Battle Mechs to obliterate targets on the battlefield. You can equip weapons to both the left and right arms of your mech, along with auxiliary weapons on the body for devastating combos. Piloting a mech feels genuinely unique—it’s more of a “chicken-walker” than a Gundam, and there’s a definite strategy to how you move and shoot.
I really appreciate how MechWarrior 5: Clans gives players the option for modernized controls, which feel more like a traditional FPS/third-person shooter, with movement on the left stick and aiming on the right. Alternatively, it offers classic “tank controls,” where you move the mech by pressing up and turn the legs with left and right. While it takes some getting used to, using a mouse/keyboard or a HOTAS setup definitely provides a wider range of precise aiming.
However, if you’re like me and coming off Armored Core 6, piloting a mech in MechWarrior 5: Clans is going to feel a bit heftier and slower, but it really works to capture the game’s setting. There’s a kind of hostility as players stomp around in these cumbersome machines of war, reinforced by the game’s numerous destructible environmental objects. It trades the speed and grace of the Cores for a punchiness that you can really feel.
MechWarrior 5: Clans takes it a step further by introducing additional gameplay elements that enhance the narrative. As Jayden, you’re in command of a squad of four other Mech Warriors, and between missions, players need to manage their crew—from assigning Mechs to refitting weapons and researching new upgrades using items salvaged during combat.
“With sweeping orchestras and pounding drums, each track perfectly sets the stage for battles and pulls you further into the game’s world.”
Not only that, but all of your potential squadmates gain experience based on their performance during each fight. XP can be spent on abilities that can assist greatly on the battlefield so who you bring to a fight, and how well you command them is crucial to how you progress.
The one element from MechWarrior 5: Clans that I like in theory but dislike in practice is the Battle Grid. It functions similarly to the tactics system in Dragon Age, where players get an overhead view of the arena and can issue commands to their squadmates—like holding a position or attacking a target. It’s a great idea and adds technical depth to the action, but there’s one crucial flaw: gameplay doesn’t stop while you issue commands.
This means that while you’re trying to strategize and position your units advantageously, you’re left as a sitting duck. Considering how hard these Battle Mechs are meant to hit, you can lose a lot of health quickly if you’re not careful. I get that, since MechWarrior 5: Clans is designed as a Co-Op game, it would be difficult to stop the game to issue commands with other live players. While the Command Wheel helps alleviate this, in single-player, it feels like a bit of an oversight.
On top of the mostly stellar gameplay, MechWarrior 5: Clans looks absolutely gorgeous. The game takes full advantage of the Unreal Engine, crafting unique biomes on fascinating worlds, from lush forests to vast desert wastelands. The arenas are richly detailed and highly destructible. The advanced lighting and graphics systems add a lot of believability to the world, making the entire game feel lived-in and fleshed out.
Backing the visuals is an incredible soundtrack that dynamically dips and swells as players enter and exit combat. With sweeping orchestras and pounding drums, each track perfectly sets the stage for battles and pulls you further into the game’s world. This is complemented by the game’s voice acting, which, while a bit hokey, does an excellent job of selling each character and making them feel unique.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect with MechWarrior 5: Clans, but even as a casual lover of mech-based games, I was enthralled. I think long-time fans of the franchise will find a game that delivers everything they’ve come to expect and then some, while newcomers will discover a game that’s both incredibly deep and easily approachable.
