Usually, the Mech genre is about getting into robots and blowing up everything but that changes with MechWarrior 5: Clans. There are a lot of Mech games that follow the same formula Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is one of the recent examples. There is a variety of such Mech games but there is a franchise that is dedicated to delivering realistic Mech fights. The focus is on simulation, modern warfare, and human culture with an emphasis on how science changes warfare. All of it comes together with the MechWarrior franchise as it captures the feeling of being a Mech Pilot.
Though long gone are developer’s glory days but it is still going strong with the developer Piranha Games. The developer is famous for 2013 MechWarrior Online and MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries from 2019. Even though it shares numeric with MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, both games are not the same. MechWarrior 5: Clans is a stand-alone game that focuses more on the narrative. All this makes you wonder, Is MechWarrior 5: Clans Worth It? Let’s find out.
The Start
Players will take control of new cadets. Players start as hunters but later on, players turn into full-fledged warriors. Events lead to all-out war and invasion of the inner sphere which results in the start of Operation Revival. You play as a Star Commander named Jaden you will be leading your allies while engaging with other Mechs in different biomes.
Storytelling is one of the central focuses of the game so there are a lot of cut scenes, events, and dialogues in different missions. It connects you with the cast and the war that is taking place. MechWarrior 5: Clans successfully implement this idea and connect things. Despite that, some characters do seem superficial and it mostly happens due to dialogue and voice acting.
The squad’s convection is put to the test in the harsh reality of war which makes up for good storytelling. The main characters and side characters that you come across in the game have solid performance. Even though some of them are downright laughable. However, the lore and stakes of war are gripping which keeps the rest of the stuff in check.
The campaign is straightforward and there are not many complications. Once the invasion starts you will go on missions to different planets. The objectives usually revolve around taking down enemy units but the game does mix things up from time to time. Things go south in the beginning missions which sets a chain of events. In later missions, you will also need to scan the environment for switches to open gates, hack mines to prevent them from exploding, and stuff like that.
Missions
MechWarrior 5: Clans has good pacing and gives breathing room between different encounters. It increases the intensity of combat at a gradual pace. Each mission in the game has multiple battle areas. Each area has different visibility conditions, biomes, and tonnage. All of it comes down to the weapons that you are using. That’s when verity and the best of the game kicks in. You begin with different battle Mechs. You can quickly expand your arsenal and includes all of the classics.
The type of Mech you use decides tonnage which influences what you can equip. You can throw in an insane amount of guns and lasers if there are slots for it. If the weapon you equip is over the tonnage limit then you can’t take it to the battlefield. You can strip out and get back to the default loadout and begin again the way you see fit.
Heatsinks can be used to improve heat dissipation. Heatsinks become important when visibility is lower or HUD is distorted due to ECMs. It is especially useful when in a location with no water sources. If your Mech becomes too hot then it can stop functioning, turning it into a sitting duck. Â MechWarrior 5: Clans also give you the option to assign different weapon modes and adjust chain fire mode which helps In dissipating the heat.
Fight and Improve
There is also the option to hire scientists who will research different projects to improve weapons and tools using components that you acquire from different missions. Players can also spend XP on the torso rotation angle, speed, and acceleration of their mech. You can also save Omni Pods for different loudouts which brings build-making options to the game.
It is not all about Mechs because your pilot also gets to improve their skill as you get more XP in MechWarrior 5: Clans. Your pilot’s skill can also have an influence on the effectiveness of your build so you have to consider that as well. You can focus on energy weapons, put more XP in range, or go all out with missiles and ballistics. So, your skill has a huge impact on how you approach combat.
There is also the marketplace which can used to get battle Mechs, new weapons, and tools as per the situation.
Combat
The combat of MechWarrior 5: Clans is systemic and tense which is the central highlight of the combat. Whether you are panning at different sides to get a shot at the enemy, or using Jetpack to get to the higher ground there is a sense of intensity. Adjusting the crosshair to control weapon spread and travel distance of your projectile is also an important part of the combat. Stuff like ECM disrupting your HUD and other stuff getting crushed by the weight of the Mech feel just about right.
General Gameplay
There are different control options to choose from. You can go for a classic control scheme that separates motions from aiming. There are also controls for the modern shooting experience. The gameplay can take some time to get used to. Shooting from a distance and taking cover feels as good as going in with hand-to-hand combat and close-range weapons.
AI can feel out of place which results in some enemy units running into walls or having trouble moving around once stuck. Allies AI is also not that good and works best when they are assigned to damage an enemy. The combat wheel is handled well enough making it easier to use in combat.
MechWarrior 5: Clans is an upgrade over the previous games in the series. The atmosphere is more detailed and there is more foliage. Different models of Mechs have more details. Facial animation is decent enough and does not feel out of place.
Verdict (Is MechWarrior 5: Clans Worth It?)
If you are coming to the game after playing MechWarrior: Mercenaries and are thinking that it missed out on the campaign as well as the story then MechWarrior 5: Clans will scratch that old itch. From the way characters are handled to the way Mech combat is handled, there is a rhythm to it even if at times it feels lacking. It is a new game but don’t expect the new Armored Core like gameplay because the combat here is realistic and slower.
The game offers a lot of customization while at the same time, it nails the feeling of being a Mech pilot. It offers a realism and progression system that encourages experimentation. Even though there are some hick-ups the game stays true to its roots and the name MechWarrior. It is an amazing Mech game but it is not an amazing game in general but rather good enough.
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