As I’ve grown older, my gaming preferences have shifted from multiplayer-centric experiences to a greater focus on cooperative or single-player adventures. While I’ve dedicated countless hours to multiplayer titles like Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and the original Destiny, these days I prefer a more relaxed and strategic approach. 

This brings me to MechWarrior 5: Clans from Piranha Games, coincidentally the first entry in this long-running series that I’ve had the pleasure of playing. With its support for up to five-player online co-op, it seemed like an ideal fit for my current tastes. Any game featuring towering mechs and explosive action is a winner in my book, so let’s embark on a journey into the galaxy and see what awaits in MechWarrior 5: Clans.

While I typically begin with a discussion of the story, in this case, I feel I’ve only scratched the surface of the game’s extensive lore. The narrative follows a newly graduated commander from the Smoke Jaguar cadet school who is immediately thrust into Operation Revival, a Clan invasion of the Inner Sphere. The intricacies of this conflict are explained in broad strokes, likely leaving those unfamiliar with the MechWarrior universe somewhat confused. As the commander, you lead a “Star” of five mechs across diverse planets and biomes, completing missions and progressing through the campaign. While I won’t delve into spoiler territory, I found the narrative to be quite engaging.

The presentation is another strong point. The mechs are visually impressive, both in third-person and first-person views, and stomping around the battlefield is immensely satisfying. Leaping over cliffs with jump jets and engaging enemies is a visual spectacle. The environments are varied, ranging from lush jungles to arid deserts, and they all look fantastic in motion. The combat areas, while not open-world, are expansive and well-defined, but straying beyond the mission boundaries is quickly discouraged. The enemy mechs are formidable and well-designed, posing a significant threat. 

The story is conveyed through fully voiced cutscenes with commendable voice acting, though some of the terminology used can be a bit esoteric. The cutscenes themselves are well-animated and effectively drive the narrative forward. The sound design is equally impressive, from the chatter, to the thunderous footsteps of the mechs and the cacophony of battle.

Now, let’s delve into the core of the game: the gameplay. First and foremost, MechWarrior 5: Clans is challenging. Unlike the more arcade-like Armored Core series, this game emphasises realism and tactical decision-making. Enemies are relentless and will quickly reduce your mech to scrap if you’re not careful. 

And one interesting aspect is the ability to target specific components on enemy mechs. Disabling their legs, for example, hinders their mobility, while destroying their arms limits their offensive capabilities. Of course, your own mechs are equally susceptible to damage, and finding yourself with only a peashooter left is a precarious situation. Mastering movement and positioning, both for yourself and your mates, is crucial for survival and it’s here where the tactical map becomes an indispensable tool for coordinating attacks and avoiding enemy fire. You can lock onto enemies and unleash missiles, but ammunition management adds another layer of complexity. 

Unfortunately, the game doesn’t adequately explain some of its mechanics, such as replenishing ammunition from battlefield caches. As a newcomer to the series, I would have appreciated a more comprehensive tutorial. Even selecting which weapon to fire can be cumbersome, and these systems could benefit from simplification.

MechWarrior 5: Clans‘ progression systems offer depth and customisation. As you complete missions, you earn money, merit points, and experience for both your pilots and mechs. Pilot and mech experience is used to upgrade skills, such as damage output and speed. Similarly, in-game currency can be used to purchase new mechs and weapons. Each mech has a weight limit, restricting the amount of weaponry and equipment it can carry. Larger mechs can equip more powerful weapons but are slower and less agile, while lighter mechs offer greater manoeuvrability at the cost of firepower. Choosing the right mech and loadout for each mission is a strategic puzzle in itself, and I enjoyed optimising my arsenal.

Despite its complexity and challenging learning curve, MechWarrior 5: Clans is a rewarding and engaging experience. It demands tactical thinking and careful resource management, offering a refreshing departure from more action-oriented mech games. While the lack of guidance and steep difficulty might be daunting for newcomers, the depth and strategic possibilities make it a worthwhile endeavour for those seeking a more immersive and demanding mech combat experience.

MechWarrior 5: Clans Storms onto Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC – https://www.thexboxhub.com/mechwarrior-5-clans-storms-onto-game-pass-xbox-series-xs-playstation-5-and-pc/

Download MechWarrior 5: Clans on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/mechwarrior-5-clans/9P9FJCK32PMT