Big metal chunks of death stomping towards another big chunk of metal death. It’s a simple pleasure that has come and gone for decades. At the heart of it all has always been MechWarrior, since 1989 the series has grown alongside technology, often providing a glimpse of what games would look like in the years to come. There was also MechWarrior Online.
The gap between the MechWarrior 4 and 5 is large, so large there’s a YouTuber somewhere probably already sending inappropriate messages. How do you revive a series a fair amount have forgotten about, with even more having no idea what a ‘MechWarrior’ is anyway? The answer? Ignore the temptation to oversimplify and make a sequel that respects its history.
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is, at its core, exactly what you’d want from a new entry into the series. The depth and focus on minor details for big results remain firmly in place, a clear commitment to maintaining the identity the series has built throughout the years. It’s this commitment that will probably act as the gate of entry for those curious about the game. Unless you’re willing to learn, you will not have a good time…and that’s a good thing.
There is a ‘story’ baked into the game, but its limited nature never allows it to go beyond being a tutorial and world builder wrapped together. Your father teaches you how to use a Mech, he’s then killed during an ambush and it’s left to you to avenge him while leading those he has left behind. There you go, that’s your lot. In truth, it’s enough to set you on your way. The core focus on MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is within its name. You’ll be naming, branding and building your new mercenary group, jetting across the stars to fulfil contracts, trade and possibly commit an atrocity or two.
MechWarrior 5’s sense of scope serves it well. The core principles of growing your new Mercenary company both in wealth and status opens up a much more engaging aspect of the game beyond the so-so single-player story. A fair amount of time will be spent on menus, negotiating contracts, upkeep Mechs, trading. It’s easy to get lost in them, but not for the wrong reasons. Dancing between high-paid contracts and haggling down for additional bonuses, while you pre-plan your next purchases, provides an undeniable buzz.
Mission preparation, as you’d expect, is a near-constant element. Every Mech has a stats sheet and a set of items that can be equipped to them…with their own stats sheet. A vast amount of details drench every aspect of MechWarrior 5, but not without reason. Picking the best Mech for the job, equipping it with the right tools, oh my what a nice warm feeling.
All these systems mean nothing if the action fails to hit the mark. MechWarrior 5 does hit the bullseye, most of the time. At its worst, a lot of the missions tend to fall into a similar pattern. Go here and blow this up or stop this from being blown up. When facing small enemies, the combat is lacking, mostly making you feel like you’re swatting flies. When enemy Mechs enter the fray things drastically improve.
Mech on Mech combat highlights the deeper side of the combat. Each part of any given death machine can be blown off or disabled. Legs, guns, torso and head all carry their own stats that alter how combat plays out. Playing between the lines of attack and preservation, MechWarrior does a good job of ensuring each engagement plays out differently. Large hulking enemy Mech puncturing your hull? Take advantage of their sluggishness and move behind them, smashing their arse in the process. Hits feel weighty and pound the eardrums, it just feels right. That feeling is also present in general movement. Small Mechs still thump with each step and larger ones pound the earth beneath them.
Everything looks and sounds how it should, with good performance throughout with everything racked up on to max settings on 1080p…apart from ray tracing. MechWarrior 5 struggles with the flashy option, sacrificing performance for an unnoticeable gain. Simply put, it’s not worth turning on.
Environments run into two separate tracks, dense with details or pretty flat to behold. The former hosting cityscapes and lush forests, with each aspect of them projecting a sense of life and believability. Trees turn to cinders under the effects of weapon fire, telling the tale of the battle that took place there. Cities crumble and wilt, leaving debris and skeletons of high-rise towers.
The Mechs themselves look wonderful. From metal behemoths, mid-size maniacs to the tiny little scouts. Each model has plenty of details that separate them from another, giving them a unique look both in your hanger and on the field. This look can be further enhanced via a fair amount of paint job options.
MechWarrior 5, as a package, is robust. A campaign with a healthy amount of meat to it, a sandbox mode that offers plenty of replay options and co-op. On the surface, the game may seem overwhelming. Learning how to handle Mech weights, managing weapon heat and damage control, micro-managing your merc company is all part of the process. It’s not the easiest process to master, but there’s enough support to ease you into it.
The Final Word
It may not set the world on fire, but MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is a good game held back by repetitive mission structures. Fans of the series will find plenty to enjoy upon their return. Those new to the series may be lost in the shuffle initially, but keep with it and the rewards will come.
– MonsterVine Rating: 3.5 out of 5 – Fair
