MechWarrior 5: Clans Review | Bytesized

[@SmoketySm0ke]

Weapon groups 3 and 4 are mouse buttons 3 and 4 by default, respectively. At least that has been my experience. They work just fine.

[@madmalkavian3857]

@SmoketySm0ke was looking for this. I play controller so it's easier to figure out so my first thought was, did you try pressing r1 or l1?

[@blueeyes1991]

If he is playing on console to access groups three and four you have to hold R1/right bumper then hit R2/right trigger or L2/ left trigger. They work but are awkward to use. in I played through the game and really enjoyed it but avoided using those groups. Hopefully they will update the controls with the option to change that

[@madmalkavian3857]

@blueeyes1991 I've only played mercenaries (don't have money or hardware to play clans) but for console did they actually change it to that? Cause that is a little weird they didn't assign 3 and 4 to their own buttons.

[@memnarch129]

@@madmalkavian3857 Traditionally no Mechwarrior titles have come to console for these reasons. There are so many controls needed that a full KBM/HOTAS was needed for mapping what youd want/need. On console there are going to be compromises. Same reason the reviewer had issues with the Classic controls, work fine on a KBM/HOTAS but horrible trying to do that with a controller. Its no offense to anyone playing Clans on console but Mechwarriors very bones are tied to being able to use 2 dozen plus keys. The console version is going to have compromises that just make the gameplay worse/frustrating.

[@madmalkavian3857]

@memnarch129 yeah that makes sense. Even while playing mercenaries all i could think was man this would be great if I had a Hotas controller and a squad of actual people.

[@jacoporegini8841]

Reactor - Online Sensors - Online Weapons - Online All systems - Nominal This is no longer a checklist. This is a prayer.

[@Tasarran]

You actually only get to hear this once in this game. Most missions start with a hot-drop and you start already on the ground.

[@jacoporegini8841]

@@Tasarran One should not venture on the battlefield before seeking the protection of the Machine Spirit.

[@TheGamerUnknown]

It's interesting to see an outsider's take. As a long-term veteran (MechWarrior 3+4, Mechcommander 1+2, Mechwarrior Living Legends, Mechwarrior Online, Mechwarrior 5 Mercenaries) there's some similarities and differences. Your opinion regarding no need for real strategy or tactics is true. It's mostly a slug-fest every mission - which was a bit disappointing. Mission variety with some missions where you really need to use those lighter mechs you invested time into would have been nice - instead of the tonnage going ever upwards. You also pointed out correctly that the specialization system doesn't make any sense given the structure of the campaign. I'm surprised you mentioned the audio as a positive - in my experience several of the lines should have been retaken and the quality and compression varies wildly - and 'scan mode' has a pop in the audio that drives me nuts. Also - performance is terrible on PC - but it varies a lot from player to player. I disagree on the controls and slowness, that's actually what I like most - I'm not a fan of the faster moving AC type mech games. Of course that's personal preference.

[@bubbasbigblast8563]

Expert difficulty requires tactics, but the problem is that it's in an extremely Piranha Games style: using terrain for cover, water for cooling to add extra DPS, making a Star mech for specific tasks like sniping, ordering a few mechs to shoot from high ground while you use a faster mech to draw enemy fire...that sort of thing. What you should be doing is rarely intuitive on a first playthrough though, and that's when you already know how MW5 games work...

[@TheGamerUnknown]

@@bubbasbigblast8563 I played on expert. It definitely had *challenge* it just didn't require a lot of thinking. I would have loved some more missions with variety, like something open-ended where you need to track down an enemy base, or a mission where you need tons of speed to catch a supply convoy, etc. Just something that's not always endless waves of 'Mechs.

[@meltoff9339]

@@TheGamerUnknown You are spot on, as a fellow mechwarrior/ Battletech veteran I strongly dislike the need to keep adding tonnage to your Star, I generally dislike Clan assault mechs, and think we should be given the ability to use a varied selection, this should have been handled via affinity. Being able to skill up for more evasion for light and medium mechs, maybe better ECM or cooling for heavies, and armor resistance for assaults.

[@Tasarran]

@@bubbasbigblast8563 One thing I found to be pretty effective in this game was to sprint through a group of enemies and come around behind them. You take a few hits, but they either turn to follow you, and they get the rest of the star shooting them in the back, or you get to shoot them in the back while they get pounded. The few times I tried any sort of subtle tactics had poor results.

[@jamesc.7216]

The Mechwarrior games can be difficult to wrangle if you aren't used to tank games. I adore the Mechwarrior franchise and have played alot of other tank sim games. My best friend, who played through every single Armored Core game with me, had the same problems Yahtzee did with the controls and speed of play while playing Mechwarrior 5. Bottom line is: if you liked 'World of Tanks' gameplay but wished your tank had about 10 more guns on it, try Mechwarrior.

[@TheGuardDuck]

Good advice!

[@TheBlargMarg]

Completely agree, been a fan of Mechwarrior since Mechwarrior 2 Mercenaries and loved 4 and the expansions. I'm also a HUGE fan of Armored Core since the very first game on the PSX, and yes they are both very different beasts. Mechwarrior you are more or less a literal walking tank. Slow, methodical movements that require the mastery of understanding the limits of your Steel of Doom. It's why I tend to go for the mid 40-50 ton mechs over everyone's love for the giant 90-100 tons because I like the balance of mobility, being able to actually rotate my torso on a dime, and having jumper jets to get around rough terrain.

[@jamesc.7216]

@@TheBlargMarg That's the truth. I know this kind of game isn't for everyone, my kids won't touch it, but I started with Mechwarrior 2. In Mechwarrior 5 my first playthrough was all about maximum firepower and armor but those assault mechs handle like steering an ice cream truck through a landslide. I will no longer pilot anything slower that 64kph. I also started investing in mobility, turning speed, and max speed upgrades. Mechwarrior 5 did make me a die-hard Battlemaster pilot even though I'm a Clanner at heart.

[@Tasarran]

I didn't like this one as much. I already finished it; I still play MW5:Mercs all the time

[@all-flat-engines]

The title of this should be, "If you like Armoured Core don't play this, if you like Mechwarrior play this!!!"

[@YellaChickenOG]

Yeah, pretty much the same with any MW Vs Armoured Core game. I've always been an MW fan and think big stompy robots feel better when slow and heavy, not flying ninjas. But I understand it's not everyone's cup of tea.

[@sebastienvondoom8615]

​@@YellaChickenOGThere's room for both, as early Gundam demonstrates.

[@disky01]

I really enjoy both, but they provide very different experiences which makes it difficult to recommend one or the other based on an interest in mechs alone.

[@Panboy2k]

I love both games, they both tickle my big stompy robot fix, that titan fall failed too.

[@ClockFink]

As an old-hand Armor Core fan: I agree with all-flat’s appraisal. Like it sounds like our reviewer just didn’t know what he was getting into. “Mechwarrior is a series about slow, clunky mechs” has always been a thing and thus been why I haven’t bothered. Like no shade to people into that formula, rather I’m saying people like me aren’t who should be reviewing it. Mechwarrior fans need a review from someone who already does (or is at least open to) liking Mechwarrior style games for the review to be useful; someone either down for the concept or able to recalibrate their expectations to be. Like of course if you prefer mech combat blindingly fast this series isn’t for you, we have 4 prior games establishing that. It’d be like someone reviewing Game of Thrones and talking about how they’d like it more if it was more similar to Disney’s Tangled. Like me too bud, but that’s why I’m not a good candidate to review it.

[@stormtempterf8058]

"I've never played a mechwarrior, so I'm going with new instead of classic controls, 3PV instead of Cockpit view and using a controller, to make sure the experience is as minimally MechWarrior as possible" Bold choices there.

[@RomaraAhallow]

"weapon groups 3 and 4 do nothing" So you didn't fiddle with the controls at all. Got it. Not trying to hate, a solid review, but that sentence really stuck out.

[@gloky.]

Yeah that stood out real bad. Also it means he did not pay attention during the tutorial missions. Where you are required to use all 3 weapon groups.

[@VanVelding]

Most of the gameplay clips seem to be from the first act as well.

[@ziyyigotipyigo6833]

0:58 The "forced" feel of the dialog may be a deliberate design choice. Clan veneration of the Star League extends to Star League Standard English, and Clan warriors (at least) choose words and phrasings that can sound overly formal to English-speaking Spheroids. Most famously, Clan warriors don't-- er, do not use use contractions.

[@Doomrider47]

And dear god do not point out Ack! itself it a contraction

[@Demios101]

Playing mech sim with third person camera? Absolutely freebirth move.

[@stormtempterf8058]

And no classic controls. Its like he went in wanting an Armored Core and was miffed they had to change the controls to do so. I bet trying to figure out which way his mech was going while aiming in a different direction, at speed, from the cockpit would overheat his neural processors XD

[@dmora2386]

Weapons 3-4 are not explained by the game properly. On game pad your right bumper acts like a "shift" button. So to fire groups 3-4 you hold right bumper, and either right trigger, or left trigger. Each combination will result in groups 3-4 firing. So: Group1: right trigger Group2: left trigger Group3: right bumper + right trigger Group4: right bumper + left trigger Group5: left bumper Group6: I just realized I have no idea how to fire group 6😅, maybe right bumper + left bumper?

[@marcellorenzz9525]

I would anyone interested in this game strongly reccommend to buy the PC version if possible. MW:5 has a very active modding community which added many things that now are build into MW:5-Clans. It´s likely this game will get a few years of love from modders too.

[@TotallySlapdash]

This sounds right up my ally & I somehow managed to miss the whole series despite PC gaming since TIE Fighter... where in the series should I start? Is it worth leaping in with the newest or is there a good 'first game' for the narative?

[@Exwalmartian]

Modding is just another of the litany of things PC offers that I literally can't give a shit about

[@TotallySlapdash]

@@Exwalmartian I take it you've never played TF2, DOTA2, Counter-Strike or PUBG then? They all started as mods. It's ok, current-gen consoles have a litany of things I can't give a shit about; paying a subscription for internet I already paid for is right up there.

[@Exwalmartian]

@TotallySlapdash I only play single player titles and don't support multiplayer functionality, so no. I haven't played those games. Obviously, I haven't any need for the subscription because of that But, even more than that. I've never connected my PS3, PS4, or PS5 to the internet. Games that aren't on discs don't deserve to exist in my view and I don't buy them. I am wholly against the existence of DLC add ons. I make sure that I buy games that aren't broken and need patches to function.

[@Exwalmartian]

@TotallySlapdash I haven't ever played those, but I only play single player games and refuse to support any form of multiplayer. So, I also don't need the subscription, even though I also refuse to support the subscription model as a business practice anyway I also don't, and haven't, connected my PS3, PS4, or PS5 to the internet. The only games I buy are physical releases and don't think games should be permitted to exist without being on physical. DLC add ons are pointless to me. The urge to connect a gaming machine to the internet is just dumb to me. The games I buy are the types that are functional on release and don't need patches to be playable.

[@AkDragoon]

Want to get more into the BT Universe lore? Tex Talk BattleTech right here on KZbin, people. Be prepared for 30 IRL years of BT Lore to flood into your brain.

[@ThomasUfnalCrowlake]

There's also Sven Van Der Plank, whose videos have much less production value and awesomeness than Tex, but who covers much more stuff in much more detail and in a more encyclopedic/history book style.

[@WayoftheFerret]

BattleTech isn't Armored Core and that's a good thing.

[@stormtempterf8058]

Blake bless you

[@MrMonkeywig1]

3:02 lol 'convoluted number grid'. you're just assigning weapons to the corresponding mouse button. You can also use the number keys to operate each group.

[@Alex.Holland]

I think hes on console, and i have heard the console control are horrendous.

[@nordicfatcheese]

@@Alex.Holland I didn't know you could even play Mechwarrior on console

[@josephridings5899]

@@Alex.Holland I had to fiddle with the controls to make it manageable because the default control system on Xbox Series X is horrendous. I honestly don't know why they changed the controls at all from MW5. Why mess with something that works?

[@boothefuzzyhamster3815]

​​​@@Alex.Holland Playing on Xbox now and can confirm console controls are smoother than they've ever been. The controls menu tells you what buttons are mapped to what groups, and you can set all the groups for each mech in the mech bay easily. I especially love that they gave us a button to rotate torso to meet leg direction. Weapon group 3 is the only thing that is weird compared to MW5: Mercs, otherwise classic is just improved.

[@AlexDenton0451]

Hot take but I don't think its a good idea to put out a review unless youre willing to meet the game at its level. I'm a long time MechWarrior fan and literally none of the issues I've had with the game (from bad audio and cutscene compression, certain chassies being worse than they should be for various reasons, horrendous customization that is strictly worse than MechWarrior 5 and especially Online etc.). I feel like this review doesnt do much for outsiders looking in, or insiders looking for a perspective on the game.

[@disky01]

The hammy voice acting is a staple of these games; they've always been played really over the top. But if you know the Battletech universe, you understand that it's a very fitting tone. I totally understand why an AC player might not be as interested in the mission pacing of Mechwarrior, but it's important to note that speed and agility are highly dependent on the mechs you use and how you build them. A light, fast mech with jumpjets can soar over the battlefield. I play both AC and Mechwarrior games but I've gotta say, the more deliberate, squad-focused gameplay is something I really enjoy and prefer to the solo style of AC.

[@UnNuclear]

It's funny that a lot of the negatives listed are actually positives for me.

[@bubbasbigblast8563]

@3:05 Nothing on a controller, I assume, because with PC controls, all weapon groups worked. Your AI teammates will also use the weapon groups you assign for their mechs, so if you don't want them firing 60 missiles at a turret, you very much want to set these groups up. Honestly though, that kind of esoteric game design is EXATLY the biggest problem for this game: even "Normal" difficulty was clearly designed for people who have been playing Mechwarrior 5 extensively, and thus, know how the AI, the weapons, and the mechs all work. Making a game for people who are already fans is fine, but an actual tutorial that at least taught the "good" weapon/armor configuration ideas was clearly needed if the devs want to sell the game to everyone else. Also, @2:33, congratulations, you became a Lore Accurate Omnimech Designer!

[@YellaChickenOG]

I gave up trying to get new people into MechWarrior a long time ago. Last attempt was getting some of my more competitive friends to play MWO but they just couldn't get to grips with the tank style controls and just kept walking into things while aiming in different directions and getting stuck and frustrated.

[@TejasAusten]

Weapon groups 3 and 4 work fine on console. I really hope they just ran into some sort of massive error or bug, because the game makes it clear how they work in the tutorial, and a few minutes of intuitive button combos would have also revealed how they work.

[@dmora2386]

It's bugging me out peolple are using the "new" control scheme making the mech move like a run and gun shooter than a mech pilot simulation. I still play the game independently controlling the torso and legs.

[@stormtempterf8058]

And playing almost exclusively from 3rd person instead of in the thick of things in the cockpit. Its heresy I tell you!

[@sk8fuze]

I've played the desktop board game since a child with my older brother, who over recent years has won the Battletech European championship a few times! I was never serious about it though and he always kicks my ass, lol. Looking forward to this and maybe in a computer game I can level the playing field against him 😁

[@Tasarran]

MW5: Mercenaries is a better experience, IMO. Still a solid game to this day

[@bigdaddychacha]

I’m gonna keep it real: as someone who has been playing iterations of Mechwarrior/Battletech since 1995, the decision to assign Mechwarrior 5 Clans to someone with no experience in the universe is wild! I’m all for attracting new players to the franchise, but dumping a new player, let alone as a reviewer, into what is essentially a lore-dense Mechwarrior 5.2 is pretty wild.

[@slickwillie5681]

You play in 3rd person. Opinion rejected.

[@Girvo747]

The default FPS controls and 3rd person view are a mistake IMO, it’s a shame it’s the default. Great game though, lots of fun The checkpoint thing is frustrating though!

[@AlexKopel]

Battletech & Mech Warrior Mercenaries are better introductions in my opinion

[@GuardianM25]

It is an embarrassing console release, the controls cannot be changed and the existing control scheme is awful

[@josephridings5899]

Yes they can. I have it on Series X and I was able to customize the control scheme.

[@tmenacet5350]

Like everyone else, i came to laugh at the "weapon groups 3 and 4 do nothing". Surely he could've googled this or played around? Its not like mechwarrior is new... Also, when he was talking about their annoying quippy dialogue, was anyone else waiting for at least a sample voice over in the review?

[@mattkuhn6634]

3:00 is simply not factual. Default mouse and keyboard controls put 3 and 4 on mouse buttons 3 and 4, and on the keyboard numbers (I.e. not the numpad). On controller you have to hold a button to select groups 3-6. Respectfully y’all, I can tell the reviewer was really trying to be unbiased, but this review amounts to mostly just “this ain’t armored core.” Don’t get someone who dislikes a genre to review it.

[@HeretixAevum]

He specifically said that it likes Armored Core, so how did that translate to 'dislikes the genre' to you?

[@Brogboolius_Maximus]

@@HeretixAevum He said he likes Armored Core 6, which is unlike almost every single other mech genre game, except maybe Daemon X Machina.

[@WayoftheFerret]

@@Brogboolius_Maximus Even the previous Armored Core games? As a BattleTech fan, seeing gameplay of AC6 convinced me that AC isn't for me.

[@Brogboolius_Maximus]

@@WayoftheFerret They're faster than MechWarrior for sure, but none of them are anywhere near as frenetic and busy as AC6. Check out some gameplay from the original one, or Master of Arena. They're old games, but I think they're still fun.

[@befayedocrimes4751]

@@WayoftheFerret Previous AC games also played very differently to AC6. AC6 is sort of a hybrid of old and new, but with a lot of changed gameplay systems to accomodate - 1-3 and spinoffs were much tankier and more plodding, 4 and For Answer were highly mobile and very aerial-focused. Can't speak to 5 since I never played it.

[@Harabeck]

Your first mistake was playing in 3rd person lol.

[@jacktraveller8290]

To use groups 3 & 4 on the controller you have to hold R1 like a shift key. The commands are R1+R2 for group 3 & R1+L1 for group 4 on the classic controller layout. I don't think it's explained in game, took me ages to get used to

[@VanVelding]

Love Battletech, but there are some valid critiques of MW5C here. Near-useless commands, no save points in long missions, light- and medium- 'mech specializations being pointless are all valid. Groups 3 and 4 work just fine. Maybe just check your controls. EDIT: Oh. Right console players. That does suck, man. The jump jet and 'mech customization criticisms are 100% skill issues though. Glad to hear to story is comprehensible to someone new to the setting. They really leaned into it and it seems like the best part of the game.

[@oh7mak]

Maybe I'm missing something, but the upgrade section of the review sounded like "this game allows for specialization and upgrades for each mech. I spread myself out upgrading each mech a tiny bit and was dissatisfied"

[@kevingriffith6011]

My read from what he was saying is that the way the system is discourages you from interacting with the upgrade system until you hit the endgame. He implied that the higher tier mechs you can unlock over the game are statistical upgrades over the early ones, so any upgrades you have purchased for an inferior mech are just wasted. Again, this is just my interpretation of what he's saying, I haven't played the game myself to confirm.

[@blueeyes1991]

@@kevingriffith6011 I played through the game and enjoyed it. As the game goes on you get access to heavier mechs that are slower but better armoured and with more space for guns. The level design expects you to keep pace with the expected party tonnage. I suspect that you could get good enough to use the lighter mechs but the lighter armour leaves you with very little room for mistakes. But customised correctly some of the light ones can do a fair bit of damage

[@memnarch129]

@@kevingriffith6011 They arnt neccesarily statistical upgrades, but they are heavier, meaning more armor and more internal space to pack more weapons and equipment. Problem with Clans is due to its linear nature your drop tonnage, how much you can bring, increases over the game. Meaning by about the 15th mission with a 300 or more ton drop weight your not going to be bringing a 30 ton Artic Cheatah to the mission. The game really needs to be longer. while you do missions that increase in tonnage allowed there should of been side missions that had lower weight limits to emphasize taking smaller mechs and not just min maxing with the most tonnage you can.

[@memnarch129]

@@blueeyes1991 In a full team you could very well use a light mech as a back staber, let your friends aggro the enemy mechs and get inbehind to rip their weak rear armor apart, or also scout ahead to trigger spawn waves or go ahead and scan the second of somthing. But yeah in the solo experience Clans does kind of push you to min max your tonnage.

[@blueeyes1991]

@@memnarch129 You can in Co-op with other players I 100% agree there, playing that way with AI just does not work well.

[@ReclaimedDasein]

You know what? This is a really fair review from you KC. Most people don't realize Mechwarrior has been a F-1 game since mechwarrior 2. It's not for everybody.

[@fess3932]

As a long time MW veteran (MW3 when I was 6), I had a feeling this game would be pretty hard for greens to get into, but I love how much this game caters to the Battletech community. I have always wanted to see what the Smoke Jags homeworld would look like in modern graphics before Op Bulldog. As a clan fan, It’s so beautiful to see their terrible government on such a splendid world.

[@hairygrump]

My relationship with these games started with tabletop Battletech in the 80's and I've played every single one of them. I had a special hat I wore when I played Mechwarrior II almost 30 years ago. I think this one is as good as any of them. I'm having a blast with it, but if I was expecting Armored Core when I jumped into it I bet I'd hate it.

[@VascovanZeller]

I think maybe you guys got the wrong reviewer for this particular assignment, no? I offense, I can tell the guy put in the hours and engaged honestly, but in the end it just feels like reviewer and game are mismatched.

[@hunterjorgensen1145]

I personally find this type of review helpful since I'm also new to the series. It LOOKS like a cool game, but the review makes me realize it's not for a player like me.

[@Stammer6]

Mecha fans have been eating well these last couple of years! I actually didn't even realize how different this one was from Mercenaries (I thought it was just an expansion). I'll have to put this higher on my priority list.

[@DerpHerper]

Oh yeah if you don't dig this control scheme, you won't be into the series. It's a cornerstone.

[@tipulsar85]

Welcome to the Inner Sphere if this is your first encounter. Make sure to pay your HPG bills on time and NOT worry about the standard mode of diplomacy. [out of character, other options to play would be the 2018 PC game Battletech or the tabletop forms.]

[@GhostCrowBrother]

I love the MW games. I was getting suckered into this but it felt like it ended right when the story should've taken off. Now I wanna go back to MW5.

[@ianhubble9973]

not sure I'll get to pick this one up, but at least the composers (seemed to have) cooked with the OST

[@jasonshunatona2584]

Youre review wasnt totally negetive. Also yeah MW is not a run and gun type game. I do wish it was more practical to issue battlefield commands using the battle map However the Companion AI will do just about anything you need them to do with a little pre battle set up. If i would add anything to this game it would be the ability to call on ground reinforcemnts or scouts for certain mission types. I suggest diving into some of the books. I suggest starting with the twilight of the clans saga since this is the first MW game you have played

[@arkturhellsing1484]

Oh wow this definitely looks like a mechwarrior game! Its amazing how much of the mechanics are exactly the same.

[@maurizio058]

Modernized controls are for those who never played a MechWarrior game and can't handle the controls of classic gameplay. Comparing this to Armor Core is the wrong comparison. There really is not a comparison for MechWarrior games except for probably Chrome Hounds. In the lore they are literally called "walking tanks with a nuclear reactor." Honestly, any reviews of MechWarrior games that come from people that nevem played any of the other games in the franchise i dint put a whole lot of stock in.

[@arthurwong9017]

Cant wait to pilot a mad dog and timberwolf again after all these years. Downloading from steam now. Is Ebon Jaguar in this?

[@LordRefa]

Mechwarrior games have always been a niche market and more or less pc centric due to the more demanding controller configuration. Too many for button boys to handle, takes a keyboardman. 😆

[@blueeyes1991]

Honestly the PS5 controls were mostly fine, if they patch in the ability to reorganise or rebind the weapon group buttons it would be pretty solid. The biggest thing is that MASC is very awkward to use as it is two steps in the radial to turn it on or off.

[@Glitch_Online]

I'd like to thin i'm past the "new to the franchise" phase, but this is a pretty damn accurate review for a newcomer. This is one of those games where you play it for the "Mech" game play and the story is a bonus, a good one (if as you mentioned, tiresome dialog at times) for what what it is.

[@andrewhickinbottom1051]

Looks neat! I like my mechs slow, heavy and stompy, unliked the fast and skatey ones from Armored Core. I have fond memories of playing Mechwarrior 2 on PC back in the day as well. How is the interior / cockpit view? Is it immersive and shaky? It looks kinda arcadey and lacking in scale and heft in third person.

[@bsademax5135]

It does have a normal Mechwarrior first-person view, yes.

[@blueeyes1991]

I played the whole game in 1st person, to me it felt way better than the third person view

[@TOGSolid]

First person view is great and super immersive, especially on triples

[@Girvo747]

It’s great!

[@Alex.Holland]

It has the standard mechwarrior controls and first person cockpit view. Its good. However the game isnt slow, In fact you cant even get a slow mech until the last 6 missions or so. You play the clans, and all the mechs you start with run at like 130 kph. Its a surprisingly fast paced game.

[@void2258]

Groups 3 and 4 work fine. The issue is 5 and 6 where I am out of buttons.

[@tgdm]

Merely the opinions of a freeborn surat.

[@stormtempterf8058]

Aff!

[@danteyoda]

Armored Core 6 was terrible..

[@DerpHerper]

We've been looking forward to this one.

[@Tazer_Silverscar]

Mmm... I always enjoyed the perspective of the Clans, but I've never really been interested in taking the side of Smoke Jaguar. I'd have been more interested in Jade Falcon. I'm also not fond of the fact that the games are always so heavily focused on this time period (around 3040-3060), when the main narrative is currently focused about a century later.

[@Hazmathavok1222]

Not everyday I stumble across an outsider of the franchise trying to make a quick buck off a game review however, It's not a bad video and it's kinda refreshing hearing views from someone outside the franchise looking in great video overall but you should of played mw5 mercs first

[@scytale6256]

I agree that fights are a slugfest. I didn’t bother customising my builds after I saw that tonnage was all that really mattered which is a real shame. Personally I preferred the more focused story compared to Mercs’ open world. I feel like the tactics map is a good addition but not executed as well as it could have been. I mostly used the quick commands except in later missions where me being at the front of the formation meant I took a tonne of damage. Story wise, I felt I could follow everything despite having a broad strokes knowledge of the lore. My only real gripe was where the story ended…it’s important to your crew but doesn’t feel like the decisive clash it should have been

[@HUNbullseye]

Someone please tell me, the "no autosaves during missions" is just a misunderstanding too. Or at least they are patching it in now.

[@RMMinc]

Doubt it honestly. You plan your mech design to last the whole mission with an appropriate amount of ammo and armor. If you lacked both by the point of checkpoint happening, no amount of reloads would help you. And honestly the game is about building the mech and piloting it. Redoing the mission with a different build, if need arises, is just more game.

[@fess3932]

I think it is? I only died once in the whole campaign, and I think the game set me back to where I opened the gate halfway through the level. I don’t think every mission has a checkpoint though. Ill be playing it again on hard to find out.

[@AlexDenton0451]

MechWarrior has never let you save mid mission. They're made to be short, 30 minute bites of gameplay for the most part.

[@stormtempterf8058]

It is absolutely not needed, because the consequences of your failure are exceedingly minimal. If you get blowed up mid-mission, you can cycle through lancemates till you find the one you want and Assume Direct Control (ME ref) and finish out the mission. You dont suffer injuries and you do not risk death, just steeper repairs before next mission. I had one mission go bits up on me and I went down along with 2 of my lancemates. The other 2 finished it out with minimal damage, and upon return, I leveled up, requisitioned more techs and had all but one mech welded up in time for next drop - but - because I leveled I also got a new free mech, so I just put the broke one on back burner. So I literally had a 60% loss on a mission and was able to hit the next mission at 100%.

[@Minchandre]

Not using advanced tactics is just Clanners doing Clan stuff. In fact, the "focus fire" command is absolutely dezgra (dishonorable).

[@stormtempterf8058]

Right? Needed a button to issue duel challenges while we stumble into entrenched combined arms positions and get whacked for the true clanner experience XD

[@madcat789]

Honestly, try MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries and Mechwarrior 3. Those may be better. Want more tactics? Play Battletech by HBS.

[@blueeyes1991]

As someone who loved all those games I wish that they came out of licensing hell and got patched and rereleased, not a remaster, just compatible with modern hardware. MW4 Mercs just will not work on my PC and MW3 has issues with CPU clock speed that makes it barely work.

[@madcat789]

@@blueeyes1991 This is why I keep an old PC around, to play those old games.

[@HUNbullseye]

Mechwarrior 3 was so nice to cheese: ER Lasers everywhere, sweep the leg from outside their firing range, repeat as needed.

[@TankMarion]

Mechwarrior is a pretty niche series of games, so its understandable the reviewer can barely get into it. I've had a lot of fun with MW5 Mercs myself, but it's definitely not for everyone.

[@saemi74-fp9pk]

It's like watching a review about a fps and the main complain is that you need ammo and to aim. 😂😂😂

[@Gnadelwarz]

If you realy want to get in to the fiction and the background of Mechwarrior and Battletech, there are over 100 Novels with background Story. Pretty much "Game of Thrones in Space with Mechs" :D 2 Good Starting Points: The First Novels: grey death trilogy. And if you want to know more about the clan invasion: The blood of the kerensky Trilogy.

[@madcat789]

Was expecting a Yahztee review.

[@PhoenixFireZero]

He already reviewed Mechwarrior 5 Mercenaries. This is mechanically the same thing

[@madcat789]

@@PhoenixFireZero Ah but this one is MechWarrior with a "Story", as I've been told.

[@RMMinc]

@@PhoenixFireZero i feel like story is 50% of the game in this one. The game took a hit with just a couple of mechs available for you and maps being small and railroady. It's not mw5:mercs anymore imo. It's good in its own way.

[@VanVelding]

@@madcat789 This is a meat 'n potatoes story set dick-deep in the lore. Yahtzee would destroy it.

[@caseylake9783]

His "I've never played a mechwarrior 5 game" comment made me stop, downvote, comment, then leave... in that order.

[@dvhh]

maybe the best successor to mechassault

[@thomasgiles2876]

3 and 4 do work, you have to hold the alternate fire button to use them on a controller. This is a bad review. I appreciated Yahtzee not liking MW5, that was a good negative review. You straight didnt get the controlls to work and blamed the game. This is the kind of thing that when IGN does it, it gets shared around and laughed at.

[@Brett_is_Veng]

probably tough coming in as a noob to the mech warrior world, i have been playing mech games for many years but i did find this one to be sub par compared to some of the earlier games in teh franchise, they probably tried to appeal to more people and alienated the faithful repeat players as a result. This is not uncommon. I got my copy on ps5 when on a deep discount but i still felt a little ripped off honestly. A shame becuase i love the mech games as a genre. I guess i will be sticking to titanfall 2 which is far more satisfying as a mech game

[@TejasAusten]

Mostly great info, with one huge problem. What exactly did you try before deciding the game just included weapon groups 3 and 4 for no reason, and intentionally set them to "just not work"? Not only are you wrong, but common sense would dictate trying at least a few fixes before putting it in the script, right? They're annoying to use, but that's a far cry from not working at all.

[@immortalkrogan8578]

"weapon groups 3 and 4 do nothing" you mean mouse back and forward??

[@Bird_Dog00]

1:26 Dezgra freebirth move.... ;-)

[@hankhill4101]

The controls aren't bad.

[@Brogboolius_Maximus]

Heh see, this review is music to my ears. As a long-time Armored Core, MechWarrior, and Earthsiege fan, I absolutely despised what From did with AC6 and ended up refunding it. This sounds like exactly what I've been wanting more of. Thanks for the review, KC.

[@AlexDenton0451]

Really? I loved AC6 myself, I was a huge ACFA guy so 6 really was a great time. There's some weird stuff but overall I like the game a lot.

[@Krystalmyth]

This game DESPERATELY needed a PAUSE COMBAT screen to give orders to your Squad. The game just turns into a slugfest most times. Didn't find the gameplay stimulating at all.

[@AxeMan808]

See, as a vet of the series, from watching the game played (not playing myself) it looks WAY too fast. They're moving like Elementals.

[@gloky.]

God the wiggling about legs look just....wrong. Why would someone even do that. It makes me physically uncomfortable to see that.

[@lumeronswift]

Having played MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries, this game was such a confusing disappointment. It also didn't run higher than 20fps after about 20 mins of play, on a current-gen gaming rig, even at 1080p with DLSS. As much as I love FromSoft, I really hate the mecha feel, ao I was looking for a good continuation of MW4M. Then again, I somehow skipped MW5M, so remedying that now.

[@eliarevalo]

I've never liked fast mech Combat. Like I grew up with Macros, Robotec. But I was never a fan of fast mech combat. TITAN fall is as fast as I'll get. Armoured Core has never been for me... Fun notes clanner talk like this. They are goofy nutbags. So the game is accurate and on point for bad dialogue because they are really crazy and robotic

[@onahdenchris3250]

Its not armored core

[@theritchie2173]

I love the BattleTech universe, loved a bunch of the earlier games, was very happy when this turned up on Gamepass. Installed it on Day 1. And... I quit after the training mission, I just couldn't get into the controls / weapon groups etc. Maybe I'm just getting old, I'll definitely go back and try again in a little while.

[@blueeyes1991]

The weapon group buttons are pretty weird but if you get used to using weapon group 5/6 you can use the left bumper too. Hopefully they'll patch in rebinding of the groups.

[@odg1190]

I always have this problem with Battle Tech games of just not liking how long the time to kill is. I wish we had a mech franchise something more a kin to Warthunder where it's slow but very fast kill times so it's more about positioning and bursts of attacks instead of just a lightshow pointed at the other guy for 90 minutes until they pop

[@BlueAversion]

2:01 And that was the same reason I bounced straight off Mechwarrior 5 Mercenaries.

[@violetorchid9184]

Eww, modern controls. Classic all the way.

[@pekkapalikka6313]

Reviewing a MW game without played any of the previous ones and on console is a bold move. At least I've always played on pc and couldn't even imagine playing without joystick as it's feels like must for MW games

[@Vanq17]

Weapon groups 3 & 4 are (usually) the thumb buttons on your mouse. If you dont have those then yeah, the weapon groups dont work... but what gamer doesnt have a mouse with thumb buttons nowadays? :P

[@MisHarmony]

Mech tank 1.5 adjust to mark 12, left seem to 7, right arm to alpha 6 nought 4. I mean, MY GOD, have you even ever gnarfled the garthunk in all 9 previous games, especially the Coneheada expansion pack 1.1.2.7.2.4.6.9 alpha gamma?!? Geez. It’s like you aren’t even exactly like me and my hyper specific game tastes! (Sarcasm font)

[@distantblaze561]

"I didn't play the game properly and was frustrated by doing so" Daily reminder that Gaming Journalists AREN'T people.

[@Corn_DOG]

Armored core? Gtfo ofhere

[@DarkElfDiva]

"I've never played a Mechwarrior game before..." If you had, you'd know that this one's kinda mediocre.

[@AlexDenton0451]

It's definitely better than 5 Mercs but that's a low ass bar.

[@stormtempterf8058]

Solid B-. Mercs....flat C. (just IMO). The trend is on the upward vector and I hope it continues to sustain momentum, lol

[@lanzelloth]

this is the core issue with nearly every mech games, 'hold left click on slow moving target while slowly moving yourself' the game. I'm sure there are redeeming qualities, but nothing that compares to any other variation or iteration of fps/tps/just any action game

[@AlexDenton0451]

If you're playing MechWarrior like that you're generally playing poorly. Weapons fire 1 time every 5-10 seconds, and you don't have enough armor on harder difficulties to stand in the open without torso twisting to spread damage across multiple areas on your mech or moving quickly to cover.

[@stormtempterf8058]

Yep, at slow moving slugfest speeds you need to be twisting, serpentining or switchbacking, sweeping around obstacles and reversing after volleys and hold steady aim while not only under fire, but under direct impacts.

[@stormtempterf8058]

Or have your lancemates do that and just rain Artemis LRMs from the sky like an angry god from 800m

[@Abby_Sciuto]

First, baybee!!111

[@tres4dayz]

This pales in comparison to AC6

[@Ryvucz]

I won't get it, PGI messes up everything.

[@AlexDenton0451]

Agreed, MWO is a husk and Living Legends basically doesn't exist because of them

[@PhalisoBringerOfDoom]

Meh, mid game with poorly writen story Armored Core 6 was objectively better in every way, no one should waste their money on this trash This one should've been given to Yahtzee to shit on

[@PhoenixFireZero]

Not everyone appreciates the FromSoft formula. Besides, he already covered the previous iteration of this game.

[@TheCatWarBoss]

What you saying is far form being objective. ts two different kind of games for different type of players.

[@subtlewhatssubtle]

Considering Mechwarrior began life as a full feature vehicle combat simulator on the PC, having since had the engine built to accommodate the limits of a console to compete there as a mech action game, yeah, it's not bringing its best to the table. Wishing no offense to consoles, since I play plenty on my PS4, I think Mechwarrior needs to remember it's a vehicle combat simulator and lean into that strength rather than play catch-up against franchises that have done fast action far better.

[@Alex.Holland]

AC6 is a masterpiece, and this is a 6.5, but its a really enjoyable 6.5 to the people who like it. I have had a blast playing co op with some friends through the campaign, and am excited for any upcoming dlc stories they do.

[@bubbasbigblast8563]

If you were playing MW5 Clans exactly like Armored Core 6, you probably got stuck on the second mission and rage quit.

[@fess3932]

As a long time MW veteran (MW3 when I was 6), I had a feeling this game would be pretty hard for greens to get into, but I love how much this game caters to the Battletech community. I have always wanted to see what the Smoke Jags homeworld would look like in modern graphics before Op Bulldog. As a clan fan, It’s so beautiful to see their terrible government on such a splendid world.