Mechwarrior 5....

While I've never and probably will never spend cash in the Epic store, I do have a lot of games on my wishlist that are only available via it's stores exclusivity deals. Waiting for a Steam or GoG release is justification for cheaper prices and better long term reviews. Not to mention updates and better working versions of those games(imho). Mechwarrior 5 was on my list till I saw it was available on the Microsoft store and I could try it with the Xbox game-pass ultimate subscription. Free is free; Worth a try at the very least (TLDR - You'll either love it or....not).

Of late I've been all in on the Battletech game of the franchise. No complaints there; But maybe hopping back into a mech cockpit with the added out of cockpit first person view in a game was a bit of a curve ball I didn't expect to be a hurdle, even a small one. Overall I wasn't as impressed as I thought I'd have been with the game. The wait for a delayed game that was further delayed and then put on an exclusivity deal made for an expectation; My expectation and lack of researching(re spoilers) since it hit Epic has colored my views.

Me with this game now, well the reality isn't as great as I 'd hoped. I was far more surprised by the more recent Batteltech game than this one; So I'm happy I spent money on it instead of this....

So I've kind of been on a negative slop with MW5, This waffle will probably show that.

Launching a mission feels like your in a multiplayer lobby about to join a match! Small thing but I don't like when games to it like that. Then again this is probably due to the co-op mode the game supports.

While I have a friend who's into Battletech(the franchise and the game) and would play the game co-op with me; He's a Playstation man. He'd have to buy the game on PC. I'm hesitant about the game and I'm getting it for free... So to have a friend buy it.... No. I can't recommend this game.

I've played some Mechwarrior Online, it never really appealed to me in both gameplay mechanics and for the PvP. A game combination I couldn't get into. MW5 'feels' like I'm playing MWO lite(in a way, kind of.... sort of, hard to explain so I'll waffle on).

I have great nostalgia for Mech 4 (Merc's, Vengeance and Black Knight), even Mech 3 in parts. Mech 5 on the other hand has no hook for me.... It's a game that does nothing different to stand out. First person view doesn't cut the mustard. Starting it I played the tutorial and first mission then left the game for a few days. That's unheard of for me in a Battletech game.

Maybe because the main story of the game is a re-re-rehashed version of a basic Mech game or a variation of it. A mystery mech unit kills family member/mentor/friend and you need to take over/pick up the pieces and get revenge. It's a theme that's repeated because it's easy to make it work. No so here.

Maybe it's the double whammy of characterization on top of that theme that I don't buy into. Battletech(the game) for the most part had still art and flickering holograms with text and I found that more compelling then MW5's voice acted scenes(Even Unther still teach's better social skills!).

Playing this game makes me want to return to the older MW 4 titles or get back into a fresh Battletech campaign. Heck I've wanted to play more Cyberstorm!

Listening to the game music is harsh on the ears as well(A far cry from this). It's so.....generic. I love loud music (here, here and here are but a few) but the in game music's distract screech is annoying, no subtly to it at all, at least from what I've heard. The original Mech Mercs game soundtrack on the other hand had tracks I'd listen to outside of the game(this, this and this).

Being in a mech cockpit in the older games with the action swaying and the music swelling was emotive, a true experience. MW5 lacks heart and soul in that regard. I really can't be bothered with it.

Maybe I've been spoiled with past titles.

Yet I'm not fully disappointed by the game. I'm glad I'm getting to play it for free. If I'd paid cash I might be feeling different.

The first person view is different but it's not really necessary; So I end up asking more why questions and then ponder how much more work could have gone into the combat/in mech portions of the game.

Battletech(the game) proved you don't need fancy first person perspectives out of combat to do the game justice. The older games proved that point in spades. Maybe that's where I get more expectation from.

MW5 just feels a little off to me when in the mechs, I thought there was no weight to them. The momentum of slowing down or speeding up just felt too smooth no matter the terrain. It doesn't feel like there's any resistance to movement and feels more like being in a hovercraft.
Mech's can be fast, even big mech's but this game just doesn't have the weight to do it for me.

The game doesn't do it for me on a number of levels.

Heat dissipation doesn't seem to be faster when in rain or on a cold planet. Not enough to make a real difference. Basic stuff from a franchise perspective but to see it in game, well it doesn't seem to matter.

I've found my shoots being accurate with no effect and not accurate enough but still getting kills.

Pressing F to constantly align your feet(direction of travel) with the torso(where your looking) was a cross between helpful and a constant pain. F..... F.....F........fire lasers... F ..... F ...... F ..... F.....F........fire lasers... F ..... F ...... F ..... F ...... F ..... F ...... F ..... F ...... F

Damage isn't a battlefield concern, like a demolition derby it's just an out of combat time/cost that needs to be balanced or abused.

IMHO any bit of good is weighed down by what I see as negatives and that frustrates me.

This game is a take on a large franchise that's seen a lot of iterations over the decades. This game in my view is more Mechassault than Mech 4(not as any form of insult). Some things are dumbed down, 'easier' in the cockpit and harder or more complex on the management side. MW 5's different take/iteration on the mechanics of a mech game are what they are. In the way that Mech 4 felt more arcadey than Mech 3 so in that vein Mech 5 is more arcadey than any previous iteration yet still complex overall.

As there's no other 'current' mech game out there's no version or competition to weigh it against. It's hard to give an assessment other that with older game comparisons or different games in the same franchise. Is this a Mechwarrior game, yes. Is this the best Mechwarrior game, no. IMHO. 

Mechwarrior 5 is the PvE version of MWO, a fast paced, twitchy shooter. That doesn't work for me.

For me, right now this game is 'meh'; Forgettable and not worth the effort, time or energy to complete. I'll leave it installed and potter away when I feel like it.....  No idea when that will be....

It's not a bad game, even though I've hammered on it in this post. It'll do to go on with. For now. Especially as it's free for Pass/Ultimate subs. Each to their own. I'm sure there are gamers who will think the opposite of what I've said here.

Could this game have ever lived up to my expectations at all..... Mech 4 has been so long ago....