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'MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries' Is Cumbersome Yet Satisfying
Who doesn't love giant fighting robots
By Jennifer Allen Jennifer Allen Writer Swansea University, Staffordshire University Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology since 2010. Her work has appeared in Mashable, TechRadar, and many more publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 30, 2021 04:06PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Gaming Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Key Takeaways
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is like nothing else on the PlayStation 5.Controlling mechs is sometimes awkward, but works.Micromanagement can make this game feel slow, but complex. Piranha Games MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries isn't like other games. On the surface, it's a shooting game with giant mechs—something that sounds like you could switch your brain off and simply rely on your instincts to shoot anything that moves. In reality, though, MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries offers a lot more depth than that. It stands out among a generally more accessible PlayStation 5 catalog because it's so awkward at times. That's not always a good thing, of course, but if you're looking for a slower and more considered game than your usual 'it moves, kill it' experience, this one is a grower. It's sometimes lumbering pace, befitting of a huge robot but not always exciting, won't appeal to those looking for a quick fix. Learning to Walk
It's a mistake to expect MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries to feel like Titanfall when you first play it despite Respawn's mech-focused, first-person-shooter seeming similar. MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries takes me back to MechWarrior 2 for the PlayStation 1 back in the mid-1990s. It was just as tricky and cumbersome yet also oddly bewitching too. That's evident from learning how to control your mech. The machine's torso and legs can rotate independently, which is instantly weird to control. There's a definite learning curve here as you figure out how to manage two parts of 'your' body at once. It briefly makes you realize why infants are so clumsy when they're just starting. Except a clumsy mech can cause a lot more damage than a small child. It takes practice and patience too. Is it an enjoyable control scheme starting out? Not really. Early missions are forgiving, at least, so you get by lining up shots carefully and slowly find that controlling both torso and legs gets easier (and toggling Enable Arm Lock in the settings helps, too) but it's a stark contrast from other games. Slow and Steady Wins the Battle
The cumbersome nature of your mech continues elsewhere too. There are plenty of weapons, but they don't exactly fly out at speed. Weapons need a moment to reload, plus you need to target your shot well. This isn't Doom; this is an attempt at a mech simulator. Overheating is an issue, too, and mechs struggling with overexertion lead to weapons breaking. The temperature gauge is vital to your survival plans and goes completely against the usual gaming style of 'keep shooting.' It's possible to equip heat sinks to your mech to counteract this, but it's never a guaranteed solution. Patience is essential, and figuring out the more complicated minutiae of maintaining your mech is crucial. Mech Micromanagement
And complicated it is. MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries isn't just about exploration and shooting. It's also about managing your mercenary outfit and equipping your mech appropriately, all via some complex-looking menus. The game's PC origins are clearly on show here and not exactly intuitive for the regular console gamer. It's possible to upgrade a substantial amount of your mech right down to the heat sinks, but compared to what you'll usually encounter on the PlayStation 5, it's intimidating. Even plotting out a mission feels a little confusing as you need to negotiate to get the best deal, thereby earning more money to upgrade your mech and so forth. Of course, it all makes sense with a bit of time and practice, but MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries holds your hand just the bare minimum to help you get by. You soon find yourself spending a lot of time negotiating bonuses, salvaging bits and pieces from your mechs, and trying to keep your entire mercenary lineup happy. Unfortunately, the game's story doesn't exactly entice you into caring too much about the AI here. Otherwise, the micromanagement would feel more interesting. Earning Your Victories
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries sounds like a struggle at times because it is. Sometimes, you'll wish you had the effortless energy of a different game, able to bound around and fire off a volley of shots at speed. Pirahna Games At other times though, you'll appreciate the more careful thinking of it. There's nothing else like it on the PlayStation 5. While it might be overlooked on the PC, it's distinctive on the PlayStation 5. It's a completely different challenge than something you would find within Returnal or Demon's Souls; a far more cerebral experience through its management system. Is it for everyone? Not in the slightest. It's sometimes lumbering pace, befitting of a huge robot but not always exciting, won't appeal to those looking for a quick fix. Still, as a unique experience on this system, it's worth a look if you're keen to play something different. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Sony State of Play: Announcements, News, and More 4 Free Online Car Games How to Connect a PS4 Controller to a PS5 Ratchet & Clank Review: A Classic, Refreshed and Reimagined How to Fix it When Your PS4 Is Overheating How to Reseat a Desktop Memory Module How to Fix a CPU Fan Error The 10 Best Scary Virtual Reality Games How to Beat Guardians in Zelda: BOTW PS5 vs PS4 Pro: Should you upgrade? The Outer Worlds Review: A Sci-Fi Shooter with a Fun Story 'Fallout 3' vs. 'Fallout: New Vegas' Monster Hunter: World Review: Track Down Unique and Dangerous Monsters Miles Morales: The Man, The Spider (-man), The Game The 25 Best Fortnite Battle Royale Tips And Tricks Sony PlayStation 5 Review: More Than Just More Powerful Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies