We've got another MechWarrior game on the way! This one's called MechWarrior 5: Clans, and it acts as a standalone sequel that will be playable solo or in five-person co-op, available on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S later in 2024.
Compared to the most recent MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, Clans is said to feature "an entirely different style of game design" complete with a focused campaign mode that tells a Clan Invasion story for the first time since the '90s.
"The series’ first Clan Invasion story in decades is contained in a tight campaign of narratively driven missions where all components are intricately designed, from dialogue to mission layouts to combat scenarios. MechWarrior 5: Clans’ traditionally designed campaign is entirely self contained, separate from MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries’ utilization of procedural elements to provide an experience that can be played for dozens of hours..."
"The result delivers an engrossing story told through a varied series of stages with tense, climatic battles, standing as the first of its kind in narrative structure and cinematic progression in the MechWarrior series."
MechWarrior 5: Clans is being developed using Unreal Engine 5 for the first time which lends to "stunning visuals" throughout, with the campaign taking place across a variety of planets that are said to be dripping in immersive realism.
There are also new progression and customisation systems to utilise, such as ally directing tools and an updated Mech lab, Hardpoint, and Omnipod system. All in all, it sounds like a significant upgrade compared to Mercenaries.
You can check out some footage from IGN above, and we'll let you know when MechWarrior 5: Clans gets a nailed-down release date. Hopefully it'll be on Xbox Game Pass too, as the previous game launched "day one" into the service.
"MECHWARRIOR 5: CLANS follows a Star of Clan Smoke Jaguar warriors during Operation REVIVAL, a full-scale invasion of the Inner Sphere. Armed with an arsenal of cutting-edge BattleMechs, meticulously designed maps and missions deliver immersive and intricate tactical gameplay and combat experiences."