Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 73 | 48 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 97 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 85% | 78 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 86% | 80 | 739 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jun 3, 2026) · 300 reviews sampled · 739 total reviews in window · weighted 228.1 up / 36.7 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (58)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 90
“MechWarrior 5 revigorates the franchise not only with its new visuals and procedurally generated maps, but also gives you a glimpse of the hardships faced by mercenaries that are treated not too different from gig workers that rose up in the last couple of years. A fantastic game through and through.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“It may not offer the twitchest of gameplay, but getting past some antiquated aspects will yield an enjoyable time.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“MechWarrior 5 is lengthy and complex but extremely tedious and often obnoxious. What could have been a very enjoyable experience is dragged down by bad movement, menus, and pacing.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Enjoyable mech combat hobbled by poor mission design, unnecessary load screens, and a dull story”
read full review ↗ - 65
“While I am glad to see MechWarrior make a return; its just not the one I’ve been waiting for. While the latest expansion Legend of the Kestrel Lancers adds new mechs, biomes and a linear story missions its still more of the same, so if one doesn’t like the base game…. Then the expansion isn’t going to do much to change that.”
read full review ↗ - 72
“The biggest issue with MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is that it hits you with all of its shortcomings at once. Keep playing, though, and the game establishes itself as a fun title that's worthy of the MechWarrior moniker. Play it with friends, and it becomes even more entertaining. Dated aspects of its presentation aside, the combat remains fun mission after mission, and it continues to test you as you become more powerful. Start blowing apart enemy mechs with a small array of PPC cannons and make a few big pay days, and you'll appreciate the game for what it is.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“It might be overwhelming for newcomers, but stick with it and MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries offers some surprisingly deep and rewarding giant robot combat. The management side might confuse, but stick with it, and you’ll enjoy the ups and down of mercenary life.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is a welcome addition to the series thanks to its various mission types, online co-op, and a healthy roster of mechs and mech variants.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“MechWarrior is back with poor story without new ideas and charisma of previous games. Only contracts and cooperation can save this low quality sequel.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A thoroughly decent-to-good mech game with some weird design choices and a not-always-good retro feel.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“A solid expansion that brings a lot of new toys to play with and mission variations to play in. The campaign is a fun exploration of a pivotal time in Mechwarrior lore. If you own Mechwarrior 5 you should own this.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“There's fun to be had with MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, but it's probably not for everyone. If the management aspect of the game appeals to you almost as much as using a giant mech to launch a salvo of missiles at a large skyscraper-sized enemy, then you'll likely enjoy MechWarrior 5. There's lots of repetition in the gameplay, but it's tempered a little by the changes it goes through as a result of your growing mercenary outfit. It's rewarding if you put the time in, but it's a shame there's no matchmaking to help alleviate the repetition.”
read full review ↗
Hu3br
Gamer Escape
PC Invasion
Capsule Computers
ZTGD
Worth Playing
FingerGuns
CFG Games
SECTOR.sk
MonsterVine
GameGrin
TheSixthAxis…and 46 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- MW5 Mercs Localization UpdateJul 30, 2026
- CHAOS REIGN Update Patch notesJun 15, 2026
- Chaos Reign Patch Notes Preview Jun 2, 2026Jun 3, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- EMBRACE THE CHAOS!May 26, 2026
- Chaos Reign Release Date Change and Patch NotesApr 30, 2026
- MW5 MERCS + DLC 7 Minor Update PatchOct 24, 2025
- Shadow of Kerensky Valuable IntelSep 6, 2025
- Solaris Showdown Patch NotesMar 26, 2024
- MW5 MERCS DRAGON'S GAMBIT MINOR PATCH #2Oct 27, 2023
- THE DRAGON'S GAMBIT MINOR PATCHOct 6, 2023
- MechWarrior 5 Mercenaries Patch and Update!Mar 9, 2023
- MechWarrior 5 Mercenaries - Game Update DetailsJan 17, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- MW5 JULY 21ST PATCH NOTESJul 19, 2022
- CALL TO ARMS LAUNCH DATE INTELJun 7, 2022
- MW5 MERCS NOV PATCHNov 16, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- MW5 MERCS OCTOBER 18TH PATCH NOTESOct 18, 2021
- MW5 JULY 7TH PATCH NOTESJul 7, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- MW5: Mercs Patch Notes for June 9th, 2021Jun 9, 2021
- MECHWARRIOR 5 LAUNCH HOT FIX 2021Jun 2, 2021
- MechWarrior 5 Mercenaries Price Dates and FeaturesMay 5, 2021significant · resets scoring window