May 8, 11am PT: An earlier version of this article incorrectly named Harebrained Schemes as the developer of Mechwarrior 5 Clans. The developer is Piranha Games Inc.
With the success of Armored Core 6, the 2018 Battletech strategy game, and 2024’s Mechwarrior 5 Clans, it feels as though we’re in a great spot for mech games. Following up on its successful Smoke Jaguar spinoff, developer Piranha Games Inc. is picking up the trail of another clan with new DLC Ghost Bear: Flash Storm. Boasting a fresh 12-mission story campaign and eight additional mechs for the roster, it follows the eponymous crew at its lowest point as they attempt to reclaim lost glory.
With the death of Leo Showers and subsequent changing of the guard, a power struggle among the clans seems imminent. As the Ghost Bear khans plot their next move, this new Mechwarrior 5 Clans DLC puts you into the suits of the Silveroot Keshik, an elite unit whose job is to prove Ghost Bear’s strength. We arrive at a moment where the group has fallen dramatically behind their rival clans, and it’s up to you to prove your legacy in the FPS game’s latest tale.
Clans established the factions in a way that helped newcomers understand the overall dynamics. Now, Ghost Bear: Flash Storm shifts the focus to a more veteran group in the Silveroot Keshik, a prestigious honor guard sporting decorated warriors. Their tale is told through a similarly cinematic campaign to the base game, although as DLC it naturally clocks in a little shorter in length.
You will get access to a total of eight new mechs, including four of the more advanced, configurable OmniMechs (Night Gyr, Ebon Jaguar, Fire Moth, and Huntsman) and four iconic BattleMechs (Kodiak, Jenner IIC, Hunchback IIC, and Rifleman IIC). The mechlab has been expanded and allows you to more closely fine-tune your loadouts with additional customization options such as engine swapping.
Those upgrades are likely to prove key as you clash with foes on the hull of the Grizzly, the Ghost Bear command ship, and come face-to-face with the Iron Talon. You’ll also have the ability to lead the Elementals, the clans’ genetically engineered supersoldiers, using a command wheel to direct them in battle against the rival squads of Smoke Jaguar and Jade Falcon.
Mechwarrior 5 DLC Ghost Bear: Flash Storm is out now, priced at $19.99 / £16.75. You’ll find it right here. Along with the launch, Piranha has deployed a free update for the base game, which includes extra mechlab functionality, improvements to progression and balance, tweaks to the battle grid, a friendly fire setting, visual and audio upgrades, and more.
For more metal-crunching clashes, take a look through the best robot games, or get your pulse racing with the best action games on PC right now.
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