The next chapter in the MechWarrior franchise is available now with a new free content update and a new expansion called Legend of the Kestrel Lancers. The game is available to play on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and is returning to the PlayStation platform for the first time in over 20 years on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The free content update introduces first-in-series features and gameplay improvements including the introduction of melee combat and other highly requested features from the MechWarrior community.
Legend of the Kestrel Lancers offers a story-focused campaign that has players on the frontlines of battle over 14 campaign missions. The missions will feature unique mechanics, authored missions, custom dialogue, and cinematics. Players will experience All-Out-War scenarios with large-scale expansive combat in seven new questlines that include 10 new battle scenarios. Massive destructible environments and procedurally generate city blocks return at a significantly larger scale than anything seen in the MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries series. There are new Megacity, Jungle, and Tourmaline Desert biomes and new garrisons including orbital guns and a new Mech Factory featuring the series’ first indoor play space. There are 23 new Mech Variants and new Patterns to customize their Mechs.
The free content update introduces one of the most highly requested things that the MechWarrior community has asked for, melee combat. For the first time, players can damage enemy ‘Mechs with their ‘Mech fists, directing punches to target the enemy. Mech Switching is also coming in this update. Players can take direct and full control of any AI-controlled Lance ‘Mechs. Players can switch to a faster ‘Mech to scout ahead, hop into a LRM boat to provide cover fire, or swap to a brawler for close-up action.
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries and the Legend of the Kestrel Lancers expansion are available for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, and on PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store. the base game costs $29.99, the two expansions cost $19.99 individually with the digital content pack costing $4.99. MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is also available for Xbox Game Pass and Game Pass for PC. Owners of the PS4 version can auto-upgrade to the PS5 version for free. Additionally, the Legend of the Kestrel Lancers and Heroes of the Inner Sphere DLC allow free sharing when joining a co-op match hosted by a player who owns the expansion.
“Today is full of great news and updates that we think will ‘Mech your day,” said Daeron Katz, Senior Community Manager at Piranha Games. “Between the launch of the Legend of the Kestrel Lancers expansion, the introduction of melee combat via our big free update, and the series’ return to PlayStation for the first time in 20-years, there’s much to celebrate!”