Launching today is the MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries – Legend of the Kestrel Lancers expansion, complete with a melee combat update. This expansion of MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries comes just four months after its last expansion, Heroes of the Inner Space.
The robot simulation MechWarrior series has been around since its first game was released in 1989. Over the last 32 years, the series has improved upon its graphics and gameplay. Though it is considered a niche video game series, the MechWarrior franchise has persisted with a dedicated fanbase, with fans among the likes of Xbox boss Phil Spencer, whose admiration of the franchise could help resurrect the dormant MechAssault series.
As revealed in a new launch trailer on the Mechwarrior 5 YouTube channel, the newest expansion of MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, Legend of the Kestrel Lancers, includes a melee combat upgrade. Owners of both the MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries base game and Heroes of the Inner Space DLC can also access the free melee update. As one of the most requested gameplay updates from MechWarrior fans, the melee update allows players to damage enemy ‘Mechs via target punches. This close-quarters combat option will be an especially effective way to attack when a ‘Mech is running hot. Mech Switching, which allows players to directly command any of the AI-controlled Lance ‘Mechs, is among other new features included the update. This control adds options for frontline tactics: players can switch control to a scout ‘Mech, an LRM boat, or a brawler.
Watch the trailer for the MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries expansion, Legend of the Kestrel Lancers, on YouTube here.
Legend of the Kestrel Lancers strengthens the story from the original MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries release. This expansion is a story-focused campaign with 14 campaign missions, seven new questlines, and 10 new battle scenarios. Legend of the Kestrel Lancers is set in the “4th Succession War” where MechWarrior players face All-Out-War scenarios promoting large-scale combat on the frontlines of battle. The popular Megacity Urban Combat returns at a much larger scale than ever before, featuring five new procedural mission variants: Scorched Earth, Objective Raid, Targeted Kill, Guard Duty, and Battlefield. Legend of the Kestrel Lancers broadens the landscape of the game with new biomes and Garrisons, including a new ‘Mech factory, MechWarrior‘s first indoor play space. Like previous games and expansions, players will also be given new options for the customization of their ‘Mechs via 23 new Mech Variants and new Patterns.
Along with today’s expansion, MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is now available on PS4 and PS5, marking a return to the PlayStation platform for the first time in 20 years. The MechWarrior series recently widened its audience by bringing the originally Microsoft Windows-exclusive series to other platforms like the Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Steam and GOG and allowing crossplay. With the addition of the Playstation platform, a wider possible fanbase can connect together and punch enemy ‘Mechs.
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries – Legend of the Kestrel Lancers is available on Xbox One, Xbox One X, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC.
Source: MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, Mechwarrior 5: Mercenaries/YouTube
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