Check out our list and jump into the giant mechs to wreak havoc on the battlefield.
To many people, mech games may seem relatively niche, but there are plenty of gamers who enjoy piloting giant robots and fighting hordes of enemy units. Usually, these titles are simply epic in scale, as they present massive battles with laser beams shooting far and wide. As you will see when reading the article, there are many great video games about robots for fans of every genre, ranging from shooters to tactical strategies.
This article was updated on February 16, 2024. To help you hone those robot piloting skills, we’ve added two more titles.
A brief history of mech games
Mecha games aren’t as popular as they used to be, as the cult of powerful automata was much bigger a few years back, and we’re not talking only about their size. They were especially buzzing on consoles; for example, turn-based jRPGs, like Xenogears or Xenosaga, used them in their stories. In most mech simulators, the machines are usually relatively slow, and the emphasis is put on long-ranged combat. Luckily for gamers, not all giant robots games are like that nowadays.
What are the best mech games?
We’ve prepared this article so you can find some of the best mech games and enjoy your time on virtual battlefields. Since not everyone is prepared to splurge for the latest hits on day one, we’ve tried to include a wide variety of genres for fans of high-octane action as well as something less dynamic. Without further ado, let’s begin!
Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon
This is probably one of the more mainstream entries on this list. Upon its release, Armored Core VI was strongly recommended by the reviewers and appreciated by the gaming community at large. The experts at From Software managed to rejuvenate the genre, creating a highly challenging and satisfying title.
This bombastic masterpiece truly shines in the combat department. Battles are dynamic and allow you to feel the joy of being a (virtual) pilot, even though some encounters can get frustratingly difficult at times. This is especially true when it comes to boss fights, but they are the most epic, too. Combined with countless customization options and high replayability, Armored Core 6 is definitely a top-notch game for all fans of high-octane action.
M.A.S.S. Builder
We start our list of the best mecha PC games with M.A.S.S. Builder. It’s an action RPG where we play as a soldier fighting for a private army, trying to eliminate the mysterious creatures that brought Earth to the brink of destruction.
As the title suggests, this game’s primary focus is building your own mecha. Players can customize almost 30 parts of their machines, including their visuals. As time passes, we unlock more upgrades. The combat itself takes place in real-time and is purely action-based.
SD GUNDAM G GENERATION CROSS RAYS
Gundam is probably the most popular giant robots franchise in the whole world. People watch anime with them, collect figures, and, obviously, play various video games. SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays is a splendid example.
It’s an excellent RPG with a well-executed turn-based battle system. Fans can recreate famous moments from manga or anime and participate in whole new scenarios with their beloved characters. Instead of only focusing on Gundams, the latest entry in the SD Gundam G Generation series allows us to choose various pilots. After each battle, they gain experience that unlocks further skills, making the combat much more speedy.
BattleTech (Included with PC Game Pass)
BattleTech is a great tactical strategy based on popular miniature games. It combines some elements from the Front Mission series, MechWarrior titles, and the tabletop original. The gameplay is divided into two phases. One of them is obviously controlling pilots and their mechs on the battlefield. Taking advantage of the special skills and the terrain is crucial for emerging victorious. The second phase resembles XCOM, as we’re tasked with managing the base, finances, and machines. We can play alone (in campaign mode or skirmishes) or against other players in the multiplayer mode.
Daemon x Machina
One of the last few years’ most approachable and fun mech games was first released only on the Nintendo Switch. PC gamers had to wait a little longer, but Daemon x Machina eventually found their way to the wider audience.
It’s similar to Armored Core in some aspects but with a greater emphasis on mobility. The gameplay is swift and fluid and combines long- and closed-ranged combat, both of which are equally amusing. You can also customize your mechs to your heart’s desire. The story is melodramatic and slightly over-the-top, resembling many iconic anime series.
Into the Breach
Mech PC games don’t have to be all about fast-paced action. Sometimes, they can resemble… a game of chess. Into the Breach is a roguelike tactical RPG and one of the best indie titles ever created. It’s set in the far future, where humanity fights Veg – a new race of giant monsters. At each stage, we can control up to four robots, trying to fulfill specific objectives, which usually means protecting civilians or particular buildings.
The difficulty is brutal but always fair. You won’t feel like being cheated by the AI. To maximize your efficiency, you’ll have to think for minutes before taking any action. Into the Breach is available in Netflix Games, so if you’re already paying the subscription, you can play it for free!
Metal Wolf Chaos XD
Don’t you agree that even the title itself can jolly you into playing a game? The original version of Metal Wolf Chaos XD came out on Xbox back in 2004 and was developed by… From Software itself. Yes, the Armored Core series may be the best-known among gamers, but those productions aren’t the only robot games created by the “Souls team.”
The “XD” bit was added to the title of the remastered version, and this is the one you can play on your PC. We take on the role of the USA’s president, who must fight the vice president in times of economic crisis. In the true spirit of Japanese imagination, the story is completely over-the-top and bizarre but oh-so alluring and fun. The gameplay is relatively simple – destroy everything that’s in your way!
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries (Included with PC Game Pass)
BattleTech is not the only title set in the popular mecha universe. However, MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries takes a different approach, as the combat takes place in real time. Although the themes and setting are far from realistic, piloting gigantic machines resembles the most advanced simulators, with dozens of options.
In the campaign, we can take on different missions. The money we earn is then spent on the repairs and further upgrades. It’s then necessary to avoid damages at all costs. If fixing them turns out to be too expensive, you risk ending up broke. Managing finances and personnel smartly is then a vital point to emerge triumphant.
Titanfall 2 (Included with PC Game Pass)
We’re almost at the end of our list of the best mech games. Now, we want to present you the title you’re probably familiar with – an excellent FPS, Titanfall 2. The first game in the series offered only multiplayer mode, where we could play as both pilots with mighty Titans at our disposal. This time, the developers prepared a full-fledged, innovative, and simply one of the best single-player FPS campaigns.
The players take control of Jack Cooper and his mecha, BT-7274. We can use Jack’s parkour skills and BT’s powerful arsenal of weapons. The story is quite engaging, with many creative ideas (like using time travel in gameplay) and some touching scenes that can make us cry a river.
FRONT MISSION 1st: Remake
The first Front Mission was reserved exclusively for the Japanese market. Fortunately, we’ve got to play the remake of the first (and soon the second) game with many quality-of-life improvements and polished graphics. The original was 2D, while the remake lets us enjoy 3D models and environments.
Front Mission 1st Remake is a mech PC game offering two storylines: one for the USN (United States of the New Continent) and one for OCN (Oceania Cooperative Union). Only playing both allows us to fully understand the plot. The gameplay resembles sRPGs like Fire Emblem (just without dating sim elements 😉 ) and is a must-play for fans of similar titles.
ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER: M∀RS
Our last title for you today is ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER: M∀RS. It’s the second entry, but you don’t have to play the first one to enjoy it. You play as Dingo Egret, the pilot of Jehuta, the all-mighty mecha, and you must face the evil BAHRAM organization in combat.
The combat is rapid, allowing us to use a wide array of ranged and close combat weapons. The campaign is short but filled with incredibly fun missions so that you won’t be looking at the credits disappointed. In case you need more persuasion, it was produced by a certain genius you might know from the pretty “obscure” series Metal Gear Solid. You know… Hideo Kojima. 😉
Brigador: Up-Armored Edition
Do you crave something fast, beautiful, and mercilessly difficult? If so, check out Brigador: Up-Armored Edition, a mecha game that ticks all of these boxes. While getting a good grasp of its mechanics may take a while, it’s well worth it for the sheer scale of destruction you can unleash.
In this isometric shooter, you become a mercenary mecha pilot tasked with destroying everything that stands in your way. Featuring a largely destructible environment, the game has a pleasant retro vibe to it and allows you to unlock dozens of new weapons. And if that’s not enough, you can even create your own maps for giant robots to destroy!
Chained Echoes
At first glance, it may seem like this title doesn’t belong on the list of the best giant robots games, as the cover gives off classic fantasy vibes. However, Chained Echoes actually features plenty of mech battles; they are one of the key mechanics of this Xenogears-inspired JRPG.
In this game, giant machines are used both as means of travel and as tools of destruction. If you miss the SNES era, Chained Echoes should be right up your alley, as it borrows a lot from classic hits. It does have its own style, though, so we highly recommend it both for fans of mechs and JRPG with turn-based combat.
That’s the end of our list of mech PC games. Do you like video games about robots? And what do you think about our picks? Let us know in the comments down below!
