[quote]From my understanding the mechs take a more realistic approach, I'm picturing the Titans from Titanfall. Would that be a close approximation?[/quote]

I don't know much about Titanfall, as I haven't played the game (I don't currently own a next-gen console). But from what I have seen of the mecha from that game, then sure. That, Gundam (Especially the Universal Century series and excluding G-Gundam), Macross, Patlabor, VOTOMS - basically anything where the mecha are mass-produced weapons of warfare equipped with recognisable weaponry and equipment, rather than flashy super-attacks, summoning your mecha, and fighting the monster-of-the-week. 
Or shouting. Lots of shouting. 

The info sheet about the GEARs in the OP has all the info you'll need about how they fit into the setting and their characteristics. [url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RealRobotGenre?from=Main.RealRobot]This TV Tropes page[/url] has some good info too. 

[s]It's not looking likely I'll manage to get an IC post up tonight, due to over-running on other things I had to do. I'm busy with birthday celebrations until Sunday afternoon, so I'll try and get one up then. Sorry for the delays. [/s]