Aside from the usual machine guns and missiles, one of the greatest assets at your disposal in H.A.W.X. is the assistance system. When activated, the game plays in a traditional third-person view, the camera following tightly behind the thrusters of your fighter craft while you bravely steer your way through the danger zone. Deactivated presents a more distant third-person view, one which is rarely seen in games of this style. Targets are automatically locked for easy tracking and chasing, so the camera focuses on the target regardless of where the craft is pointing. This is initially a very disorienting experience that will take even seasoned flyboys some time to get accustomed to. Once a firm grasp of this mechanic is acquired, the game becomes very interesting. Deactivated assistance mode also allows for the input of breakneck maneuvers in chaotic dogfights, some of which feel almost unbelievably agile in the Tom Clancy battlezone.
Despite all the fancy technological advances of these futuristic flight systems, some elements feel out of place. The Enhanced Reality System can be very helpful in guiding players to their targets, but luckily, it can be deactivated for those who prefer a little more spontaneity in their airborne battles. Dodging missiles is disappointingly simple; the autopilot alerts the player of a missile lock on, providing plenty of time to pull off panicked maneuvers which almost always succeed in shaking the projectile. I think context-sensitive maneuvers that work better from certain angles of attack or particular aircraft would have been more realistic without sacrificing fun, but perhaps the developers were more focused on the accessibility of the gameplay.
Despite a few gameplay problems, H.A.W.X. has been built with replayability in mind. Progress unlocks new armaments and fighter jets, each one having its own set of strengths and limitations. The real cream of the crop, like many recent Clancy games, lies in the online modes. There’s an eight-player deathmatch for the competitive gamers, which is a a lot more fun than fighting the AI dullards littered throughout the campaign. Cooperative play is perhaps even more fun, as you and a buddy can take to the skies and blast your way through the entire campaign mode.
H.A.W.X. is also no slouch when comes to pleasing the superficial player. The roar of jets and peppering of gunfire all come together for an excellent aural experience in the skies, while detailed terrain in urban environments and the lustrous shine of aircraft models keep things attractive on a visual level as well. The developers utilized satellite imagery to recreate the terrain, and seeing landmarks in cities like Washington, D.C., certainly adds to the excitement during gameplay. The entire package delivers the goods, for both casual and hardcore lovers of aerial combat. A bit more depth and variety in the missions would have probably allowed Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. to climb to much higher altitudes, though.
Review Scoring DetailsGameplay: 8.0Despite the initial struggle, the game controls very nicely and offers excellent combat scenarios.
Graphics: 8.0Great textures, smooth models, and sharp skylines.
Sound: 9.5Sounds even better than it looks, crisp and powerful with lots of punch.
Difficulty: MediumSome challenges feel a bit contrived, but things are generally balanced.
Concept: 8.0A great start for an extension of the Clancy franchise, H.A.W.X. says “I can do this, and I can do it very well.”
Multiplayer: 8.0Great deathmatch mode for online dogfights, and some tasty co-op thrown into the mix. Very entertaining.
Overall: 8.0Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. excels at nearly everything it tries to do, and provides great replayability for long-term flyers. An improved campaign will make the sequel a true beauty.
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