Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. 2 Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

System: X360, PS3, Wii, PC	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Ubisoft Bucharest	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Ubisoft	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Sept. 7, 2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-8	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

However, this is where HAWX 2 gets into identity crisis trouble. While I found these non-traditional levels to be much needed breaks from the repetitive aerial combat, the folks this game is trying to appeal to will likely wonder why they are in the game at all. If you’re going into this game looking for nothing but a series of levels that put you in the cockpit of fast and deadly dogfighting aircrafts, you will probably not want to have to slog through missions that have you staring at buildings in order to overhear a prisoner being tortured or take away your control by placing you on rails in an AC-130.

Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. 2 screenshot

Still, the dogfighting that is there is just as satisfying, but repetitive, as it was in the original. HAWX 2’s mix of arcade and simulation flight helps to allow players to perform plenty of interesting maneuvers in order to gain the upper hand on their enemies. Also, the addition of take-offs, landings, and mid-flight refueling are welcome, as they add to the immersion of the game. However, while these aspects do make the game feel more immersive, I can’t help but wonder why you need to refuel at all, given there is no fuel gauge to be found anywhere and you will never actually run out of fuel.

You’ll also find a ton of gameplay to be had in HAWX 2. Aside from the single-player campaign, you’re also given a few other modes to tackle. Survival Mode is essentially Horde Mode for planes, giving you ever increasing waves of enemies to combat. Arcade Mode has you running back through single-player missions, with each one receiving a twist such as taking a different plane or having limited weapons. Then there’s Free Flight Mode, which allows players to simply fly around the game’s environments without having to worry about being attacked and shot down. Between the lengthy single-player campaign (which can also be played through cooperatively with up to three other players), these additional modes, and the multiplayer options, you could find yourself playing this game for a long time to come.

If you were a fan of the original HAWX, you’ll likely want to give HAWX 2 a chance. While it adds some missions that may put off the original game’s fan base, the dogfighting core of the game remains and is still entertaining. However, if you’ve never played the original HAWX, you may enjoy having these non-traditional missions wedged between the game’s constant aerial battles, making this a better place for you to get into the series. Either way, HAWX 2 is still a competent game, although probably not as improved, polished, or entertaining as it could have been.

By Adam Brown
CCC News Director

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.7

Graphics
When playing, HAWX 2 looks great, but the cutscenes don’t live up to the same quality.

3.4

Control
While it is possible to perform some great aerial maneuvers, the controls feel a tad cumbersome.

3.6

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The music, sound effects, and voice acting is all well done, however, an affinity for screeching guitar rock is a prerequisite for some of the tunes.

3.6

Play Value
While there is a ton of content in this game between all of its modes, all but the missions that take you out of the cockpit play out similarly (take out this target, destroy these planes, and repeat).

3.6

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Devastate your enemies with prototype technology: Use all your skills to command an astonishing array of cutting-edge technology and overwhelming firepower, delivered by tomorrow’s finest combat aircraft. From the F-35’s vectored thrust capability to the ultra-secret Enhanced Reality System, light up the skies with a suite of experimental technology available only to a chosen few.

It’s air warfare brought to the next level: Fly as an elite tactical aviator and go head-to-head in close-range dogfights, take off and land on bases and carriers, sweat through night precision bombing, track your targets using silent UAV’s and then strike from above, and even use air-to-air refueling in the middle of missions.

Get up close and personal to the war of tomorrow: See the enemy’s canopy shatter as your cannon shreds his aircraft. Feel the thundering impact of your laser-guided bombs as you roar close overhead. War may not be pretty, but it sure looks impressive.

Prove your mettle above the world’s most famous locations: From Moscow to the Persian Gulf, from the Arctic Circle to the Indian Ocean, actual high-resolution GeoEye™ commercial satellite imagery ensures an astonishing degree of realism.