Games

Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. just doesn't fly

by Wyatt Fossett on April 7th, 2009 at 7:52 PM
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      Ubisoft; PC, PS3, Xbox 360; rated teen

      How many of us can actually think of a 100-percent decent flight-simulation game made in the last 10 years? Without a full joystick setup any flight game seems inadequate. When I placed Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. into my Xbox 360, I suspected it would change my opinion on the category. Unfortunately, I was off mark.

      You play as a pilot in an elite group of the army’s best. The game is very realistic in feel and plays very smoothly, although it can take a few moments to become comfortable with which combination of buttons make different turns. On one hand, there’s a lot of realism in its weapons and battles; on the other hand, there is an overwhelming amount of repetition. Shoot this, swerve, shoot that, swerve. Every time, it’s the same-looking caravan or aircraft. The story is nothing more than bland and ordinary.

      It appears that the respected Tom Clancy brand is now being stamped on garbage. Nothing in H.A.W.X. is new, very few aspects of it are visually stunning, and absolutely nothing stands out in the single-player campaign. The multiplayer seems the only reason to ever play this title. Although there is still nothing special about the gameplay, it is a challenge to chase around other humans players instead of computers following planned paths.

      Overall, I would strongly suggest ignoring this title. However, I would recommend trying the demo if you’re a huge fan of flight simulators.

      Comments

      2 Comments

      zosh

      Apr 27, 2009 at 5:06pm

      I refuse to buy games that are difficult if not impossible to play without specialty equipment (joystick / steering wheel). If I like a game enough I'd eventually buy the additional gear but not until then.

      Silvio

      Oct 1, 2011 at 2:17pm

      Go get a life zosh.
      About the thread, I miss a good plot either. The Namco's Ace Combat 3, Japanese version, shows great musics and "plot" (referring about the Corporocracy idea that Trade blocs would become major unities of what would be a kind of New Order)