Tom Clancy's HAWX 2

Ultimately, H.A.W.X. 2 is a must for Tom Clancy and flight-sim fans.

So even though HAWX 2 is a step forward when compared to its predecessor, it's brought down by an almost empty multiplayer, despite the numerous options, a boring single-player and a pretty "dense" AI when it comes to allies, while the enemies do their job very well, ironically. So well, in fact, that you'll be tempted to stick a fork in it and finish the story in co-op, which ultimately is a good thing. Too bad this decision is encouraged in such a brutal manner.

In Hawx 2 there are new mission types like delivering suppression fire for allied forces or navigating spy satellites. Furthermore you can now land, start or get refueled in some missions. These new features provide a bit variety though they are not very demanding. On the downside Hawx 2 fails to create any atmosphere due to the boring and confused story. In short, Hawx 2 is an improved Hawx 1, with more variety and less story. Those who enjoyed the first game, especially the dogfights, will also enjoy the second one. Those who hoped for innovation might be disappointed.

Firing missiles from a large distance you'll only see yellow squares and triangles disappear. But close up you'll experience dog fights, explosions and the speed rush of low level flight.

Fans of the first HAWX will no doubt derive a great deal of joy from another hearty dose of solid dogfighting, but then everyone else will feel the same sort of confused indifference towards the story and will quickly grow tired of shooting down wave after wave of jet fighters.

Some fun to be had in amongst the tedium. [Apr 2011, p.102]

Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. 2 seems to take a step back from the first episode of the series. The game fails to develop some of the previously introduced gameplay elements, giving the impression to be still "under construction" from that point of view. The road taken on by Ubisoft is surely paved with good intentions, but the overall result is somewhat disappointing.

Fun without the fundamentals, a simpering sim with irritating copy protection. [Feb 2011, p.58]

HAWX 2 is a straight rehash of the first game, with pointless minigames that add more frustration than excitement. [Feb 2011, p.72]

Ubisoft really dropped the ball with this title. What should be an exciting fast-paced aerial combat game comes off more frustrating than anything because of its control issues, poor A.I, and just downright infuriating level designs.