Tom Clancy's HAWX

Even with the small targeting issues, and the lackluster multiplayer Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. is an excellent newcomer to the air combat/shooter genre that has been dominated by Ace Combat, I for one hope that they continue to build on the wonderful ideas that this game has shown, if only to make H.A.W.X. 2 an even better.

Although on the surface H.A.W.X. seems like an Ace Combat 6 clone, a deeper examination reveals that it has taken the Ace formula, and improved upon it. The incorporation of satellite imagery, a leveling system, and new control mechanics are enough to make this most recent Tom Clancy title soar over the competition. As a huge fan of the flight action genre, I can say that H.A.W.X. is this generation’s true ace.

Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. is a game every fan of the dogfight genre should buy. But other gamers that are not into air planes, will find a very nice game as well.

The real strengths of this game are the dynamic OFF mode, the superb challenges and ranking system which give the game a superb long term appeal. Take to the skies with HAWX and you will not be disappointed.

It’s quite often entertaining and challenging, but often frustrating and boring as well.

Buy HAWX for the single player experience not as an online aerial shooter, although there is a co-op mode which is fun since you can play through any mission with another player.

Hawks offers short time entertainment, especially if you play the multiplayer mode. On the whole this title offers lots of exciting action and fun.

For some reason though, it doesn't quite push the envelope in terms of gameplay and it does feel slightly less entertaining than, say, Ace Combat 6. It does, however, stand as one of the best-looking aerial combat games on the market and we do recommend you give it a whirl.

Tom Clancy's Hawx is a very welcome game because of the current shortage of this kind of title and the good ideas it brings, which are implemented well, in a natural way, and in a few hours it would seem as if those "virtual ways" would have been part of the genre's gameplay since its birth.

H.A.W.X is flight action combat at its best and is served up nicely with a heavy dose of political espionage, intrigue, and betrayal, Tom Clancy style. Whether you rent or buy you’ll definitely want to take part in this supersonic ride of your life.

HAWX has been a real surprise: it manages to differ from the usual dogfighting games thanks to some original ideas, adding variety to a long-time stale genre. Flight-sim purists could dislike it, but if you'll approach it without prejudices it'll be able to entertain you during all of its 20 missions, playable alone or in co-op, or allowing you to fight intense and lag-free 4 vs 4 online dogfights.

Missions are incredibly narrow, leaving almost no room for improvisation. But, the flying and fighting in the jets is good fun, especially when done with or against other players.

Tom Clancy’s Hawx has the looks but is also as shallow as flight combat games come. For some people the lack of realism is a complete turn-off, but for those who can simply take it for what it is – a shoot ’em up – it’s actually good fun. [Apr 2009]

Despite a few shortcomings, H.A.W.X. is a solid title that will satisfy anyone looking for a new jet fighter game and the co-op play is sure to tie over friends looking for something new to plow through together.

With some really innovative gameplay, exciting missions, fantastic set pieces, and the overall lack of competition, H.A.W.X. is probably the best game in its genre. [MC Issue#43, p.88]

HAWX is an enormously exciting shooter, and manages to take modern combat, strip away the technical side favoured by the Ace Combat series, and create a game that's inspired more by the myth of fighter pilots than the reality. And as any three-headed fire-breathing griffin will tell you, the myth is far more entertaining. [Mike Channel]

HAWX is the enjoyable debut of the new Tom Clancy franchise from Ubisoft. The french company makes a risky bet by developing a game for a hard genre like the flying arcades, but this game achieves sensational results.

If you like aerial shooters, then you'll probably rush out and buy HAWX regardless of what anyone else says, and to be fair you'll certainly get your monies worth if you delve into all modes on offer.

HAWX features multiplayer dog fighting that runs smoothly over Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network. Hokey dialogue mars the otherwise stellar presentation and flight sim fans will balk at the simplistic controls.

It’s disappointing that the multiplayer doesn’t take advantage of the opportunities established by the rest of the game’s design, but the four-player co-op is a very welcomed addition.

H.A.W.X. is without a doubt the best title of its genre on this generation of consoles. Despite a classic gameplay, some missions push the edges of simple missile fighting. The versus mode is funny and will keep you busy for a long time. If you like a good blend of arcade a simulation, you're going to have a lot of fun with this last "Clancy's" title.

An excellent title which does a decent job of balancing its sim and arcade elements. Great graphics along with fifty fully licensed jets and satellite imagery to give you a satisfyingly authentic experience. The inclusion of a fantastic co-op mode makes the game even more worthwhile, and there's nothing like taking to the skies with some friends.

Flight Simulation? No. Action? Definitely!

A solid and enjoyable flight sim for those of us who don't take them too seriously. [Apr 2009, p.63]

HAWX is a very enjoyable and easy to pick up game, those who enjoy their action in the sky will not go wrong with this title.

In the end, H.A.W.X is a fun game to pick up and play with some buddies online in either co-op or even online versus but for anything more than that it’s a bit disappointing.

This arcade-style aerial-combat game has plenty to offer those flying solo, but it doesn't offer much in the way of competitive multiplayer content.

The online play -- particularly co-op -- gives HAWX significant replayability. Everything from the picture-perfect planes to the stunning real world environments looks great, even after multiple passes.

A fun ride. It doesn't bring very much new to the table, but it also works just fine and doesn't make you take your shoes off at the security checkpoint.

Some extraneous features like voice commands are nice features but don't add much to either help or hurt the game. The meat of the action will make your gamer heart soar but ends far too soon.

HAWX was definitely a fun shooter, and while it's not something that I would see appealing to every FPS/third-person shooter fan out there, it's certainly worth checking out.

Potential is a key word for discussing HAWX. There's a lot of hope within the engine, and the core gameplay is competent enough to secure its position as an emerging IP. It's still a bit rough around the edges, though, and Ubisoft should perhaps be a little bit ashamed for not allowing its natural potential to shine through.

H.A.W.X. has a lot of potential, and some nice ideas. Unfortunately it falls short off the mark in a few areas, which is a real shame.

H.A.W.X. is a nice, action-packed distraction with some promise, but if you're squeezed on cash and are still waiting on the next Crimson Skies or Ace Combat, you might want to sign on as a pilot-for-rent instead.

Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. is not the greatest flight combat game on the market. That said, however, it's a well polished title that can bring some fun.

Hawx could do with a fair bit of polish before it (inevitably) comes around for a second flight, then - and a sluggish start to the solo campaign doesn't help much either. It's far from perfect, but the ERS formula does provide a small but much needed fresh idea to the tired genre, which means many Clancy and Ace Combat fans alike will be glad they played it.

But even fantastic graphics can't elevate H.A.W.X. beyond a simple weekend rental.

The multiplayer likewise suffers a bit from a lack of variety.

You can’t help but feel that H.A.W.X. is a little too tame for its own good. While it’s certainly an enjoyable air combat game, it lacks the edge that other Tom Clancy games so evidently possess.

We love H.A.W.X. and we hate H.A.W.X. For every good thing there is something bad. We’ve played it for a long time, but never got really excited. Collecting experience points and unlocking stuff is cool, but the gameplay gets repetitive. H.A.W.X. looks really good, but has a bad storyline. The game is good, but at the same time disappointing.

With touches of originality in its gameplay and a main campaign that presents enough variation to keep things interesting, HAWX is proficient, but it rarely manages to be much more than this.

Beautiful from a distance, but disappointing when you really open your eyes. Still, I find that I have a certain affection for this game - one that I never expected to develop. If Ubisoft decide to make a HAWX 2, I'll certainly be in line to take a look.

It may take a while to click, but once it does H.A.W.X is certainly an entertaining ride. It may not have the variety required for multiple playthroughs, it will however entertain you through to the conclusion.

The studio has instead crafted an accessible, if not necessarily deep, flight simulator that entertains but never exhilarates. [Apr 2009, p.104]

As it stands it's a solid, fun game, but it's far from being perfect and there's a lot of missed opportunity here.

Fast and fun once the controls are mastered.

It was great being given the chance to play something a little different than your more prevalent shooters involving muscle-bound marines. With the ERS system and forgiving flight controls giving an accessible edge to a niche genre, it’s an enjoyable and recommended introduction.

Overlooking its visual and storytelling blemishes, Tom Clancy's HAWX is an entertaining flight game with solid controls and satisfying gameplay.

HAWX does what it does admirably in most cases. It provides an enjoyable and entertaining diversion in a rarely explored genre with just enough content to keep gamers with friends busy.

It’s competent but bland, lacking the imaginative missions of Blazing Angels, the glorious melodrama of Ace Combat, and the joyful air ballets of either.

The mission design is lacking, the combat is unimaginative, and the multiplayer is shallow. Still, there are plenty who will be able to enjoy soaring 40,000 feet above the earth destroying dozens of enemy planes. All the while belting out lines of Danger Zone. That’s not weird, is it?

Tom Clancy´s franchise sees another title, and this time is a flight arcade. Sit back in the seat and fly through the skies finishing the forces of the rebels against America. The game features an interesting campaign, filled with details like the experience and reward system. Despite the boring missions and repeating time and time again situations, the multiplayer and campaign modes do their job quite well, providing an interesting an fun experience. Cant stand next to Ace Combat 6, but if you like air combat arcade games the game is worth a rental.

One of the weakest Clancy games to date, although not because it’s broken in any way, it’s just so pedestrian it never grabs the gamer like most of the other titles in this stable. And, I know, it’s not a flight sim. What it is though is a middle-of-the-road arcade game.

HAWX is a victim of the high standards set by the other titles in the Clancy franchise. Games such as EndWar and Ghost Recon manage to strike a balance between being fun to play, while offering real challenge and depth of gameplay. This game doesn't, and as a result it's hard to recommend it as a must-buy.

HAWX is a little too short and a little too easy to recommend wholeheartedly, though if the thought of embarking on a cooperative jet-fighting mission or participating in high-powered dogfights is enough to get your pulse racing, you'll probably find enough going on to keep you occupied.

H.A.W.X. does little to add something new to an almost dying genre. But it's still a pretty entertaining flight sim if you're looking for some dogfight action on your console.

As an arcadey flight game it’s just about on the enjoyable side of average, especially when compared to its still superior genre stablemate Ace Combat 6. [Apr 2009, p.122]

If you look at Hawx from a feature standpoint, there is much to be found here. But despite impressive features such as co-op play, a great number of available fighter planes, fast paced action and an intuitive yet advanced control scheme this title never really becomes interesting. A weak story combined with oh so repetitive missions quickly erodes the lure from the feature sheet. And when the multiplayer mode only offers the same thing but with human opponents, the overall experience is a mediocre one.

A gimmicky Ace Combat homage made by people who think you might be stupid. [May 2009, p.72]

Very much the well turned-out but unremarkable flight sim we first thought it was, despite mid-development flashes of promise.

I think what bugs me the most about this game is that I had my original expectations set pretty darned low before it came out in the hopes of being easily-impressed, and sadly, it ended up meeting many of these low expectations.

A flight simulation so shallow you barely need to hold the joypad to become a top gun.