Top Gun: Hard Lock

 Xbox 360
User Score
3.5

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 10 out of 16
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  1. Xborn74
    Mar 11, 2012
    6
    I'm surprised... yes the game is based on the 1985 film (but in today settings), yes it is simple, and somewhat repetitive - but it's pretty fun, actually - I expected something way worse.

    It has a graphical display with fine background grain and colors that look much like the movie of 85, and not in High Definition, but that is what gives it's characteristic- the sets and locations of    I'm surprised... yes the game is based on the 1985 film (but in today settings), yes it is simple, and somewhat repetitive - but it's pretty fun, actually - I expected something way worse.

    It has a graphical display with fine background grain and colors that look much like the movie of 85, and not in High Definition, but that is what gives it's characteristic- the sets and locations of the battles are immersing and abuse of bold colors in sunsets on the sea, deserts, etc.; the graphics are adequate, although simple: the speed and feeling of the game, is pretty cool, just when you die, which slow down a bit you can see the lack of details on targets, and pixels around the graphics.

    The narration has surnames of the movie, and communications between the aircraft also in the radio, and of course the theme song of Top Gun, among other Rock / Hard Rock-80s that make the soundtrack.

    The action consists of a Arcade style game, much like the Ace Combat: Assault Horizon in vision, and the commands are very simple: Analog is right up the afterburner, X for Lock On (the so-called "Hard Lock"), for the cannon, missile and B, when you can get a Lock-On in the target. The Hard-Lock mode is a chasing one, where you can gun down the other aircraft, in full action chasing sequences.

    In such parts you should be maneuvering to get off of the Lock-On from the enemies, or continue chasing them, and there are some QTE events in the screen, using the analog (Roll Left, etc..) - in the game there are a number of maneuvers, all real, that can be done with the analog sticks, to escape the sight of their opponents, or to keep them in your sight.

    When a missile gets you in Lock-On, you have to wait for the right distance and perform a maneuver to escape with the right analog (indicated on the screen), or launch flares with LB, wherever show in the screen. There are targets both in ground and air, and RB selects the appropriate type of missile or bomb (no ammo restriction, but you have to wait a while to be able to shoot them again).

    According to your performance in the stage, you'll score points, and can be promoted, besides getting new aircraft, weapons and skins for use as camouflage in the aircraft. The game also does not use any kind of indicator on the HUD, high speed, etc., only the targets, their distance and weapons selected.

    The game also has some Multiplayer modes in Xbox Live, that I did not try to play.

    The cut-scenes between stages do not have movies, or anything, other than the planes and things of the stages announced: you just hear the characters talking to each other. You can even think that teh game setting is in the 80-90s (after all, Grumman F-14 are no longer in service), but top-edge aircraft like the russian Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut and American Stealth Frigates appear on it ...

    My Score: 6,6, for the fun in it - it's simple and uncommitted gameplay (with the feeling of the classic "After Burner" Arcade game). I recommend it for a rent or when the price of it gets lower than 40 bucks.    … Expand
  2. MegWhiteley
    Mar 6, 2012
    2
    ZZZ... Top Gun Hard Lock is one of the most boring games, ever, the gameplay is same, any new, the airplanes are not much, and this is a title?, have good things, but in the hour to play, no much response.
  3. jetlag4321
    Jul 13, 2013
    0
    This game is tied for the most inaccurate flight sim next to JASF. An F-18 would not be able to take on an SU-47 and win. An A-6 did not carry Air-to-Air weapons. This game takes place in 2012. The A-6 was retired in 1997. Whats next, a SPAD S.XIII taking on an F-22?
  4. mrchips2007
    Jun 5, 2012
    10
    Before i start about this game, the film was in 1986, not 1985. just thought id mention that bit, the game should have come with a in **** view rather than 3rd person, not to bad with missles and dogfights, game is ok for the money! MW3 is much worse to be honest
  5. Marsmist
    Apr 13, 2013
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I enjoyed it more then people said I would, but that's not saying much. First off the sense of speed is the worst I have ever seen. And the mission objectives do get boring, its always "DEFEND THIS!" or "ESCORT THIS!". And the Hard lock mode is basically Ace Combat: Assault Horizons DFM mode, but a lot slower and dumbed down....And that's about it. The problem with the game is not that it doesn't do stuff bad, its how little there is in the game. Also, everything is predicable. For example, near the end of the game, you have to shoot down a rocket. 2 actually. You take down one while your partner takes down the other. And, as expected, your partner gets shot down and here we go again with "DEFEND THIS!" Not everything is bad about it. Like I think the characters personality are really well drawn out, even though its nothing we haven't seen before. And it does get tense at times, like when your trying to take out an ace. But a lot of the time, it'll frustrate you. The only reason this game is even noticeable is because of the license. If your looking for a real flight sim, your looking in the wrong place.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 8
  3. Negative: 3 out of 8
  1. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Jun 5, 2012
    60
    Surprisingly charming overall, if a bit bland. [Issue#85, p.93]
  2. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Apr 23, 2012
    40
    Linear. [May 2012, p.97]
  3. Eurogamer Sweden
    Apr 16, 2012
    50
    When you name a game Hard Lock and the mechanic with the same name is the worst part of the game then it's time to rethink your strategy. Otherwise it's a decent action orientated flight game with a good mix of missions, but with way too repetetive gameplay.
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