I did something I rarely do; I picked up a game on release day. Tom Clancy's HAWX has been hyped up and promoted with motivating launch preview trailers. I went down to my local retail spot and picked it up during my lunch break and stowed it away in my brief case for safe keeping.
I finally got home around 9:30 PM est last night to be able to throw it in the XBOX360. I immediately started the campaign on the "Elite" difficulty. I played until I reached the Operation Glass Hammer level. This level lets you unlock the "Assistance Off" mode to freely use when you please. This camera mode is extremely controversial amongst the community of gamers. Some love it, some hate it, and some don't care either way. If you try to fly around in this mode for extended periods of time, then prepare to become disoriented. I have played a ton of pilot type games and this mode makes my head hurt. The assistance on mode lets you fly in three very useful camera views but does not let you barrel roll or perform any of the highly difficult maneuvers to shake your enemy tail. This is when I DO enjoy the assistance off mode. Double tap one of the triggers and pull up! Throw the brake on and then switch back to assistance on mode. You are now behind your enemy and close to having a missile lock. Two "Joint Strike" missiles launched and no more enemy.
Of course, after I had figured this out I decided to switch to XBOX Live and search for some human opponents. After figuring out the custom search mode, I landed in a game with three ally fighters pitted against four human foes. I began to get excited as I started to think how fun of an experience this was going to be. The next 5 minutes was a blur, I think I had a perma-smile on my face as my wife began to realize that this was going to be my new "EndWar". I ended up in 2nd place for the round and had a kill streak of 5. Very cool after action reports with replays.
You can set up a server to play your 4v4 on without the camera assistance off mode available, as well as forced cockpit view, as well as no missiles (guns/cannons only). This lets you all play a match that suits your preference. I highly recommend you buying this game if you like flight style games. If you have never played a flight game, this one is worth checking out! I think the amateur can get the hang of flying these planes really quick.
I must say that the accuracy of the planes is matched by no one, as always the Tom Clancy crew does a great job. I think over all this game is a 8.5 out of 10. The game could use a little more depth and I can tell there will be some XBOX crash problems. But, this is common for most games these days as companies rush them into production to meet deadlines.
Semper Fidelis
Corporal Bruno
Drill Instructor - Tactical Gaming
Join a community, not a clan!
3/05/2009
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