After tackling the ground war in Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon, Ubisoft explores aerial combat with Tom Clancy's HAWX, due to arrive on March 3rd for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. We recently got a chance to go hands-on with a level from the game that takes place in the danger-filled Rio de Janeiro.
In the demo, you're on patrol with several U.S. armed forces members with access to high-tech aircraft. You'll become familiar with the in-flight controls, thanks to the assistance of a co-pilot who teaches you everything from evading incoming missiles to surviving an engine stall. (It literally spins out of control until you reactivate the engines.) Controls feel smooth, with the main shoulder buttons enabling you to slowly turn the plane and your trigger buttons increasing and decreasing your speed. As for general control, the left analog stick directs the plane, while the right analog stick lets you perform barrel rolls.
Where HAWX differs from other games (such as Ace Combat 6) is its two viewpoints. When the Enhanced Reality System (ERS for short) is turned on; you sit in the cockpit of the plane as you track your missile count and keep a closer eye on enemies. The second viewpoint, a wide-angle third-person perspective, kicks in automatically when you turn off the ERS. By double-clicking the left trigger, you switch to an outward view for even more maneuverability. Your jet moves much faster in this mode, and it's easier to target and obliterate bad guys.
These two viewpoints give you a taste of both flight-sim and fast-paced arcade action. However, like the other Tom Clancy adventures, your enemies will be at the top of their game. At first, they're rather easy to target and blow up. As you progress, however, they'll grow smarter and evade incoming attacks.
The final release features multiplayer options through Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, so you can fight against others in the air. Winners of each match receive extra cash and access to bonus weapons as a reward. For those who prefer working alongside a fellow wingman, you can jump in and out of a co-op mode at any time.
Ubisoft Romania has done a killer job with the game's presentation. The co-pilot sounds like the real deal, although he surprisingly doesn't break a sweat the first time you go into a stall. In addition, the in-game chatter and sound effects are equally impressive. As for the visuals, we've only seen the Rio stage, but it's definitely a looker. We got a real kick out of flying a few feet above the ocean floor, watching the water skim by at lightning speed before soaring high into the air. We also thoroughly enjoyed flying through a city, narrowly avoiding skyscrapers while hunting down renegade bogies.
We'll let you know if HAWX is worth flying in our review. In the meantime, keep your CD copy of Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone" on standby.
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