Tom Clancy's HAWX

 PC
Tom Clancy's HAWX Image
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 135 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Tom Clancy's HAWX (high-altitude warfare) promises to revolutionize the way players think about combat in the sky. The story begins in the year 2012. As the era of the nation-state draws quickly to a close, the rules of warfare evolve even more rapidly. More and more nations becomeTom Clancy's HAWX (high-altitude warfare) promises to revolutionize the way players think about combat in the sky. The story begins in the year 2012. As the era of the nation-state draws quickly to a close, the rules of warfare evolve even more rapidly. More and more nations become increasingly dependent on private military companies (PMCs), elite mercenaries with a lax view of the law. The Reykjavik Accords further legitimize their existence by authorizing their right to serve in every aspect of military operations. While the benefits of such PMCs are apparent, growing concerns surrounding giving them too much power begin to mount. The Enhanced Reality System is the backbone of the HAWX flight experience: radars and incoming missile detection, anti-crash system, damage control system, tactical map and information relay, and weapons trajectory control. E.R.S. also allows players to issue orders to their squadron, making this system as iconic to HAWX as the Cross-Com system is to Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. Players can ease into their flight missions and gain a level of comfort with the use of the assistance mode. Once employed, players can take full advantage of their technological support through the E.R.S and gain maximum piloting security. If the situation calls for the player to unleash the full potential of the aircraft, the assistance mode can be switched off and all safety features will be deactivated. For the first time ever in the air-combat genre, players can experience the entire solo campaign in four-player JUMP IN co-op mode. In PVP mode, players can challenge up to 15 friends in intense dogfighting sessions and find out who's the top gun. Winning players are rewarded with experience points and money to unlock more weapons. Players have the opportunity to take the throttle of over 50 of the world's most famous aircrafts, as well as being able to dogfight over realistic modern landscapes that have endured years of post-war trauma. [Ubisoft]… Expand
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. PC Games
    86
    I’m a big fan of air-combat-classics like Strike Commander, Falcon and IL2-Sturmovik, so I really looked forward to HAWX. Sure, I’ve had my doubts. Can this genre revive itself, though hitting the stores for consoles with quite simple controls at the same time? Ubisoft delivers the answer: no problem! Sure, HAWX is everything else but a simulation, but this game never wanted to be one. HAWX comes with accessible, perfectly staged non-stop-action and a broad selection of air combat situations like bombing runs, dogfights, escorts and more. If the multiplayer-mode can keep up with the solo-experience: fasten seatbelts and stop smoking!
  2. GameZone
    80
    Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. excels at nearly everything it tries to do, and provides great replayability for long-term flyers. An improved campaign will make the sequel a true beauty.
  3. G4 TV
    80
    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.
  4. Pelit (Finland)
    70
    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]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. GameStar
    70
    What's the worst that can happen to a fighter jet game? Playing it feels like sitting in a slow train. There's no difference between Mach 2 and the speed of a mallard, no difference between the F-117 Nighthawk and the Mirage III, and to crash your plane, you need to deliberately go for it. Only when there are far too many enemies, H.A.W.X. poses a challenge and never exploits its full potential.
  6. Total PC Gaming
    70
    A fun experience marred slightly by the fact that it feels too easy, but those looking for fast arcade laughs will enjoy it.
  7. GameShark
    58
    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.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 40
  3. Negative: 8 out of 40
  1. Suokukko
    Aug 17, 2013
    10
    I am glad this game came out and I get to blow off the dust of my joystick controller again. This is a cool blend of FPS and combat aviation.I am glad this game came out and I get to blow off the dust of my joystick controller again. This is a cool blend of FPS and combat aviation. Sure it is not flight simulator specific,and the load outs and missions are a bit exaggerated... What fps type game doesn't embellish a little. The bottom line it is fun graphics are great and the story and game play are fun. Nothing I like more than shooting and blowing things up in game to blow off some steam and unwind. Best part is you can fight with and against friends.… Expand
  2. keving
    Mar 21, 2009
    10
    I am glad this game came out and I get to blow off the dust of my joystick controller again. This is a cool blend of FPS and combat aviation. I am glad this game came out and I get to blow off the dust of my joystick controller again. This is a cool blend of FPS and combat aviation. Sure it is not flight simulator specific,and the load outs and missions are a bit exaggerated... What fps type game doesn't embellish a little. The bottom line it is fun graphics are great and the story and game play are fun. Nothing I like more than shooting and blowing things up in game to blow off some steam and unwind. Best part is you can fight with and against friends.. Tally HO!!!!… Expand
  4. JoshG
    Mar 29, 2009
    9
    Entertaining when it works, pc platform is plagued with so many problems that after a while it really makes you want to give the game a bad Entertaining when it works, pc platform is plagued with so many problems that after a while it really makes you want to give the game a bad review. But... Because I have so much playing it when it does work, i'll keep my review fairly neutral.… Expand
  5. LaurentC
    Mar 19, 2009
    8
    Even though for many this is just another air combat game, rather unoriginal and lacking in terrain graphics and other details of the sort, Even though for many this is just another air combat game, rather unoriginal and lacking in terrain graphics and other details of the sort, for the new comer to this type of game this game is very exciting to play. Missions can be played several times without boring the gamer and the unlocks help keep your gameplay varied. One must also admit that a good air combat game has not been released in a rather long time, especially for console.… Expand
  6. USG
    Nov 27, 2011
    6
    The plot of this game is a perfect example of what uninspired is. Other than that, it's an arcade shooter that feels like a simulation with noThe plot of this game is a perfect example of what uninspired is. Other than that, it's an arcade shooter that feels like a simulation with no enjoyable aspects, but at the same time it's not painful to play. At best, it's a very accessible simulator that deviates greatly from reality. The animations are horrid which should be covered up with duct tape and any Tom Clancy game has a very palpable feel. The controls for the PC are hardly decent, especially with a joystick, specifically the one made for the game. All the menus could run more smoothly. HAWX feels like an amalgamation of simulator and arcade elements, but is very mediocre in its presentation.… Expand
  7. AKay
    Apr 18, 2009
    5
    Technical problems and awkward controls make for a frustrating experience. The OFF mode would have been so much better if it didn't Technical problems and awkward controls make for a frustrating experience. The OFF mode would have been so much better if it didn't rewrite the controls and force you into an obnoxious camera angle. If you've never played the Ace Combat series, you'll probably think higher of this game. If you have, you'll realize that it can be done better.… Expand
  8. SimonD
    Oct 9, 2009
    0
    I'll keep it short. I hated this game. I don't know what was the worst about it but here I go. 1. Controls are bad I started by I'll keep it short. I hated this game. I don't know what was the worst about it but here I go. 1. Controls are bad I started by using my XBox360 controller. At least, they kept the implementation. I guess it can work but the control with the thumbstick are unprecise enough to make it almost impossible to gun down either ground unit or flying unit. 2. Joystick support is bad. I mean, it's a flying game. So I thought I'd plug my Saitek X45 and play the game. Well, it don't work well at all. First, someone had the weird idea that speed should be just a Slow and Fast button. If you don't press any of these, you go normal speed. Wow.. nice. Even the rudder is a left and right button. You can't have an axis on it. Even when I thought everything was allright, the game just start automaticly ruddering to the right until I completely restarted the game and unplugged the joystick. I said ok I'll return to my gamepad. 3. You don't feel like flying. I always liked flying game. I played flight simulator a lot and I really enjoyed IL2 for the really short time I played. I also like the Original Crimsom Sky when it was released on PC. All that was all right. However, in HAWX, you don't feel like flying. It looks exactly like when you're in free camera after death in FPS. You just glide in a direction and shoot. Since the controls are weird, you're never precise either. You'll still lock on a target and you can shoot missile on the target. So you just wait for waves of different enemy, go after them and shoot missile on them. Once fights comes in, you'll be harassed by other missile. You can dodge them or throw flares... it's still not that fun and just a bit chaotic. So you end up chasing the target and throwing missile at it while randomly going for another one until the mission is done. 4. While you play, there's some dialogs but you only see a small thumbnail with voice-over and it's nothing special. Just like Star fox. Sometimes, you see a cutscene but it's only for a short time until you're rethrowed into action. 5. Graphics are OK I guess. I thought it'd be more than that. Since you don't even feel like flying, it just look like empty space. It might look good when you get higher but seriously.. it's just bland. Nothing like scenery in Flight Simulator. 6. When you crash, it's ugly. You get a small explosion and a commentary like Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Than you're ask if you want to restart to checkpoint or restart the mission. Then you have to watch a bland cutscene showing the same surrounding when you retry. 7. There doesn't seem to be any physics in the game. I found it tough to even try to shoot tank on the ground. I would have liked to be able to shoot ground target in a line, like in movies but it's unrealistic. You end up so low that you can crash at any time trying to correct your direction. 8. You get XP for kills and it unlocks new plane. Looked like a gimmick. Nothing original here. 9. I never got to take off or land or anything. I was never showed outside my plane or anything. Seriously, this game is lame. I don't recommend it to anyone. I was really thrilled to try it but I suggest getting IL2 or something like that. Missions are a lot more rewarding to me. Even the menu don't work well with a mouse.… Expand

See all 40 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Games

    Ranked: "Splinter Cell Conviction" and Other Tom Clancy Games

    Ranked:
    Published: April 13, 2010
    How does the newest Splinter Cell game compare to previous titles in the series, and to other Tom Clancy games? Check out our rankings.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
85
#85 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

Current PC Games

Full List »
94 Elden Ring
93 God of War
92 Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
91 The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
90 Rogue Legacy 2
88 NORCO
88 Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster
87 Monster Hunter Rise
87 OlliOlli World
86 Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
85 Tunic
81 Exo One
80 Halo Infinite
78 GTFO
78 Wytchwood
77 Dying Light 2 Stay Human
74 Martha is Dead
65 Thunder Tier One
61 Praey for the Gods
46 Babylon's Fall
All Current Games »