Hawx 2 is a combat flight simulator game developed by Ubisoft and released in 2010 for various platforms, including PC. The game is a sequel to the original Hawx, which was released in 2009. Hawx 2 features a story campaign that can be played solo or with up to three other players, as well as various multiplayer modes. The game also introduces new gameplay elements, such as take-off and landing sequences, aerial refueling, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
In this article, we will review the PC version of Hawx 2, which was released on November 22, 2010. We will also discuss the game's performance on a PC with the following specifications: Intel Core i5-2500K processor, 16 GB of RAM, and Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 Ti graphics card. This PC was built in 2012 and can run most games at high settings. We will also compare Hawx 2 with other similar games, such as Ace Combat and DCS World.
Hawx 2 is an arcade-style flight simulator that focuses on action and spectacle rather than realism and simulation. The game allows the player to control various aircraft, ranging from fighter jets to bombers to helicopters. The game also features a variety of weapons, such as missiles, rockets, bombs, and guns. The game has two main modes: story mode and multiplayer mode.
Story mode consists of 19 missions that follow the exploits of four different pilots from different countries and factions. The player can switch between the pilots at any time during the mission. The missions involve various objectives, such as escorting allies, attacking enemies, defending bases, infiltrating enemy territory, and destroying targets. The missions are set in various locations around the world, such as Russia, Africa, Middle East, and Antarctica. The story mode can be played solo or with up to three other players online or locally.
Mutliplayer mode offers several options for online or local play. The game supports up to eight players in co-op or versus modes. Co-op mode allows the players to team up and complete missions from the story mode or custom missions created by the players. Versus mode allows the players to compete against each other in various modes, such as team deathmatch, capture the flag, siege, and survival. The game also features a ranking system that tracks the player's performance and unlocks new aircraft, weapons, skins, and perks.
Hawx 2 uses the same engine as its predecessor, which is based on Ubisoft's Anvil engine. The game features improved graphics and effects compared to the original Hawx, such as more detailed textures, dynamic lighting and shadows, realistic weather and clouds, and enhanced explosions and smoke. The game also supports DirectX 11 features, such as tessellation and ambient occlusion. The game's visuals are impressive and immersive, especially when flying at high altitudes and speeds.
However, the game also suffers from some graphical issues and glitches. Some of the issues include low-resolution textures on some objects and terrain, pop-in of distant objects and scenery, clipping of aircraft parts through buildings and mountains, flickering of shadows and reflections, and occasional stuttering and freezing. These issues are more noticeable on lower settings or older hardware. The game also requires a lot of disk space (about 9 GB) and a decent internet connection for online play.
Hawx 2 features a solid sound design that enhances the gameplay experience. The game's sound effects are realistic and varied, such as the roar of engines, the whizz of missiles, the boom of explosions, and the chatter of radio communications. The game also features a dynamic music score that adapts to the situation and mood of the game. The music is composed by Tom Salta, who also composed the music for the original Hawx and other Ubisoft games. The music is mostly orchestral and electronic, with some ethnic influences depending on the location.
The game's voice acting is decent but not exceptional. The game features a cast of voice actors who portray the different characters and pilots in the game. The voice actors deliver their lines with appropriate emotion and accent depending on their nationality and personality. However, some of the dialogue is clichéd and cheesy, especially during the cutscenes and briefings. Some of the voice actors also sound similar or repetitive, which can be confusing or annoying.
Hawx 2 offers various options for controlling the game. The game can be played with a keyboard and mouse, a gamepad, or a joystick. The game also supports head tracking devices, such as TrackIR and FaceTrackNoIR, which allow the player to move their head and change the camera angle accordingly. The game's controls are customizable and responsive, allowing the player to adjust them to their preference and skill level.
The game also features two different control modes: assistance mode and assistance off mode. Assistance mode is the default mode that provides the player with various aids and indicators, such as auto-pilot, auto-targeting, threat detection, and damage control. Assistance mode also limits the player's speed and maneuverability to prevent stalling and crashing. Assistance off mode is a more realistic and challenging mode that removes all the aids and indicators, except for the basic HUD. Assistance off mode also allows the player to perform more advanced maneuvers, such as barrel rolls, loops, and high-G turns. However, assistance off mode also exposes the player to more risks, such as stalling, spinning, blacking out, and crashing.
Hawx 2 is one of the few combat flight simulator games available for PC. The game's closest competitors are Ace Combat and DCS World. Ace Combat is a long-running series of arcade-style flight simulator games developed by Bandai Namco. The latest entry in the series is Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, which was released in 2019 for PC and consoles. Ace Combat 7 features a similar gameplay style and structure as Hawx 2, but with more emphasis on story and characters. Ace Combat 7 also features more diverse and fantastical aircraft and weapons, such as stealth fighters, laser cannons, and railguns. Ace Combat 7 has better graphics and sound than Hawx 2, but also requires more hardware power and disk space (about 50 GB).
DCS World is a realistic and complex flight simulator game developed by Eagle Dynamics. The game is free to play on PC, but requires additional modules to unlock different aircraft and scenarios. The game features a wide range of aircraft from various eras and countries, such as WW2 fighters, modern jets, helicopters, and even civilian planes. The game also features a realistic physics engine, a detailed cockpit view, a dynamic weather system, and a comprehensive editor. DCS World is the most realistic and simulation-oriented flight simulator game on PC, but also the most difficult and demanding. The game requires a lot of knowledge, skill, patience, and practice to master. The game also requires a lot of hardware power and disk space (about 100 GB).
Hawx 2 is a fun and exciting combat flight simulator game that offers a lot of action and spectacle for fans of the genre. The game features a decent story mode that can be played solo or with friends, as well as various multiplayer modes that offer more replay value. The game also features impressive graphics and sound that create an immersive atmosphere. The game's controls are customizable and responsive, allowing the player to choose between an easy or hard mode.
However, Hawx 2 also has some flaws and limitations that prevent it from being a great game. The game suffers from some graphical issues and glitches that can affect the performance and visuals. The game's voice acting is mediocre and cheesy at times. The game's disk space requirement is high (about 9 GB) compared to other games of its kind. The game also lacks originality and innovation compared to other games in the genre.
Overall, Hawx 2 is a good game that can provide hours of entertainment for fans of combat flight simulator games. The game is not perfect, but it is enjoyable and satisfying for what it is. The game is worth playing if you are looking for an arcade-style flight simulator game that offers a lot of action and spectacle.
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