Over the top action and Best of the Best at PAX
One of my favorite concepts in video games is the “Giant Fighting Robot” or GFR, and I tend to take it rather seriously. So not since the original $200 Steel Battalion has there been a shooter that encompasses everything I love about GFR’s like HAWKEN does. Not only is it one of the most beautiful games you will ever lay eyes on, it’s designed to be fast, furious and extremely fun. The only thing this game doesn’t have that I want is the $200 peripheral controller and console support, but maybe if I bug a few people for a year or so I might get one or both!
I had been waiting since Emerald City Comicon to see HAWKEN again, because I couldn’t get a play test with it just yet, only watch a multiplayer video, and I must say I was overly impressed with how smooth the game is. I completely forgot to check what the specs were on the computers they had it running on, but I didn’t experience any sort of graphics based lag whatsoever. I played on three separate networks, with multiple players with no lag, my only excuse for poor performance was the dubstep bass drop that was so loud, my cursor literally would not fire at anything I was pointing at. Other than musical problems, it is a flawless experience at this level of development.
Gameplay so far is team deathmatch in large open levels that allow all three types of mechs to traverse the landscape in their own way. You are allowed to select Light, Medium and Heavy after each death and one of two main weapons at the selection screen, then you spawn in and attempt to do as much damage as you can to opposing players while protecting your health and watching the weapon temp and fuel meter. Weapon heat keeps players from just spamming machine gun fire on all guns and the fuel gauge allows you to boost and take small flights to high points in the level, but won’t let you get too far out of range of other players. I was able to move with great ease, boost left, right and forward while a “rear boost” will do a quick 180 so you can attack players behind you. You do have a health meter to watch out for, but pressing the heal button (C) will allow you to “take a knee” and a small robot attempts emergency repairs of your machine. This however incapacitates you momentarily.
HAWKEN will be released on 12.12.12, free to play and I can’t wait to see what else will be coming with it. You know someone lovingly crafted a great video game, when your friend (Burke) who doesn’t touch most computer games with a 30 ft. pole wants to play it actively! So make sure you keep your eyes on this one, it may be the best PC game of 2012 (or ever).
-Nic
Now before you head back to the farm why don’t you check out SMITE (click the name) and use this code: CV476C92D73AFF4CB Warning: The code is first come first serve for a free character skin! But don’t worry I have a few more give aways coming soon to a post near you!
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