Hawken - Open Beta
May 7th, 2013
Already Immersed
So I’ve
been playing Hawken off and on for about the last two months (maybe less, I
dunno). Enough time to get used to the
patterns of combat and understand how the flow of battle goes on each map at least. And I figured it was about time to put down
my thoughts on the game.
Hawken
is a fast paced, action packed FPS game with great physics, and game
mechanics. As the game developers
release new items for sale using Hawken Points, or Meteor Credits, it’s obvious
they consider all their new submissions and how they will effect combat on the
field. Whether it’s rocket turrets,
blockades, or radar scramblers, the deployable items all have a real usable
function and you won’t feel cheated when you blow your points/credits on
them.
The use
of Meteor Credits (real world money) will sport your mech upgraded hardware to
increase its offensive, defensive, or mobility capacity. That said you don’t need to spend money to
get these types of items. All the items
you can buy which augment your abilities can all be purchased by using Hawken
Points. These points are gained by
simple gameplay. The points are
different each match, but usually I get about a hundred per match I play. Also, if you get achievements, you get bonus
points based on the goal you met. All in
all, I think this is the fairest way I’ve seen a free to play game
operate. This isn’t pay to win, it’s pay
to make my mech look different. I put
ten dollars into painting my Reaper Mech, and changing the parts out on my
CT-Recruit Mech so it’s not so blah.
There
are essentially three types of mechs on the field, class A, class B, and class
C. Think of them as small, medium and
large. As you can imagine the smaller
class A mechs have greater mobility, but also have less armor. Class C, just the opposite with greater armor
and less mobility. I find that having
several mechs is a good thing for a player.
One, you don’t get bored with a certain style of play, and two, it can
effect your teams success on the field of battle. If your team is getting hammered by a couple
of Sharpshooters, using a Rocketeer in Siege Mode (transforms into a tank), and
a having a technician healing you may do the trick. As a Rocketeer you can bombard their perch
from a distance causing them to dodge, and avoid fire. This will stop them from pestering your other
team members and give them a chance.
The
high ground is important in Hawken. When
you are up higher you’ll have a better visual range of the enemies as they
approach you, but it also gives you slightly more areas to dodge fire and hide
behind objects. I have found that most
battles end up hinging on the high ground.
One side is always giving and taking it from the other. I haven’t done any data analysis on it, but I
have a feeling that he who holds the high ground the longest wins…
The
game types are pretty standard. Team
Death Match, Missile Defense, Siege, and Death Match. Team DM and DM pretty much speak for
themselves.
·
In Team DM you kill the other guy with the help
of your comrades in arms. The key to
this gameplay mode is sticking together.
With your groups combined firepower you can drop any mech within a few
moments. You start to die when you stray
off the path.
·
Missile Defense is basically holding your ground
at three missile silos and seeing how long you can retain at least two of the
three. As you gain possession of a silo
it starts to bombard the enemy base. 3000
hit points later the enemy base (or your own) is toast. If I had advice, stick to two silos and don’t
try to hold all three.
·
Siege is different animal. A match of siege can last quite a while with
two skilled teams. You send your mechs
out into the field to gather energy and bring it back to your base. After you gather enough energy your launch a
battleship which goes to beat up the enemy base. The catch… is the Anti-Aircraft missile silo
in the middle of the field. After you
launch your battleship, you have to hold the silo. If you don’t your battleship is going to get
smoked before it ever reaches the enemy base.
The whole battle hinges on holding that AA silo.
·
Death Match speaks for itself. It’s an all-out free for all, without any
friends to lean on. Personally, this is
more of an endgame type of gameplay. If
you go out there with low rank and low end gear, you had better be an ace game
player. Otherwise you won’t have a good
time…
Technically
the game is still in open beta, but it’s pretty clear the basics of the game
are well established. I think they just
want to give themselves time to roll out more items, more mechs, paint designs
and maps. That way no one can accuse
them of launching without enough content.
There are also some interesting
possible features coming. Of particular
interest are maps which have a completely destructible environment. I know this is still under development, but
it could really be a game changer. Demo
video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkHHRox88aU
Overall,
I really enjoy this game and if you are an FPS fan, I think you’ll dig it, even
if it’s out of the norm because of the giant robot aspect. Though Hawken is still in Beta, I score it 8 out
of 10. What I think Hawken needs is more
maps, more items, and the ability to outfit a mech with alternate weapon
types. I don’t see this happening
though, since it would change the way you buy mechs and possibly how you spend
your money on the game.
Game Site: https://www.playhawken.com//
My Pilot name:
REDSTEELDRAGON
See you online!
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