PAX East 2013: Hawken Preview
posted:
3/31/2013 1:29:00 PM
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Hawken
PAX East 2013
Its been a while since ive played a good mech game. I think the last one I actually enjoyed was the Mech Assault on the original Xbox. Then I heard about Hawken a first person, free to play, Deathmatch style mech game currently available to play. I sat down with Meteor Entertainment at PAX East to get a closer look at the game.
Hawken uses the free to play model giving you same basic mechs and upgrades at the start of the game. The rest can either be bought with real money or bought overtime by earning in game credits. If you are a dedicated player you can buy every mech, upgrade and attachment for no real money at all. Don't worry as Hawken does not suffer from the "pay to win" mechanics that come free to play games have. When you first start the game you will have more than enough at your disposal to jump in and kick some butt.
Hawken plays differently than your normal shooter. Since you are in a mech you need to think like you are meaning your movements such and dodging left and right and turning are different. Its not instant like most shooters but this adds to the strategy of the game. You need to think like you are in a mech and plan your attacks and movements accordingly. You also have a arsenal of attachments to add to your gun as well including mini guns and rocket launchers. Some can shoot out a single shot for quick damage or you can charge the shot for massive damage. Some can even be detonated in mid flight so you have plenty of ways to customize your mechs to your play style. You can also heal your mech if you are low on health by holding the C key but this leaves you completely vulnerable to attack so use it wisely.
In terms of game modes Hawken features Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Siege and Missile Assault. Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch are pretty self explanatory. Siege on the other hand is an attack and defend game mode where one team has to get their battleship to the enemy base. In order to even launch your ship you have to collect EU from the EU tree and dead opponents. There are also turrets on the map that will fire on your opponents ship. You can destroy these bases so you get the anti air advantage. Its a back and forth almost MOBA push back style of game.
Missile Assault is more straight forward. Players fight for control of three missile silos on the map. When one is under control it will fire at the enemy base. The first team to destroy their opponents base wins.
As you can see there is a lot of variety here in Hawken and for a free game you should have plenty to even as you first start playing the game.
Hawken is currently available and can be downloaded at https://www.playhawken.com//
Hawken uses the free to play model giving you same basic mechs and upgrades at the start of the game. The rest can either be bought with real money or bought overtime by earning in game credits. If you are a dedicated player you can buy every mech, upgrade and attachment for no real money at all. Don't worry as Hawken does not suffer from the "pay to win" mechanics that come free to play games have. When you first start the game you will have more than enough at your disposal to jump in and kick some butt.
Hawken plays differently than your normal shooter. Since you are in a mech you need to think like you are meaning your movements such and dodging left and right and turning are different. Its not instant like most shooters but this adds to the strategy of the game. You need to think like you are in a mech and plan your attacks and movements accordingly. You also have a arsenal of attachments to add to your gun as well including mini guns and rocket launchers. Some can shoot out a single shot for quick damage or you can charge the shot for massive damage. Some can even be detonated in mid flight so you have plenty of ways to customize your mechs to your play style. You can also heal your mech if you are low on health by holding the C key but this leaves you completely vulnerable to attack so use it wisely.
In terms of game modes Hawken features Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Siege and Missile Assault. Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch are pretty self explanatory. Siege on the other hand is an attack and defend game mode where one team has to get their battleship to the enemy base. In order to even launch your ship you have to collect EU from the EU tree and dead opponents. There are also turrets on the map that will fire on your opponents ship. You can destroy these bases so you get the anti air advantage. Its a back and forth almost MOBA push back style of game.
Missile Assault is more straight forward. Players fight for control of three missile silos on the map. When one is under control it will fire at the enemy base. The first team to destroy their opponents base wins.
As you can see there is a lot of variety here in Hawken and for a free game you should have plenty to even as you first start playing the game.
Hawken is currently available and can be downloaded at https://www.playhawken.com//
