This is a PlayStation 3 exclusive video game that is a remake of the original PlayStation iteration. Sony has decided to make it strictly a multiplayer endeavor. Warhawk was scheduled for a single player campaign; however, Incognito wanted players to be immersed in an online gaming experience. Up to 32 players will be able to duke it out, and there’s no drop in frame rate. Players will start Warhawk by choosing either a Eucadia character or a Chernovan character. Both are practically identical and do not have an actual result in the game.

The gameplay is rudimentary, but it is more than satisfactory. Simply put, you are trying to eradicate your adversaries. Warhawk boils down to four gameplay elements: deathmatch, capture the flag team deathmatch, and nodes. Multiplayer nerds will feel right at home with deathmatch and capture the flag. In deathmatch, you pulverize all your opponents until no one is left standing. In Team Deathmatch, you and your allies eliminate all of your enemies.

In capture the flag, you capture a flag and return it to a particular location. Many novice multiplayer players will find Node unfamiliar to them. Node is essentially a mode where you strive to take control of areas on the map and make them your bases (Star Wars: Battlefront style).

Weapons in Warhawk are a sight to behold. These involve air-to-air, air-to-ground, ground-to-air, and ground-to-ground weapons. Machine guns, mines, flamethrowers, turrets, rockets, and missiles are just a small sampling of the plethora of weapons available in Warhawk. Players will also notice that you can’t abuse any weapons; plus, there is a checks and balances gameplay mechanic that works well. For example, using a rocket launcher is immensely powerful but slow. In contrast, firing a machine gun is quick but significantly less powerful. This rule applies to all weapons in Warhawk.

Vehicles range from basic ground cars (tanks) to the notorious Warhawk planes; players will also be able to travel on foot. All vehicles have their pros and cons, but my personal favorite is the Warhawk. Dropping a bomb and firing swarming missiles at other players is inexplicably rewarding. The six-axis controller is a perfect fit for Warhawk, but some players may never use it. This feature can be easily turned on and off, so you don’t have to play a style that doesn’t suit you. Personally, I found Warhawk to be intuitive without using the six-axis controller. Unfortunately, there is a steep learning curve that comes with playing Warhawk.

I guarantee you that a bunch of players will flood your first thirty minutes into the game. It’s not necessarily a video game to pick up and play. You have to understand the nuances of the game to ultimately succeed. A ranking system that will be determined by your performance in each mission. This is the first time that a video game can be purchased at a retail store or through the PlayStation Network. The retail store will sell Warhawk with a headset, but it’s $60. PlayStation Network will sell for $40, but it doesn’t come with the headset. Both versions of the game play the same. The audio is realistic as you will hear gunshots and explosions.

The visuals aren’t exactly next-gen for a PlayStation 3 game. Some of the character models look downright abysmal, but the vehicles look above average. Strictly multiplayer missions shouldn’t deter players from enjoying Warhawk. I haven’t had this much fun playing an online multiplayer game since Star Wars: Battlefront and Star Wars: Battlefront 2. It’s a brilliant multiplayer experience that will keep any player engaged for countless days.

final verdict 8 out of 10