The multiplayer shooter Hawken failed, the servers were shut down in 2018. Now Hawken Reborn is released as a single-player title for free on Steam and focuses on customizable battle machines in a dystopian setting.
What kind of game is Hawken Reborn? It is a first-person shooter set in a dark dystopia. Illal was once the utopian future of humanity until terraforming measures poisoned the atmosphere and a nanite plague devastated the planet.
This is what Hawken Reborn offers:
- Dystopian, open game world: you fight head-to-head against corporations and factions in a futuristic, open world filled with resources, no-go zones, and enemies at every corner.
- Character customization: the battle machines function similarly to character classes and can be visually customized.
- Skill tree: a skill tree also allows for technical modifications of the mechs.
- A new story in the Hawken universe: six story missions invite players to explore the world of Illal.
- Patrol mode: outside the story, it is possible to complete special missions to gather resources and blueprints.
Here you can watch the trailer for Hawken Reborn:
The developers are focusing on the story mode this time
What game modes will there be? Initially, the story mode for single players is the priority. The developers want to appeal to players who feel discouraged by multiplayer shooters and necessary skills (via PC Gamer).
However, there are plans to eventually integrate a co-op mode to explore the world with friends and admire the customized mechs. For co-op fans, we have 6 great games that will keep you entertained for days.
Additionally, there is the option to go into “Patrol Mode” outside of the story to explore regions and complete missions. This enhances replayability and allows you to try out different loadouts for your mech.
When can I play Hawken Reborn? Hawken Reborn goes into early access on Steam on May 17 and is free to play. There will initially be six story missions that will evolve over time.
Further information about Hawken Reborn can be found on the official website.
Customization of the mechs is the focus
In a Reddit thread on the topic, users reminisce about Hawken and hope that this time the release will be better received than the multiplayer title. Controlling the mech was a lot of fun, as were the battles.
According to the developers, you can specialize your mech for agility—the mechs in Hawken Reborn are quite mobile for two-legged battle tanks. Alternatively, specialization in damage, health, or another fourth attribute is possible.
With the battle machines, they also want to achieve individual character customization. The goal is to make them unique and this requires a lot of work. Early access is planned for approximately 18 months.
Whether the single-player will be better received than the dead multiplayer remains to be seen. And the fact of which mode is generally better can be argued anyway.
