Ride into the danger zone…

Tom Clancy’s HAWX for iPad : Ubisoft’s arcade dog-fighter received a relatively lukewarm reception when it was released for home platforms a while back; impressively, the game’s outing on the iPhone retains most of the functions of the original, making it something of a technical marvel, and a fun diversion to boot. As crack pilot David Crenshaw, you’ll tackle a campaign across 13 missions that take in aerial battles with other jets, air-to-ground combat, bombing runs, and more. Although the virtual flight yoke isn’t particularly satisfying to use, it is accurate. Far more intriguing, though, are the accelerometer controls, which enable you to spin and roll your iPhone to steer your plane. This is where the game comes into its own, as you fly intuitively around the varied environments lining up targets, completing objectives and evading trouble. The smooth visuals show a level of polish rarely seen on the iPhone, while Bluetooth and online multiplayer modes are an added bonus, making for a great overall package.

Rating 4 Star