Warhawk: Broken Mirror Expansion

Written by Ryan Hewson

Tuesday, 06 May 2008 03:41

Broken Mirror is the second expansion in Warhawk's eight months of existence thus far. It continues Incognito's string of substantial improvements and additions to their flagship multiplayer title. The original release of Warhawk was an extremely well-balanced game with few rough edges, and the two expansions and interstitial updates have managed to refine the experience in a layered approach, with the addition of new game modes and vehicles that can exist across all map types. This is a very tricky thing to do, and Incognito is to be commended for it. They seem to have hit that sweet spot for MP downloadable content: every four months, at less than $10, with a small but effective amount of content. I hesitate to even write "content" because that doesn't really describe what happens to Warhawk when you throw a new vehicle or map into the mix.

But first, we need to differentiate between the free patches (or updates) that Incognito rolls out periodically, from the expansions which are paid add-ons.

The most recent patch, v1.3, added a laundry-list of features and fixes. The two new in-game items were: the mechanic's wrench, good for repairing friendly vehicles as well as sabotaging enemies; and the bio-field generator, which acts as a temporary area-of-effect "fog" that heals allies and fries opponents simultaneously. These are free and available to everyone (in fact, you have no choice but to update. You will comply, human.)

Broken Mirror consists of a new map called Vaporfield Glacier – think Hoth – as well as a new vehicle, the Armored Personnel Carrier (APC).

Vaporfield Glacier is a great demonstration of the continual refinement put into the game. The map is actually smaller than the previous expansion (Omega Dawn), as playing on the full-sized map with a small number of people could get pretty lonely. Ten "layouts" are included for the new map. In Warhawk terms, these layouts are specific parcels of the map that can be played in a "fenced off" manner, suitable for smaller teams and more intense firefights. In addition to these new layouts there are also ten "bonus" layouts provided for the existing maps. The new map looks great aesthetically, with blowing snow and shifting lighting effects that look fantastic.

The APC itself, available in both fruity go-get'em Eucadian flavour as well as scary Cobra-reject Chernovan, is a really interesting addition. Far from being a simple six-troop carrier, it contains multiple functions, most notably serving as a mobile spawn point for your team, as well as providing an extra starting weapon for those players entering the game from it. Already, this introduces a huge wrinkle to existing gametypes, particularly Capture the Flag, which often requires you to drive the flag home (flying a flag in a Warhawk is possible, but most turn this feature off). Further, the APC can drop a large bubble shield generator anywhere on the map. This provides a protective dome that repulses fire from the outside but allows shots to come from within. It's not a physical barrier though: enemies can walk right through it, but good luck doing that when there's a team of well-armed troops hunkered down in there blowing you to hell. And finally, the vehicle can perform a kind of charged ramming attack, which turns the whole thing into a large, drivable bullet. Experienced players can jump this thing off a high elevation for a rather amusing Death From Above attack. (I actually saw an APC drive through a low-flying Warhawk at one point. Good stuff.)

Warhawk continues to be an excellent study in game balance. The game could have easily been buried under the avalanche of other great multiplayer games that have come out since it launched, such as Call of Duty 4. By keeping a close eye on balance ("everything in Warhawk has it's own kryptonite", as one friend put it) and maintaining interest with rapid and inexpensive expansions, Warhawk has become the PlayStation 3's Counterstrike: that one go-to multiplayer game that somehow manages to live on between other diversions.