When comparing Hawken vs iRacing, the Slant community recommends iRacing for most people. In the question“What are the best Oculus Rift games?” iRacing is ranked 14th while Hawken is ranked 17th. The most important reason people chose iRacing is:
Once the subscription is paid there is no set path for the user. Everything is open to the player meaning they can choose what to do and where to go. This makes for a completely open-ended title that allows for a fresh experience anytime the player wants.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Almost completely free
In Hawken, almost everything can be bought with in-game currency. Unlike most free to play games this even includes items such as cosmetic changes. While you may have to do a bit of grinding, this game can be fully played without spending a dime.
Pro No PS+ subscription required
Most PS4 games with multiplayer modes require an additional subscription called Playstation Plus. However, free games that have online multiplayer don't generally need PS+ to play online, which is a much welcomed feature for players who can't fork out money for this subscription.
Pro Fast-paced and fun action
Hawken breaks the idea that large heavy mechs equate to slow movement. You'll instead move at a brisk pace, constantly firing your machine guns and launching rockets at the enemy. The mechs are also equipped with jump-jets, allowing you to make very swift evasive maneuvers and hover above the battlefield, so it has a 3D tactics aspect unlike most FPS games. All of this makes the action really enjoyable.
Pro Encourages teamplay
In a genre saturated with lone wolf games like Call of Duty, it's nice to have a game like Hawken which makes teamwork a necessity. You'll immediately notice how disadvantageous 1v2 battles are, so you'll always look to cooperate with your teammates. From things like providing covering fire to defending each other when repairing mechs, it feels nice when you can rely on your teammates on a regular basis.
Pro Great sense of immersion
Hawken does an excellent job of making you feel like you really are in the mech. From the vibrations on the glass when you're firing off a salvo of missiles to the swaying of the cockpit when you're stomping your way through a destroyed city, there are many details that considerably add to the immersion.
Pro Unlimited replayability
Once the subscription is paid there is no set path for the user. Everything is open to the player meaning they can choose what to do and where to go. This makes for a completely open-ended title that allows for a fresh experience anytime the player wants.
Pro Unique community rules
There is an actual sanctioning body for the game called FIRST that keeps players in line making for a non toxic community that behaves professionally. If a player races aggressively or continually breaks the rules of the rod their license will receive infractions that will soon label that person as one to stay away from.
Cons
Con Lack of story is a missed opportunity
A current trend in online gaming is that many games do not offer a single player campaign or any means to tell a story. Sadly Hawken continues this trend as it does very little to expand on its interesting setting, which is very disappointing.
Con Expensive as it requires a subscription plus additional costs
iRacing requires a subscription that starts at $6/mo. as well as has costs for extra cars and tracks. Overall an expensive game to play for those that want to experience all of the content on offer.
Con Difficult to play with a gamepad
The controls for the game are very precise and in being so is best played with a driving wheel with petals and a shifter. Trying to play with a gamepad does work but will really inhibit the players controls especially if they are competing in online races.