It’s been awhile now since Warhawk for the PlayStation 3 was released both as a downloadable game as well as on store shelves and the servers are still filled with gamers ready to hit the frontlines online. As a multiplayer-only game, there were maps aplenty and enough vehicles to make for an intense battle between two opposing forces. Now, as the first download Booster pack, Operation: Omega Dawn inserts new elements into this fun and action-packed game.

Omega Dawn doesn’t add any new game match types and it doesn’t push new gameplay elements that change the way gamers will play a Deathmatch or Zones. It doesn’t add dozens of new weapons and loads of new vehicles. Instead, it adds six new map layouts and a single vehicle to the core game. It might not sound like a lot but believe me when I say that both the maps and the vehicle do make a good companion that compliments the core game nicely.

Unlike the core game, Omega Dawn is only available as a download in the PlayStation Store. Costing $7.99 and taking up minimal hard drive space, the add-on seamlessly blends in with the core game’s other maps. The six new maps open up new territories centered on the Omega Factory. In fact, the best of the six is a nighttime map that not only looks good but makes flight battles a bit more challenging. These new maps also make for great ground battles, adding new spots to snipe or take control of mounted guns. The new environments actually expand the CTF and Zones matches, allowing for more coverage of the map.

Still, the highlight of the Booster Pack is the new vehicle type that adds a new twist on the Warhawk and Nemesis aerial-combat vehicles. The KT-424 is a dropship that has built-in auto-cannons and has the ability to launch up to six swarm missiles but the real prize is the fact that the vehicle is also a transport ship. That means it can pick up and transport up to six troops or a tank or 4X4. The great news is that the tank or 4X4 doesn’t have to be empty … it can have troops riding in them. The dropship adds a new element to the gameplay, allowing for you to transport extra aid to spots where the opposing team is dominating. The KT-424 was made for Capture the Flag and Team Deathmatch in mind and it works perfectly within these game match types.

Visually speaking, the nighttime maps look great and the add-on uses the same graphics engine as the core game. Somehow, though, the explosions look better during aerial combat in the night and the flash of gunfire from above is impressive to look at if you’re flying a Warhawk or Nemesis.

Operation: Omega Dawn is the perfect companion for Warhawk on the PlayStation 3 and a good excuse to drop in for more multiplayer fun. While the game doesn’t completely change things for the core game, the new maps and vehicle type does add enough to make for some interesting moments on the battlefield. This is a Must Have for anyone who bought the game and played through all the maps more than a dozen times wishing there was more to bite into on the virtual frontlines.

Gameplay: 8.0
The battles are still intense and the new map layouts just add more intensity to the battles. Capture the Flag matches actually benefit from the new layout as well as the new vehicle class so be prepared for some truly interesting matches.

Graphics: 9.0
Visually, the game still looks really good and the visual effects are still pretty to look at so you’ll be seeing the same explosions and gunfire effects. The backgrounds of the new map are actually good, especially the nighttime map.

Sound: 9.0
The main game’s music is back and it sounds just as good as it did the first time around. Even the sound effects are still great.

Difficulty: Medium
Once again, the real challenge comes from the game’s players who will - no doubt about it - put up a good fight in the various new maps.

Concept: 7.5
The six new maps have a lot to offer and they seamlessly blend in with past maps only in a grander scale. While the maps are great, it’s the new KT-424 Dropship that’s the star of the add-on pack. You just have to love a vehicle that has enough firepower and can carry an entire tank to support your side.

Multiplayer: 9.0
The new maps alone are worth the price of admission and since there are six of them you’ll have a blast playing through new terrains that will give you new places to fly over and swarm around in on the ground. The good part is that these maps make Zones and Capture the Flag priority game match types.

Overall: 7.5
Omega Dawn is the best example of how to do an add-on Booster pack right and the reason Warhawk fans will be extending their stay on these battlefields. It might not add new game match types but the new dropship vehicle and the excellent maps make this an add-on you must have if you’re interested in adding more multiplayer goodness to the core game.