More than ten buttons adorn the face of the PS3 controller, and while each contributes something to the aerial warfare of Tom Clancy’s HAWX, only two are really important—the left analog stick steers, and the X button fires.

There is no button for negotiation. Load heavy, and ask questions later.

Diplomacy has no place in HAWX, the latest entry in Ubisoft’s popular Tom Clancy series of war games. In fact, apart from blowing enemy aircraft out of the sky, obliterating ground targets and tearing spirals through the heavens, there isn’t much room for anything else. HAWX is an action-packed gambit with plenty of enemies to destroy, heaps of fighter jets and no apologies.

But there are often casualties in war, and in the case of HAWX, emphasis on simplified action has resulted in drawbacks that jeopardize the mission.

The title stands for High-Altitude Warfare Experimental, but considering the gravity-defying maneuvers the planes in HAWX can do, “experimental” may be understated. HAWX isn’t a physics-faithful flight simulator, nor does it try to be. You can bank, twist and turn at virtually any speed, steering your jet through the sky with abandon. You don’t even need to worry about fuel.

Once inside the cockpit, your only concern is destroying enemies.

Would-be pilots who expect realistic flight simulation during their virtual dogfights may be dissuaded by HAWX’s blatant disregard for the laws of gravity and physics, but gamers appreciative of its classic, arcade-like feel will find HAWX gained more than it lost when blowing off Isaac Newton.

Because the game is lenient with aerial maneuverability, it has a much more accessible feel and allows the combat and missions to become the primary gameplay focus. Unfortunately, however, that’s both good and bad news.

First and foremost, the combat is enjoyable. Once within range of a target, you’ll be able to lock on and fire homing missiles at will. Scanning the radar for enemy targets and keeping them within view long enough to shoot them out of the sky is a blast, both literally and figuratively, and it can be quite addictive as the missions progress and become increasingly difficult.

At least, for a while.

Adding depth to the combat system, HAWX gets “experimental” again with an Enhanced Reality System of enemy targeting. A simple press of a button activates ERS, which triggers a series of gates on your HUD. Flying through each in succession allows you to intercept the enemy with a surprise aerial maneuver and a well-placed missile strike. Talk about shock and awe!

Yet as fun as the combat can be, it can grow wearisome quickly. Even with the addition of ERS, there just isn’t much depth to keep you engaged for an extended gameplay session. Scanning the radar for targets and eliminating them in random order is fun for a while, but unfortunately, HAWX doesn’t offer much beyond that simple—and eventually arbitrary—framework.

Even the ERS targeting loses steam once the novelty wears off. It can be more of a hassle than it’s sometimes worth, and particularly once your flight skills improve, you’ll find yourself flying through virtual gates less and less.

Of course, compelling missions might compensate for overly simplified combat, but like the gameplay itself, there’s both good and bad news.

The initial excitement of flying 30,000 feet above the ground and firing at enemies ensures the first few missions are enjoyable, but as HAWX wears on, the fun of your assigned tasks begins to polarize. Some offer intriguing scenarios, such as the disarming of a nuclear bomb, and are thoroughly engaging, but others feel uninspired and are occasionally frustrating.

When HAWX is clicking and the gameplay and missions feel good, it’s an enjoyable, fun trip down the fictional highway to the proverbial danger zone. Unfortunately for HAWX, that highway is sometimes clogged with traffic.

Long-time Clancy fans will feel comfortable with the story. HAWX occurs between the events of Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 and EndWar; in the not-so-distant future, elite pilot David Crenshaw leads a skilled group of combat pilots, the HAWX squadron, in a military conflict for the ages. Nuclear war, covert missions, invasions—it’s got everything you’d expect from a political and military thriller courtesy Mr. Clancy, though dull presentation makes the gripping story feel like a bit of an afterthought.

Speaking of afterthoughts, multiplayer aficionados shouldn’t expect much from HAWX. Aside from four-player online deathmatch and an appreciated cooperative mode, HAWX is inexplicably lacking multiplayer options, which may be one of its most disappointing flaws given its multiplayer appeal.

The visual presentation, on the other hand, is another story entirely.

HAWX isn’t the most technically impressive game you’ll play on your PS3, but it’s easily one of the most aesthetically stunning. Screaming through the sky thousands of feet above the Earth’s surface, HAWX displays some truly breath-taking panoramic views, and because your missions take place all around the world, they are as varied and unique as they are beautiful.

The view is perhaps most impressive, however, during missions above the world’s cities. Developed using authentic satellite imagery, HAWX features realistic and stunningly detailed views of Los Angeles, Tokyo and more.

It’s like battling above Google Earth, as exhilarating as it is impressive.

The prettiest peach doesn’t always make the best cobbler, but to its credit, HAWX offers an enjoyable, fast-paced take on aerial combat for those open to the experience. Fighter jet buffs will love the attention to detail given the planes’ appearances and the amount of fighters and weapons unlockable throughout, and gamers thirsting for mindless combat will be satiated.

It’s exceedingly simple, but it can be a lot of fun—is that a crime?

If you’re looking for a realistic aerial combat simulator, you’ve flown into the wrong combat zone. Tom Clancy’s HAWX ignores the minutiae of reality and focuses on the mission at hand—exaggerated aerial maneuvering, shooting enemies down and causing massive explosions. For me, that’s enough.

Gameplay: 7.0
HAWX doesn’t concern itself with realistic rules of flight, and that’s a good thing. It allows you to enjoy the action without worrying about minute details like banking speed and flight physics. The combat feels pretty satisfying.

Graphics: 7.5
There are some texture problems to nitpick, but soaring 30,000 feet above domestic and international landscapes provides stunning, realistic views.

Sound: 6.5
You’ll wish the soundtrack just looped “Danger Zone” the entire game, but it doesn’t. The music is mostly forgettable, and the voiceovers are pretty dull.

Difficulty: Easy, Medium, Hard
Three difficulty levels ensure plenty of enemies to match your skill level.

Concept: 7.0
It may be a war game, but HAWX feels fresh enough to avoid feeling stale. It’s nice to have an aerial view of war instead of another first-person view.

Multiplayer: 6.0
If you can deal with restrictions and a lack of modes, multiplayer can be fun, but four-player deathmatch and campaign co-op are your only options.

Overall: 7.0
If you’re looking for a realistic aerial combat simulator, you’ve flown into the wrong combat zone. Tom Clancy’s HAWX ignores the minutiae of reality and focuses on the mission at hand—exaggerated aerial maneuvering, shooting enemies down and causing massive explosions. For me, that’s enough.