Warhawk: Operation: Broken Mirror

Warhawk is one of those PlayStation 3 games that just keep on expanding and making the battlefields even more elaborate and delightfully fulfilling that I wonder why PlayStation fan boys and girls don’t talk about it very much. Who doesn’t like to approach an enemy territory with caution … wondering whether they’ll step on a landmine or get a bullet to the skull from snipers skillfully positioned? Who doesn’t want to take to the skies in a dogfight that could determine the outcome of the battle or provide support via the numerous other vehicles available? In Operation: Broken Mirror, Warhawk’s second Booster Pack, fans of the multiplayer-only game will find themselves back on the battlefield with a smile on their face.

With Operation: Omega Dawn, the game’s first Booster Pack, we were introduced to the power of the add-on with a new vehicle and a new map. Broken Mirror offers the same only in a much grander scale as far as the map is concerned and a vehicle that is so totally tough enough to make the original ones feel so wimpy in comparison. Everything else remains relatively the same, although there’s an option to pick another “specialty” for your soldier which includes items like a wrench and a Bio-Field Generator that replaces landmines to transform regular items into health packs for your allies. It’s like adding a medic to a team. As of this writing, the wrench is an option that doesn’t seem to be working yet but once a patch comes through we can expect it to be switched with the default combat knife to repair (or destroy) damaged vehicles.

The best addition in the vehicle department happens to be the new Armored Personnel Carrier (or APC) ground assault vehicle capable of carrying up to six passengers all able to fire at enemies within the vehicle. It’s a tough beast, indeed, and can take a beating before exploding from rocket fire but to add more defenses the APC contains a driver-released Electrostatic Plasma Ordinance Disrupter (or E-POD) that acts as an energy defense shield for the vehicle. Oh, and the APC even has a speed boost button! The good news is that you can add the APC to the original maps as well as the map configurations from the Omega Dawn Booster Pack.

Speaking of Omega Dawn, the APC’s durability outshines the Dropship from Omega Dawn that - while handy at transportation - falls apart with just a few shots. The APC can even escape collisions with other armored vehicles like tanks. Really, it’ll be the choice for transporting players during Capture the Flag or Zones matches. Since hosts can pick between the Dropships or APCs, I see players skipping the Dropship altogether.

What makes Broken Mirror a perfect addition is the fact that the map, called Vaporfield Glacier, is huge. It’s an icy battlefield complete with a town called Radial Village, a network of highways that cover a lot of territory and there’s even a bridge just perfect for ambushes. Players can set up their own map configurations anyway they see fit but know that Vaporfield as a whole is perfects for both styles of Deathmatch game types as well as Capture the Flag and Zones. In short, Vaporfield will be very popular among Warhawk fans for a long time to come.

Aside from having a number of places that will surely make perfect battle and spawn points, Vaporfield Glacier is also quite pretty. The icy backgrounds are a nice touch to the original and Omega Dawn maps that are nothing to sneeze at but just aren’t as pretty as Vaporfield. Even Radial Village has its own unique visual charm. The rest of the game looks pretty much the same as does the game’s sound effects and soundtrack.

Like the icing on a deliciously sweet cake, Operation: Broken Mirror is a Booster Pack that is sure to satisfy those Warhawk fans looking for another taste of sweet multiplayer action for the PS3. While Omega Dawn was a worthwhile addition, Broken Mirror offers fans of the action game more bang for their buck plus new elements to add to the already available maps. Consider this one another reason you’ll be on this battlefield again and again.

Operation Broken Mirror is available for download via the PlayStation Store for $7.99.

Gameplay: 8.5
If anything Broken Mirror delivers a slew of more fun elements and thus making it the best Booster Pack for Warhawk thus far. With an APC that’s tough enough to take a licking and a large map with plenty to do will surely give fans a good workout.

Graphics: 8.7
Vaporfield Glacier looks amazing and the icy tundra and the town look sharp and visually impressive. The character models still look the same and so do most of the vehicles with the exception of the new APC.  

Sound: 7.5
The sound effects are still sharp yet not as detailed as other multiplayer action games. There’s music but it’s not the highlight of the menu screen. The only thing you’ll hear clearly is your opponents egging you on during a match.

Difficulty: Medium
If anything, a bigger map means the place will have enough ambush spots so if you decide to start a Team Deathmatch skirmish in town there are plenty of places for snipers to take you down. Adding vehicles to the melee will also increase the difficulty.

Concept: 8.5
The add-on’s map is huge and intricate and players can come up with a number of interesting map configurations for their game match type. The new APC is awesome and so is the E-POD feature it contains so I see gamers using this in all the available maps. Even the other goodies (the Bio-Field Generator is brilliant) are excellent additions.

Multiplayer: 8.5
Vaporfield Glacier is not only massive map but it is also perfect enough for any of the available game match types. With plenty of territory to cover, it’s an ideal battleground for any condition so we can expect Warhawk fans to come up with some impressive matches.

Overall: 8.5
At last yet another reason we will be raising hell and flying the unfriendly skies in Warhawk again. Broken Mirror actually doubles all the goodies from Omega Dawn in a perfect booster pack well worth the download price tag. If you want yet another excuse to hit the Warhawk battlefield then do not miss this add-on.