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If you're finding that extraction shooters are taking themselves far too seriously, then HAWKED absolutely needs to be on your radar.
This free-to-play PvPvE shooter takes inspiration from the more approachable battle royales for its treasure-hunting adventures and focuses in on being fun. It's colorful, fast, and most importantly, super easy to pick up, which makes it perfect for drop-in and play sessions whenever you have space.
To ensure you're ready to hit the ground running, here are five tips to get you started in HAWKED:
1. Come armed with a plan
Set on a remote island called X-Isle (I see what they did there), you'll need to use your characters' unique abilities and combos to grab more Artifacts than your opponents in HAWKED.
Artifacts aren't just shiny trinkets though, they're ancient relics with the power to give your character - or Renegade as they're officially known - new powers to take into the next round. It's part of how you customize your Renegade, and you'll want to do that too because grabbing those Artifacts isn't just a case of walking in and taking them. You've got to follow waypoints to find Glyphs first, which are hidden behind puzzles or combat encounters. Once you've got five of those, you'll unlock the Treasury where the Artifacts are being guarded.
2. It's all about teamwork
You'll have to work hard and communicate with your team or other Renegades, if you stand a chance of walking away with the Artifacts. HAWKED lets you play solo in Lone Hunter mode or jump with two other players in Treasure Hunt mode for a race to collect and extract those Artifacts.
Communication is key, but thanks to an extensive ping system you can mark out points of interest like other players, dangers or treasures without having to don a headset. Make sure you revive your pals when they're downed or head to a Resurrection Point if they're totally defeated to bring them back into the game. You're going to need everyone if you're in with a chance of taking down HAWKED's biggest foes, solving the more complex puzzles, and walking away with the relics.
3. Gear up and make the most of your customizable loadout
With all that to undertake in the match, you're going to need some gadgets like the neon-hued Traverser multitool, which lets you traverse across the map with ziplines and grapple hooks, all the while being quite a handy melee weapon. You could combo your Traverser with one of the game's Hoverboards too, for some seriously stylish movement options.
In terms of weapons, X-Isle is a scavengers' paradise, with so many to loot from map from snipers and LMGs to more unique weapons like the energy-powered laser gun called the Supernova. You'll soon learn what you love in your loadout, which is going to be useful when you start building out your permanent Loadout, with Artifacts, Exo Gear, and Ward Gear all allowing you to take advantage of special power-ups and bonuses to take with you in every game.
4. Find your Renegade style
As well as your loadout, you'll want to make sure that your Renegade reflects your playstyle through unlockable styles, outfits and different color schemes. If you want, you can also opt to don a full-body Avatar. You can even customize the look of your gear, including your Traverser and Hoverboard. There's more to unlock via the HAWKED Shop, free events, and the season pass known as the Renegade Pass.
5. Know what you're up against
As well as other Renegades looking to take the Artifacts for themselves, you'll also have to face off against the Disciples. These monstrous reptilian creatures are native to X-Isle and want the Artifacts for themselves, doing anything they can to keep these relics away from you and your squad. There are different Disciple types to look out for, each with its own abilities and associated threats, so be wary as you explore X-Isle.
If you really want to weaken them and damage their supply chains ahead of the fight for the Artifacts, you'll want to look out for Caravans. These are escorted patrols guarded by sharpshooters and featuring a powerful beast holding onto the supplies. Teamwork, as always, is necessary here.
HAWKED is free to play on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Windows PC via My.Games Launcher and Steam. You can get involved right now via the HAWKED website.
