Hawken

Hawken is a multiplayer first-person shooter video game focused on mechanized combat. Developed by Adhesive Games, it was released for Windows in 2012 as a free-to-play title with a microtransaction system. The game emphasizes piloting large, customizable mechs in fast-paced battles across industrial and urban environments.

Gameplay centers on team-based, objective-driven play and arena-style engagements. Players choose from a variety of mech chassis, weapons, and equipment to suit different roles and playstyles. Mechs feature modular loadouts, mobility options, and armor systems, enabling strategies that prioritize speed, firepower, or durability. Matches typically reward coordination and map control, while also offering modes that emphasize individual skill.

Development and release history reflect Hawken’s status as an early free-to-play mech shooter. The project began as an indie endeavor by Adhesive Games and evolved through public testing before its 2012 launch. Over time, the game received ongoing updates, new content, and monetization adjustments as part of its live-service approach. Publishing and distribution responsibilities shifted among different partners, a common pattern for long-running online titles.

Reception to Hawken highlighted its kinetic mech combat and distinctive visual style, with praise for its feel and scale. Critics and players, however, pointed to balance issues and monetization design as areas of concern. Despite these challenges, Hawken remains a notable entry in the genre, recognized for helping to popularize PC-based free-to-play mech combat and for sustaining a dedicated community during its active years.