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Hawken vs Heavy Nova

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

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Hawken
HawkenFast‑paced mech combat in a gritty sci‑fi arena
Heavy Nova
Heavy NovaPilot a giant mech and crush rivals in fast‑paced sci‑fi action
Overview
Description

Hawken drops players into intense, high‑speed battles piloting heavily armed mechs across destructible environments. The game blends classic shooter mechanics with deep customization, letting you tweak weapons, armor, and abilities for each match. Featuring both solo and team‑based modes, Hawken offers a variety of objectives from deathmatch to capture‑the‑flag, all set against a backdrop of futuristic warzones. Its free‑to‑play model provides ongoing content updates and a competitive ladder for aspiring pilots.

Heavy Nova is a 1991 action title where players control a massive mech battling other mechs of varying sizes. The game features simple controls—A for punches, B for kicks, and a rocket button for sustained flight—making combat easy to pick up yet challenging to master. Originally released for the Sharp X68000, it was later ported to the Sega Mega‑CD and Mega Drive, bringing its arena‑style fighting to console audiences. The game blends platforming elements with fighting mechanics in a futuristic setting, offering both single‑player and multiplayer modes. Its retro graphics and arcade‑style gameplay capture the early 90s spirit of mech combat.

Pricing
—
Paid (One-time)
Category
First-Person Shooters
Fighting Games
Best for
Mech combat enthusiasts
Fans of retro mech fighting games
Specifications
Specifications
developer
Adhesive Games, Reloaded Games
Holocronet
publisher
Meteor Entertainment, 505 Games, Reloaded Games
Micronet
age rating
PEGI 12, ESRB T
—
multiplayer
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Single player, Multiplayer
critic score
45/100
—
General
release date
2012-12-12
1991-12-12
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • High‑intensity mech combat with deep customization
  • Fully destructible, dynamic environments
  • Robust free‑to‑play model with regular updates
  • Cross‑platform play across PS4, PC, and Xbox One
  • Simple, intuitive controls
  • Fast‑paced, action‑filled combat
  • Supports two‑player local multiplayer
  • Distinctive retro aesthetic
Cons
  • Steep learning curve for new players
  • Microtransaction‑driven progression can feel grindy
  • Limited single‑player narrative content
  • Limited to single‑screen arenas
  • No modern save or checkpoint system
  • Graphics may feel dated to new players
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
Not enough data
Not enough data

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Fast‑paced mech combat in a gritty sci‑fi arena

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The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

Heavy Nova offers a simple, retro, one‑time‑purchase mech fighter for local play, while Hawken provides a modern, free‑to‑play, online‑focused mech arena with deep customization.

Key differences

  • •Heavy Nova is a paid, one‑time purchase; Hawken’s pricing is free‑to‑play with microtransactions.
  • •Heavy Nova supports only local single‑screen battles; Hawken offers online multiplayer, co‑op, and cross‑play.
  • •Heavy Nova’s content is limited to a few arenas and no narrative; Hawken includes destructible maps, seasonal ladders, and regular updates.
  • •Heavy Nova uses retro pixel art from 1991; Hawken features modern 3D graphics and dynamic environments.
DimensionWinner

Gameplay & fun factor

Hawken adds deep mech customization, destructible arenas and varied modes versus Heavy Nova’s simple button‑press combat.

Hawken

Platform availability

Hawken runs on PS4, PC, Xbox One with cross‑play; Heavy Nova’s platforms are unspecified beyond “multiple ports.”

Hawken

Price & value

Hawken is free‑to‑play (price unknown but no upfront cost) whereas Heavy Nova requires a one‑time purchase.

Hawken

Multiplayer / co‑op

Hawken supports online multiplayer, team modes and co‑op; Heavy Nova only offers local two‑player battles.

Hawken

Content & replayability

Hawken provides regular map updates, seasonal ladders and loot crates; Heavy Nova is limited to single‑screen arenas.

Hawken

Difficulty & accessibility

Heavy Nova’s simple controls and low learning curve are more accessible than Hawken’s steep learning curve.

Heavy Nova

Graphics & performance

Hawken uses modern 3D graphics and dynamic environments; Heavy Nova relies on dated retro pixel art.

Hawken

Choose Hawken if…

Players who want modern graphics, online multiplayer, deep customization, and regular content updates.

Choose Heavy Nova if…

Players who prefer retro aesthetics, simple controls, and local couch co‑op without ongoing costs.

Common questions

How much does each game cost?

Heavy Nova is a paid one‑time purchase; Hawken’s pricing is listed as unknown but it is marketed as free‑to‑play with microtransactions.

Can I play with friends online?

Heavy Nova only supports local two‑player battles; Hawken supports online multiplayer, team modes and cross‑play across PS4, PC and Xbox One.

What kind of content and replay value do they offer?

Heavy Nova offers limited single‑screen arenas and no narrative; Hawken provides destructible maps, seasonal ladders, regular updates, and extensive mech customization.