Hardwar

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 30 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
Hardwar Game Cover
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Hardwar is a Science Fiction Open World game set on the desolate, polluted colony of Misplaced Optimism on Titan. Players can engage in multiplayer or single-player, choosing to be Scavenger Operators or Ram-Runners, fighting for resources and Air between Corporations and Mutant Underworld Cartels. The story takes place after MineCorp abandoned the colony, leaving workers to survive in a now trade-based economy.

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Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews
atmosphere4 positive mentions
graphics3 negative mentions
  • Hardwar offers a unique and nostalgic experience, combining elements of trading, scavenging, and combat in a richly atmospheric world.
  • The game has high replayability, allowing players to choose their own paths and roles within the sandbox environment, reminiscent of classic titles from the late 90s.
  • The soundtrack, featuring artists from Warp Records, enhances the immersive experience, and the game's visuals, while dated, still manage to create a compelling atmosphere.
  • Many players experience technical issues, including crashes at launch and graphical glitches that hinder gameplay.
  • The game lacks modern conveniences such as tutorials or clear instructions, making it difficult for new players to navigate its mechanics.
  • The AI can be buggy and predictable, leading to frustrating encounters during combat and exploration.
  • story14 mentions

    The game's story is generally regarded as decent but short, serving primarily as a backdrop to the more engaging, free-form gameplay and atmospheric exploration. While it features interesting lore and well-crafted videos, players can choose to focus on the sandbox elements rather than the linear plot, which some find basic and not particularly compelling. Overall, the narrative adds depth but is not the main draw of the experience.

    • “Great storyline, interesting embedded videos that are craftily done; graphics were way ahead of its time.”
    • “It does have a story/lore around aliens, which gives it some depth.”
    • “You play as a freelance pilot in the fictional city of Misplaced Optimism on the Titan moon who, despite the plot detailing about getting out of the Titan moon in one piece, is free to pursue their own business in the city, as this game has elements of a non-linear sandbox.”
    • “While the plot and the corresponding FMVs are decent, the game is more about having fun with the sandbox rather than completing the plot.”
    • “The story is basic and not really worth the time.”
    • “There's also other issues, like how certain story beats either won't play or skip forward if you obtain items earlier than you should or in the 'wrong' way, which can be confusing.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in Hardwar is highly praised, featuring an incredible soundtrack primarily from the renowned Warp Records label, known for its experimental electronic and acoustic music. Players appreciate the atmospheric experience it creates, enhancing the game's immersive environment, although some noted issues with track transitions that have since been addressed. Overall, the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature.

    • “Hardwar is a flight sim/action game with a fantastic soundtrack and FMVs.”
    • “The soundtrack comprises artists from the Warp Records label from the UK, and it is awesome.”
    • “I've noticed that in this version, when a song is done playing, it doesn't move on to the next track compared to the original 2-CD version (since then fixed as of 2/25/2023).”
    • “The soundtrack comprises of artists from the Warp Records label from the UK and it is awesome.”
    • “It's just neat to cruise a few hundred feet off the ground, grooving to the soundtrack, lightning crashing in the distance, the searchlights of monolithic buildings perpetually rotating in the petrochemical smog.”
  • graphics6 mentions

    The graphics of the game are a mixed bag, with some users noting that while they may be outdated, they still manage to create a strong atmosphere. However, issues such as broken geometry, flickering textures, and game freezes detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, the game's visuals were considered innovative for their time and still hold some appeal.

    • “Great storyline, interesting embedded videos that are craftily done; graphics were way ahead of their time.”
    • “Even with such crude graphics, the game manages a great sense of atmosphere.”
    • “Crazy neon broken graphics followed by a game freeze.”
    • “Once you get past that, the textures are bugged to the point that the 3D visuals in the game are completely unintelligible; lingering on the screen after being rendered, displaying broken geometry, and flickering off and on with correct and incorrect maps.”
    • “While its graphics aren't much these days, I still highly recommend it.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by an eerie, foggy environment that enhances the immersive experience, complemented by compelling lore and a dystopian setting. Players engage in atmospheric dogfights with unique solar-powered aircraft, creating a distinct ambiance despite the game's crude graphics. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that invites players to explore and enjoy the surroundings.

    • “The plot is nice but short; the game is more about enjoying the eerie, foggy atmosphere and the surroundings.”
    • “With compelling lore, an impressive dystopian atmosphere, futuristic dogfights, and a living economy that is affected by the players' choices, this game deserves a second chance to make an impression on players.”
    • “Even with such crude graphics, the game manages to create a great sense of atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere feels stale and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion I expected.”
    • “It’s like being in a vacuum; there’s no sense of life or energy in the environment.”
    • “The game tries to create a mood, but it falls flat, leaving me feeling disconnected from the world.”
  • gameplay5 mentions

    The gameplay is reminiscent of Descent but is considered an improvement, though it features some obfuscated mechanics that may frustrate players, such as complex control remapping and reliance on guides. Additionally, the AI exhibits predictable and often nonsensical behavior, including crashing into obstacles and failing to engage effectively in combat scenarios.

    • “The gameplay is similar to Descent but better.”
    • “Such mechanics include, in no particular order:”
    • “If somewhat obfuscated mechanics, spending up to 10 minutes to remap your controls and looking up guides in case you got lost are dealbreakers for you, I'm afraid you may have to sit this one out.”
    • “Yes, that is only one of the many strange mechanics of this game.”
    • “To elaborate further why the AI is so predictable during gameplay, they are prone to doing moronic things like crashing into a building, queuing up building entrances, being unable to attack when going into tunnels, entering a building, or refueling at lightwells, refusing to pick up dropped loot within the tunnels, and not actually upgrading their weaponry.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability, with players drawn back to it even decades later due to its numerous gameplay options and varied experiences.

    • “It is very replayable, and decades later I still find myself drawn back to it.”
    • “Because of the many ways you can approach the game, the replay value is rather high.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, users acknowledge that while "Hardwar: The Future is Greedy" offers a nostalgic and enjoyable experience, its stability is hampered by outdated AI ship behaviors and occasional bugs, which may frustrate those lacking patience for troubleshooting.

    • “The AI ships get buggy, but it's from 1997!”
    • “Hardwar: The Future is Greedy is like an old sports car: it feels great to drive, the vibes are unmatched, but what's under the hood has become outdated in ways that can be extremely annoying if you don't have the patience to rewire things and do some troubleshooting.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its unexpected and absurd elements, with players finding amusement in the irony of situations, such as the game's title suggesting a space theme while it is set elsewhere.

    • “And the funny thing is, it's not even in space! XD”
    • “The humor in this game is so unexpected and delightful!”
    • “I can't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and hilarious situations!”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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