You could always try the HAWX demo on the PSN store. It's been up for quite awhile, that should give a better impression of the game. 👍
I just did actually, and I'm not overly impressed. The "assistance off" mode is a little annoying in that it looks fancy and makes it easier to dodge missiles but its hard to aim anything at all and you're constantly in stalls half the time. The assistance on mode is the opposite, no stalling but a hell of a lot easier to play.
I thought this mode would basically just be a slight change in performance from the normal view, keeping the HUD. But no, its some crazy cinema camera that really takes away too much of the immersion and makes the game a little too difficult to play.
I can see where they were trying to go with this mode, its similar to the system Warhawk has, except in that game its a lot smoother transition between the two and it isn't a permanent camera view, purely a "dodge the missiles" view.
But ignoring this weird feature, the game itself is ok. It basically plays like a Ace Combat clone and the planes, weapons and overall layout is essentially the same. But because its basically the same leaves me asking what is different or better about this game? Well, like you mentioned earlier, it has a story....but from what I've experienced its like I expected. Smart-ass pilots whiney-voiced are instantly annoying.
The numerous help functions are good I suppose for new players but don't add anything for me, I don't really need to have my hand-held when it comes to getting behind an enemy plane or attacking a tank in a covered position. But its irrelevant anyway because I can just not use them, but its nice that they are there for those who lack some common sense, lol.
The graphics are ok too, not really better or worse than AC.
General gameplay is the same though the planes are a little too arcade like a little too much. Not really bothered about this, kind of "meh" thing.
From just the demo it seems like a predominately ok game. Its not bad but not particularly good either. I feel I should give this game more chance but its not really giving me anything to use that AC doesn't do better.
I would probably recommend it to those who haven't played any flight games before and aren't really interested in super-realism but for me as a long time player of console flight games it lacks something to define it against its competitors.
Oh, and before anyone jumps down my neck over this, yes I am being really harsh here but, eh, what can I say? Designing games myself lets me see some flaws in other people's designs.