Floating a remake of a popular game on a next-generation console isn't exactly taking a risk. Radically altering the core components of play in a remake is exactly the opposite--a very risk move. Dropping the single player campaign in favor of a multiplayer-only approach, Warhawk does just that. Even with a few months to go, the game features some of the most visceral, polished action yet seen on PlayStation 3 as I witnessed first-hand at Sony Computer Entertainment America's Gamers Day.

Warhawk may only offer online multiplayer, but don't equate this to a lack of depth. On foot, driving a vehicle, or strapped into a plane, the game hosts a number of multiplayer modes including traditional deathmatch, team deathmatch, and capture-the-flag. Other modes, such as supply zones and territories, provide a bit of variety with objective-based play. You can jump online solo or have a friend join you cooperatively thanks to split-screen support.

I jumped into a capture-the-flag game running with a total of 32 players. The gameplay area is denoted by the number of players participating in the match; as it goes, the more players results in a larger map and vice versa. Warhawk takes place on one huge map with matches occupying individual zones. There isn't a wall enclosing any of the maps, but attempt to leave the designated zone during a match and you'll take on damage.

Once in the game, I had full freedom to engage opponents in any conceivable manner. You can trek across the terrain by foot, but running across open areas makes you an easy target. I found it best to keep to enclosed areas when on foot. Playing capture-the-flag, it was a good idea to have a teammate camped by the flag on foot so as to prevent an enemy from swiping it.

Jeeps and tanks were available for driving, an attractive option for quickly reaching the competition's base. The jeeps are modeled after the Warthog from Halo, possessing both driver and passenger seats, as well as a machine gun position on the back. More preferable are tanks that afford more protection and firepower; of course, their slower movement makes them easier to hit.

Warhawk wouldn't be complete without aircraft and there's plenty from what I saw. There are a few different types of aircraft, but I mainly toyed around with a hovering jet. Using the left analog stick for movement and right analog stick to control the camera, I could move about the map; however, adjusting altitude had to be done with pressure on R2. Since the hovering jet remained at a constant height when leaving R2 alone, it made it easy to zip about the map and hone in on enemies from above without worrying about altitude.