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Despite the popularity of the genre, there aren’t too many truly good online tank games available at the moment. To compile this selection, I’ve visited a great number of websites. Games like Battlefield, PlanetSide 2, and Enlisted are not included in this compilation because tanks are only a separate aspect of these games, with the main gameplay happening from a first-person perspective. As new tank-based online games are released, I will endeavor to update this post. However, it’s worth noting that there haven’t been any new releases in this genre over the past few years, so the best we can hope for is the good old WOT.
World of Tanks (2010)
You can have different attitudes towards World of Tanks, but whether you like it or not, the game remains a leader in its niche. It is an armoured warfare-themed multiplayer online game that places players in control of 20th-century combat vehicles. In this free-to-play game, participants engage in player vs. player battles, maneuvering their armored tanks or self-propelled artillery vehicles across diverse maps from the Pre-World War 2 era to the Cold War era. The gameplay emphasizes strategic warfare, where players must either eliminate all enemy vehicles or capture the opposing team’s base to secure victory.
WOT offers various battle types, including random battles, team training battles, tank-company battles, team battles, stronghold battles, and special battles, each with its own unique challenges. World of Tanks also incorporates game mechanics such as camouflage, shell ricochets, and module and personnel damage, adding depth to the gameplay. Whether you appreciate multiplayer tank games or not, World of Tanks remains a leader in its niche, providing a dynamic and immersive armored combat experience.
Game Page on Steam / Official Website
WOT Blitz (2016)
WOT Blitz is a streamlined version of World of Tanks, offering gameplay accessible on both PC and mobile devices. Featuring over 300 massive tanks and intuitive touch-screen controls, this free-to-play MMO action shooter immerses players in short yet intense 7-vs-7 tank battles where real and alternate histories converge. With 26 distinct battle arenas, players engage in strategic online tank games, providing equal access to in-game elements for everyone.
The game boasts a deep progression system, spanning 10 tiers of tanks for players to unlock and explore, along with innovative crew upgrades to enhance their tanks and refine their gaming style. WOT Blitz also receives regular updates and graphical enhancements, ensuring optimization for various devices. With easy-to-learn touch-screen controls, in-game and Clan chat functionality, and Battle Missions that offer personalized challenges and bonuses, players can unite with friends in their pursuit of victory and immerse themselves in the world of online tank battles.
Game Page on Steam / Official Website
War Thunder (2013)
War Thunder is a competitor to WOT developed by Russian developers. While WOT offers players arcade-style gameplay, War Thunder leans towards being an online military vehicle simulator encompassing tanks, aircraft, helicopters, ships, and more. With a vast selection of over 2,000 meticulously crafted historical vehicles and a wide range of combat scenarios, players engage in realistic competitive battles. You may find yourself operating a bomber turret, defending ground teammates from air raids with anti-aircraft guns, launching firestorms from multiple rocket launchers to take down enemy planes, or attempting to sink enemy warships using fast attack boats.
The game supports seamless cross-platform gameplay across various devices and boasts a vast array of maps representing significant historical battle theaters. With intense player vs. player experiences and rich player vs. environment content, including dynamic historical campaigns and solo missions, War Thunder offers regular updates with new vehicles, maps, missions, and nations. Featuring stunning graphics, authentic sound effects, and immersive music, the game provides an atmospheric experience for players to delve into. Moreover, players can create and share custom content on War Thunder Live, offering the potential to earn real money through the Revenue Share Partner System.
Game Page on Steam / Official Website
Armored Warfare (2015)
Armored Warfare is an attempt to compete with WOT, but its success is limited compared to WOT and WT. It offers online tank battles against players worldwide and cooperative play against AI-controlled adversaries. Players act as mercenaries, undertaking missions from simple tasks to story-driven PvE campaigns, all set in an immersive world where corporations rule. The game features various battle sizes, diverse eras, and meticulous vehicle models representing over 34 countries. It’s updated regularly with new content, including vehicles, maps, and events, offering dynamic gameplay across diverse locations, from deserts to urban jungles.
Game Page on Steam / Official Website
Steel Crew (2021)
Steel Crew is an attempt to create a multiplayer online tank simulator. While it appeals to a relatively narrow group of genre enthusiasts, the game has received positive reviews on Steam and continues to have an active player base. In Steel Crew, players can join the crew of a tank with up to two friends, engaging in 4-on-4 tank battles. The game is built with a primary focus on VR gameplay but also supports traditional input methods like gamepad and mouse and keyboard.
The tanks in Steel Crew feature detailed interiors to provide an authentic experience. There are three key roles within the tank: the Driver, responsible for operating the tank and handling gear shifts; the Gunner, tasked with aiming and firing the main gun and coaxial machine gun; and the Commander, who has an overview of the battlefield, access to a map displaying friendly and enemy tank positions, and the ability to call in airstrikes and coordinate with other commanders. However, commanders and drivers are exposed to machine gun fire when their hatches are open. Despite its niche appeal, Steel Crew maintains a dedicated player community within the realm of multiplayer tank games.
TOKYO WARFARE (2016)
TOKYO WARFARE is a dynamic and visually engaging tank action game, envisioned as an arcade tank warfare experience, but it failed to resonate widely with the gaming audience. The game offers a diverse array of modern and WWII tanks, as well as modern APCs and AA vehicles, with preset options for visual modifications. Players can unlock various tanks and engage in battles against AI bots or other players in online mode. The game features a variety of maps and tanks from different nations, offering players a diverse range of armored vehicles to command in this online tank game.
Tank Force (2017)
Tank Force is an online tank game available for both PC and mobile devices. Conceived as something akin to WOT Blitz, it falls short of that vision in practice. Nevertheless, it offers large-scale battles, an array of real tanks and their variations, and combines tank simulation with thrilling arcade-style battles.
The game features impressive graphics, advanced tanks, and diverse maps for global competition. Players choose real tanks, engage in large-scale online battles, and earn daily rewards. Tank Force fosters a global player community, offering cross-platform PvP battles, various modes, and 29 advanced tanks in realistic arenas. With constant updates, the game continues to evolve and provide an immersive experience for tank warfare enthusiasts, both on PC and mobile devices.
Tanki Online (2009)
Tanki Online is an enduringly popular arcade game focused on multiplayer tank battles over the internet. Throughout its existence, Tanki Online has remained remarkably consistent in its core gameplay. Players engage in real-time player-vs-player battles with their customized futuristic tanks, which can be equipped with various turrets, hulls, augments, and protective modules, offering extensive customization options to suit individual playing styles.
The game boasts a global player base, allowing you to interact and compete with people from around the world. It features numerous arenas, offering non-stop action, instant respawns, and adrenaline-pumping battles. Temporary power-ups scattered across the arenas add an extra layer of intensity to the gameplay. With instant respawns, players are continuously immersed in battle, ready to rejoin the action swiftly. Tanki Online also provides diverse game modes, allowing players to choose their preferred challenges, whether as a lone wolf or a team player.
Modern Assault Tanks (2021)
Another secondary online tank game, available for PC and mobile devices, Modern Assault Tanks, utilizes the same game engine as Tank Force and offers nearly identical gameplay mechanics. In this game, players engage in dynamic team battles with friends, featuring addictive action gameplay and useful consumables to aid them on the battlefield.
The game includes a global leaderboard, where players earn points by winning battles and compete for top rankings worldwide, unlocking well-deserved rewards. Tank upgrades are possible through various camouflages and stickers that influence characteristics, allowing players to tailor their tanks to their battlefield strategies. With a selection of 24 different vehicles, including the standard BWP, and three atmospheric maps, such as Polar Station and Runway (with more promised soon), players can immerse themselves in intense battles.
Battle Tanks: Legends of World War II (2019)
Battle Tanks is another iteration of the Tank Force concept with familiar mechanics but a distinct visual style. In this multiplayer tank game, players engage in explosive online battles, becoming part of an intense world of fearless and relentless tank warfare. Players have the opportunity to download and install the game for free on their devices, plunging into dynamic real-time battles with legendary tanks from World War II.
The game offers a “10 vs. 10” format for battles, allowing players to team up with friends or go solo to explore and upgrade their armored vehicles while employing various tactics to secure victory. With over 30 unique and historically authentic tanks, players are immersed in the vast world of tank warfare. Battlefields set in European cities, industrial zones, and desolate wastelands provide diverse environments for combat, offering strategic advantages for those who study the terrain.
ShellShock Live (2020)
ShellShock Live is an unconventional online tank game with over 27,000 positive Steam reviews. It features action-packed 8-player team and free-for-all battles, emphasizing tactical gameplay and offering a vast selection of tanks, weapons, items, maps, and play styles. With an extensive arsenal of 400+ unique weapons, the game continues to expand, ensuring plenty of ways to defeat opponents. Various game modes and destructible terrain keep gameplay exciting. Players earn XP, climb 100 ranks, and compete on global leaderboards. Active development introduces new features and maintains balance. Cosmetic items are the only purchasable content, ensuring a non-pay-to-win experience.
Steel Legions (2016)
Steel Legions is an enduring online game about tanks set in a Steampunk-inspired world. Players command customizable retro-futuristic war machines, engaging in fast-paced battles among four empires. These massive combat vehicles rely on precious resources like steel, steam, and oil. Players must balance dominance on the battlefield with resource gathering. Starting with basic vehicles, they progress to formidable steel behemoths. This Steampunk PvP war machine game is accessible directly through a web browser, offering a unique and enduring multiplayer tank gaming experience.
Conclusion
As of the last update of this compilation, these are all the existing online tank games that I could find. If you know of any other good online tank games, please feel free to mention them in the comments.