When you think about tank games, the first thing that probably comes to mind is long-range combat, carefully positioning your vehicle and waiting for the perfect moment to fire. SLAM TANK wants to throw all of those ideas out the window. This unusual action game takes the concept of tank combat and turns it into something much closer to a fast-paced hack and slash.
Developed by Korean studio Next Stage, the team behind Ultra Age, SLAM TANK puts players behind the wheel of a tank that doesn't need conventional ammunition to cause destruction. Instead, its cannon becomes a gigantic melee weapon, allowing players to smash, swing and ram their way through an army of machines controlled by an artificial intelligence.
Your cannon is basically a giant melee weapon
The most striking thing about SLAM TANK is the way its combat completely changes the traditional tank formula. Rather than staying at a safe distance and exchanging shells with enemies, players are encouraged to get dangerously close and attack machines directly.
The cannon can be swung around to hit enemies, while the tank itself can be used as a devastating weapon. The game also allows players to use the cannon to anchor the vehicle and spin around at high speed, creating spectacular attacks capable of hitting multiple enemies at once.
That makes the action look surprisingly similar to a character-action game. Instead of carefully lining up a shot, you'll be constantly moving, dodging attacks, drifting around enemies and chaining different attacks together.
Destruction is the real reward
The premise is just as unusual as the combat. An artificial intelligence has taken control of the world's machines, including industrial robots and heavy vehicles, leaving players to fight their way through its mechanical army.
The objective isn't simply to reach the end of each stage. SLAM TANK also puts a strong emphasis on destruction. The damage you cause is converted into an economic value, meaning that the more expensive machinery you destroy, the higher your score becomes.
Levels will take players through industrial facilities, ports and military installations, with larger encounters and boss battles waiting along the way. There is also a surprising amount of movement involved, as some sections feature ramps, boost pads, jumps and aerial tricks.
Three tanks, three different combat styles
SLAM TANK will offer three different tank models, each with its own combat style. The developers haven't revealed all of their abilities yet, but this could add another layer of variety to the otherwise straightforward premise.
Customization will also play a role. Players can decorate their vehicles with decals and cosmetic body parts, giving their machine a more personal appearance before taking it back into battle.
There is currently no release date for SLAM TANK, although it has been announced for PC through Steam. For now, its combination of high-speed driving, melee combat and ridiculous amounts of destruction makes it one of those games that is difficult to ignore once you see it in action.
