TankHead

TankHead is an action game with noticeable roguelike elements, in which we travel through a post-apocalyptic world, piloting a drone and a tank. It was developed by Alpha Channel studio from Canada, founded in 2018.

Story

TankHead takes us to a world torn apart by war and a mysterious cataclysm, or more precisely – to a zone unfit for human habitation known as ECA. To get through it, the daredevils called Whitakers have to transfer their minds to drones - Needles. These machines are not only able to survive in difficult conditions, but also control tanks. Thanks to them, operators can get rid of enemies.

During the game we take on the role of one of such Whitakers, whose task is to reach the mysterious Highpoint. To do this, we have to explore the entirety of ECA and defeat three bosses guarding the access to our destination – the titular TankHeads.

Gameplay

In TankHead we view the action from a third person perspective (TPP). The game offers a world divided into three zones, which we can freely explore. Our command center, as well as a safe haven, is a special hub.

Drone, tank and fighting opponents

By controlling the drone (Needle), we can traverse closed, tight locations and interact with elements of the environment or collect scrap. We spend most of our time at the controls of a tank, exploring the ECA, completing missions and engaging in dynamic fights with enemies.

During combat, the key to success is using the environment to our advantage (for example, by taking cover) and targeting weak points of our foes. This especially applies to duels with bosses, who tower over us in terms of size, striking power, and resistance to attacks. Hitting weak points also gives us access to resources that increase our chances of victory (led by ammunition).

Repairs, modifications and tank improvements

The scrap we collect is used to repair the tank. We can either restore specific components to a usable state, or regenerate its "life".

As we progress, we gain experience points, special chips, and a substance called E-115, which is the local currency here. Over time, we can upgrade the tank by equipping it with increasingly powerful arsenal, armor, wheels or engines. Along the way we also unlock mods, which provide us with various perks and skills.

Death and its consequences

After death on the battlefield, we have no choice but to restart our journey through ECA. However, the game allows us to take advantage of permanent upgrades and this can make subsequent attempts easier. We can also reach the place where we fell to collect some resources from our destroyed drone.