Arms Trade Tycoon: Tanks
- February 6, 2024
- FunGi
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam"Arms Trade Tycoon: Tanks" is a single-player strategy game that puts you in charge of a tank manufacturing company, spanning around 8 hours of playtime. You'll research, design, produce, and sell tanks, impacting global history with each business decision. The game aims to recreate famous tank models, with a roadmap for future updates based on player feedback.
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and engaging tycoon experience focused on tank design and management.
- The developers are responsive and actively working on updates, showing commitment to improving the game.
- The core gameplay loop is satisfying, with a balance of research, design, and financial management.
- Currently limited content, with only WW1 tanks and one playable nation, leading to a lack of replayability.
- Frequent loading screens between menus disrupt the flow of gameplay and can be frustrating.
- The tutorial is inadequate, leaving new players confused about game mechanics and objectives.
- gameplay49 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been described as having a solid core concept with fun mechanics, particularly for tank enthusiasts, but it suffers from a lack of content and balance issues. Players recommend starting on easier difficulties to grasp the mechanics, as the game currently features a repetitive loop and limited progression. While there is potential for improvement with future updates, many feel that the foundational gameplay needs significant refinement to enhance the overall experience.
“Will probably continue to do a play-through with each content drop as the gameplay is kind of neat as a tank fan.”
“The game mechanics are well thought out, providing a perfect balance between challenge and fun.”
“Very fun and unique gameplay.”
“Slow gameplay.”
“System of selling tanks and core gameplay foundation is completely broken at the moment.”
“Very little progress since the last beta over a year ago, not worth the money - gameplay is clunky, financial system works poorly, there's still only WWI vehicles available.”
- graphics15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the clean visuals and high frame rates, while others criticize the desaturated colors, washed-out lighting, and cluttered user interface. Many users express a desire for improved visual design and more engaging environments, suggesting that the game has potential but currently falls short in graphical quality and playability. Overall, while some aspects are praised, there is a consensus that significant improvements are needed.
“The new visuals are great compared to the demo and the increased amount of things to do, the game is way more engaging and I have been having a blast in my 5 hours of playing.”
“This game has potential to be great, the graphics are astonishing, test drive feels a little bit off but overall will do very good.”
“The graphics are top-notch, with a user interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate.”
“Visuals: right now you're constantly looking at a boring red brick factory complex.”
“The graphics are bad; I mean I'm not expecting super amazing from a tycoon game, but all the colors are desaturated and grey and the lighting is very washed out.”
“Fair enough if it had next-gen graphics and/or massive locations, but it doesn't.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report stable frame rates around 120-150 FPS, others criticize frequent loading screens and poor performance on lower-end rigs, particularly the Mac version. Users express a desire for clearer performance metrics and more intuitive research item impacts, indicating that further optimization is needed to enhance gameplay experience. Overall, those who enjoy number crunching and optimization may find it engaging, but the current state leaves room for improvement.
“As long as you go into the game with those things in mind and enjoy number crunching and optimization, you will have a lot of fun with this early access.”
“For me, at the very least, the FPS wasn't dropping badly, staying around 120-150 FPS, which makes me think that the game is pretty well optimized (but it will use your graphics card at its maximum).”
“What about making requirements such that it would incentivize sacrificing better performance for increased reliability and off-road performance?”
“It's simply not intuitive what the research item = performance metric.”
“I know that the game will likely be optimized, but they really need to cut down on the loading screens as there just does not seem to be a reason to have them so often.”
“Avoid the Mac version: the performance is abysmal.”
- stability10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The game is experiencing significant stability issues, with users reporting numerous bugs and frustrating UI problems. While some players acknowledge that the core gameplay is enjoyable and that developers are actively releasing patches, the overall consensus is that the game is currently too buggy for a smooth experience.
“Most aspects aren't fully fleshed out (it is in early access ultimately), but they aren't buggy or tacky, and you can tell the core gameplay loop is largely there.”
“The game runs smoothly without major glitches, providing a stable experience that allows players to focus on enjoying the gameplay.”
“I've encountered very few issues, and the overall stability makes it easy to immerse myself in the game.”
“Buggy, full of really basic but really, really annoying UI issues.”
“The tutorial is buggy as hell.”
“It's also buggy on a basic level - 3 or 4 times now I've had to exit the game completely because the game lost the ability to place/change modules in the tank design.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's current replayability is limited, with players noting that it feels repetitive after a single run due to a lack of diverse content. While there is potential for future updates to enhance replay value, the existing gameplay loop can become stale without significant additions or a workshop feature to introduce variability.
“For long-term (Crusader Kings type) replayability, a workshop is a necessity to keep it fresh.”
“The game has good content and amazing potential, but the amount of it is just very, very scarce. The loop gets stale after one run; there are minor differences like tank preferences and requests, but nothing that currently enhances the game's replayability.”
“The replay value is a little limited while it's in early access, but the team posts regularly about upcoming content being added.”
“This is not necessarily a bad thing, but there is a world of replayability yet to be tapped that makes the current game very same-y.”
“The game has good content and amazing potential, but the amount of it is just very, very scarce. The loop gets stale after one run; there will be minor differences like tank preferences and requests, but nothing that gives the game replayability as of now.”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth, with users expressing a desire for a more engaging and meaningful narrative that complements tank design and combat. Currently, the storyline is perceived as minimal or non-existent, with players hoping for improvements in future updates.
“I hope there will be a better and more convincing storyline during the development of your tanks.”
“Oh, and wars are now 'just a thing happening in time'... I hope there will be a better and more convincing storyline during the development of your tanks.”
“---{ story }---”
“☑ no story”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing bugs and oversights, which players find entertaining, especially in gameplay videos. Additionally, some mechanics, like the contradictory prestige system, add a layer of quirky humor that may not resonate with everyone but contributes to the game's charm.
“This game is in early access, and it's obviously got a lot of bugs and hilarious oversights, and I love it.”
“Oh, I also like that if your tank design goes against your own tank design (both the same ones), you lose -2 prestige and win 2 prestige... very funny!”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unenjoyable, often requiring excessive time investment that detracts from the overall experience. While some elements may initially seem interesting, they quickly become repetitive and inconsequential.
“So much so that not only is it barely understandable, but tedious and not fun.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The researching, engineering, and designing system seems cool at first, but it becomes tedious and inconsequential.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism for resembling mobile game practices, with users noting that the user interface and loading screens feel akin to mandatory advertisements. Additionally, the lack of diverse time periods or nations to play is seen as a significant drawback for a game that promotes itself with such broad historical themes.
“The monetization of the killing machine is excessive and detracts from the overall experience.”
“The UI reminds me of a mobile game, and the loading screens feel like mandatory ads.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as chill and immersive, enhancing the atmosphere of international arms dealing while allowing players to enjoy it alongside their own music or podcasts. Overall, it contributes significantly to the game's engaging experience.
“It's very chill; listen to music or a podcast, and time will just fly by.”
“The sound design and music add to the overall atmosphere, immersing you in the world of international arms dealing.”
“It's very chill; listen to music or a podcast and time will just fly by.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is significantly enhanced by the sound design and music, which effectively immerse players in the gritty world of international arms dealing.
“The sound design and music add to the overall atmosphere, immersing you in the world of international arms dealing.”
“The haunting visuals and ambient sounds create a truly immersive experience that pulls you into the game's world.”
“Every detail, from the lighting to the background noise, contributes to a rich atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
