Preview: Heat Is Everything World of Tanks Isn’t and That’s What Makes It a Blast

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The market for arcade, adrenaline-fueled vehicular combat games is pretty slim these days.

Occasionally, an independent game might show up, or a classic Twisted Metal may be added to PS Plus Premium. However, the selection is relatively limited.

At Gamescom, WarGaming unveiled Heat – a new game, which is a spin-off from their popular title, World of Tanks.

Instead of sticking to the clunky controls and slow-paced combats typical of the original, this new version offers a high-speed, thrilling gameplay experience akin to a “tank shooter.” It boasts rapid movements, swift kills, and brief matches. This was one of the most exciting reveals at the event, and it’s bound to satisfy fans of Twisted Metal, Destruction AllStars, and Mario Kart’s Battle Mode due to its intense action.

In simpler terms, the storyline for Heat is that it presents a contemporary take on a game where tanks are the main characters, and WarGaming aimed to offer an up-to-date tank gaming experience.

In this game, you can choose from multiple characters, each with unique tank capabilities, skills, and areas of expertise. Working with the character you’ve chosen, you engage in fast-paced, strategic 10 versus 10 matches, focusing on objectives rather than eliminating opponents. These matches are designed to keep the action exciting and intense, lasting usually around ten minutes or less.

In different game maps, the events unfold dynamically, with goals shifting positions during each game for an immersive battle-like experience. This movement ensures fresh buildings and hiding spots appear as structures are destroyed.

The action happens across several game maps, yet the targets change places throughout a match to create a lively combat scenario and introduce new structures and shelter areas as destruction occurs.

At first, when we arrived to start playing Heat, our main thought was, “How will this even work out?” However, as soon as we grasped a controller, it felt like a lightbulb went off in our heads.

In a skillful blend, WarGaming has adapted the user-friendly tank controls from Battlefield 6 and combined them with the fast-paced gameplay reminiscent of Call of Duty titles such as Modern Warfare 3 and Black Ops 2 from a decade ago.

The intensity of the tank gameplay has significantly increased, making it faster and more action-packed. Tanks now handle similarly but with tighter turns, increased speed, and faster reloads. A few shots are often enough to eliminate both you and your opponents in this game. Skills are quick to execute and greatly influence the outcome of tank battles.

The essence of heat isn’t primarily about strategic planning and intricate maneuvers; instead, it revolves around building momentum and overpowering your adversary through combined force from your team or individual abilities.

This game has a similar vibe to the fast-paced vehicle destruction games that Sony and other companies have produced in the past. It’s designed for quick, engaging sessions; you can jump in, play several rounds within 30 minutes, and then leave without getting bogged down by long wait times.

While it might initially appear as a casual undertaking with limited resources invested, a careful examination reveals that considerable thought and consideration has gone into designing this game, taking into account the preferences and expectations of players based on our observations.

The characters stand out uniquely, and their skills are notably creative, particularly given that they are employed within tank roles.

In my gaming world, I found myself utilizing a strategic move where I hurled multiple smoke grenades high into the air before me, blanketing the combat zone with dense, blinding white fog. This enabled a swift escape for me from the fight.

A different figure possessed an extraordinary ability to smash tanks forcefully through structures and impact solid walls swiftly, which is not an effortless feat in games like World of Tanks or Battlefield.

In this location, you’ll find a comprehensive shooting range stocked with various tank targets. Until recently, such variety was lacking in the game Destiny 2.

Additionally, the complete customization and components system similar to World of Tanks has been transferred over, allowing you to swap out different cannons, tracks, exterior designs, and more on your tanks.

This setup offers enhanced features and bonus traits, providing ample complexity for those who prefer it. However, it’s equally straightforward for those who just want to quickly engage in combat without delving too deep into the intricacies of the system.

As a gaming enthusiast, let me tell you, the heat was on at Gamescom! The adrenaline-pumping blend of tactical vehicle combat from World of Tanks and the pulse-racing action of modern shooter games had me hooked.

Although it remains uncertain whether this new game will captivate us enough to become our regular online game, we are currently finding it entertaining and might occasionally play a few rounds whenever we have some spare time.

Players of World of Tanks might find it rewarding to occasionally switch to shorter, instantly satisfying gaming sessions between their longer matches.

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2025-09-09 02:07