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Preview: World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition

I sat down with Wargaming.net executives and developers last week for a joint hands-on, hands-off session with their very first console game, World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition.

Wargaming stressed that this new version of the game was built from the ground up, and not merely a port of their popular PC game. As such, it features a control scheme customized for the 360 controller, 5.1 surround sound and in-game voice chat through Xbox Live. All great things, right?

Because it’s a very different build, there are some features that could be perceived as negatives. The game uses different servers and an economic structure to that of the PC version of World of Tanks. That means cross-platform play will not be supported, nor will Wargaming account linking between the 360 and PC. Gold can be purchased through Microsoft’s Xbox Live Marketplace using Microsoft Points (for now, until the system goes to the currency-based model detailed at E3), meaning in-game cannot be shared between accounts or platforms.

Ultimately, that lack of account sharing means that all World of Tanks players on Xbox 360 will have the opportunity to start from a level playing field rather than getting matched against powerful and experienced World of Tanks PC veterans. While PC players can certainly download the free-to-play Xbox title, lets face it — why would they when it means starting from scratch? World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition will be providing the Xbox 360 user base the chance to get into the game if they hadn’t before.

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I was definitely coming into the experience as I n00b as I climbed into my first tank and had a spin myself. The easiest way to describe World of Tanks is to liken it to Counter-Strike. But, you know, with tanks. The units are surprisingly agile as they barrel down maps, and firing is simple and easy, though I definitely had to allow more time and space for reloading my weapons in encounters. If your tank explodes, you’re out until the round is over, but you can pass the time (and learn better strategies, in my case) by watching the match in Spectator Mode.

Graphically, the game isn’t anything special, nor is it an eyesore. The tanks are super-fast, which is great, but also don’t seem to have any real weight about them. Tanks mow through simple wooden fences the same way they no through concrete buildings. That being said, if you’re stuck in battle, you’re really not going to notice that type of stuff.

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The game is quite fun to play, simple to learn, harder to master, and best of all, it’s free to try and continue to play. Microsoft Points can be used to buy accessories and to gain experience points faster, but spending money on these items is not mandatory. The most patient gamer could have a very robust and enjoyable experience without spending a dime, so how can you fault that?

A release date has not yet been confirmed for the game, but you can sign up to its open beta right this second.


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About the author

Steve Wright

Steve's the owner of this very site and an active games journalist nearing twenty (TWENTY!?!) years. He's a Canadian-Australian gay gaming geek, ice hockey player and fan. Husband to Matt and cat dad to Wally and Quinn.