World of Tanks: HEAT Closed Beta Test Impressions
World of Tanks: HEAT is the latest multiplayer online game developed by Wargaming Group, following the original World of Tanks in 2010, World of Warplanes in 2013, World of Warships in 2015, and numerous spinoffs for all three franchises. HEAT is billed as “the first-ever hero-driven tank action game,” and is currently in beta with a forthcoming release date. I was lucky enough to play the closed beta while it was available from April 16 to 20, and while this isn’t the kind of game I usually tend to play, I can definitely see the appeal for fans of the PvP fighter genre. Since the game is currently still in beta, anything I describe might end up being changed or even removed completely, so take everything with a grain of salt.
HEAT presents players with three initial modes: Quick Match, Versus AI, and Firing Range. Quick Match, the default game, pits you and four other players against an opposing 5-player team and drops you into a scenario with a specific goal to achieve. The game can either set up a scenario with four other random players, or you can form a “squad” by searching for specific player’s nicknames. I love the idea of logging on with your friends and forming a squad to fight battles against other players, but there’s something kind of fun about teaming up with strangers as well. Versus AI, as the name suggests, is essentially Quick Match but with AI opponents instead of fellow players, and as far I can tell (for the five seconds that I lasted), Firing Range drops you into a scenario with three or more enemy players that get to open fire on your tank.
While your options for tanks and characters are relatively limited at first, making headway through the vast list of Missions lets you unlock new vehicles, more customization options, boosters for your character, and upgrade items. Missions can be anything from killing a certain number of enemies to using an ability a certain number of times to playing a certain number of matches and completing them earns you an in-game currency called credits. There is a secondary currency called tech packs, which allow you to purchase modules for your vehicle. The more battles you fight, the more Missions you complete – and the more goodies you can buy with credits.
You can mix and match your “Agent” and your tank based on your specific goals – tanks are rated for Firepower, Toughness, Mobility, and Utility, while Agents are divided into Assault, Defender, and Marksman. I appreciated that there are some customization options for your Agent and tank of choice right off the bat, even before you start unlocking upgrades. As with all fighting games, there’s no small amount of strategy involved in what you end up picking.
Wargaming wrote in their announcement press release that HEAT runs on a “new proprietary engine with stunning graphics, immersive environments, and dynamic cinematic effects.” Again, take with a grain of salt, but I was suitably impressed with the smooth mechanics and relatively realistic graphics – especially for a game in beta. The game is also going to be free-to-play, with monetization focused around “cosmetics, battle passes, and time-savers.” That last item – time-savers – makes me a little nervous, since some games tend to intentionally make some processes long and drawn out to entice players into spending money on time-shortening convenience. But there’s no way to know if HEAT will fall into that trap or keep monetization and microtransactions minimal.
There isn’t much else to say since this game is in beta, but I’m interested in what savvier PvP players think about it. Beta testers who are familiar with the previous games have noted that HEAT is very different from its predecessors, but unfortunately I don’t have the experience to co-sign on that. Still, if you’re looking for a fun few hours to spend with your friends, I would definitely recommend keeping an eye out for World of Tanks: HEAT when it’s publicly released.
For more information, visit the official website.
Related: Reviews by Ian Robinson-Lambert
I've loved video games ever since I started playing Mario Kart on my parents' Wii back in seventh grade. These days, you can find me playing a mix of historical RPGs and horror (shout-out to Assassin's Creed and Resident Evil). I also love a good puzzle, and of course I still have a soft spot for the Super Mario series!
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