World of Tanks for Xbox One First Look: A New Breed

Microsoft plans to deliver lots of free-to-play content, including games like Happy Wars, Smite, Neverwinter and forthcoming titles like Fable Legends and Gigantic. Before all of those arrived, one key title led the charge, WarGaming’s World of Tanks. This multiplayer tank battle game, which uses authentic World War II tanks, became a massive hit alongside its PC counterpart, with millions of players battling for supremacy.

This year, WarGaming will introduce yet another platform to get in on the tank-blasting fun, this time on Xbox One. World of Tanks will retain all of the tactical action we’ve come to expect from the series, along with a fresh coat of paint, some new content and the ability to transfer progress from the Xbox 360 version.

Here’s how the game works. First you’ll enter the garage and choose the tank you want to use in battle, then purchase new parts that you believe will maintain its performance. If you don’t have enough in-game cash to purchase these parts, real cash or Xbox Live Marketplace currency will suffice.

These tanks are divided into different classes, including Light Tanks (which move faster but have lighter impact with shots), Medium Tanks (balanced overall on power and speed), Heavy Tanks (fortified to dish out and take more damage, but move slower), Tank Destroyers (built merely for destructive purposes) and SPGs (comes with a strong array of hit points and accuracy). You’ll want to shop around and see what each tank can do for you.

Once you’re ready, drop into battle across a number of different areas. These include wide-open fields that require you to get around mountains to put your enemy into range, as well as small towns where buildings work as helpful cover while trying to get a jump on your opponent. There are a number of levels to choose from, each posing quite a challenge as you attempt to destroy your adversaries.

World of Tanks will work with the Xbox One controller. From what we’ve seen, it looks user friendly, thanks to realistic (yet easy) maneuverability of your tank and the option to zoom in for enhanced targeting. A few well-timed shots and a massive vehicle will become scrap metal.

Fighting online with friends and strangers is one of World of Tanks’ biggest draws, proven by the previously released Xbox 360 version. The new version will feature enhancements along the way, as well as new content; still waiting to hear about this.

One thing we know, however, is that any progress you have from the Xbox 360 version of the game will get carried over. This includes any vehicles and parts you purchased, as well as your kill record earned over a series of battles. That way, you don’t have to start from scratch.

In addition, you’ll be able to go back and forth if you prefer, should you want to go back to the Xbox 360 version of World of Tanks for some reason. Your stats will carry over from your previous session without missing a beat.

Finally, there’s the best news of all: both the Xbox 360 and Xbox One versions will be cross-play compatible, allowing owners of either platform to challenge each other.

We’ll have more on World of Tanks closer to its Xbox One release later this year. In the meantime, you may want to get some practice in with the Xbox 360 version, because this beast of a game will take time to master.