Tankhead, Is It a Good Enough Roguelike?

Roguelike games have seen a surge in popularity, but few can match the unique blend of action warfare, tactical combat, and sci-fi storytelling that TankHead, a new title from the studio Alpha Channel, brings to the table. This game places players as fighters who control experimental tanks in a post-apocalyptic world, offering a fresh and intriguing experience in the well-known genre.

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What Is TankHead All About?

This is not your typical shooter—TankHead demands precision, quick decision-making, and a well-thought-out strategy to survive in deadly zones filled with hostile machines. The story of TankHead takes place shortly following a catastrophic technological incident that turned the world into a wasteland overrun by dangerous automated war machines. These deadly zones are known as "Event Containment Areas" (ECAs), and you assume the role of Whitaker, a soldier whose consciousness has been transferred into a drone called Needle.

Your task is to use a remotely controlled tank and break through enemy territories to reach Highpoint City—the last known human enclave. The story unfolds gradually through data logs in the field and dialogues with rare survivors, deepening the game's mysterious atmosphere. The core gameplay revolves around maneuvering the tank through procedurally generated levels. Each mission brings new enemies, obstacles, and upgrade options, making every attempt unique.

The tank does not behave like a classic arcade shooter vehicle—movement is sluggish, precise aiming requires practice, and every decision can have significant consequences. In TankHead, you can't rush forward and shoot—enemies are aggressive and innovative, and resources are limited. Instead, the game forces you to plan, use cover, and carefully choose when to attack and when to retreat. The roguelike aspect means that death is not the end but the beginning of a new attempt with slightly more experience and potentially better equipment.

You Need to Adapt and Experiment

Unlike classic action games, combat in TankHead is not about brute force, but about adaptation and experimentation. You can control the tank independently of its turret, allowing for more complex manoeuvring, but mastering the mechanics takes practice. The diverse arsenal of weapons, from classic cannons to advanced laser systems and support drones, encourages players to find the optimal combination depending on their playstyle and the types of enemies they face.

Enemy units are varied, ranging from small scout drones to massive, heavily armoured machines that require precision and patience. More significant battles often resemble a chess game, where predicting enemy moves and exploiting weaknesses in their formations is crucial. One of TankHead's most essential aspects is tank customization and upgrades. At the start, you're equipped with a basic model, but as you progress, you unlock new parts, enhancements, and special modules.

Players can swap out treads, engines, armour, and weapon systems to tailor their tanks to specific challenges. Some upgrades allow incredible speed and agility, while others increase armour strength and firepower. Experimenting with different equipment combinations becomes key, as certain enemies demand specific tactics. For example, a heavy tank with a powerful cannon may be effective against slower armoured targets, but fast drones will easily outmanoeuvre it.

The Look and Feel of TankHead

TankHead's aesthetics combine retro-futuristic design with dystopian industrial landscapes. Levels are filled with ruins, abandoned factories, and desert terrains, with lighting and shadows expertly used to create a tense atmosphere. Enemy tanks and drones are designed with clear visual identities, allowing players to quickly recognize and develop effective combat strategies. The soundtrack is minimalist yet impactful—a mix of electronic tones and mechanical sounds enhances immersion, while the thud of shells and explosions feels impressively weighty.

That said, TankHead is not without its flaws. Some enemies are overly simplistic, while others pose nearly insurmountable obstacles, frustrating new players. Put: "The learning curve shatters all reasonable limits." If you thought RNG would spare you, you were wrong. Upgrades are randomly generated, so after an intense fight, you might get a rare part that drops less frequently than in old-school World of Warcraft Ulduar raids—or you might get a standard part and start questioning your life choices.

In Conclusion

As brilliant as this game is, being developed by a small team means cracks in the foundation are visible—technical issues will occasionally be part of the experience. Occasional frame rate drops and minor bugs can disrupt immersion, but the developers are actively working on optimization through patches. Given that a fair amount of time has passed since release, it's safe to say that TankHead has been adequately polished.

For fans of tactical action games and roguelike challenges, TankHead brings freshness with its innovative combat system and adaptability. Each playthrough feels different, and the combination of difficulty and strategy provides a long-lasting challenge players will want to master. However, if you're not prepared for a steep learning curve and potentially frustrating moments of random upgrades, the game might wear you out quickly.

It is a brilliant rogue-like tank action game with demanding gameplay but some issues, such as difficulty in balance and upgrade randomness. The luck factor reaches cosmic levels that will irritate most people, but the moment you get the proper loot is the reason for the celebration. This game is not for the impatient—that's for sure.

Game Rating:

8.5/10—TankHead delivers a fresh, challenging roguelike tank combat experience with deep customization, but its steep learning curve, punishing RNG, and occasional technical issues keep it from perfection.

Recommended Age Group:

Ages 14+ – Due to its complex mechanics, high difficulty, and strategic depth, TankHead is best suited for older teens and adults who enjoy tactical challenges and can handle frustration from randomized upgrades.