iDaTank Review

Thursday, June 23, 2011

iDaTank Review

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iDaTank Review

By Jason Wadsworth on June 23rd, 2011
Our Rating:

:: TURRETS UP
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Navigate an upgradeable tank over small asteroids collecting crystals and destroying enemies.

Developer: Pavel Tsarev

Price: $1.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0.1
Device Reviewed On: iPhone 3GS

Graphics / Sound Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Replay Value Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 3.69 out of 5 stars

The tank in this game isn’t a huge metal behemoth on treads. It’s actually a streamlined little turret that scuttles around on three legs, not unlike a mobile version of the Aperture Science Sentry Turret from the Portal games. iDaTank takes simple shoot ‘em up gameplay, wraps it around a 3D environment, and throws in experience points and a leveling mechanic to round out a surprisingly full featured title.

Each level of iDaTank takes place on a different asteroid and during the game players progress through several different asteroid belts hopping from asteroid to asteroid. In order to get from one asteroid to the next in each belt portals (also very reminiscent of the Portal games) must be opened in each level. These portals are powered by crystals that must be collected from around each asteroid. One enough crystals have been collected and deposited on the asteroid’s portal, the tank can jump to the next asteroid. The asteroids are also populated with enemy aliens that do their best to destroy the tiny tank. There are even a few boss sized enemies on some of the asteroids. There are many different enemy types and each type must be approached and defeated in a different way. This helps keep the game fresh from level to level.

As enemies are defeated they award experience points which can be used to purchase new weapons and weapon upgrades. There are four weapon types available. Each of the four plays differently and has its strengths and weaknesses. Experience points can also be used to buy extra lives (or clones as they are called in the game), which becomes essential as the game gets harder because once you run out of lives the game is over and must be started over from the beginning.

The game’s controls work by touching anywhere on the screen to move the tank in that direction. The turret auto-targets the nearest enemies while the tank is on the move. While this likely works better than buttons would, there are still moments when the tank will spin aimlessly as it tries to work around terrain and find targets.

iDaTank pulls together some great mechanics and blends them in an interesting way. The levels and enemies keep things interesting and the leveling up and upgradable weapons will keep players engaged. The game is much deeper than it seems at first glance and players will be pleasantly surprised.