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When I was probably around 14 I was really into the early Id Software game Hovertank 3D. It was old and obscure even then but I used the main character's name (Brick Sledge) as a handle on various webforums for a while.

Okay, it's not the most SIMULATOR-Y simulator, but it's the closest thing I've played.

Have you tried Arkham Knight yet?

Gamerforlife wrote:Have you tried Arkham Knight yet?

I'm looking forward to enjoying every single part of the game that you hate when the Fiesta is over and I go back to playing non-FFV games.

MrPopo wrote:

Gamerforlife wrote:Have you tried Arkham Knight yet?

I'm looking forward to enjoying every single part of the game that you hate when the Fiesta is over and I go back to playing non-FFV games.

LOL

I couldn't help myself, someone makes a thread about tanks when the one thing people throughout the internet universally hate the most about the game is the tanks. The timing is just too perfect

CRTGAMER wrote:Unlike the PS2 pressure sensitive trigger buttons, Dreamcast triggers are true analog for precise turns of the tank. An exact control how far to turn the tank from zero to ninety degree angles.

Updated my previous post to better show the unique control of Alien Front on the previous page with more info and screenshots including the Arcade Flyer.

This game worth a revisit, many who played this game might be unaware of the Tactics levels. New maps including a snow field and going to battle on the Alien world.

CRTGAMER wrote:

CRTGAMER wrote:Unlike the PS2 pressure sensitive trigger buttons, Dreamcast triggers are true analog for precise turns of the tank. An exact control how far to turn the tank from zero to ninety degree angles.

Updated my previous post to better show the unique control of Alien Front on the previous page with more info and screenshots including the Arcade Flyer.

This game worth a revisit, many who played this game might be unaware of the Tactics levels. New maps including a snow field and going to battle on the Alien world.

Don't forget to mention its precursor, Tokyo Wars.

Gunstar Green wrote:Don't forget to mention its precursor, Tokyo Wars.

I had the rare pleasure to play Tokyo Wars in 2 locations. Both were 4 players and were imported from Japan, right down to the 100 yen slots. I always liked going by myself on one team against 3 others. Nobody stood a chance.

ExedExes wrote:

Gunstar Green wrote:Don't forget to mention its precursor, Tokyo Wars.

I had the rare pleasure to play Tokyo Wars in 2 locations. Both were 4 players and were imported from Japan, right down to the 100 yen slots. I always liked going by myself on one team against 3 others. Nobody stood a chance.

I played it at two different arcades as well (one was actually in Disney World at the time) and once in someone's private collection. It's probably not accurate to call it a tank "simulation" but man is it a fun arcade game.

I only ever saw the two player version though unfortunately.

It all begins and ends with Combat on the 2600.

Simulator should typically refer to games that try to reflect the real thing to the best of the software's ability. Most of these games are akin to what Ridge Racer is compared to Gran Turismo. Just a thought.

Tanooki wrote:Do this one.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_Tank_Platoon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Puw9woQku74

M1 Tank Platoon by Microprose
It may not be the prettiest, but it's accurate. My best friend who is a USMC Staff Sgt in his earlier years was a tank commander of one of these and swears by the game. He got me hooked on it a very long time ago. Read the wiki it came recommended by military members too and ended up selling 500k copies back in the day which was rare and huge.

There was a "sequel" in 1998 and it was a dramatic improvement. However the real tank sim nowadays is Steel Beasts Pro PE. I got a one-year license last year but playing battles against AI gets boring fast, there are no campaigns and to get the most of it you have to engage in multiplayer. I have Arma 3 and while it's only a fraction of what SB offers I like the combined arms milieu a lot more.




SB also looks dated, but since this is a "lite" version of a contemporary tank crew training suite it's no wonder there's little focus on visual fidelity. The full game will set you back $110, and you need to get a USB dongle from the publisher as well (included with the package). Timed licenses also exist, and I don't regret trying it for a year.



A cheaper option is DCS Combined Arms, but it's still primitive since it's running on a flight sim engine. When DCS World 2 rolls later this year it should get somewhat better, since one of its most glaring issues is the lack of landscape detail and foliage that doesn't block anything.



Steel Armor Blaze of War was recently released on Steam, a bit pricey since it simulates only two tanks (the M60A1 and the T-62), but it's pretty immersive and the damage modelling is meticulous. The same developer also made Steel Fury Kharkov 1942 which is a decent WWII tank sim with a respectable amount of mod content.



Anyone needs to know more feel free to ask, but my interest in tanks is moslty cursory.