Tank combat usually revolves around firing shells from a safe distance, but SLAM TANK would rather get up close and personal. The upcoming action game from developer Next Stage puts a beat ’em up-style spin on vehicular combat, challenging players to swing their cannon barrels like oversized melee weapons, ram robotic enemies, and drift through battlefields while wreaking as much havoc as possible. A free demo is now available on Steam as part of Steam Next Fest.
Set in a world where an AI has taken control of an army of machines, SLAM TANK tasks players with fighting back using a tank that is built for much more than conventional warfare. Instead of relying on artillery fire, players can swing their cannon barrels into enemies and spin into opponents with devastating ramming attacks. The more machinery they destroy, the greater the financial damage inflicted on the AI, with that total serving as their score.
The result is a combat system with a distinctly beat ’em up-like feel, trading traditional gunplay for aggressive close-range attacks and stylish manoeuvres. Players must also stay mobile, speeding across the battlefield and drifting around enemy attacks while taking on giant construction machines and humanoid robots. Acceleration panels and jump ramps add another layer to the action, allowing tanks to launch into the air and perform tricks along the way.
Players can also customize their vehicles with decals and decorative parts, adding a personal touch to their chosen tank. Meanwhile, Next Stage is showcasing gameplay during Steam Next Fest, and the developer is reportedly working on support for steering wheel controllers alongside the game’s existing keyboard and mouse controls.
SLAM TANK’s free demo is available now on Steam during Steam Next Fest. The full game is still in development, with its release date yet to be announced.
For players looking for a different kind of beat ’em up, SLAM TANK offers an unusual alternative to the genre’s usual cast of martial artists and street fighters. Here, the brawling takes place behind the controls of a tank, with cannon swings, high-speed drifts, and robotic wreckage taking the place of more conventional punches and kicks.