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Awesome Tanks is a simple yet addictive 2D top-down shooter where you control a tank and battle your way through enemy territory. Originally created by Alexander Gette as a Flash game, it became a hit on Flash websites before expanding to mobile platforms.
The mobile version, also published by Gette, was released in 2017 and brought smoother controls and better visuals, but the core experience remained the same.
You’ll move a tank across levels, blast enemies, collect coins, and upgrade your gear. It’s a fun mix of action and strategy, made for anyone over the age of 10, even if you’ve never played a shooter before.
Explore Awesome Tanks on iOS App Store.
In Awesome Tanks, your main goal is to defeat enemy tanks, collect coins, and destroy enemy bases to move through levels. Every battle takes place in a compact map filled with obstacles, crates, and enemy spawners that produce more threats if not handled early.
Success depends on your ability to move and shoot at the same time, standing still makes you an easy target. Top players often prioritize taking out spawners first to reduce pressure. After each level, use the coins you’ve gathered to upgrade armor, speed, and firepower. Managing resources well is key to long-term survival.
One of the first things you’ll notice in Awesome Tanks is how deeply the upgrade system affects gameplay.
As you progress, you’ll upgrade your tank in areas like speed, firepower, and armor. Choosing the right path matters, a tank with better armor survives longer in tougher levels, but sacrificing speed or damage can make battles harder.
According to developer Alexander Gette, the goal was to make upgrades "meaningful and tied to how each player approaches the game."
You can switch weapons during gameplay, a feature that adds another layer of strategy. Quick-firing guns work well against swarms, while rockets are better for heavily armored enemies. Players often swap mid-battle to adapt. This kind of tactical decision-making separates casual runs from high-level play.
In Awesome Tanks, you control a single, customizable tank built for fast, explosive action. But you're never alone for long, enemy tanks spawn quickly and often come in waves.
Here’s what you’ll face in battle:
Tips:
For more details and enemy stats, the Awesome Tanks Wiki is a great community resource.
In Awesome Tanks, your tank starts with a basic cannon, a solid all-around weapon. But as you play and collect coins, you’ll unlock stronger tools to help you survive and win. Each weapon has pros and cons, and smart use of them makes a big difference.
Here’s what to expect:
Key items on the screen to watch for:
Tips:
Compared to other shooters like Diep.io, Awesome Tanks offers a more structured weapon progression and a tighter map, encouraging more strategic movement.
Progress in Awesome Tanks happens one level at a time. You start in a small spawn area and must clear all enemies before moving forward. Each stage feels different, with new layouts and more difficult enemy placements.
There are 15 levels in total. Around level 5, you’ll unlock better weapons. By level 10, you should have full armor if you’ve managed your upgrades well. Level 15 tests everything you’ve learned, timing, movement, and precision.
Important locations include:
If you finish and want more, Awesome Tanks 2 continues the experience with new maps and upgrades, offering even more challenges over time.
The first few levels in Awesome Tanks ease you in. You’ll move your tank around, shoot a few enemies, and maybe take some damage. But by level 4 or 5, things start to shift. Enemies get smarter. Spawners multiply. Suddenly, it’s not just about shooting, it’s about thinking fast and staying mobile.
If you're new, try using the arrow keys or WASD to get a feel for movement. Use the mouse to aim precisely. The controls are simple but demand practice. I spent over 10 hours in-game just learning how to dodge while firing.
One time, I cleared a full wave without getting hit, just by circling enemies and predicting their shots. It felt great. That came from understanding their patterns and building a balanced upgrade path, armor first, then firepower.
Mastering movement early is key.
Awesome Tanks is a great choice if you’re looking for something fast-paced and easy to play in short bursts.
The upgrade loop feels rewarding, you’ll notice your tank getting stronger after every level. Compared to more complex games like ShellShock Live, it has a beginner-friendly learning curve that helps new players ease in.
But it’s not without challenges. Moving and shooting at the same time takes practice, and managing coins for upgrades can be tough early on. If you don’t experiment with your build, the first few levels may feel repetitive. That said, once you get past the basics, the game opens up and becomes more engaging.
After spending over 12 hours in Awesome Tanks, here are some tips I wish I had known early on. These made a huge difference between just surviving and truly dominating each level.
Beginner Tips:
Mistakes to Avoid:
In one run, I cleared three waves with 1 HP left, only because I didn’t skip that last kit I almost ignored.
If you're just starting out and wondering how to play, there are plenty of tips and beginner guides available. Check the in-game FAQ or visit the Awesome Tanks community for help and support. Whether you're looking for a quick guide or deeper strategies, there's always something new to learn.