Tiny Tank
| a game by | Sony Imagesoft, and Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Genre: | Action |
| Platforms: | Playstation, PSX |
| Editor Rating: | 6/10, based on 2 reviews, 4 reviews are shown |
| User Rating: | 8.5/10 - 4 votes |
| Rate this game: | |
| See also: | Artillery Games, Tank Games |
DownloadsOverview
Tiny Tank is a futuristic battle between an army of steel robots that are out to take over the earth and "Tiny Tank" who is a "happy-go-lucky" robot tank developed by the people to fight their wars for them over 100 years ago. There was a revolution of robots that tried to destroy Tiny Tank, but little did they know that they hadn't succeeded. He was blown to pieces in battle, but was slowly rebuilt by a horde of microscopic "fix-it" crabs. (Yes, I thought it sounded kind of goofy too.) They successfully put him back together and now he is out for revenge, as well as trying to save the human race.
Gameplay
This tank is loaded with plenty of firepower to get the job done including Gatling guns, infrared warheads, mortars, freeze guns, rockets, and an 80 mm cannon. You even have the help of a few "Teeny Weeny Tanks" that can be sent out to scout around or look for weapons. There are three different types of these little helpers and each has its own capabilities, depending on how much brain-power it has. They’re useful for sending out in front of you when you’re trying to cross a mine field. There are also over 13 different battlefields in which Tiny fights to complete his missions. The basic theme of this game is to shoot first without worrying about asking questions later.
This game has a decent variety of playing fields that will keep you busy for a little while. As you destroy your enemies, you can pick up their weapons and place them in your tank for later use. You can choose which weapons you’d like to use by scrolling through your allocated weapons inventory list, and selecting the one you want. Tiny Tank is a happy little tank with an attitude and makes some funny comments as he decimates his foes. Unfortunately, his commentary can get a bit repetitive after a while.
I found the game to be a challenge for about an hour or so, after that it seemed like the same old thing over and over again. Sure, the playing fields look pretty cool and there is quite a bit of action blasting all of the various enemies coming at you, but there just seemed to be something missing. It seemed to be shooting at the robots over and over again, with not much of a real challenge. I think the game needs more variety or something. They spent a lot of time and effort on the storyline. If they had spent a little more time on the actual game, it might have turned out a little bit better. The plot is laid out in little video clips and video commentaries by Tiny Tank between missions that are a bit corny in my opinion. Tiny Tank tries to be a "cute" little tank with personality. I just don’t think that "cute" mixes too well with being a badass killing machine. Seems like a strange combination to me.
Graphics
I thought that the graphics in the game were okay, but not really anything special. Unfortunately the graphics of the game are by far overshadowed by the poor gameplay. Overall they’re not too bad, but when you’re driving through the wide open spaces, the background graphics are drawn in slowly as you approach, which I thought wasn’t very realistic. Unfortunately this is par for the course on many Playstation games due to the limited abilities of its graphics engine. This kind of problem is sure to be resolved when the Playstation 2 comes out, I hope.
Bottom Line
I would highly recommend that you either rent this game first to see if you like it, or wait until it hits the discount racks for around $5.00 or so. That’s about all I would be willing to pay for it. It is fun for a brief time, but I got bored with it rather quickly. It is unfortunate, because the basic elements of the game are pretty good, and it definitely had potential. It just lacks something, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. I guess I’m just spoiled from all of the other combat-type games I’ve played before.
Download Tiny Tank
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Game Reviews
People say:
You're probably wondering why we're reviewing Tiny Tank again. After all, we reviewed it back in issue 115. Well, it never actually made it to store shelves. But it's really going to be released this time, except now Sony's publishing it instead of MGM Interactive. In addition, there have been a number of so-called improvements made to the version we reviewed six months back. So here we go again, to see if the changes made to the original make this new version of TT any better. First, the slowdown is supposed to be fixed. Well, it's better than it used to be, but it's still there. Even in the first level you see significant slowdown. And it doesn't get any better as the game progresses. Next, the auto-aiming is supposed to be tweaked, but I couldn't see any difference. Lastly, the one thing that made the game original--Tiny's quips as well as the radio station chattering in the background--has been toned down. The rest of the changes are rather minor. It comes down to this: The old version of Tiny Tank was pretty sloppy overall, and didn't leave a lasting impression. The changes in this new version aren't substantial enough to allow for a higher score. And actually, the bar has been raised since our last review, so my score is lower. Tiny Tank should've been rebuilt from the ground up--not just tweaked.
I wasn't looking forward to this game since it was pretty bad the first time around. I figured it'd take a miracle to make this new version stand out from the crowd, and after playing it, I knew a miracle didn't happen. True, some of the old problems have been addressed, but they haven't actually been eliminated. And these days, there are just far too many worthwhile action games out there to sink your hard-earned money into Tiny Tank.
Tiny Tank has been made kid-friendly. The clever radio show dialogue has been cut substantially. Apparently Sony thought the chatter contradicted the cartoony nature of the game. Now you've got a cute, slightly aged-looking, level-based, 3O shooter. You won't have much trouble getting through the levels or beating the bosses. It's been watered-down enough for the average 9-year-old to handle. Even so, you may want to rent Tiny Tank first.
I'm surprised by just how much this has changed in the time that it's been back in development. Graphically it doesn't suffer from slowdown as much, but I do feel that some of the character and attitude has been sucked out. Maybe I just have fond memories of it from before though. As a 3D blaster goes, it's not bad. I love the fact it uses both analog sticks and has a degree of strategy, but on the whole, the level design isn't massively inspired.
Tiny Tank's trip to retail stores has been delayed so many times that we'd almost forgotten about the tough tyke. It's been a while since we reviewed this sharp game (see ProReview, February), so here's a recap of Tiny's cool action/adventure game now that he's finally rolling onto shelves.
TITANIC TINY
As Tiny Tank, you're reactivated after two centuries of sleep after machines have taken over Earth and relegated humans to subterranean dwellings. The well-executed story is spliced with hysterical behind-the-scenes footage starring Tiny, who's a foul-mouthed diva.
Tiny's challenging and creative single-player mission-based levels are the game's highlights, delivering fun shooter action and platform-style puzzles. You can even snag your enemy's weaponry or steal their brains to make your own weapons smarter!
TECHNICALLY TIGHT TANK
Explosive lighting effects lead the full-scale visual assault that pits Tiny in expansive environments with no clipping, very little pop-up and, best of all, very good camera control. Completing the audio/visual adrenaline hit, Tinys furious sound effects provide bellowing crashes and blasts while die quirky soundtrack's variety keeps each level fresh and distinct. The highly responsive controls are a breeze with the analog stick, but directional pad response is sluggish, making for a whole new level of difficulty. If you still don't have a Dual Shock controller, Tiny Tank will be a tremendous letdown.
Tiny's only serious drawback is its disappointing head-to-head mode: Slowdown and muddy controls make movement and aiming extremely difficult. Nevertheless, Tiny's solo game is phenomenally fun, and it's packed with great touches everywhere--you can even wear the cowboy hat of one of your victims. Lock and load for Tiny Tank!
ProTips:
- To avoid the cargo ship s deadly cannon, keep moving through the teleporters-but make sure to shoot that cargo in the air!
- In the rock tunnel, put all of your brains on one forward-firing gun-it'll be a constant assault on the incoming rush while you maneuver.
- Lend your Teeny Weeny Tanks a brain to put them in gather mode, and they'll retrieve this power-up for you.
Just in case the video game world needs another hero with a 'tude, Tiny Tank is here to whup some arsenal! But can the tiny one play with the big boys?
TITANIC TINY
In Tiny Tank, you're the titular hero, a living war vehicle that is reactivated after two centuries of sleep during which machines have taken over the Earth and relegated humans to subterranean dwelling. The story, even if a bit cliche, is well executed--while the full-motion video interludes that show behind-the-scenes footage of Tiny trying to do propaganda commercials are downright hysterical! Get this foul-mouthed tank a guest spot on South Park.
Tiny's challenging and creative single-player mission-based levels are the highlight of the game. You can use your enemy's weaponry and even add their brains to your A.I., allocating a number of brains to any of your weapons to make them smarter--to the point where they'll target enemies on their own.
TECHNICALLY TIGHT TANK
Explosive lighting effects lead the full-scale visual assault Tiny charges through expansive outdoor and indoor environments with no clipping, very little pop-up, and, best of all, excellent camera control. Completing the audio/visual attack. Tiny's furious sound effects provide bellowing crashes, smashes, and blasts, while the quirky soundtrack's variety keeps each level fresh and distinct The highly responsive controls are a breeze with the analog sticks, but directional pad response is sluggish, making for a whole new level of difficulty. If you don't have a Dual Shock controller, Tiny Tank may be a gigantic dud.
Tiny allows you to save between levels, but your remaining lives and brains continue, so it'll take a few passes to reach the end. Normally, this is annoying, but Tiny Tank is so strategy heavy that you'll delight in redoing the missions as efficiently as possible.
BATTLE MODE BLUES
Tinys only serious drawback is its disappointing head-to-head mode: Slowdown and muddy controls make movement and aiming extremely difficult. Luckily, Tiny's solo game is phenomenally fun with great touches everywhere--you can even wear the cowboy hat of one of your victims. Lock and load with Tiny Tank!
ProTips:
- To avoid the cargo ship's powerful cannon, keep moving through the teleporters, but make sure to shoot that cargo in the air!
- In the rock tunnel, put all your brains on one forward-firing gun to maintain a constant assault on the incoming rush while you maneuver.
- In the mazes, the radar is your best friend. Hunt down the enemy by following the red blips.
- In the minefield, use your Jump thrusters to leap from platform to platform. Leap over incoming missiles and take out the turrets.
- These laser emitters are only temporarily disabled by gunfire, so don't stop in their path!
- Lend your Teeny Weeny Tanks a brain to put them in gather mode-they'll retrieve this power-up for you.
Graphics
Retina-numbing lighting effects highlight this slam-bang action fest You can whip through corridors with high polygon counts and no clipping--a very un-tiny achievement But what's up with the blind cameraman in multiplayer mode?
Sound
Tiny Tank's a post-modern machine with some serious 'tude. His quips are funny and dirty, but they do get repetitive. The soundtracks non-stop adrenaline blitz ranges from shock rock to a hysterical call-in radio show. You can also use your own CDs for individualized sound.
Control
Tiny's excellent Dual Shock support puts you in complete control of his body and turret (wipe that dirty mind clean), but this tank's a twerp with the standard directional pad, and the multiplayer control's treads are dead.
Fun Factor
The game's multiple levels of strategy from gun placement to robotic-brain allocation, combined with highly challenging fast-paced missions, give Tiny Tank some tremendous firepower. Unfortunately, the head-to-head game shoots blanks.
Snapshots and Media
Playstation Screenshots
