This may not be a problem however, as the registered version provides access to a large archive of maps as well as a powerful map and mission editor. From Drag Races to Dog Fights With a variety of tanks and weapons, and settings ranging from colorful tropical environments, to sterile, industrial landscapes, gameplay in Tank Arena is quite diverse. The differences between the vehicles are more than cosmetic though, as each craft handles differently, especially on different types of terrain. For example, the A-10 bomber must always maintain a minimum speed upon takeoff to avoid crashing. It is also the only vehicle able to 'circumnavigate' the map, appearing at the opposite end after flying off the edge of the map.
Some vehicles hover over water, while some submerge partially, and others sink completely.
The controls are fairly simple with keys for movement and weapons. I had some difficulty with turreted vehicles, as not only do you need to control the direction of movement, but also the direction in which the guns fire. I found that I needed about 11 fingers to coordinate the control of both tank and turret, and finally gave up all together, choosing instead the turretless vehicles whenever possible. Each vehicle has an arsenal of armaments at its disposal ranging from the standard cannon and chain gun to the more exotic weapons such as flamethrowers, ballistic charges, and atom bombs. Not all tanks are equipped with each type of weapon, and for the most part, the vehicles are balanced according to speed and firepower.