Games Similar to «World of Tanks»

Tanks have become the pinnacle of armored vehicle evolution and have maintained their high status for over half a century. It's no surprise that games showcasing the full power of these machines generate interest. Until relatively recently, the main game on this topic was World of Tanks, which was later split—with the Russian half going to the company «Lesta». However, things didn’t turn out as hoped here either, so now many gamers are looking for a replacement for «World of Tanks»—one that offers a variety of vehicles and online matches on different maps. We’ll suggest what to look for, but we’ll skip the obvious options like War Thunder—instead, we’ll highlight interesting, albeit less popular, projects.

The first entry on the list is the online action game Armored Warfare, created by the renowned studio Obsidian Entertainment after Chris Avellone left. Although the developers were already world-famous by 2014 when the project was announced, they primarily worked on RPGs rather than military vehicle action games. Over time, the baton was passed to the Russian company Mail.ru Group—resulting in the game we know today with the subtitle «Project Armata». The key difference from «World of Tanks» is that the action here takes place in the future. Yet, the vehicle models are recognizable—they can be found among the arsenals of various countries' armies.

The game features both PvE and PvP modes, including large-scale 15v15 battles. The main skill, as expected in an online game about armored vehicles, lies in knowing the technical specifications of your machine and leveraging its advantages on the battlefield. By the way, in matches, you can control not just tanks but also self-propelled artillery—these vehicles are usually poorly armored but pack serious firepower. Armored Warfare has five tank classes, each excelling in its tactical role. Additionally, ammunition choice matters—whether armor-piercing, fragmentation, high-explosive, or anti-tank missiles. In practice, the gameplay resembles the classics: there’s room for cunning maneuvers, the aiming and damage systems work familiarly, and you don’t need to pay to play—just download it from Steam or the official website.

Also known as Tank Arena: Total Operation. This is a free MMO about military vehicle battles, developed by the Chinese studio Beijing Wanyu Hudong Technology. You’ve likely never heard of these developers, but they’re considered a division of Hero Games, a company that has already made waves with the multiplayer project Duet Night Abyss. Essentially, this is a Chinese clone of World of Tanks, with all its pros and cons. The game looks slightly simpler than the original but is available on multiple platforms, including mobile, and has received purely positive reviews on PC. Gamers can choose from over 400 vehicle models, expansive maps, and 12-player team matches. The locations here are historical.

The tanks are also archival: you can ride in a T-34, an American Sherman, or a German Tiger. Modern vehicle models are also available. Upgrading vehicles with resources earned in battles allows you to reinforce armor, enhance firepower, and improve mobility. You don’t get a perfect machine right away—you have to build it yourself. Of course, combat skill should be complemented by unique customization—in this regard, Total Operation hardly differs from other Chinese MMOs. There’s a wealth of camouflage options, decals, and accessories for tanks and other combat vehicles. While most decorations are paid, the online action game itself is free.

Unlike the previous game, this one is paid. It’s designed for those who love delving into details and demand full immersion from a simulator. Here, you can not only take the controls of a combat vehicle and fire a high-explosive shell while aiming through a realistic scope but also manually repair the tank, replenish supplies, and inspect every component up close. The project is entirely dedicated to World War II-era vehicles—you won’t find modern models here. However, the ones available are crafted with great attention to detail: nothing stops you from inspecting the armor in first-person view, «X-raying» it, or tightening a loose bolt in a simple mini-game. This is entertainment for true tank enthusiasts.

The multiplayer here isn’t massive. There’s a four-player co-op mode where you can assign roles in the squad and fight against AI-controlled enemies. This way, everyone feels like a real commander, as you decide who does what—as long as it’s effective. During battles, you not only have to go outside to repair the vehicle but also tend to wounded comrades. Additionally, you command an infantry squad—soldiers aren’t strong in frontal assaults, but a skilled tactician will find a use for them. After a match, nothing stops you from salvaging the enemy’s wrecked vehicles, repairing them, and adding them to your garage for future battles.

Don’t let the game’s title mislead you. It’s not just about World War II—in fact, it’s hardly about it at all. This is more of a flight of Chinese fantasy, featuring incredible tank models that likely never existed in reality. The only exceptions are legendary vehicles like the T-34-85, and even those can be «decorated» beyond recognition—the editor here is highly versatile. The vehicle selection is modest—just a few dozen models—but all are free. To join the virtual battlefield, simply download the client for PC or mobile, as the project is cross-platform.

In terms of gameplay, this is a pure shooter—no complex simulation of vehicle breakdowns, shell trajectories, or other engineering details. It’s simple: aim and shoot! On the other hand, the matches are presented with flair, and the symphonic soundtrack is particularly impressive. There’s also RPG-style progression: you can level up your account from scratch until you unlock all the in-game models. There are platoons for teaming up with friends and clans. In short, it’s a familiar picture for seasoned «tankers», but with simpler mechanics, graphics, and a limited tank selection. At least it’s free.

Metal War Online is cut from the same cloth—a free action game with no pretensions to technical simulation or historical accuracy. You simply take control of an armored vehicle and blast opponents to bits on small maps. The game is set in a sci-fi future where two corporations, Global Resource Network and Morgan Industries, along with a couple of private military companies, battle for control. You must join one of these factions and contribute to its victory. The conflict revolves around a resource that enables the production of «blue blood»—a source of eternal health and invulnerability for humans. You can participate in this grand battle using vehicles from several classes.

The options include scouts, assault vehicles, engineering units, and artillery. Scouts are the most mobile but lightly armed. Assault vehicles have balanced armor and firepower. Engineers provide technical support but can also dish out damage with rocket launchers. Self-propelled artillery, as usual, packs heavy firepower at the cost of weak protection. Notably, all vehicles here are wheeled—no tracked models exist. On Steam, the game is titled Metal War Online: Retribution and is free. Reviews on Valve’s platform are mixed, with many noting it was better in the past. But since it’s free, nothing stops genre fans from giving it a try.

This is another World of Tanks clone with simplified graphics, but the vehicle selection is enormous—on par with the original. The U.S. alone has nearly 60 armored vehicles, including self-propelled guns and armored cars, not to mention the USSR, Germany, China, England, Sweden, and France. Tanks are divided into six classes: light, medium, heavy, self-propelled guns, tank destroyers, and wheeled vehicles. There are also eight ranks based on mobility, armor strength, technical features, and firepower. But that’s not all: the game includes 15v15 matches, and the maps strongly resemble those of its inspiration—though the visuals are simpler, and there’s no destructible scenery.

Newcomers can start with training rather than diving straight into battle. It’s handy that after a match, you can review where and how the enemy hit you. Training missions are historically inspired, beginning with El Alamein in Africa. The maps are based on real tank battles. This is a detailed, solid, and free copy of the classic World of Tanks, available on multiple platforms—you can download it for PC or Android. Just don’t expect to find it on Steam. For installation, it’s best to visit the official website and choose the right client.

Why use pre-made vehicle models when you can build your own tank LEGO-style and test it in action? Don’t like it? Build another one, and so on. This is the core principle of Crossout. The MMO action game is set on a post-apocalyptic Earth where survivors construct Mad Max-style armored vehicles and fight over remaining resources. You can assemble any imaginable module—wheeled, tracked, flying, or even walking vehicles, armed with guns of your choice, fitted with armor, generators, and other gadgets. In short, build whatever you want.

Of course, there are limitations to consider—like generator output or engine power—so there’s no «best build» recipe. Everyone defines their tank’s key advantages. The game also boasts great graphics and a detailed damage model: in battle, you clearly see parts flying off, sparks, smoke, and broken modules. If you think about it, Crossout offers more than the original World of Tanks: besides battles in various modes and team tactics, it taps into players’ creativity, letting them test engineering ideas in practice. And it’s completely free.

In early 2025, the studio Three Whales released an online action game that could be called «Crossout on water». The developers created a universe inspired by Kevin Costner’s Waterworld, where a global cataclysm has submerged most land, and survivors live on makeshift ships, fighting over resources. In Age of Water, you’ll only see skyscraper tops—most of the map is underwater. You must build your own vessel using scrap materials like rusty sheet metal, salvaged wood, or ancient pipes. You can craft a small, agile boat or a multi-deck ship dozens of meters long.

Friends can help: solo players will struggle to gather enough resources for a large ship, and someone needs to man the guns while you steer. Yes, there’s crew simulation in multiplayer. Battles are constant—whether against AI pirates or fellow adventurers. Between raids, you can build a floating base, though it requires even more materials. But you’ll get a dock for engineering experiments and a port for your fleet. Although Age of Water isn’t free, Steam reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

Which game would you choose to replace «World of Tanks»?