HoverTank

HoverTank is a fun two-player split screen tank battle game, just like Atari's classic Combat, but with better graphics and more power-ups. You start out at either a random or a predetermined location depending on the map that you are on, then you must hunt down the enemy tank, which can be either human- or computer-controlled.

Aside from improved graphics and sounds compared to Atari's original, HoverTank introduces a few new features. For example, you can take advantage of the grey and red mines that are scattered throughout the map. One effective strategy is to hurl the enemy tank into a mine to zap life-force. You can also use WARP feature to warp to another part of the screen, but you only have a limited number of WARPs to use, so you must use it sparingly.

One of the things I really like about HoverTank is the great physics model. Your tank moves in a manner more akin to ships in Finnish cavefliers (e.g. V-Wing) than a tank game: that is, inertia is taken into account. If you are going very fast, don't expect to be able to make sharp 90-degree turns or abruptly stop. You can also bounce from certain surfaces and lose life force if you are not careful enough. Needless to say, the game is most fun with played against a friend on the same computer, but the computer "drones" also put up a good fight.

If you like Atari's classic, HoverTank is one of the best fanmade clones you will ever come across. Two thumbs up, way up!

Review By HOTUD