Heavy Weapon: Atomic Tank Review

By Kristan Reed Published 19 January, 2007

Retro evolved.

Version tested: Xbox 360

Having waded thigh deep in an unusually fierce torrent of retro sludge for the past couple of weeks (40 odd via PSP arcade compilations, 38 via Wii Virtual Console and another couple on Xbox Live Arcade), it's understandable that I've come away from the experienced slightly scarred. The past is a nice place to visit at this time of the year, but, like a bumbling old relative, you can only spend so much time in its company before wanting to pop your eyes out with a spoon.

But then a game like Heavy Weapon turns up on Live Arcade and reminds you that old fashioned gaming values don't have to be treated like a dotty old nan going on about The Good Old Days in her sleep. Instead, those so-called classic gameplay ingredients can be spiced up and mixed in a way that makes then, in some senses, much more palatable than they ever were in those fabled Days of Old Good.

'Heavy Weapon: Atomic Tank' Screenshot 1

Extreme destruction, cartoon style.

Rather than tell you that Heavy Weapon is like a preposterously frantic Moon Patrol with that beloved dual-stick Robotron control system strapped to its underbelly, here are five good reasons why Heavy Weapon is my favourite New Old Shooter since Geometry Wars, in no particular order.

  1. The controls are excellent. The dual stick system is just perfect for this game, with the left stick assigned to movement, and the right for adjusting the 90-degree aiming system. And because you're constantly moving forward, it's all about dodging the incessant bullets and making sure you're in the right place when you're being attacked not only from the air, but from ground targets, too.
  2. It's brilliantly balanced, and the difficulty curve extremely well-judged. For the first four levels (out of the 19 on offer) you'll be forgiven for thinking that it's all a bit ho-hum - which doesn't bode well for the trial version. But once the challenge cranks up a few notches, it finds a groove all of its own. You start to tinker with the weapon load-out and realise that certain levels are best approached with specific configurations to take advantage of enemy weaknesses.
  3. It has that incessant One More Go appeal. If Crash magazine was still around it would get 97 per cent for Addictive Qualities. When you've had your arse handed to you on a shiny platter a few times, there's always the sense that it was Your Fault, and not the game being stupidly unfair. And because it's well-balanced, you always reckon you can do better next time, trying out a different approach - maybe seeing whether the flak weapon and rockets work better than having a shield and homing missiles. Beating the later missions is incredibly satisfying as a result - especially when it hangs on using those all-powerful nukes and screen clearing Mega Lasers at just the right time.
  4. There are no unfair and arcane game mechanics. For example, you don't die the second a bullet grazes your craft. You don't have to start the game from the beginning when you run out of lives. If you get past a level, you start the next one with all three lives intact. If you die, you don't have to start again armed with a peashooter. The levels are long enough to provide a challenge, but short enough not to make it an impossible goal. Even the Really Difficult sections of levels are manageable with the right weapons.
  5. The visuals are rather lovely. Think a crisp, hi-def Metal Slug approach crossed with Worms, complete with exaggerated explosions, detailed craft, good use of colour and yet nothing too flash that it overwhelms the game. It's what the 2D games of the past were trying to do, but didn't have the resolution or colour palette to pull off. It makes you want more of it.
'Heavy Weapon: Atomic Tank' Screenshot 2

Don't shoot the choppers - they drop handy upgrades that helps you squeak through.

And, if those weren't good enough reasons to like Heavy Weapon, it also won us over for being really good value. For 800 points, it's a game that more than justifies its price tag for the mission mode alone. The other Survival-based modes (War Party and Arms Race) feel comparatively throwaway played alone, but in multiplayer (off or online for up to four players) it's a decent amount of blasting fun for a few minutes. The main difference between the two Survival modes is that War Party lets you respawn as long as someone else is still alive, while Arms Race grants you three lives only - the winner being the one with the best score. It's not nearly as compelling as the missions, but with the leaderboard scores to compete on, it's a worthwhile addition to an already solid package. As an added bonus, completion of the game also adds Boss Rush mode, so you can face-off against all 19 of them in order, but getting that far will be a real effort for mere mortals.

At a push, you could moan about how easy some of the boss monsters are, and dismiss it as a pretty repetitive experience, but there's a lot to love about Heavy Weapon. It might not appear as hardcore as something like Geometry Wars, but some of the later levels might change your mind - and if you prefer the endless wave approach of GW, then survival mode does the job there too.

So, as much as you might not be thrilled about the prospect of a 2D scrolling tank shooter, Heavy Weapon is far better than it initially appears to be. As an example of how to bring the past up to date, it's one of the best examples on Live to date and definitely one to check out in the shivering January wasteland.

8 / 10

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Picture of Kristan.

About Kristan Reed

Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.

Read more articles from Kristan by visiting the Kristan Reed archive page.

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Comments (54) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Der_tolle_Emil #1 5 years ago

    Sounds like my type of game.

  • MrFlintBlackman #2 5 years ago

    This game is rubbish!

    Like a poor mans Metal Slug.

  • MadMirko #3 5 years ago

    Pleasant surprise, indeed.

  • sdrawkcabonit #4 5 years ago

    Bought it yesterday... loved it... still love it!

    Loads of love in the house for this game :)

  • LeD #5 5 years ago

    Ha! I had so much fun with the trial version that I couldn't fathom why everybody is screaming that it's crap. This will get 800 of my MS points sooner than Assault Heroes I must say, which I found dull and boring.

  • Nige #6 5 years ago

    >This game is rubbish!

    I Pooh pooh this comment absolutely, and without reservation.

    Developers - can we have more of this kind of thing please? I don't mind that this isn't especially original, it just plays well.

    A big thumbs up.

  • MrFlintBlackman #7 5 years ago

    Oh no I we have a difference of opinion!

    Stop crying and take it like a man.

  • Nige #8 5 years ago

    >Stop crying and take it like a man.

    Sorry Jade...

  • MrFlintBlackman #9 5 years ago

    who is jade?

  • woodnotes #10 5 years ago

    Shut up you bunch of poppadoms.

    This game is cool and just shows that there is absolutely no need for crappy low-res sprites in this day and age.

    It doesn't match the lovely Geometry Wars though. (I doubt anything, ever, will)
    Edited by 1 at 19/01/07 @ 09:21

  • Metalfish #11 5 years ago

    "Who is Jade?"

    That's either a really awesome comeback, or an envyable ignorance.

  • HarryPalmer #12 5 years ago

    "who is jade?"

    If you dont't know, then your jade. Jade. : )

  • Kiigan #13 5 years ago

    It's utter shit. No idea what game you lot are playing.

  • lennon #14 5 years ago

    Really really good game. Played the demo and thought not sure but after thinking about it a while I decided that I had actually been playing something rather fun. It also helped that I read that after level 4 it gets rather challenging which I can confirm it does.

  • MrWonderstuff #15 5 years ago

    I have managed to play about um...1 minute of one the XBLA games. Really havent got into them at all given all the positive comments I've heard.

    1985 called it wants its games back.

  • thinktank #16 5 years ago

    random comment!

  • morriss #17 5 years ago

    Cheers Kris. I was rather hesitant, but I'll give this a bash now.

  • andrewwd #18 5 years ago

    8/10 WTF is going on here? This game looks like and plays like a 2 minute hatchet job.

    I honestly can't believe the visuals have been compared to Metal Slug! Have you actually critically evaluated the graphics in Metal Slug (have you ever played it might be more to the point)? Do you have any idea how far removed from Metal Slug this game is graphically?

    Absurd review. Just embarrassing.

  • Kuma #19 5 years ago

    Seriously good fun but not as good as Assault Heroes IMO

  • Have_to_Speak_Up #20 5 years ago

    pardon my ignorance but is MEtal SLug one of those titles that makes "children" stamp their feet when people:

    1)compare things to it they don't like?
    2)Look at it the wrong way?
    3)Brush against it's leg with a hand by accident?

    Haven't played it. Scared to in case I'm not considered hardcore enough to do so.

    Surely this game is a cut price version of something like Metal Slug... if it's built well, nice grpahics, balanced well, surely that makes it a casual gamer's metal slug? Is that a bad thing? Are we allowed MS fans? Seriously, I'm nervously putting up my hand here...

  • Nige #21 5 years ago

    The way people are going on you'd think we'd just just used the last of the oxo cubes...

    Chill people. It's only a game!

  • andrewwd #22 5 years ago

    Metal Slug is one of (if not the most) lovingly and expertly crafted sprite games ever created. I don't apologize if I came across as petulant, it's an artform which I care about and am a great fan of, it riles me to see it misrepresented. And if you haven't played it, why are you sticking your oar in?

    Now, where are those stock cubes...

  • Phattso #23 5 years ago

    I suppose I'll have to file this one under "marmite" because I thought the game was a bit rubbish. A lot rubbish, actually. Ah well.

  • Nige #24 5 years ago

    Kraft foods couldn't buy advertising like this.

    Someone should tell them... we might get a free selection pack each.

  • Have_to_Speak_Up #25 5 years ago

    Hello Andrew,

    "And if you haven't played it, why are you sticking your oar in?"

    That's just silly. I was actually asking a question. I wasn't sure if Metal Slug was one of those titles tht inspired fanboyism... I thought it was though. I needed to know this to understand if the criticisms from the Metal Slug crowd were genuine because I actually thought the game sounded good from the review.

  • andrewwd #26 5 years ago

    Hi, apologies if that was a little aggressive, I thought your previous comment about foot stamping was directed at me. As for whether Metal Slug inspires fanboyism... it definitely gets my inner fanboy bubbling up to the surface:) If you haven't played it, you should definitely check it out, it really is awesome (of course there are ways to play it besides forking out over £1000 for an AES cart). The first three in the series are the best.

    Incidentally, Heavy Weapon is nothing like Metal Slug in how it plays, Metal Slug is a run and gun game.
    Edited by 1 at 19/01/07 @ 10:52

  • BulletRizz #27 5 years ago

    I would like to say as one of the first people to complete this game for achievements, 1st Europeon and only
    that this game is awsome, and i demand you to buy it, if you dont have a 360 go buy one you wont be dissapointed
    The control scheme cant be dissed
    Survival modes are a blast, the more players the better
    and id like to see you get all the achievements
    http://ww w.mygamercard.net/leaderboard.p...
    Edited by 2 at 19/01/07 @ 11:12

  • Darren #28 5 years ago

    I download it on Wednesday but after playing the first three levels of the trial, concluded it was a bit... well... rubbish really and not for me at all. Technically it's fine for a 2D game and it is very reminiscent of Sidewinder (edit: oops meant Silkworm!) which I played and adored on the Amiga but for some reason I just found it uninspring, seriously dull and very repetitive.

    Sorry!
    Edited by 1 at 19/01/07 @ 22:44

  • Kiigan #29 5 years ago

    Agreed andrewwd, on the subject of Metal Slug. The comparison is not one that works favourably for a piece of tat like Heavy Weapon.

    All I can think of is that Popcap have some deal hammered out with Microsoft where they provide the casual gamer stalwarts such as Zuma and Bejewelled, and in return MS let's them chuck up any old tat they have lying around.

    One thing I will say about Heavy Weapon is that at least the scale of it is good - more smaller games, more regularly would be a good thing for XBLA. Maybe we need a new tier of small games that cost 100mp.

    All that doesn't stop Popcap from being a bunch of plagiarising bastards of course - why any one who cares about gaming would support them is beyond me.

  • Drpwnage #30 5 years ago

    This looks a good one to pick up. When it comes to XBLA I'm generally looking for a quick blast games you can pick up for 15-20 mins.

    This looks to fit the bill.

  • nickthegun #31 5 years ago

    So SilkWorm with better graphics? Sounds cool....

  • NeoGoaT #32 5 years ago

    Over £1000 for Metal Slug? I only paid £700, suckers.

  • krudster #33 5 years ago

    Free points.

  • NeoGoaT #34 5 years ago

    Metal Slug would be perfect for Arcade, if they can release a Live multiplayer Neo Turfmasters that would be even better.

  • hulahoops #35 5 years ago

    I'm a bit confused.

    I only played the demo, but it seemed to be a real rush job.

    The graphics looked like they'd been drawn by a twelve year old who's just discovered MS Paint.

    There wasn't much there to raise it above a typical Flash game.

  • Have_to_Speak_Up #36 5 years ago

    andrew...

    well it seems I should certianly give metal slug a go. Sorry if I'm wrong but am I write in thinking it's al ittle Alien Hominid?

  • bloodflowers #37 5 years ago

    Kristan - how on earth can you give this an 8/10? The actual gameplay is wafer thin - it's not even as involved as Moon Patrol, certainly less challenging and less fun. Seriously - I haven't programmed for years but even I could do better than this in AMOS basic on an Amiga, in a couple of afternoons (aside from the graphics, even poor ones take time).

    It's actually /worse/ than Novadrome, a feat I thought impossible, and not even within a million miles of the standard of Assault Heroes. Oh well - each to their own or something. (seriously - are you drunk? ;) )

  • krudster #38 5 years ago

    Scroll up Bloodflowers. I'm not alone here, lots of people are enjoying this, and so did I. Did you play it for more than five seconds or are you just basing your rather terse assessment on the trial. I said pretty clearly in the review that the first few levels don't do the game any justice.
    Edited by 1 at 19/01/07 @ 16:04

  • MaxiSleep #39 5 years ago

    Hmmm


    Ganes "inspired" by Geometry Wars = Threaten Lawsuit

    Games "inspired" by anything else = Whoo! Our next XBLA game.

  • theidiotsarewinning #40 5 years ago

    i thought it was brilliant. downloaded today...probably the best fun i've ever had on xbox live when there's four of you there. those bastard little pink dots though.

  • Nige #41 5 years ago

    To be honest - I haven't even paid for it yet... I just liked the demo. Was planning on unlocking the full game on the next rainy day.

    I'm not normally easily pleased; honest.

  • krudster #42 5 years ago

    Broken record time: it doesn't show its charms until about level 5. Fair enough to anyone who can't see the appeal from a few goes of the early ho-hum stages.

  • hulahoops #43 5 years ago

    I have to admit I was bored by level 4 (I think) and downloaded another demo.

    Seems an odd decision when you're trying to persuade the downloader to buy the full game, but there you go.

    I probably wouldn't risk the cash on the purchase in spite of the acclaim though, so maybe I'm missing out.

  • Zem63 #44 5 years ago

    I liked the demo enough to buy the full version.
    It's fun,if you like that sort of thing,which i do.

  • alithebull #45 5 years ago

    played the demo of this via steam on the pc.

    agree with the review, v addictive and good fun and its good to see a simple game getting a good score. however, i think its much more difficult on the pc cos movement and firing functions are combined in the mouse - you cant fire at something with out moving towards it (on the ground that is....). made some of the bosses really trcky (esp. the big monkey) so its good to see firing and moving functions have been dissociated.

    plus i liked the nice short review!!!

  • captainrentboy #46 5 years ago

    I wonder if Bizzare have another Geometry Wars in the works alongside PGR4 :/ Would be nice wouldn't it?The thing is though I'm not sure how it could be improved,could a multiplayer aspect to it be introduced?Hmmm.
    Yeah I know this has nowt to do with Heavy Weapon,it's just that recently my G.W addiction has kicked back in again.Even though I play it quite regularly I still haven't got over 500'000 :(

  • Dizzy #47 5 years ago

    "tell you that Heavy Weapon is like a preposterously frantic Moon Patrol "


    Bought it and it is great! I just have to resist the urge to jump like in Moon Patrol :)

  • Xerx3s #48 5 years ago

    Lol @ people giving a 1 or 2 by default.

  • DrunKao #49 5 years ago

    Darren you have to play more than just the first 3 levels to realize how fun this game can be. The first levels seem really easy and boring, but once the difficulty level starts getting higher, it gets much more fun and exciting.

  • Der_tolle_Emil #50 5 years ago

    I tried the demo yesterday and it did not convince me at all. The game seems fun but it's boring after a while. I don't think that a higher difficulty will change that (for me) because movement is very limited and thus I don't think that the gameplay itself will become any better. I only have 1200 points left so personally I'd much, much rather buy assault heroes than this.

  • gowans007 #51 5 years ago

    OK a few things,

    man give this game a chance, at lease get to stage nine or play a few sessions on 4p co-op with some good guys then re-post your opinions.

    Took me a good 15mins to get into now I love it! Especially the co-op

  • Retroid #52 5 years ago

    A fucking *8*?!

    How?

    How?!

    HOW?!

    Sorry, is there a completely different version of this game which I didn't play?

  • krudster #53 5 years ago

    Seriously, I am beginning to wonder whether some people are playing something else. The polarisation of opinion about this game is extraordinary.

  • Asundai #54 5 years ago

    I have to agree, this game gets better in the later levels. Multiplayer is really fun too.. when you get to 9+ minutes with 4 others in survival it gets crazy.