Fit check
Is Gratuitous Tank Battles worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Strategy players who want to build custom units rather than use only fixed forces
- Tower-defense fans who want to attack as well as defend
- Players interested in creating and sharing maps, units, and recorded battles
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players seeking a conventional campaign with a fixed historical setting may find the alternate-history premise and hybrid structure unsuitable.
- Players who want simple, preset units and uncomplicated battles may find component construction, unlocks, and two-sided scenarios demanding.
- Players looking for a turn-based military strategy game may prefer a different structure.
Our take on Gratuitous Tank Battles
The store page foregrounds a 200-year war and ongoing variety, but the listed substance is a toolkit-driven game: custom units, editable maps, recorded attacks, and shared challenges. Much of the long-term scope depends on creating or exchanging scenarios.
What is Gratuitous Tank Battles?
Command allied forces in an alternate history where World War I continues until 2114.
The game combines tower defense, strategy, simulation, and real-time strategy, with infantry, tanks, turrets, mechs, lasers, and rifles. Each map supports attacking or defending, including custom maps, and an attack can be recorded for later defensive play. Units are assembled from individual components, with options to customize their appearance and colors. An unlock system gradually reveals additional modules, abilities, and unit hulls. The built-in editor supports modifying existing maps or creating new ones. Players can share custom maps, units, and attacks through an online challenge system. Optional adaptive AI adjusts to player tactics.
How Gratuitous Tank Battles plays
- 01Dual-Side Scenarios
- Any map can be played from either the attacking or defending side, including player-created maps.
- 02Component-Built Units
- Armies can be assembled from individual parts, with options to alter each unit’s visual design and colors.
- 03Map Creation Tools
- The included editor supports changing existing battlefields and making new maps.
- 04Recorded Attacks
- An offensive run can be saved and used as a defensive scenario.
- 05Online Challenges
- Players can share custom maps, units, and attacks for others to play.
- 06Adaptive Opponents
- An optional AI system changes its behavior in response to player tactics.
- 07Progressive Unlocks
- Modules, abilities, and unit hulls become available gradually during play.
Gratuitous Tank Battles compared to similar games
Gratuitous Tank Battles combines tower defense with real-time strategy, editable maps, modular unit construction, and battles playable from either side. Xenonauts instead centers on turn-based squad operations against an alien invasion, while Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation focuses on managing large armies across a galactic setting. Old World centers on multi-generation empire leadership, political marriage, heirs, and historical strategy.
Gratuitous Tank Battles: platforms & release
Is Gratuitous Tank Battles worth it?
It is worth it if: strategy players who want to build custom units rather than use only fixed forces. Skip it if: players seeking a conventional campaign with a fixed historical setting may find the alternate-history premise and hybrid structure unsuitable.
Where can I download Gratuitous Tank Battles?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens Gratuitous Tank Battles's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is Gratuitous Tank Battles on?
Windows only.
