World of Tanks Blitz was originally designed as a pure mobile version of the tank MMO World of Tanks. However, in the 6 years since its release, the pure mobile game has evolved into a full-fledged light version of its “big brother,” which is particularly attractive for newcomers to the world of tanks. This is especially true with the latest update 7.
The free-to-play game World of Tanks Blitz was released on June 26, 2014. Initially, it was only available on iOS devices, with the Android version following in December. A year later, Blitz was also released for PC and for Steam finally in November 2016.
Throughout its development, the former mobile game has increasingly transformed into a cross-platform title and a beginner-friendly version of the classic World of Tanks.
This is especially true now, as with update 7 and the 6th anniversary of the game, Blitz resembles the “big brother” more than ever. But why is Blitz such a good entry point, and what makes the game different from the old World of Tanks? Where exactly do the strengths of the “little brother” lie?
World of Tanks Blitz – Here are the contents
What is World of Tanks Blitz about? World of Tanks Blitz closely resembles the core gameplay of the regular World of Tanks:
- A team consists of 7 players
- Two teams fight each other on a defined map
- Either eliminate the opponent completely or capture and hold a strategic objective
- Players who are destroyed are out of the game and can no longer actively participate in the match
- Each player drives a tank from the era of the two world wars
- After each game, players receive in-game currency and experience based on their performance
- This allows you to unlock upgrades for your tanks or research new, better tanks
Since tanks are not racing cars with machine guns, the vehicles move slowly, and there are several seconds of reload time between shots. This makes battles exciting tactical stand-offs where you carefully gain an advantage.
What are the special features of World of Tanks Blitz? The tanks from World of Tanks are affectionately referred to by Wargaming’s CEO Victor Kislyi as “Tamagotchis for fathers.” Instead of strange creatures, you can research and develop lovingly designed tanks here.
With your favorite tank, you can jump into lively battles that finish in about 10 minutes or less. This allows you to perfect your battles within the time your partner needs in the bathroom or when guests are still on their way for game night.
This applies to both the classic World of Tanks and Blitz. However, the Blitz version has the significant advantage that you can also use it on the go. If you wish, you can already engage in your first tank battles in the morning right after getting up via smartphone on the toilet. War is indeed a dirty business.
If you have good mobile reception, nothing is stopping you from a quick battle at the train station or on your commute to work. Or a round of tank shooting during your lunch break because colleagues have once again stood you up? No problem, there’s almost always time for a bit of Blitz.
Is there cross-play or progression? World of Tanks Blitz can be played on iOS, Android, PC, and Steam, and all four platforms can play together in battle. The majority of players are on mobile platforms, with Android leading the pack. Overall, Blitz has been downloaded over 137 million times across all platforms.
In addition to crossplay, there is also cross-progression. This means that you can use your progress globally and across platforms. So, if you play a round in the bathroom in the morning and then get comfortable in front of the PC later, the progress you made on the toilet will also be available here.
How does Blitz control? The controls on mobile devices work intuitively via touchscreen. On the left is a virtual joystick that controls the tank. The turret is moved with your right thumb. Discreet buttons allow you to switch to zoom view, select ammunition, and fire.
The fire button is also conveniently located on the left side for better ergonomics. You can also switch the entire interface to left-handed use.
If you play on PC or via Steam, you can jump into battle with mouse and keyboard, which certainly provides a considerable advantage over mobile players. However, these players can rely on a practical aim assist, which makes the battles somewhat fairer.
However, if you don’t want to deal with PC players rampaging on mobile, you can set in the options to only play with players of the same control type.
How many tanks and nations are there? Blitz may not have as many tanks as World of Tanks itself, but with over 370 tanks from 8 different nations, there are plenty of vehicles you can play with.
The tanks are categorized into 10 tiers. In tier 1, you can find simple tanks from the interwar period. Tiers 5-6 contain the famous war tanks, such as the notorious Tiger or the legendary T-34.
In the later tiers, you will find tanks from the Cold War or experimental tanks that were never or hardly used. For example, here you can find the massive “Maus,” the super-heavy tank of the Wehrmacht.
What else is in the game? The battles in Blitz take place on a total of 29 maps. With certain modes, new maps are added. There are regularly special events in the game that offer their own game modes and maps. Here’s a short selection:
- Realistic Mode: Here you see less far, and aids like the detection indicator or the weak armor indicator are absent.
- Uprising: A fun Halloween mode where you drive special vampire and werewolf tanks and unlock unique skills for your tanks.
- Gravity: Here you play on the moon with low gravity. Your tanks are almost weightless, and recoil and hits make your tanks helplessly tumble around.
Is World of Tanks Blitz pay-to-win? Like with World of Tanks, the question arises for Blitz whether the free-to-play game is fair or if the premium content like powerful premium tanks and special ammunition gives nasty advantages in battles.
However, it also applies to Blitz: premium tanks are not super weapons without weaknesses. They are rather good for farming in-game currency at a certain level. Some are particularly suited for a specific playstyle. However, they always have enough weaknesses and are often inferior to fully upgraded regular machines of their tier.
The notorious “gold ammunition” is indeed stronger than regular shells in many situations. However, the special ammunition is only really effective at higher tiers and can always be paid for with in-game currency.
Update 7 – What changes with the anniversary patch
When does the update come? The first part of update 7 for World of Tanks Blitz will be released on June 17, 2020. It brings extensive graphics improvements and new tank models. On July 9, 2020, a new game mode called “Skirmish” will be added.
The major graphics update for Blitz
What changes in the graphics? World of Tanks Blitz is getting a long-awaited graphics update with update 7. The graphics, which were quite nice in 2014, are outdated by 2020. Therefore, the developers have overhauled the game engine and are now adding more features.
Cannon recoil: Previously, the powerful barrels of your tanks remained rigid during a shot and did not move. However, this is far from reality, as the enormous energy generated when firing large shells would produce enough recoil to destroy the turret and gun mount.
In order to create another level of immersion and atmosphere, your guns now have a recoil effect that temporarily pushes the gun barrel into the turret and back out.
Hit markers: When you are hit, you will clearly see the bullet holes or dents in the armor. This feature also helps enhance immersion.
However, it also has a tactical benefit, as you will clearly know where the hit came from and where you were hit.
Permanent tank tracks: From now on, your tanks will leave heavy tracks on the ground. This also increases the atmosphere, as nothing makes it clearer that you are driving a massive war machine than thick furrows in the ground.
Dynamic shadows: With this new effect, all objects now have dynamic shadows, not just your tanks.
Why all these innovations? According to Wargaming, the goal with the graphics updates is to make the game more attractive and, above all, more vibrant. When there are shadows everywhere, tanks are leaving deep ruts in the ground, and tank hulls are strewn with bullet holes, an intense battlefield atmosphere emerges.
Help, I only have a weak device, will Blitz still run on mine? If you want to continue playing Blitz on your old phone or laptop, don’t worry. Wargaming has thought of you and has included an option where you can turn off the improved graphics and deactivate certain features if desired.
This way, high-end devices can enjoy the full glory, while owners of weaker machines can still play smoothly on minimal settings.
The other contents of update 7
What else is new? In addition to the graphics update, three new tanks will be added to the game. These are light British tanks – agile little speedsters of tiers 8, 9, and 10.
But even more exciting is the brand new game mode “Skirmish.” An exciting mode that aims to bring even more action and speed to the game:
- Teams consist of only 5 instead of 7 tanks
- The maps are smaller than usual
- The winner is the one who first eliminates the opposing team.
“Skirmish” is a type of 5vs5 deathmatch with tanks and no respawns. This mode is especially designed for action-packed and quick battles on mobile devices and should significantly accelerate the fast-paced gameplay of Blitz.
Why it’s worth starting World of Tanks Blitz
These are the differences to the “big” World of Tanks: As mentioned at the outset, Blitz is similar to the original World of Tanks, but differs in some core areas from the “original”:
- The game is less complex. You can upgrade your tanks as usual, but not the crew. In World of Tanks, you have to painstakingly train the crew to obtain valuable perks and optimal combat performance.
- There are comfort features like displayed armor indicators or an icon that lights up when your tank is detected. The latter is a perk in World of Tanks that you have to unlock.
- The teams and maps are smaller, allowing for quicker and more dynamic rounds.
- Instead of over 600 tanks, Blitz has “only” just over 370 vehicles. However, the research trees are shorter, and you can unlock higher-tier vehicles faster and more specifically.
That’s why Blitz is ideal for newcomers to the world of tanks: The original World of Tanks can overwhelm newcomers with its variety of tanks and configuration options. This can deter many potentially interested tank fans from even trying the game.
This target audience, which tends to include younger players, is likely to warm up to Blitz much faster. The “World of Tanks Light” offers faster action, shorter battles, and fewer options and modes. This makes everything clearer without neglecting the fun core gameplay.
At its heart, Blitz is still a “real” World of Tanks. That is, a rather slow-paced tactical game where heavy tanks rumble across the battlefields, outmaneuver each other, and shoot grenades at weakly armored spots.
However, Blitz is faster, punchier, and more entertaining, staying true to its name. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for newcomers who enjoy playing with tanks and want to blow up a few tanks on the go or on the toilet.
And what better time is there for newcomers to get started than during the new update 7? For those willing to give the big brother a chance, there are significant reasons for that:
Strengths and weaknesses of World of Tanks Blitz
Potential: Promising update
I have been playing World of Tanks for a long time, and when I briefly tried Blitz, the fun gameplay of the “original” was immediately back. Because no matter whether on touchscreen or with mouse and keyboard, the classic WoT feeling has always been present in Blitz.
Moreover, I really appreciate the simplified complexity of Blitz. This suits me as a casual player, as I actually prefer to play a quick round in the restroom or on the train rather than spending hours in the evening conducting complex battles with the clan.
Interestingly, I can do this with Blitz as well since, thanks to cross-progression, there’s nothing stopping me from swapping the porcelain throne for the gaming chair and continuing to play via Steam or Windows. So, those who want to take their first steps into the world of tanks can’t go wrong with Blitz. And with update 7, it looks – at least on mobile – good again.
Jürgen Horn
Editor at Mein-MMO
