Tankhounds is an action indie tank combat game for PC where players control dogs piloting tanks through a neighborhood cleanup operation that turns into a fight against local threats. The core premise centers on directional armor, specialized ammunition, and modular damage systems that reward positioning and target selection over simple run-and-gun tactics. Developed by the small German studio screenshooters, the title emphasizes realistic tank mechanics within a lighthearted setting of canine crews facing off against cats, delivery vans, wild boars, and other opponents.
Gameplay
Combat revolves around directional armor that affects damage taken on front, side, and rear sections for both player and enemy vehicles. Players must manage facing angles carefully when outnumbered, as enemies spread out rather than stacking attacks on one side. Three shell types handle different situations: armor-piercing rounds for penetrating thick plating, high-explosive shells for area damage and destroying cover, and shrapnel ammunition that targets tracks, guns, or engines to disable key components. Modules fail individually on both sides of any engagement, forcing ongoing adjustments during fights.
Enemies react dynamically to threats. They prioritize the player or teammate dealing the most damage rather than simply closing on the nearest target, which creates opportunities for coordinated play. The game supports mouse and keyboard or controller input, with a short tutorial that covers all systems quickly. Maps feature a free seed option that rerolls layouts on each playthrough, turning familiar stages into fresh challenges through procedural variation.
Game Modes
The campaign consists of fifteen levels plus one bonus stage across three difficulty settings and six bosses. Single-player runs form the foundation, while co-op supports up to four players on local networks or online. Additional players increase map size by twenty percent and spawn more enemies, with each breed limited to one instance per team. Late-joining players enter active battles immediately.
PvP duels allow one-versus-one or two-versus-two matches on campaign maps. Two formats exist: a kills mode with respawns where the first team reaches the score goal wins, or round-based play without respawns in best-of-three or best-of-five series. Duels use base breed statistics without campaign upgrades.
Endless mode follows campaign completion, pitting players against escalating waves. Every fifth wave features a leader enemy, and every twentieth introduces the Head Gardener Kluge boss. Leaderboards track records by breed and difficulty.
Breeds, Upgrades, and Progression
Six distinct dog breeds each bring a unique vehicle. The dachshund offers speed and a fast-firing gun, while the Saint Bernard provides heavy armor and a large cannon at the cost of mobility. The Newfoundland serves as a medic with healing shells that restore teammates during combat. Other breeds fill additional roles across the roster.
Between missions, a workshop allows spending points earned per breed on ten upgrades covering armor, turret speed, and extra shell options, plus a specialized healing upgrade for the medic. Points remain tied to the specific breed rather than carrying over across a save file. Daily challenges rotate maps and feature a global breed of the day with its own leaderboard. Three daily quests and one weekly quest reward bones usable in a cosmetic shop for paint jobs and charms that do not affect performance.
Boss defeats grant hats as collectibles, with a special crown unlocked by completing all bosses on the highest difficulty. Twenty-four achievements cover boss milestones and endless mode accomplishments. Level records track time, damage taken, and accuracy, with medals awarded primarily for minimizing damage received.
Is It Worth Playing?
Tankhounds targets players who enjoy deliberate tank combat with emphasis on armor angles, ammunition choice, and team coordination rather than arcade-style shooting. The combination of a short campaign, co-op scaling, PvP duels, daily challenges, and endless mode provides multiple reasons to return after the initial playthrough. As an upcoming indie release scheduled for January 2027, it offers a focused experience from a small team without additional monetization beyond cosmetic purchases earned through play. Fans of tactical vehicle combat and light co-operative sessions will find the verified mechanics and breed variety a strong match for repeated play.