World of Tanks Console - all about the Mercenaries update. World of Tanks Console - all about the update “Mercenaries Upgrading and improving tanks”

Most recently, World of Tanks came out on PS4. And now that Wargaming’s most popular project is available on both main consoles of the current generation, we are ready to tell you how the console versions differ from the computer version.

By bringing World of Tanks to PS4 and Xbox One (and don’t forget the “trial” version for Xbox 360, released in 2014), Wargaming put a lot of effort into making playing on a gamepad just as comfortable as on a keyboard and mouse. You don’t have to look far for examples of other successful adaptations - Diablo 3 and Divinity: Original Sin feel wonderful on consoles.

It turned out well, but not without compromises, especially if you are switching to the console version from a PC.

The first thing that catches your eye is that the developers, for obvious reasons, had to sacrifice text chat in favor of voice communication and an additional interface with quick commands.

As for the gameplay, the main shooter mechanics really fit organically into the classic gamepad layout, but movement tied to the left stick can be confusing at first: you can accidentally start turning the tank, throw off the aim and lose precious seconds on aiming.

You also need to get used to navigating on the map again: viewing sectors with a cursor is still much more convenient than with a stick. After Destiny, where the “computer” role-playing interface with a cursor was made in an exemplary manner, returning to cumbersome menus that have to be scrolled with buttons (if, say, you already have a decent collection of vehicles and camouflages for them in your hangar) is depressing, but not fatal.

Console control and interface, coupled with minor mechanical changes (Wargaming added a barely noticeable auto-adjustment of the sight and multi-colored marks showing the probability of causing damage) do not have a very noticeable effect on the overall dynamics.

The class system has not changed - “fireflies” quickly fly behind enemy lines, artillery provides cover, light, medium and heavy tanks fight in positional battles of varying degrees of intensity, and self-propelled guns sit in the bushes and wait.

The set of maps is current, but in terms of variety of cars, console WoT is now at the level of its older brother from 2011: at the start, the game has only three classic branches, no French or Chinese yet. Presumably, other nations will soon add patches.

But visually the console version turned out to be much more lively thanks to the new engine. Here the developers also made technical concessions, limiting the frame rate to thirty FPS, but otherwise the console World of Tanks wins. The rendering distance is higher, the lighting is more natural, updated physics and destructibility are in place, and the tank models and environmental textures look no worse than in the PC version, although nominally fewer resources were spent on them due to technical limitations.

But the main thing is that the console versions have a full cycle of day and night and weather conditions. After five years, familiar maps in night and rainy settings are perceived completely differently, and an ordinary battle on a mountain on the Himmelsdorf instantly adds drama when there is evening twilight all around, a thunderstorm is raging overhead, and raindrops are flowing down the hull of your hidden IS-7. This is the case when a fresh look at the visuals changes the feeling of the gameplay, and that’s great.

It's a small matter. Wargaming just needs to fix the little things in the interface and controls and make sure that the console versions of WoT receive updates and additional content more often. Well, it would also be nice to introduce changes in weather and time of day into the PC version. Everything else is good.

Review of the largest update to the console version of the game in recent years

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World of Tanks: Console has received the largest update in its history. The update was codenamed “Mercenaries”, and according to the developers, it will open a new era in the development of both the game itself and its plot. The editors of GameGuru found an experienced tanker who carefully checked this loud statement.

This is exactly the impression one gets after launch. No, on the PC version the graphics are fine after the release of “Tanks” from early access (8 years later). Download the HD client and enjoy gorgeous models, retouched maps and spectacular destructibility of objects. But the console brother also became good-looking. A particularly strong impression remains after playing on maps with changed weather conditions or at night/evening. Showers, darkness and snow pellets hitting the monitor - it's cool!

Both the technology itself and its interaction with the environment look good. Caterpillars leave marks on the surface, sparks of hot metal splash into the armor from ricochets... Beauty! Combat vehicles look even better: scratches and stains on the armor, peeling paint. It is clear that the tanks and self-propelled guns in the hangar are ready not for exhibition, but for real combat.

Update 4.5 has plenty of technical changes, graphical and audio nuances, such as new sounds for the engine and loading music. However, our goal was not to find out which car had its track teeth corrected. We came to watch the brave condottieri and their exploits in the name of a fat contract and a country villa in the Canary Islands.

First, I had to look into “Military Chronicles”, where with the update in the mode another large-scale quest appeared. Briefly about the essence: in an alternative universe, World War II did not end in 1945, humanity is dying of hunger, and soldiers are forced to hire themselves to the powers that be, fulfilling contracts of varying degrees of severity.

In the task “Uranium enrichment” we were given a package of documents and shown a funny intro in the style of “Tank Comics”. Blah blah blah, the world is in danger, blah blah blah, we need to steal nuclear materials from a secret plant run by Soviet and American troops. We have a hired tank at our disposal. Trinity with excellent dynamics and excellent rate of fire. However, the gameplay itself was disappointing. You drive around the map, shooting turrets and enemies that grow in both number and level. Difficult, but boring. We didn’t see anything supernatural, except for a great new car. And we moved on.

There are currently 10 vehicles in the mercenary branch. Models without numbers and abbreviations in the names - only nicknames, nicknames, as befits real Landsknechts of the 20th century:

• Light tanks: Caboose(III level), Stubbs(V level), Tusk(X level)
• Medium tanks: Smoothman(V level), Bigtop(VII level) and Cruncher(VIII level)
• Heavy tanks: Needle(IV level), Bulwark(V level), Slapjack(VII level)
• Anti-tank self-propelled guns: Plaguebringer(VI level)

Each car comes with a unique crew, which is already trained in a couple of cool perks. To get a mercenary into your hangar, you have to sign a contract and fulfill all his obligations. It was then that a small embarrassment occurred. We thought that contracts were something special, similar to a quest from “Military Chronicles” or an epic reconstruction of the new Kursk Bulge. However, the contracts are more reminiscent of the standard LBZ (personal combat missions) for the PC version in the style: deal/expose/tank so much damage, gain a certain amount of experience, win a series of battles, and so on. No, the tasks themselves are interesting and difficult, and not everyone can cope with them, especially at the stages of obtaining level VII-X mercenaries. In case of failure, by the way, Wargaming, with the care characteristic of the company, suggests not to bother and unlock a unique car using in-game gold.

In the combat characteristics of the squad Mercenaries It’s a little difficult to figure out: the vehicles are stuffed with modules from almost all the tanks existing in the game. For example, in heavyweight Slapjack VII level fit a German 8.8 cm Kw.K gun (or simply “aht-aht”), a German engine Maybach HL, tracks from the Soviet IS-2 tank and a turret from the American T29. It’s a crazy cocktail, but it works: the tank perfectly “holds” classmates’ shots with its strong forehead, firing back with an accurate and fast-firing cannon (by the way, it was installed on the “Tigers”).

In general, World of Tanks: Console has enough exclusive features: weather conditions, maps, interesting modes. Now, in general, a branch of unique tanks has arrived. It feels like the developers are trying their best to get the game onto the promising Western market. Things didn’t work out with the PC version in America and Europe: online there is many times worse than in the post-Soviet space. Have you decided to switch to proud console players? Not to say that we saw some incredible online stuff there. There were fewer active players on the European server than on one in ten in the CIS. However, regular updates of this kind can increase the interest of Xbox and PlayStation owners in . Rumor has it that the ship part of the franchise will also live on the decks of consoles. All hands on deck, Wargaming is coming!

Let's imagine that an avid tanker bought a PlayStation and decided to move from the PC version of the game to the console. Everything will have to start over. Although, you see, it would be more logical to transfer your progress from one platform to another, the tanks are the same. But no. Okay, let's create a new account, and the game automatically takes us on a walking journey through the training stages. It is useful for beginners, but veterans of tank battles are not at all interested in chasing level I bots around the “Province”. Leave “Polygon” (an excellent solution, by the way), but make it possible to skip the tutorial by answering a couple of clarifying questions like: “ Have you already driven in tanks? Did you really drive? KVASS AS A TANK?».

Navigating the game lobby isn't easy either. The confusing labyrinth of the hangar does not allow you to intuitively understand from the very first second how to load equipment, how to change the number of armor-piercing shells in the vehicle. How the hell do you sell a tank?

There are also a lot of problems in the gameplay: it’s difficult to understand the first time how the sight magnification changes. A round minimap is a disgusting solution, because even in familiar locations you can hardly understand where you are. You have to waste precious seconds and bring up a full-scale image on the screen. Why did you have to reinvent the wheel? No one knows. There are also problems with textures: sometimes you can shoot right through a hill, a railroad track, or the roof of a house. The color scheme of the sight raises the question: why was it necessary to change the usual scheme? If there is a high probability of penetration, the circle on the console changes color to red, while on the “bakery” everything works the other way around.

In general, all the shortcomings can be easily corrected with a couple of updates and practice. Another thing is that a large number of very cool games are regularly released on consoles. Wargaming looks rather weak compared to the background of famous Western studios, and the concept of World War II is close to the same Europeans and Americans only when they show the landing in Normandy and Brad Pitt with a cigar in his mouth. However, the Minsk studio continues to fight, and who knows, perhaps “Mercenaries”, combined with a future release on PS4 and Xbox One, will make capricious console players fall in love with the universe of 20th-century combat vehicles.

Do you still play World of Tanks? On PC or console?

I haven't been here for a long time! And there is so much I want to tell you. After all, every month we add new content, come up with exciting gaming events for our tankers and organize competitions in which you can get not only in-game gifts, but also branded PlayStation 4 consoles (by the way, very soon there will be another giveaway for the coolest “curling iron” - stay tuned for the news in our official group).

But now I would like to draw your attention to something else. Today is a special day for World of Tanks Console: we have released the largest addition that will seriously change the game.
We are talking about update 4.5 “Mercenaries” - a completely new era in the development of the game within the framework of alternative history. There are no more rules or restrictions, and this gives players huge opportunities. In a world where states are weakened by endless wars, and all alliances have collapsed, where every man is for himself, we invite our tank crews to become heroes on their own terms and plunge into chaos.

Mercenaries are not only a new story, but also a new “nation” in the research tree. There are currently five vehicles available, but the mercenary tree will expand in the coming weeks and months. The new tanks are different from everything that was done in other tank projects. This is an absolute exclusive for console players. Mercenary tanks consist of parts taken from different vehicles, and together they form truly unique pieces of equipment.

All mercenaries from the research branch are available in multiplayer. Some of them can be obtained for free by completing contracts—staged combat missions—in random battles. If you can’t cope with some contract, you can skip it and immediately get the prize equipment by spending in-game gold on it.

Along with new cars, new cards appeared in the game. In them, players will recognize their favorite locations, changed by time and the reigning chaos.

By the way, the mercenaries themselves are not just commanders of unique tanks. These are the heroes of the game. Each mercenary has his own style, character and history. I think you will be interested to know that they are all based on real employees of the console team (there is even me!). Moreover, we organized a special competition for players, the reward of which will be the opportunity to join a team of mercenaries: we will add the winner’s photo to the game as one of the commanders.

In honor of the release of mercenaries, a separate campaign “Uranium Enrichment” has appeared in the PvE mode “War Chronicles”. This is a tense story about espionage and the nuclear threat. Players will have to confront troops from both the US and the USSR - this task risks becoming one of the most dangerous in World of Tanks on PlayStation 4.

With version 4.5, other pleasant changes also appeared: an updated Hangar with dynamic elements, a more convenient and modern launcher, a redesigned interface and new atmospheric music. Experience it all for yourself - go into battle in

Perhaps the most successful game created on the territory of the former USSR, it was initially perceived exclusively as a PC exclusive. But today it exists quite successfully on consoles, in particular on the PlayStation 4. Yes, the dynamics here are somewhat different, which is due to the control features on the console, but in the World of Tanks Console you can’t fight, upgrade, unlock new tanks and win battles. it's that simple. The emphasis on scale and realism has not gone away, and success in battles here also depends primarily on the skill of the player himself, on his accuracy, ability to hit weak spots on enemy vehicles and position his tank so that it is difficult to hit.

Let me remind you that the game has a set of unique story mini-campaigns - “War Chronicles”, which can be played alone or with friends. These are multi-mission scenarios set in an alternate universe where World War II lasted until 1948. With the release of “Mercenaries,” a new episode of “Military Chronicles” appeared, telling how several soldiers of fortune on tanks (among them there are comrades with the call signs Collector, Don Quixote and Borsch!) received from a secret agent the task of stealing nuclear materials from a secret Soviet American plant.

The episode consists of three parts, and in each of them you need to try very hard to win. Already in the first mission, where it is necessary to first weaken the security of the base by destroying the required number of tanks and turrets, and then cut off the railway connection and attack the enemy base, if possible eliminating the local captain, we are surrounded on all sides by superior enemy forces. And the whole episode threatens to become almost the most difficult in “Chronicles”, because here we are confronted by troops from both the USSR and the USA. You have to take advantageous positions and competently lead your allies so that they cover and help in time.

There are currently five new mercenary tanks available in the game, and five more will be added over the coming weeks and months.

Among them there is, for example, the Tier V light tank Stubbs, capable of overcoming even difficult terrain and delivering a surprise strike, and the Tier VII Bigtop medium tank, combining mobility and firepower. And the Tier VII heavy vehicle Slapjack can deceive the enemy with its small size and rain down a hail of shells on him.

All this equipment does not need to be researched, as is the case with other nations - in order to open it, you have to complete special contracts. For each car there is a separate contract, and it must be completed within a certain time. Moreover, this is not just something in the spirit of “kill five enemy tanks and get a reward” - each “challenge” takes place in several stages. But the reward is worth it: we get a new mercenary vehicle, a slot in the hangar, as well as a unique commander with already learned skills. Moreover, special attention is paid to the crew and their abilities - in fact, in “Mercenaries” the fighters are equated with heroes.

The console World of Tanks looks great.

For example, based on the “Quiet Coast” map, the “Kitimat” location was created, where, among the vast expanses of Canada, a joint Soviet-American enterprise operates, producing highly enriched uranium from radioactive ore. And the famous map “Malinovka” has turned into “Junkyard” - there is a warehouse of materials and equipment that supplies mercenary detachments with important spare parts.

With the release of the update, many things in the game were added and improved. The interface has been updated - icons and images now have a worn effect. The hangar began to look like a mercenary camp, and on the loading screen it was possible to immediately go to the store, read the news, play a mini-game, or submit a bug report.

At the same time, new music created by a famous composer now plays in the hangar and on the loading screen Inon Zur(Inon Zur; he composed soundtracks for a bunch of games, including , and ) - it was recorded with the Prague Symphony Orchestra. And, by the way, now each map has its own musical theme.

New sounds were also recorded. External and internal equipment now produces rumbles and knocks, and track sounds are played based on travel speed, track speed differences, and other factors.

Finally, it is encouraging that the authors continue to catch errors and correct even the smallest of them - for example, correcting the color of the Mongolia flag. In general, the list of fixes is huge, and now the game, judging by it, should become even better, more beautiful and more realistic.

Allied bots can now execute the “Back” order from the radial menu.

"World of Tanks: Mercenaries" is the first massively multiplayer free online tank battle game for game consoles. The version of World of Tanks for personal computers was released in 2010, gained enormous popularity among players from all over the world and won many awards.

World of Tanks for consoles features more than 680 unique armored vehicles and millions of allies and enemies from all over the world. These are more than 100 maps that will allow you to find yourself in different parts of the globe and fight in dynamic battles in the harshest weather conditions. Feel the intensity of tank battles while controlling a multi-ton steel monster! Play for free on consoles!

World of Tanks Console takes advantage of all the features of the latest generation of consoles. The game produces a beautiful picture: amazing detail of equipment and the game environment, various weather effects and time of day, stunning effects from shots and explosions.

Up to 30 players can be in the battle at the same time, divided into two opposing teams. Each class of tank has its own tasks on the battlefield, so coordination with allies is crucial. Go into a tank battle with your friends and defeat the enemy!

Start the game on a small tank of the first level and work your way up to the most powerful combat vehicles. Upgrade your tank's guns, turrets, engines and other modules to increase its combat effectiveness. In total, the game features 5 classes of vehicles: light tanks, medium tanks, heavy tanks, tank destroyers and self-propelled guns. They all have their own characteristics and provide for a certain style of play.

Along with update 4.5, a unique nation of mercenaries appeared in the game - vehicles that are assembled from parts of other tanks that were destroyed or abandoned on the battlefield. They combine the strengths of tank building schools from different nations - and the result is truly impressive. To get these unique powerful machines for free, activate special contracts and fulfill their conditions.

In August 2017, a new PvE mode, “War Chronicles,” appeared in World of Tanks on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Xbox 360. These are story-based campaigns that allow you to upgrade your combat skills in exciting episodes, relive famous historical battles and even rewrite history. You can experience this mode alone or in the company of a friend, completing various missions and going against bot enemies.

World of Tanks Console features four main battle types: Standard Battle, Encounter Battle, Assault and Team Deathmatch. In a standard battle, each team seeks to capture the enemy base while protecting its own. In the “Encounter Battle” mode, there is only one neutral base on the map, the capture of which ensures victory. An assault is a fierce battle between the attacking and defending teams. But in team grip there are no bases and the team that destroys all opponents or deals more damage at the end of the battle wins.

Playing on Playstation 4 is completely free and does not require a Playstation Plus subscription. But to play on Microsoft consoles you need an XboX Live Gold subscription.