Playtesting is back! This time it is for the full game.
Why have a separate playtest?
While the game has been tested as much as possible, it may still have bugs. Playtesting is being run separately to catch any bugs before the full release. If you encounter any bugs, please report them in the Steam Discussions.
For a stable version of Sumo Tanks, please wait for the full release.
How to join
If you were part of the February playtest, thank you! More importantly, you are already approved for this round of playtesting and can join as soon as the update downloads.
If you missed the February playtest, you can sign up for this round of playtesting on the Steam store page. Once you are approved, you can try out the playtest version. Players will be randomly approved as the playtest becomes more stable.
Sign-ups close the week before Sumo Tanks releases, but you can continue playing until the 20th. As for when Sumo Tanks releases...
The Full Game
Sumo Tanks releases on May 20th
That's this month!
What's in the full game?
The demo currently has 2 game modes, 3 playable tanks, and 4 arenas. The full game has 4 game modes, 8 playable tanks, and 33 arenas! Spoilers ahead...
New modes
If you have played the demo, you have already experienced the PvP Arena Mode and the co-op Campaign Mode. Those modes are still in the full version, but they have expanded, new content! Arena Mode has more arenas and more tanks. Campaign Mode has 70 additional levels, bringing the final total to 100. In addition to this, there are new bonus levels that task you with breaking targets before time runs out. The more targets you break, the more extra lives you earn. If you want to improve your clear time, you can practice these level in Target Practice Mode.
Some playtesters requested an endless version of Campaign Mode, and the new Survival Mode is just that! Survive waves of enemies to make it to the next arena. If you last long enough, you'll be able to take a breather and purchase upgrades.
If you want another PvP mode, Treasure Mode is a king-of-the-hill variant of Arena Mode. Instead of competing to be the last tank standing, players vie for control over treasure spots on the map. The first tank to dig up enough treasure is the winner.
New Tanks
Balanced, Rocket, and Dancer all return for the full game, and they are joined by Grappler, Homing, Laser, Knight, and Boulder.
Grappler
Grappler actually appears in a few of the demo levels, but is unplayable unless you cheat. This heavy tank pulls enemies close with its grappling hook and then shoots or dashes into them to send them flying. It is a little tricky, but, once you get the hang of it, you'll have a lot of fun throwing tanks around.
Homing
Homing is the most "normal" of the new tanks. It is like Balanced, except its shells follow the nearest enemy tank. If you have trouble aiming, this is the tank for you!
Laser
Laser is heavy and its laser doesn't do much damage, but it is relentless. Laser does not need to reload, which means your enemies will be constantly shoved back so long as you have that laser focused on them.
Knight
Knight is one of two "melee tanks." It slashes tanks and reflects bullets with its sword. It is very satisfying to send an explosive shell right back at a Rocket tank. Try it out!
Boulder
Boulder is the other "melee" tank and, as the name implies, it is HEAVY. Boulder might be slow, but it can explode, sending it flying forward at high speeds. You don't want to be in front of it when that happens. It is probably the most "sumo-like" of all the tanks.
New Arenas
There are too many new arenas to cover here, but there are a few I wanted to highlight.
Mat
Mat might be just be a large rectangle, but its openness makes it perfect if you are playing with a full 8 tanks! If you want a more exciting arena...
Smile
A few of the new arenas are goofy, Smile included. Still, it is a good showcase of what to expect: barriers from pillars and gaps in the arena that Grappler can pull you into.
Letter H & Variants
Some of the new arenas belong to a "family." The largest of these family is the Letter H arenas. They might look similar, but the obstacles and asymmetry make them play very differently!
Unlocks
As you play the game, especially campaign mode, you will naturally complete challenges that unlock these new tanks, modes, and arenas. If you want to speed things up, take a look at all the unlocks and their requirements on the main menu!
Minor Quality of Life Updates
There are also several minor quality of life changes that will be added in the next demo update. These include:
- Rumble.
- Online lobby join codes.
- Kicking players from multiplayer.
- Smoke trails behind rockets.
- An on-screen keyboard that works without Big Picture Mode.
- Improved dash indicator.
- Campaign progress tracking on the main menu.
- Campaign rebalancing.
- Bug fixes.
FAQ
Will my progress carry over to the full game?
Yes. However, if you play the demo after the playtest, your progress may be reset.
Does the playtest have online?
Yes! However, you can only play with other people who have the playtest. You cannot join a demo game from the playtest and vice versa. However, if some experimental development goes well, this may be possible in the next few weeks.
What's next?
The usual: bug fixes, balancing, and quality of life changes.
There are a few other larger updates in development:
- If develop goes well, the demo and full version (including the playtest) of Sumo Tanks will be able to play together online. I am particularly excited for this because it means only 1 player (the host) would have to own the full game. The rest can play for free! Hopefully development goes well. Stay tuned!
- An option for simplified controls will be added soon. These controls will always make the tank face in the direction it is turned, greatly helping people who have difficulty aiming and moving at the same time.
- An option to hide the lobby join code so that streamers don't have to worry about viewers barging into their games uninvited.