Tank Stars
Cartoony tank game light on violence, way too heavy on ads.
Tank Stars
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Tank Stars is a freemium arcade-style tank game for iOS and Android devices containing ads, ad banners, and optional purchases. Players can pay $3.99 to remove ads, while a paid ($19.99/month) VIP membership removes ads and gives players daily rewards. Two players can also play locally on one device by taking turns. While players destroy enemy tanks with bombs, fire, and other weapons, no blood or human opponents are shown in the game. Online play allows players to communicate solely through a collection of preset emojis. Read the developer's privacy policy for details on how your (or your kids') information is collected, used, and shared and any choices you may have in the matter, and note that privacy policies and terms of service frequently change.
Community Reviews
BEWARE of the INNAPPROPRAITE ADS!!!! REPETITIVE ADS!!!!
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What’s It About?
TANK STARS is a free-to-play, turn-based competitive tank game that lets players test their targeting skills against a real or AI opponent. Two-player versus play can happen online or locally on one mobile device. Players compete against rivals, collecting currency and rewards, and then use these to purchase a variety of different tanks and weapon upgrades. Gameplay consists of short matches where players face off on hilly terrain, taking turns firing bombs and missiles at one another. Players get a limited fuel ration per turn and are allowed to position themselves for a better shot. They can gain weapon upgrades by random air drops, and must shoot at one another until one of their tanks is destroyed.
Is It Any Good?
This is a fun little arcade-style time-killer that's swamped by tons of ads that constantly hit your screen. Tank Stars' colorful cartoon style calls back to the more playful games of the 1980s when few games worried about realistic graphics or violence. The simple turn-based gameplay is appropriate for and instantly graspable by kids of every age. Admittedly, understanding how to solidly target and anticipate the behavior of each weapon takes some getting used to, but the local two-player matches are nice when you've got two kids and only one mobile device.
Tank collecting and upgrades are relatively easy thanks to generous rewards, but frequent ads and ever-present ad banners become annoying over time. Tournaments aren't much fun either, since the rules aren't explained (Are you playing against the AI or other players? It's impossible to tell.), and the odds frequently feel stacked against you. Despite these things, Tank Stars offers a reasonable amount of free, uncomplicated fun for kids of all ages. That is, as long as you can deal with the constant advertising.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in video games. Is the impact of the violence in Tank Stars affected by the lack of blood and gore in the game? Would it be intensified if you saw any human beings instead of constantly fighting against tanks?
Do the presence of ads in freemium games annoy you, or do you enjoy the rewards you get for watching them?
Do you like being able to communicate with your online opponents? Why or why not?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Pricing structure: Free (Contains ads and optional in-app purchases.)
- Release date: January 30, 2018
- Category: Arcade Games
- Publisher: Playgendary GmbH
- Version: 1.1
- Minimum software requirements: Requires iOS 9.0 or later; Android 5.0 and up
- Last updated: September 6, 2018
Our Editors Recommend
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Tank Hero
Fun action-arcade app intense but not stressful.
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World of Tanks Blitz
Global tank warfare with great graphics and in-game chat.
For kids who love arcade games
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