Yes, we've got Tank Controls!

[DinoRexMax]

Okay, I don't even need to pretend misunderstand why someone would hate tank controls. They were unnatural and inconvenient to say the least.

But I'm hesitant to say to say that they were clunky or awkward, especially having cleared through the Onimusha series this year. Which we're action games, with tank controls.

Think about that.

An Action game...

...with tank controls.

And they were good, probably some of the best games on the PS2. It even made me sort of wish DMC committed to tank controls (since, Jyubei can do fightin game command inputs for special moves, which would be awesome in a DMC game).

It sort of opened my eyes as to the versatility of tank controls, how they aren't necessarily a hindrance.

They allow for a certain level of precision that 3D games normally lack, allowing the player to move in more specific pattern without forcing the camera closer to their character (giving you a greater overall view of your environment).

So, it begs the question.

What do all you RGT guys out there think of Tank Controls? What is the acceptable amount of it you will tolerate in a game, whether or not it's appropriate for any game at all and simply an archaic element of ancient design principles?

 

[Stingy Perry Stingy Perry]

The tank controls on older survival games like the OG RE trilogy is what you get if it’s executed perfectly.

This game is an excellent example that tank controls in third person shooter fits in perfectly.

 

[Kamako]

In my eyes, tank controls are the ultimate control scheme for survival horror games, and for many forms of vehicular combat.

I like practicing 3 point turns in my Chris Redfield-mobile.

 

[Zerohour2k12]

Tank controls are my jam still, way back when I'd watch my dad play classic RE games.

 

[CheesyExplosive]

I guess front mission and armored core was crap to you so you just play tank that exist in the 20th to 21st century because they are not fictional?

 

[Elwiwi]

Tank controls no thanks. Its a relic of the past that should stay there

 

[LastValsion]

For something like God Hand it makes sense to have tank controls. I couldn't see it being anything else for that game. As for tank controls in general I don't mind them for the most part.

 

[arkasth]

In my eyes, tank controls are the ultimate control scheme for survival horror games, and for many forms of vehicular combat.

I like practicing 3 point turns in my Chris Redfield-mobile.

I agree when it comes to some vehicular combat games, especially if the vehicles are heavier.

In 3D games with a fixed camera, it’s just the natural and perfect choice.
But in 3D games with a free camera, horror or not, it’s just an unnecessary annoyance, nostalgia aside.

 

[Clippy]

There are only two kinds of games where I can tolerate tank controls: Classic Tomb Raider and tank games. The former because the series is a slow burn precision platformer for the most part and the latter because, y'know, tanks.

Any other instance of tank controls is an immediate deal-breaker for me. I'll probably never beat any of the classic survival horror games. I'm sorry but when a zombie is within biting distance I need Jill to haul ass instead of turning 5 degrees per second when I press left.

I don't know how many people remember this but old FPS games used to have tank controls by default. Strafing was optional and often required holding another button. There's good reason nobody plays Doom like that anymore.

 

[jon2]

My bread and butter

I still default to it every time I try a game if it allows it

 

[Dr.Kisaragi Dr.Kisaragi]

I love tank control this my I like survival horrors it add the tension and is not easy of control the characters that thr point the characters needs fo run but is hard because they are intense

 

[rugal]

i have nothing agains tank control
tank control is part of what makes old games great

 

[Zerpina]

I'm with you all on the tank controls, Tomb Raider/Resident Evil type games and, like @Clippy said, tank games.

Also this..
(Yes, I gajinkified the tank from OP's post.)

 

[Elwiwi]

I'm with you all on the tank controls, Tomb Raider/Resident Evil type games and, like @Clippy said, tank games.

Also this..
(Yes, I gajinkified the tank from OP's post.)
View attachment 141492

God damn

 

[moonbits]

A bygone product of the limiting processing power and input available in the mid 90s. It became a default for many games until they figured out how to calculate the camera's forward vector without destroying the CPU. (Some games, like Mario 64 had an array of angles instead of performing any actual calculation, very clever of Nintendo).

I like it, at one point I didn't but now I do. Resident Evil 4 becoming of the greatest games of all time and still using them just proves that little tweaks can make a huge difference.

It forces the player to think before moving; punishes them for being desperate. It lends itself to survival horror games since you want people to pay attention and be careful.