Tank: The M1A1 Abrams Battle Tank Simulation

Tank: The M1A1 Abrams Battle Tank Simulation is a video game in the simulation genre developed by Sphere, Inc. and published by Spectrum Holobyte, Inc. originally released in 1989. It is currently playable on DOS.

Tank is a modern tank simulator that showcases Spectrum Holobyte's strength in ultra-realistic simulation, although it never quite reached the level of acclaim that Falcon 3. 0 achieved. Tank is similar to Microprose's best-selling M-1 Tank Platoon in its realistic modeling of modern tanks, intuitive interface, and integration of strategic elements with first-person action.

Although it is a simulation of the M1A1 Abrams like Damon Slye's excellent Abrams Battle Tank, it places much more emphasis on strategy and larger unit operations than on graphical realism. Although there are only 5 missions, each is packed with vast terrain, plenty of enemy tanks to destroy, and wargame-like options such as reconnaissance and air support. The training mission eases the player into the game interface, and the strategic options add a fun dimension to what could have been a normal 3D tank simulation.

The graphics are good, and the ability to zoom in (to the 3D interface) and out (to the strategic map) is innovative and well executed. The uneven terrain, however, still presents logistical problems, as with many tank sims of the era, but Tank has enough to satisfy both the sim fan and the wargamer interested in hands-on experience inside a tank.

Tank: The M1A1 Abrams Battle Tank Simulation is available at a reduced price on the following websites and is no longer abandonware.