World of Tanks

It's fun at the start and it's nice to have the matchmaker at the start hook you up with bots. That way, you get an idea for the basic maps, but once you are matched with online players, watch out, it gets crazy. I'm an old guy looking to play to let off some steam, and have fun, but there are so many unfamiliar maps in the open online games and you get seal-clubbed so incredibly fast, it can be daunting. At least it would be nice to be put on maps I am familiar with so I know where to hide.
Honestly, sometimes I just want to play a smaller simpler game that isn't so challenging. Online gets too nuts. Call it a 'skill issue' on me all you want. You young'ins might find it fun, but it gets tiring driving for a few seconds only to get hit from all sides and blown up immediately... My time on this game is likely coming to an end.

Honest review from someone who has played on various platforms for over a decade.
I've been playing tanks since roughly 2014. I can still remember when clans and strongholds released. It was a fantastic game. Is it still a fantastic game??
WELL, if you enjoy games that enable you to amass great wealth and top tier loot in 1 weekend, keep scrolling. Want to break the bank and drop $500 on the best tank, and gear in the game looking for a win? Keep scrolling. This game takes thought and patience.
You will read many reviews for this game that say it is pay to win. I am here to break the sad news that sure, you CAN buy tanks with slightly better stats than the base line research tanks. Sure, you can buy "premium" ammunition that offers higher armor penetration values. What people do not tell you, is that you still need to know HOW to play the game, and even more specifically the TYPE of tank you purchase in order to benefit from the money you've spent. Even in a tier VIII premium tank, you will still carry many losses. You will still bounce shots, and your inexperience will outshine the minimal stat advantage you possess.
Each tank class has its strengths and weaknesses. If you are into RPGs, then consider each nation as a race, and each tank line as a class. There are multiple American, Russian, and German heavy tanks, which is a specific class. But all of them play a bit differently. Tank destroyers, light tanks, heavy tanks, medium tanks, and SPGs or "arty" each play VERY differently, and understanding each class is important for success with ANY class.
There are several maps to play on, you can omit any 1 map from rotation if you don't like it. Or it cripples your specific tank. Ex. Arty on himmelsdorf. Each map has hundreds of strategic positions that each different tank can use to their advantage in different ways.
Each tank line has a progression, so you will begin at tier 1, and work your way up to tier 10. Until tier 3 you will only fight tanks +/- 1 level of yourself. So a tier 1 will only fight other tier 1 tanks, and sometimes be in battle with tier 2 tanks. Once you reach tier 4, you can fight +/- 2 tiers. So a tier 4 tank can potentially fight tier 6 tanks, and will do exactly that in many games.
There are many people who will talk about how games are "rigged." If you read a review stating this fallacy, ignore it and find a legitimate review written by someone who doesn't drive into open fields and die instantly every game. The matchmaking in this game is very fair, and it is balanced by tank type, as well as player rating. Wargaming does not invest money into their matchmaking system with the intention of targetting any player or player demographic. They also do not "enforce winrates." This game has one of the most excellent matchmaking systems I've seen. Even if other people who have played for a decade disagree, they likely hit a ceiling.
Devote some time into youtube, play the tutorial, learn about armor angles and ammo types, learn where modules and crew are placed in tanks, and make the HUD something you can actually use. There is a youtube video for it. 10,000 users active online at any time, and you will meet all kinds of people. Veterans, young, old, men, women, happy people, and salty dogs all the same. Like any game there is a "community element" where the smallest dissatisfied portion of the player base screams the loudest, and the remaining 9,500 daily players and myself prefer to quietly enjoy our tanks game.
Download the free game, enjoy the free aspects, and make some connections with people who genuinely love the game before you allow a negative review from someone with 0.1 hours on file ruin it for you.
Keep on tanking,
Slam

This game defines my childhood. I remember coming back home from school 12 years ago just to to play this game for hours and it were some of the best times of my life. I have not played this game for years because I thought it has gone to shit, but to be honest I just didn't really understand it. It's still a great game, probably even better the last time I've played it.
Yes, there are tons of microtransactions, but what did you expect? It's free to play and they have to make money somehow. Some of the bundles and tanks are honestly worth it and premium account for a month is only 10 euros, giving you insane value, especially if you play a lot.
Big disadvantage of this game being on Steam is you need to create a new account, even if you've played the game for years. I personally don't mind, since I wanted to start from the scratch either way. This is no longer a thing after update 1.28, you can now play with old WG accounts on Steam.
Achievement-wise, most of them are fairly easy. I've only played for 45 hours and already have more than 60% of the achievements. Can't wait for 100% on this one.

Honestly? Wargaming's corporate department is always trying their best to ruin the game with changes meant to squeeze more money out of players, but the game itself is really quite excellent and the studio has also made a number of very player-friendly changes over the years as well.

overall a fun game, grinding is at times way too much, but once you unlock a good tank you really start to enjoy it!

this game is more fun with a buddy. but the ammo you must use at higher teirs is to expensive with out premium

It has many flaws, but it's still a game one can relax with (if you can ignore the tryhards and the mentally unstable individuals)