Tank Arena, newly published in the Windows Phone Store by Dangling Concepts, is a SciF themed take on the popular Tank Hero (3D tank shooter) style of game. In this Unity Engine powered game your job, according to the game's backstory, is beat back the invasion of our solar system by the Dromedians. In practise that means driving around an arena shooting enemy tanks and turrets. 

There are two control options in the game: firstly the the standard on-screen thumb-stick navigation style, and secondly a swipe-navigation style. The latter is easier to pick up, but does not offer quite the same level of finesse as the former.

There are four tanks types available in the game (Leopard, Challenger, Wolverine and Hell Cat), each of which can be upgraded in various ways, including the purchase of bigger and more powerful guns. Upgrades can be purchased using the in game currency, which you earn as you play the game. Various in app purchases let you shortcut this process, but are not really required to progress in the game, at least in the early levels we tried out.

The key skill in the game, as with other entries in this genre, is combining driving and shooting at the same time. Tank Arena puts more emphasis on the skill dimension by limiting the amount of ammo you have available on any given level, which is a clever way of avoiding mindless screen mashing.  

Also notable is the inclusion of 5 original music tracks, destined to "pup you up" and motivate to see off the ever increasing hordes of enemies. As a whole the game doesn't bring any startling innovations, but if you're a fan of this style of game then it might be a good way to harmlessly work of some frustration in the lead up to holiday season.

Windows Phone Store description:

The Dromedians have invaded our solar system, establishing military bases on the outer planets and getting ready to advance to Earth. You are the only hope for mankind so buckle up, get into your tank and get ready for the war ahead of us.

 Tank Arena is a SciFi Tank Shooter game where the player will battle enemy turrets and tanks in arenas across the solar system. The 5 original music tracks will pump you up for the task and the missions will keep you hooked!

 Complete the 30 missions of Moon training station while we work on planetary campaigns. Accumulate gold, upgrade your tank and guns, put your score on online leaderboard and get all 15 achievements.

Tank Arena is a free download from the Windows Phone Store