Tank Squad - Ponyri DLC adds a non-linear operational campaign to the tactical combat action and simulation game Tank Squad on PC. Set in the Ponyri region during 1943, the expansion shifts from the base game's linear missions to an open framework where players direct operations across a changing frontline between German and Soviet forces.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on commanding armored units in large-scale engagements across expansive open terrain suited for long-range armored combat. Operations start from a base in the Senkovo sector, with Aleksandrovka as the initial objective. Players select attack directions and adapt to enemy responses as the frontline shifts.
Battles feature procedurally generated primary and secondary objectives that vary based on the current situation, available forces, and opposing actions. This leads to different experiences even when revisiting the same sector. AI commanders on both sides evaluate conditions, allocate armored units and mechanized infantry, organize attacks or defenses, and coordinate support.
Motorized infantry travel by truck while mechanized units use armored personnel carriers for greater mobility. Logistics elements include mobile repair stations along with ammunition and fuel resupply points. Varied conditions such as different times of day and weather further influence each engagement.
Two new vehicles join the roster: the German Ferdinand heavy tank destroyer with thick frontal armor and an accurate 88 mm gun for long-range fire, and the Soviet SU-152 heavy self-propelled gun armed with a 152 mm weapon effective against fortified positions and heavy armor. Additional static guns appear in the form of the German 10.5 cm leFH 18 light field howitzer and the Soviet 122 mm howitzer M1938 (M-30). The campaign covers a 24 by 24 km area totaling 576 square kilometers divided into 20 sectors that differ in terrain, settlements, rural buildings, and regional landmarks.
Game Modes
Campaign battles support single-player or cooperative play with up to three friends. Each participant can control an individual tank or join others in multi-crew mode inside the same vehicle, requiring coordination for roles such as commander, gunner, or driver. The non-linear structure lets decisions on the operational map shape subsequent operations and sector fights.
Procedural elements generate objectives dynamically within the operational framework, moving beyond fully scripted encounters. Skirmish-style scenarios remain available alongside the main campaign path. The system emphasizes combined arms with infantry support, logistics management, and responses to AI-driven enemy movements.
Campaign Structure and Scale
The operational map divides the theater into 20 sectors of varying sizes and shapes. After an initial designed scenario, later battles incorporate procedural generation influenced by frontline developments. Players manage force allocation and respond to counterattacks as sectors change hands. This creates a dynamic campaign where the overall direction depends on choices and outcomes rather than a fixed sequence.
New settlements and landmarks provide visual variety across the open spaces. Emphasis on long-range engagements suits the terrain and the capabilities of added vehicles like the Ferdinand and SU-152. Infantry movement via trucks and carriers extends operational reach, while mobile support maintains vehicle readiness during extended operations.
Is It Worth Playing?
The base game Tank Squad has received mostly positive reviews from players who appreciate its focus on tank command, crew management, repairs between missions, and combined-arms tactics in World War II settings. Regular updates continue to refine mechanics, add features such as procedural missions, and address issues. The Ponyri DLC builds directly on these foundations with a larger, more flexible campaign structure.
Players interested in realistic armored warfare, operational decision-making, and cooperative tank combat will find the expansion's non-linear approach and new vehicles a natural extension. Those seeking linear scripted missions may prefer the original campaigns. Active development and ongoing patches indicate continued support for the title and its expansions. The combination of single-player depth and co-op options makes it suitable for both solo tactical play and group sessions centered on historical tank engagements.
