Amidst the massive RPGs and cinematic sequels at The Game Awards 2025, one indie reveal managed to punch significantly above its weight class. It’s called TankRat, and if you like the sound of grinding metal, exploding drones, and building a war machine out of literal garbage, you need to pay attention. Developed by Alpha Channel and published by Kepler Interactive, this “scrap-to-survive” vehicular action game looks like a frantic mix of Mad Max and Armored Core.
Set for release in Spring 2026, TankRat is actually a massive evolution of the developer’s previous title, TankHead. But this isn’t just a patch; it’s a complete reimagining that turns the concept up to eleven. The trailer showcased a brutal world where humanity has abandoned flesh for steel, and survival depends entirely on how well you can scavenge the battlefield.
You Are Whitaker, The Ghost in the Machine
The premise is delightfully cyberpunk. You play as Whitaker, a “Sleepwalker”—a digitized human consciousness that survives by inhabiting a small, agile drone called a “Needle.” The world, known as the Event Containment Area (ECA), is a mechanical graveyard where the only law is “what you take becomes what you are.”
The gameplay loop revolves around this duality. As the Needle, you are fast but fragile, able to zip around the battlefield to scout or escape. But to fight, you must hijack and pilot massive, customizable tanks. The trailer showed Whitaker seamlessly shifting between drone and tank modes, implying that losing your vehicle isn’t game over—it’s just a frantic scramble to find a new ride.
Scrap, Build, Destroy
TankRat leans heavily into customization. You don’t just find weapons; you tear them off your enemies. The “Search, Destroy, Scavenge, Rebuild” philosophy means every enemy you defeat is a potential upgrade shop. See a massive cannon on that enemy mech? Blow it up, dragging the wreckage back to your garage, and weld it onto your own hull.
The enemies, known as TankRats, are twisted mechanical titans that roam the Dead Zone. Taking them down requires exploiting their weaknesses, stripping their armor, and eventually dismantling them piece by piece. It is visceral, tactile, and looks incredibly satisfying.
Release Date and Platforms
TankRat is scheduled to launch in Spring 2026. It will be available on PlayStation 5 and PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store).
In a pro-consumer move, the developers announced that anyone who already owns their previous game, TankHead, on the Epic Games Store will receive TankRat as a free upgrade. It is a classy gesture that rewards early supporters while inviting a whole new audience to the carnage.
Conclusion
Vehicular combat games have been having a quiet renaissance lately, and TankRat looks poised to lead the charge. With its unique drone-to-tank mechanic and a deep crafting system that rewards aggression, it is carving out a distinct niche in the action genre. If you have ever wanted to pilot a tank that is 50% cannon and 50% duct tape, keep this one on your radar.
FAQs
When does TankRat come out?
The game is scheduled for a Spring 2026 release.
What platforms is it on?
It will launch on PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store).
Is this a sequel to TankHead?
It is described as a “full-scale reimagining and evolution” of TankHead. It features more story, biomes, bosses, and mechanics.
Do I get it for free if I own TankHead?
Yes! If you own TankHead on the Epic Games Store, you will receive TankRat as a free upgrade at launch.
Is it multiplayer?
No, TankRat is a single-player action-adventure game focusing on Whitaker’s journey to the city of Highpoint.