Gaijin Entertainment is bringing the thunder once again, with a huge new update for War Thunder.
The Direct Hit update adds a fleet of new vehicles to the game with which to destroy your enemies (or friends). But that’s not all. The sizable update also introduces a fresh batch of UI improvements, as well as significant graphical enhancements that bring a new level of realism to the experience.
Let’s start by going over the new vehicles coming to the game. The update sees 17 new or upgraded aircraft join the War Thunder arsenal, starting with the legendary MiG-27M. This Soviet fighter bomber is outfitted with a new type of smart weapon. Its Guided Bombs – or GBUs – are equipped with their own sights, allowing you to accurately hit ground targets from considerable height and distance. The MiG-27M is the only plane that can use GBUs for now, so if you want to try them out, you’ll need to get your hands on one of these planes.
Also swooping into the aircraft lineup is the Swedish JA37C Jaktviggen, a top-tier fighter with a maximum speed of more than Mach 1.8 and a rocket-like rate of climb – about 200 meters per second. This lightning-quick craft also boasts a formidable arsenal of weaponry, including a rapid-firing 30mm cannon, air-to-air missiles, and rockets for ground targets.
Other aircraft highlights include the American F-8E, the British Shackleton MR.2, the Japanese F4EJ Kai, the Chinese A-5C, and the Italian F-104G.
But the Direct Hit update doesn’t focus only on air superiority. There’s also (several hundred) tonnes of new ground vehicles rumbling onto the scene as well. To be precise, a dozen new tanks are entering the fight, along with an updated Test Drive function and a more structured approach to bug reports for these vehicles.
Leading the charge is the 2S25 Sprut-SD, an amphibious light tank from the USSR armoured vehicle research tree. This light tank is equipped with a powerful anti-tank gun and moves around relatively quickly, making it the perfect option to incapacitate enemy armour.
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You can also strike fear into the hearts of your enemies with the Chinese war machine, the ZTZ99-III. This Rank VII armoured vehicle is outfitted with incredible firepower, courtesy of a 125mm smoothbore cannon that boasts a rapid rate of fire. This modern vehicle also comes with all the standard equipment of a main battle tank, including a thermal imager, smoke grenade launchers, and a laser rangefinder.
Rounding out this update’s tank offering is a range of Japanese hardware, including new variants of the ever-popular Type 74. Other new additions include the British Vickers Mk.3, the German Marder 1A3, and the Swedish Pbv 301.
So we’ve covered air and land, but what about sea? Well, luckily for you nautical warmongers, the Direct Hit update also includes a huge naval fleet for you to enjoy. Leading the pack is the world-famous American heavy cruiser, the USS Pittsburgh, sometimes referred to as the longest ship in the world. When it comes to anti-air firepower, the USS Pittsburgh is second to none.
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Joining the USS Pittsburgh are a variety of vessels from across the world including the German M-17, the Japanese IJN Yubari, the USSR’s Smelyi, the Italian RN Gabbiano, and the British HMS Vega, which replaces the HMS Churchill.
You’ll be able to take these new vehicles to war in a handful of new locations, including a new alternate history mission of Operation Honolulu, and new ground battle locations Spaceport and Breslau. Additionally, existing missions Operation Dover and Operation Krymsk will be getting reworked, offering further replayability.
All of this new content can be enjoyed with War Thunder’s enhanced graphics. General image quality has been improved, while visual effects have been overhauled across the board, making fights feel more tactile and realistic than ever. Sounds have also been improved, making for a more immersive experience. Together with the streamlined UI and tweaked interface, War Thunder is feeling fresher than ever.
The enhancements are too numerous to list here, so head over to the War Thunder website to check out the full changelog, including all additions and enhancements coming in the new update.
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