Spearhead's primary claim to fame is twofold. First, it offers gameplay that attempts to satisfy action gamers and serious sim enthusiasts alike. Second, and perhaps more importantly, it utilizes internet networking technology born from the Army's own SIMNET multiplayer training system. Spearhead may be the first tank sim to properly handle Internet multiplay.

Today, we're going to take you through a graphical mini-tour of Spearhead to give some idea of what you can look forward to. Recent betas of Spearhead are running well enough to allow taking plenty of Glide-accelerated photos - and we're taking full advantage of it. So put on your ear protection, step carefully through the hatch, and get ready for a wild ride.

The first mission was mostly some practice with the main gun and a chance to get re-acquainted with the controls. Spearhead is unusual in that it models the various drivetrain transmission settings rather faithfully. In fact, you can override the engine governor for an all-out burst of speed in emergency manuevers. New guys need not worry, though - overall the key layout is very simple and gameplay presents players with a mild learning curve.

The beginning of the training exercise. The T-72 at barely 100 meters was too good to pass up before taking this picture.

Here's my favorite "Desert Storm" Quake skin. Oh wait... wrong game! ;-).

Seriously, Spearhead boasts having the best looking polygonal infantry in a tank sim yet. It will be interesting to see if the team tries to outdo the infantry implementation in the latest version of M1 Tank Platoon 2.

In our first look, we praised Spearhead's CITV for actually being useful. The CITV has improved a bit more since then. Essentially now it has three modes of operation: It can view the battlefield independently. You can override the gunner's controls and take control of the turret yourself. Finally, you can hand off a target to the gunner - who will then track your target autonomously as you seek a new target. This is the M1A2's hunter/killer system in action. In this photo, a target has already been designated, and the gunner fires at your command.

Right after firing, the second target (which has already been spotted) is handed off to the gunner, and is "serviced" in turn.

It's usually not very bright to engage targets on the flank like this, but in this case we're driving parallel at top speed to keep a platoon of fleeing BMPs squarely in our sights.

Our second mission is to pursue a tank-heavy mechanized unit as it attempts a tactical withdrawl. Rough terrain and dark clouds create an ominous sign of the fighting to come.

Tank 2 is hit by an enemy tank just over the rise, but is unfazed.

Enemy sighted and engaged.
Notice how fogging improves your depth perception here.

Track marks show the last moments of retreat.

Unfortunately, moments after this photo was shot, I made a wrong turn at fork at the end of the valley - presenting rear armor towards a couple hidden enemy units. Needless to say, that prematurely ended the second mission.

The last mission is a whirlwind. We have to locate, engage, and destroy a fast-moving SCUD launcher convoy with heavy escorts before they can make good their escape. As if things weren't interesting enough, this has to be done during a heavy thunderstorm - complete with rain, thunder, and lightning.

Smoke on the horizon - a good clue.

We turn west and head cross-country looking for our quarry.

The CITV map indicates what might be a road - a likely escape route for the convoy. Sure enough, there it is.

It's a veritable highway. Now is a good time to override the engine governor, but a bad time to be fumbling with the manual looking for the switch.

A shape is just barely perceptible in the fog ahead - Our quarry or a friendly?

The thermal sights answer the question - the rear fuel drums of a T-72 and missile of a SCUD launcher are clearly visible.

Target lased. HEAT on the way. The rearguard is quickly dispatched.

Jumping into the commander's chair, we can keep an eye out for any possible ambushes while commanding the orderly destruction of the rest of the convoy.

In fact, you could call Spearhead the "Team Apache" of tank simulations and really not be far off the mark.While Spearhead doesn't have the "team" aspect as firmly ingrained, it is designed for serious multiplayer team play over the internet. Will its online multiplayer capabilities appeal to tank sim fans, Quake fans, or both? The question remains to be answered, but we'll be keeping a close eye on further developments.