It's
free to play
http://play.worldoftanks.com/?sid=T...j-mAJuTFXycG1PUvVzbYXmMQqrQcVwlYlv-OtMZb3kenw
I've been playing since closed beta.
I think it's pretty cool.
It is basically a shooter game. In sniper mode, it is First Person shooter. Without sniper mode, it's third person. However, we only use third person in really close combat. Any battle over distance require precise aim with sniper mode. So I'd say for the most part, it is a multiplay First Person shooter game.
Yes, so far all the matches are 15 vs 15
Although they claim they will make it 30 vs 30 in the future and there will be clan wars.
Basically you start with crappy light tanks and work your way up. You kill enemies to get experience and money to level up and buy upgrades(modules such as new engine, new suspension, new turret, new gun, etc.), and you can upgrade to the next generation tank.
In my opinion, it is not really a MMO as they call it. It is just a multiplay pvp game. Because you don't have a persistent world. Every battle is just a new match like in Counter-strike or Battlefield. Although you keep what you gained(xp, money). On the bright side, there is no real grinding. The leveling up is actually fun.
In beta, I got
a Maus (German experimental super heavy tank),
a T-54(Russian first main battle tank),
Object 704 (Russian tank destroyer),
GW Panther (German artillery),
Jagdpanther (German tank destroyer).
After release, I got my Object 704 back in just 1 week.
Now I also got a Tiger II (going Maus again).
And a T-43(getting my T-54 back).
KV ( going Russian heavy tank).
The good thing about this game is that it's free. Of course they will try to sell you "gold" which is used to buy premium account. Premium account gives you x1.5 experience and money per battle, it helps to level up faster. But otherwise, the gameplay is the same whether you pay or not.