Advance Wars
Reviewed by KasketDarkfyre
Turn based strategy games are hard to come by on any
handheld system and when you think of any Game Boy
having something to do with that, you may be a little
surprised. Advance Wars is a game that will put your
skills, patience and time to the test through several
different battles against computer controlled armies.
If you like games that require plenty of thought as
well as a sometimes challenging {if not cheap} game
play that comes with bright visuals and easy to learn
control, then you'll find everything that you're
looking for in this title.
The plot behind the game is little more than you
undertaking the role of one commander in the Orange
Star Army. As a general rule, you'll be controlling a
friendly, if not sometimes silly looking character
that goes up against infinitely more evil looking
enemy army. Though the plot really doesn't make much
of a difference, the game is centered more on action
and thought than it is out and out action. For gamers
who enjoy this style of game play, there is really
nothing here that you can't sink your teeth into and
get a feel for in just a few minutes at best!
The game play section of this title is separated into
a few different portions that will take you through
the game in a tutorial to help learn just what the
game has to offer. As with most strategy games, your
main goal is to beat the opposing army and kill
whatever gets in your way while overtaking the enemy
army and holdings. Where the complexity of the game
really shines through though, is when you have to use
a system of hit and run while trying to keep the
upper hand. For those of you who can't stand having
to restart a game simply because you made a mistake,
you might as well not even bother.
Battling is easily done though, with your main goal
being to select a unit and then simply click and move
the units across the screen. Those of you who are
familiar with strategy games will find that there is
little here different from the norm, with most of the
action taking place through menus and the like.
However, when you get into the late stages of the
game, there are portions that may just get on your
nerves enough to make you scream, especially when you
make a simple mistake. Control is easy though, with
the tutorial mode showing you just what to do and
when to do it at every turn!
Visually, Advance Wars keeps with the traditional
theme of Nintendo games giving you colorful
characters and a cartoonish look to the game. While
the battlegrounds may not be the most perfect designs
that you'll see and some of the battles can be a
little strange to look at, the action is constantly
intense in the different cut scenes. For a handheld
game, there is enough detail and design shining
through the game to really keep anyone glued and it's
something rather interesting to see. With some minor
complaints in the overall design of the battlefields
withstanding, it's a good visual effort.
Audio is another place here in the game that could
either turn you on to the theme or turn you off. With
most of the characters having their own theme music,
there are times that you have to hear the same tune
played over and over again when you wait. While this
isn't much of a problem if you're not worried about
keeping to the game, there are points where it could
possibly get on your nerves. Thankfully, the volume
dial is just below and the game isn't sound
intensive, so there really isn't much of a reason to
have it up full blast if you have something better to listen to!
Advance Wars is a game of turn based strategy that
makes good on the Game Boy Advance simply because
there is little more than replay value and strategy
to mess with. Although the theme of the game really
isn't all that serious, and the sound can grate on
your nerves, there are times that the game shines
with the addictive game play and bright visuals.
However, this game is for strategy purists that have
a soft side and don't really need realism in their
genre to keep them interested. If you like games that
keep you awake at all hours of the night and can get
you in trouble with your significant other, then this
title is for you.
Overall: 8 out of 10