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Advance Wars
First let me say wow. This game is simply astounding. Having a GBA without this game is like having a 64 with no Zelda, An X-Box with no Halo, it's pure insanity. This is a turned based strategy game. If you've ever played a Command and Conquer game, picture something similar to that, expect turn based. This game is huge. An incredibly difficult campaign mode, a suicidal hard Advance campaign mode, tons of maps, a map creator, and THE best handheld multi-player ever. (How the hell do you fit all that into a 1 by 2 inch cartridge?) This game reeks of brilliance. Easily better than a good percentage of the RPGs for SNES and N64. The steep learning curve is easily handled with mandatory extensive training. The game has one terrible downside though. IT'S TOO DAMN ADDICTIVE!
This game takes the GBAs brilliant design to it's fullest. You'll have to use EVERY button to even stand a chance. Nice, crisp menus that are easy to use. You can't ask for much more here.
Considering this is a 32-bit system, this game is a graphic titan. Smooth textures, brightly colored and overall beautiful would all fit the map part of the game. The battle sequences are jaw dropping anime style cut scenes. However, by FAR the nicest touch is the units and facial expressions. Instead of just coloring units different colors, each unit for each army has a very unique look. Kanabi’s tanks and Max’s tanks don’t look exactly alike. Great touch. Next are the facial expressions. There’s a little box in the top right corner of the screen, picturing your CO. Their expressions change as the battle progresses, and even before. If a tank stumbles across a tattered infantry platoon, your CO will smirk with overflowing confidence. The sound is solid as well. The music is very varied. With everything from Sonja refined and elegant music to Kanabi's Imperial music.
This is where the game crushes all others as if they where flies. Complex, involving, hard, mind bending, and just plain fun. The only possible downside is the steep learning curve, which was easily averted by the Field Training. With around 15 ground units, 4 air units, and 5 sea units, this war goes to all terrains. As if that weren’t enough, there are the Commanding Officers. Each one has different skills, personalities, and a special attack called a CO power. For example, Max’s Tanks rule over all other ground units, but his long-range units have a littler firing zone than other, and less power. Kanabi has near invincible units, but they cost more, and he’s prone to making foolish and brash decisions. The CO is probably the most critical part of the picture. Theses can turn the pace of a battle around in a split second. But you have to build it up by either losing or destroying units. But they’re not all good. Eagle’s CO power allows your units to attack twice in a row, which could easily shred your opponent, but if it’s used at the wrong times, your units will be crushed the next turn. After his power is over, for one turn his defense drops 30%. The campaign mode offers a variety of challenges, and options. And Advance Campaign is harder than college.
Replay value iis what puts the game into completion with console games. It simply pours over the top with ways to enjoy the game years from now. The campaign mode offers a variety of paths and options, each giving a different prize at the end. After that, you have Advance campaign. Now this will last you quite a while, but there there’s multi-player. If you get bored of the maps, you can make your own. To amazing to believe.
This game simply takes everything that the GBA has, and takes it to new levels. I’m still amazed at just how many console games this mighty midget puts to shame. Get this game before I hunt you down and beat you.
-- Anonym. Contributor, PGNx Media
---- Oct 24, 2002
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