Advance Wars
Developed by Intelligent Systems
Reviewed by Fox
superfoxrox@hotmail.com
Size: Sizes are not my strong suit. (32 Megabits)
Save: Battery
Released: 2001
Works with: Game Boy Advance ONLY.
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Opening Snide Remarks: One day, I walked into K-Mart, and seeing as I had
traded off my only GBA game a couple weeks back, I wanted some fresh blood
for my baby. So I walk up to the counter, thinking of picking up Bomberman
Tournament....but then this newly released game that was only $26 called
"Advance Wars" catches my eye...I see it's Nintendo made, so I figure "What
can be wrong with it?"....to see the answer, read on.

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Gameplay Descripion: In the video gaming world, I have seen two types of
strategy games: Real-time, aka StarCraft, and the less seen turn based. This
is an example of the latter. And I couldn't be happier...I'm not the most
intelligent when it comes to strategy games, so being able to take my time
with my only worry being battery death...well, it's relaxing.

The game provides all the information you could possibly need, with all the
defense ratings for different terrain, what the movement cost of stuff is,
cost, etc. If you actually look at that stuff, you are in for a treat.

The game comes with a training mode, for those not wise in strategic
planning, and also has an "Advanced" (heh heh) campaign if you beat the
normal mode. Did I mention the extra maps that you can play on to see how
high of a score you can get? Ok, just making sure I did. Oh, I nearly
forgot....the COs. There are 9 (if I can remember correctly...) different
CO's you can use/unlock in this game. Each has a different CO "power",
which plays a large role in the strategy of each battle. For instance,
one guy can give 2 health back to all units, while another can give each
unit an extra turn.

Liked: You can pick it up, but you'll need to know what to do.
Hated: Nothing, really. Although sometimes, the AI seems cheap.

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Graphics Description: Beautiful. Of course, not 3D Super Mario 64 beautiful,
or anime beautiful, but pretty darn good for GBA. The animations for each
unit are crisp, and battles are pretty. I still haven't become tired of
watching the game, although I've had it nearly two months. But if you really
want to know what it looks like, go see some screenshots.

Liked: Good, didn't notice any glitches.
Hated: Nothing.

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Sound/Music Description: The first time through, the music fits the game
nicely, sounding war-y and what not. But as with any game you spend large
amounts of time with, it gets annoying. Yep.

Liked: Good music.
Hated: It gets old, like any game.

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Play Control/Game Design: As far as controls go, they are crisp, although
if you don't pay attention, you may end the turn, and thus lose an
important battle that has been going on for a few hours. Which is a
problem...the last few battles take WAY too long. I mean, the last one took
me 3 hours....that's quite a drain for just one thing. Not to mention the
long credits...but that is one of the few things I can say is wrong with the
game.

Liked: Most everything.
Hated: Last battles are maybe too tough and long.

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Improve: I don't really know. Maybe.... ok, I don't know.

RIYL: Umm...Warlocked, since it's a portable strategy game.

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Final Words: This game rocks. And I suck at reviews. But I thought
"something was better than nothing"... and I haven't seen anything at
dmgice.com for this game yet.

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Score
Gameplay: *****
Graphics: *****
Sound/Music: ****
Play Control/Game Design: *****
Personal Opinion: *****
Total: 24


Final Score: 96%

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Currently Known Codes: Not really, no.