Advance Wars: Dual Strike (Nintendo DS)

Still based around turn based battles, where you gain funds, and spend them building new units, and then deploying these untis to capture new cities and engage enemy forces. the main change that sets this apart from other advacne wars games is the commanding officers. there is a new "tag team" system, where two co's can swap out and take it in turns. the co attacks that are unleashed when the player has gained enough points (through combat) can turn the tide of battle, creatin tsunamis to cruch the foe, or missiles amongst many others. But with tag team, both co's can unleash both attacks, then your army can move twice in one turn, accomponied by relevant co powers. this adds some real tactics to battles, with some co's working well together, and some not.

i got the game the week it came out, and this week i found a new game mode! survival sees you battling through a series of maps, with either limited funds, time or turns.

i find the game easiest without the stylus, using the dpad and buttons instead, which are all that's neccessary, you being only required to select units/buildings and give them commands.

a great game, and one that will last you a long time, with new challenges emerging every time you play it. limitations are, wireless gaming with only one cartridge there is only basic modes open, and some would find not relying on the DS' touchpad and mic a let down, although like i said, you can play with the stylus, but the mic remains unused. These really are insignificant compared to the real value for money, and playtime. highly reccomended.

I was new to this series, so I can't make a comparison against earlier releases of Advance Wars. I have, however, played many PC strategy games and you could say I am a fan of strategy, real time or turn based. Advance Wars DS actually reminded me a bit of an old game called History Line which I played on the PC back in the early 90s when I was a teenager, so you may find the whole concept of Advance Wars a little dated. What is interesting, however, is the way Nintendo has implemented and executed the whole game play and its experience.

It's a gripping stuff. On one hand it has a very simple rule set with simple game mechanics, yet on the other hand the strategy necessary to play well is extensive. The beauty of it seems to be that you could have a sloppy game (and sort of win), if you wish, but it also accommodates those who want to think hard. You can do this either way, depending on what you are like. Sometimes I'm mentally tired and end up winning in a sloppy game (and at times getting slaughtered), but others times I take my time planning my moves and pull off a wonderful strategy which leads to a crisp and satisfying victory.

Another strange thing about this, as I found out the more I played, is that somehow it manages to feel fresh and new. It doesn't feel like a game which has dated game mechanics (which it does, technically speaking). The designers have done a great job implementing the gameplay while making sure players are hooked to it strategically.

It's not a fast paced Real-Time strategy, but a Turn-Based strategy. So I'm sure there are preferences depending on what sort of strategy you like. For what it is, Advance Wars DS is well worth the money, time and effort even in this day and age. Don't let its rather simplistic and youthful screenshots fool you - it is a well written game.