Leisher 
Top 3%, yo.
Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 26651
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: Feb. 19 2008,07:29 |
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Advance Wars is a really overlooked series of games. I know they sell well, but I don't think they get the credit they truly deserve. Most of the other "tactical warfare" franchises are gone, but Advance Wars is still here going strong.
Days of Ruin is the 4th game in the Advance Wars line and represents a significant change in terms of storyline. Actually, it's not as significant as it's hyped to be, but it is different. The first three Advance Wars games were colorful and most of the main characters were kids and everything was a touch on the cheesy side. There was still drama, after all it is a war game, but it was sanitized drama. Things are a bit different here as the drama is darker and folks are going to die, but the main characters are still younger.
[Sidenote: After some research, it actually appears that while Days of Ruin is the 4th in the Advance Wars series, the series itself is a part of the "Nintendo Wars" series of games. There are 11 games in the overall series.]
If you've played any Advance Wars game, then you've played this one. That's actually not a bad thing. The games are proven and they're perfect time killers. (Particularly in the office bathroom, which is what the DS was designed for...right? Anyone?)
The changes this time, aside from the darker storyline is new maps(26 campaign and 40 skirmish), 7 new units (motorcycle infantry, MegaTank, Anti-Tank artillery, Seaplane, Duster, Gunboat, and the Flare tank), new terrain types (each with new defensive and movement bonuses and penalties), new properties (radar, temp port, temp airport), experience levels for units, and new ways of dealing with COs and CO powers which are toned WAY down from previous versions of the game to the point that they won't be used much and will not affect a battle as much as before.
AW:DoR has online play via WiFi and you can download player made maps created with an editor that is included in the game.
My only problems with the game lie with the story and the maps. In terms of story, I'd like to see them take another step and make it more adult. Enough with the kids already. I don't need war mixed with teen angst. As for the maps, I want more. This is one of the few war games where I play through every map in every version of the series. I was a touch disappointed to see a couple of maps make the transition to this new game, but I understand that some folks will love to see popular maps return.
Not much more to add other than saying if you have a DS, you should probably give the Advance War series a try.
8 out of 10.
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