"Best game on GBA"

At first glance, the GBA has a lack of games right now. Most people have been held over by Castlevania and Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2. But since Advance Wars has been released, Castlevania and THPS2 have taken their step down from the top of the GBA games pile.

To put it simply, Advance Wars is brilliant. In terms of graphics, sound, intensity, difficulty, gameplay, and replayability, nothing has put all these categories together in a single package like AW has.

Graphics

AW has very simple graphics, but they are colorful and sufficient. The overhead map graphics show the units and terrain clearly, except perhaps between tanks and medium tanks. The lack of fancy graphics allows commanders to make strategic decisions with ease. The in-battle animations are simple, but effective in presentation. The units look great, but I disabled the whole animation process to allow the game go faster, a great option for those looking to play a faster game. Too bad the tutorial didn't allow you to disable it (as far as I saw). The animations for movements on the overhead map also become faster, but still yet smooth. I also love watching enemy units explode. :)

Sound

The music track is quite energetic, though quite repetitive. Despite it's repetition, I liked the music. The game allows players to disable music as well, if they so choose to do. The sounds for fighting are clear and powerful.

Intensity

Not a normal category, eh? Well, this game keeps you involved at all times. Not for a minute (unless taking a break) did I take my eyes off the action. When the enemy moves, you watch. When you move... well obviously you watch that part. Sometimes, you find yourself on the edge of your seat wondering what will aspire next, though you can usually predict that (not a bad thing).

Gameplay

The gameplay is what makes Advance Wars special. Units are so well balanced that the game provides a way to counter every other unit. Therefore, as a commander, the player needs to respond to all the different changes in battle situations. There are 18 units, and although this doesn't seem like too many, each unit is incredibly different, except for the tank and mdtank. They all play different roles, and no unit is without a counter-unit. Personally, I think the game is a little more fun with indirect fire units, but then again, they are usually eaten up by tanks without support.

The campaign is only part of the game. There is also a war room to skirmish the computer, and playing the game multiplayer is easy since a player can just pass along the game to another if they would like in the Vs. Mode, or play link mode with only one gamepack, although it's preferable for everyone to have their own.

Remember, there's always a winning strategy in this game (although you could mathematically find a strategy that would beat another side, eh? Think 20 moves ahead? Hah.)

Difficulty

The game presents many scenarios where you are down on units. You may start out with two moving units, but a base. In contrast, the enemy has 20 units and closing quickly. However, there's always a way to work out of any situation. There's also a special difficulty mode that you can play to get more Advance War Coins, which buy you maps in the game.

Replayability

Infinite. Campaign mode, War Room, Battle Maps for purchasing more War Room and Vs. maps, Custom Maps... where does the possibility end... Even in Vs. maps you can play against the computer...

Overall Rating: A+, 10, *****, Thumbs Up, 100%.

BUY THIS GAME. You won't be sorry.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 09/16/01, Updated 09/16/01