The grid-based RTS game is one that used to be traditionally Japanese. Few such games made it to western shores, but over time the genre has become more popular Stateside and in Europe. Final Fantasy Tactics (not released in the UK) was particularly popular, as was Vandal Hearts 1 and 2 and the Front Mission series. More importantly, Advance Wars was one of Nintendo’s most popular RTS efforts for the GBA console, and has now finished its sequel, Advance Wars 2.

As the Black Hole Army cont ... more >>

The grid-based RTS game is one that used to be traditionally Japanese. Few such games made it to western shores, but over time the genre has become more popular Stateside and in Europe. Final Fantasy Tactics (not released in the UK) was particularly popular, as was Vandal Hearts 1 and 2 and the Front Mission series. More importantly, Advance Wars was one of Nintendo’s most popular RTS efforts for the GBA console, and has now finished its sequel, Advance Wars 2.

As the Black Hole Army continues to rise, leader Strum has created a new base of operations and has set his sights on Cosmo Land. As a commander within Cosmo, your duty is to protect your home from Strum and his incoming hordes of Commanding Officers and their armies.

It’s not the most inspired story, we know, but it makes way for another in-depth and engrossing series of turn-based conflicts. Advance Wars 2 is more of an update than anything, this time boasting additional units and new Commanding Officers and their abilities, all spread across a series of band new campaigns and missions.

Like its predecessor, Advance Wars 2 pits players in 2D environments, usually based around forest areas and rivers, viewed from a top-down perspective. The game begins with two armies placed at opposite ends of the grid-based environment, and in most cases, all you have to do is eliminate all enemies. The game is turn-based and each unit has a preset field of movement and attack range. You must use these two aspects to strategically place your units so you can attack whilst incurring minimal damage.

But most importantly, and what most other games of this type lack, is the multi-player link-up mode. Here you can compete with several friends on the battlefield. Victory depends purely on the decisions made by each party - it’s that simple.

Advance Wars 2 is a fine sequel and we doubt it’ll be the last in the series from Nintendo. << less