29115

Advance Wars: Dual Strike

Intelligent Systems

DS

Body
-INTRO
Awaited sequel of the GBA titles and the many others in the series that never got out of Japan, it's expected to unblock the series from its near-perfection stall. Also another good chance for Nintendo to prove the DS' worth.
-GRAPHICS(Tech)
The war maps are displayed in perspective and the top screen shows additional info or is occasionally used for extra tasks. Battle animations are a little more dynamic.
-GRAPHIC(Art)
More or less same tiles and sprites as in AW2, some new effects and the COs have been redrawn. The overall style is still quite impersonal.
-AMBIENCE
Catchy overpowered music for special attacks and the usual personal COs tunes do the job fine.
-CONTROLS
After getting used to it, controls become quick & intuitive. Shame there's not much of a point in using the touch-screen, as all commands can be given through buttons and d-pad in a quicker and more precise manner.
Mind
-DIFFICULTY CURVE
The game starts with a sort of tutorial but soon gets well into the system. Works better for experienced players.
-LEVEL DESIGN
A huge amount of new maps for the main Campaign, all clever and tight as usual. Extra modes explore new design ideas.
-PUZZLE DESIGN
N/A
-FIGHTING SYSTEM
The chess-like strategy of the series still works perfectly and COs tagging and Dual Strikes add variety and a slight randomness to the relentless warfare.
-MAGIC SYSTEM
N/A
-DEBUGGING
Faultless in typical Nintendo style.
Soul
-ORIGINALITY & INNOVATION
Nothing too revolutionary but a definitive step forward. It mustn't have been an easy task to add something truly new without breaking the perfect balance reached by the last games in the series, but new, powerful units are introduced and the dual screen is exploited in practical and imaginative ways, even if they never feel fundamental.
-STORY
Black Hole is back with new and old faces, the cheesy plot advanced by the battle intros and a few cutscenes.
-ATMOSPHERE
Not a game to rely too much on feelings, if not a slight comraderie and the frenzy of another march towards victory.
-ARTISTIC VALUE
A perfect handeld package, it expands to the limits of portable strategy. Misses some points on shallowness.
-PURE GAMING FUN
It's the chess of the new century, a perfect balance that captures easily and never fails. For how simple it may look, tactic skills can be honed to perfection till eternity.
Extra info
-HOURS TO COMPLETION
About 20 hrs. for Campaign mode the first time through.
-MULTIPLAYER
Up to 4 players in wireless VS mode plus map trading, Combat mode with just one game card.
-PLAYER CUSTOMISATION
A selection of COs is given for any battle, abilities can be added when they level up and later on a little of their appearance can be changed. Custom maps can be created to be played or exchanged.
-EXTENDED & REPLAY VALUE
It could be the only game you'll ever need. Replay, single maps, challenges and multiplayer can make it last literally forever. Getting the 300 medals is an insanely long-lasting task.
Final Score
Perfect strategy gaming evolves through dual screens. Yet another reason to own a DS.

 

Copyright 2005 StrangeAeons Industries London
Some of the images are ©Nintendo Co. Ltd. and are here used for flattery purposes.
May They lead the Videogaming World forever.

www.AeonZero.com