[DS] FIRST GLANCE REVIEW: ADVANCE WARS: DAYS OF RUIN

TITLE: ADVANCE WARS: DAYS OF RUIN

PLATFORM: DS

DEVELOPED BY: INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS

DISTRIBUTED BY: NINTENDO

GAME INFO: Wireless DS, Multi-Card Play

RATING: E for Everyone, Language, Mild Violence

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

For me, there are some video game series that are must-get when released. One of the series that I’m just totally into is “ADVANCE WARS”.

The popular tactical warfare game is back and like previous installments, I am hooked!

From the first two games on the GameBoy Advance to the step up into DS territory with “Dual Strike”, I have been highly anticipating the release of “DAYS OF RUIN” because not only are we getting a brand new storyline and new characters but the ability to design, upload and trade custom maps via Nintendo WiFi Connection and much more.

According to Nintendo, “Advance Wars: Days of Ruin” features a new group of COs and supporting characters, as well as a new setting. After a terrible asteroid strike that leaves few survivors, the world is in chaos. Toxic dust clouds are choking out the food supply. New diseases strike without warning. Terror runs rampant as people do whatever is necessary for their own survival. Against this background, one small band fights to restore human dignity in a world gone mad, but the mission seems impossible. Their own country is being led by a dictator. Their former enemy thinks only of revenge. And behind the scenes, a scientist with unbelievable power dreams of eliminating the human race once and for all.

The main characters are Will.  A former student of the Rubinelle Military Academy and the sole survivor who is found by Brenner, the commander of the 12th Battalion and Lin, a lt. and second in command to Brenner.  Will saves a mysterious girl named Isabella but you start to realize that there may be more to this girl.  Overall, the storyline is very well planned.  To see how people react when being the only survivors, how one would survive with only so much food, what happens if one gets sick and just the fear of a new world and how some people become twisted when reaching for power.

Game-play Modes:

• Single-player: Players battle their way through a lengthy campaign and the twists and turns of the main story.
• Free Battle: Players challenge themselves or up to three friends on more than 170 two-, three- and four-player maps. When playing with friends, players use one Nintendo DS and pass it among players.
• Battle: Fight up to three other players on more than 170 maps via local wireless communication or Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Each player must have his or her own game card.
• Design Room: Players use the touch screen to design their own maps, controlling every aspect from troop placement to terrain features.
• Trade Maps: Link to a friend via local wireless communication or Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and swap topographical masterpieces.

Special powers/weapons/moves/features: Multiplayer has always been the backbone of the Advance Wars game play, and the addition of playing via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection makes it even better. Here’s a brief overview of the online experience:

• Exchange Friend Codes with a close circle of military geniuses, then declare war against one of them over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. While battling, players can communicate with each other using full voice chat.
• Players pit their skills against the world as they take on random players. They can choose to fight against people of their own skill level or engage whoever dares to take them on.
• Advance Wars: Days of Ruin contains one of the most robust map-creation systems ever seen. Use the stylus to paint and create the perfect map, then send it to a friend for a test run. It’s easy, fun and very, very addictive.

I’m really enjoying this game and I know there is a lot of gameplay value, especially with the additional training missions and I’m looking forward to seeing how much they packed into this game.

So, far I’m on chapter 13 and I’m enjoying every minute of it.  Especially, the twist and turns in the storyline.  Wow!

If you enjoyed the previous games, you have no reason not to get this one.  It’s also a good starting point because “DAYS OF RUIN” introduces new characters and brand new storyline.

I highly recommend this game because even for a few hours of playing it, it’s an incredible game which will have you replaying each level just to get that S ranking or A ranking and of course opening more maps and more characters.  Very cool!