It's a still a great game, and whist some may argue the new look is a bad move, it really was a well-needed change.
That's why this new generation is an excellent update to the series. The light-hearted gameplay from before was good, but I felt it glossed over and seemed to forget that your objective was essentially sending people to kill other people. Some people may have liked this approach, but I believe Days of Ruin is a better perspective on the premise.
There is still plenty of character interactivity and development, complete with light-hearted banter, but the game makes little effort to tone down the presence of death in the world, which in my opinion, is more immersive.
You also get more than just heads and script when characters speak to eachother. Now there are small cutscenes complete with larger character art and detailed backgrounds, which adds yet another dimension to the game.
And the biggest difference IS the graphics - pretty much everything has been re-designed. Imagine being an experienced AV player and having to play with the same cartoony soldiers and tanks, the same characters and pesonalities, the same menus, the same background art, and only getting some new features fairly later on in the game? It would just make the whole series feel stale, if it hadn't already by the third game.
The art is more detailed and more mature, and there is a more expansive use of graphics. It's not drastically different, and anyone should be able to recognise a well-known unit. The use of menus and map graphics gives it a more techy and modern feeling, and that combined with the darker feel is a good difference on the bright colours and cartoony art.
The character art, text boxes, units both in and out of fighting, the terrain from all angles - it's all changed, and looks pretty cool.
The music is a notable change which can be recognised instantly on the first level, which may appeal or repel people. "Metal" is the first word that comes to mind - basically, there is a more heavier rock feeling to the music, as well as the usual touches of techno. Again, it adds to the "grittiness" of the new look and I feel it is a welcome change.
Advance Wars always had great, loveable and addictive music, and the new generation still has that quality.
For someone who is new to the Advance Wars series, I would recommend that you play the earlier game(s) before moving onto this one. For experienced players, I would of course recommend you continue with this one. If you've grown tired of the series, this is an excellent make-over, and for those who still like the gameplay, then it's got the usual.
I have noticed this game get a lot of criticism for it's new style, but really it was just right. This series could not have stayed as likeable with the same features as before, and the core gameplay has not been damaged. It's still Advance Wars, and it is still brilliantly made.
For the regular DS player, this is definitely a worthwhile game to have.