Advance Wars Dual Strike delivers in spades.
Much like its predeccesors, Dual Strike is a turn based strategy game set in a modern time with an ever-increasing flavor of Science Fiction. Each player takes turns maneuvering their forces across the battlefield, while attacking the enemy along the way. As in previous titles, wiping out the opposition or capturing the opponent's command center is the standard goal. In this title, however, maneuvering troops can now be accomplished with the stylus and touch screen instead the traditional D-pad. Personally, I've found this a little uncomfortable, but doable.
All of the previously mentioned units can be found in the game's five factions; Orange Star, Blue Moon, Yellow Comet, Green Earth, and Black Hole. While most of these sound very cheesy and like some sort of subliminal advertisement for Lucky Charms cereal, it is the Commanding Officers (CO's for short) that make each faction memorable. Fans will be delighted to know that the game retains all those found in the past (except Sturm), along with eight new COs. Unlike in some strategy games, these are not just colorful avatars to add flare. Each CO is remarkably different in strategy, and also - thanks to some sharp dialogue - in personality. Take Yellow Comet's new CO, Grimm, for example. He has a loud, lively personality that compliments his unit's emphasis on firepower over defense. It's also worth mentioning, players now have the ability to rank up COs and earn the ability to choose a new skill to customize them. The variety and balance of units, coupled with the many unique COs, allows the game to offer an unbelievable amount of strategy - almost unheard of for a handheld game. Of course, experienced players know that's not all there is to the COs...
During a battle, your Commanding Officer's star meter fills based on how much damage he's done to the enemy (or they to him). By filling it all the way, you can unleash the CO's super power, which can turn the tide of a battle if you're a tactful player. This feature adds more action and tension to the old turn-based genre, and keeps the series from becoming stale. To keep you on your toes, the new ability to tag team COs (use two COs at once) is also available. I've found it allows your army and the enemies' army to adapt easier to battle situations or compensate for a COs weakness. If both of the COs' meters fill, you can unleash the devastating "Dual Strike", that allows you to take two turns at once. I was surprised to find how much care and attention was put into this new tactic. It helps ensure that no combination could be used unfairly, and so the game doesn't boil down to simply racing to get the first Dual Strike to win the game.
While Advance Wars: Dual Strike is a deep and complex game, new players need not worry about being overwhelmed. The beginning of the main campaign contains an intergraded tutorial that should ease greenhorns into the fray, though experienced players may find it a little tedious to trudge through this fairly unchallenging learning campaign. Naturally, after beating the campaign, a harder difficulty is available to offer a better challenge.
Although you won't see this early in the game, the already great AI has been improved since past Wars titles; this time around it can no longer be tricked by the old APC feint. The computer will exploit the weakness in your army and then repeatedly strike quickly and without hesitation. The AI shows signs of impressive aggression, but it also knows when to retreat. This makes for a fun and challenging opponent, despite that it's slightly overzealous in using the special CO powers.
You will fight this very capable AI with an impressive list of nearly every classic type of military unit. Infantry, various sorts of tanks, rocket launchers, fighter jets, helicopters, and battleships are just the half of it. In Advance Wars 2, players were likely disappointed with the addition of only one new unit. In Dual Strike, six new units arrive on the scene. Despite the fact that this does not seem like a lot in general strategy gaming terms, it is in Advance Wars terms. As expected of the series, each and every unit is meticulously balanced. Every type has a purpose on the battlefield without being gimmicky. Here's an example: the new appropriately named Megatank can wipe out medium tanks in one swift blow, but only packs enough ammo for three strikes from the cannons. It also lacks the fuel capacity of regular units. In short, all of these clever balances ensure no single "beat-all" for any situation, making hectic battles rage on.
Even with all of these variables to consider, the game contains many terrain variations and weather effects that alone can change the feel of a battle. Playing with weather settings can really add a lot of replay value in a "versus map". In addition to weather and terrain, the new COM towers add a little more spice to gameplay. For example, they will increase you army's overall firepower when captured. While the COM towers are a good addition, they are not nearly as satisfying as the Missile Pad addition was in the previous installment. They seem tossed in at the last minute, and maybe they were; the animation of the infantry capturing the structure is exactly the same as the one capturing a city. Nevertheless, these are minor complaints compared to the overall quality of the design as a whole.
Just for kicks, the game features combat mode, which is an arcade-like action game. Players get to control one of the basic Advance Wars units in real-time, while fighting an outnumbering force. This game is also available in multiplayer (think old school Bomberman... with guns). It is not the greatest of game modes, but it can be fun. In addition to this, there is a plethora of unlockables and medals. Three hundred medals to be precise, which can be earned by doing normal tasks over and over, which are tracked in the "Battle History." Whether or not you get a prize for earning all these medals.... your guess is as good as mine. Nevertheless, this is a nice touch for fans (or just addicts).
Once you're done fighting the computer and unlocking all there is, you can take on a friend via wireless LAN or Wi-fi. However, this is not for everyone. A fair amount of patience and/or fandom with Advance Wars is required. Unfortunately, Intelligent Systems needs a little more design experience with multiplayer games. Matches can last many hours and players waiting for their turn can't do much more than send quick messages to others. It would be nice to browse the maps or close the DS during wait time. To add to these negatives, you can't save. If you try to leave the game, it will end for all. Despite these shortcomings, if fans have the spare time and the patience, multiplayer can be a blast.
All of these elements add up to an amazing amount of replay value, but all this would be worthless without solid level design and choice of game modes. Advance Wars Dual Strike delivers in spades. To begin with, the game will challenge your with numerous tactical situations in a lengthy, well-done campaign. Afterwards, plan to spend lots of time in the War Room. These maps offer a greater test of player skills than simple multiplayer maps because they offer well-designed maps favoring the opponent. Dual Screen maps are also new to these modes, and they challenge you to manage two different battles at once by using both of the Nintendo DS screens. This is a good twist, adding even more of a frantic challenge. For even more replay value, the game also includes a survivor mode which marathons you through a series of maps fighting against a limited amount of time, turns, or money. Once you're done with that, there's a host of versus maps catering to those who just want to play by their own rules. Want more? Make your own map! The game contains its very own solid map editor for those artistic and experimental gamers out there... and with the stylus, maps are easier and more fun to make.
Advance Wars: Dual Strike has a lot to offer, and it looks and sounds better than ever. The game has the same traditional look as before but from a more isotopic perspective, which gives a nice 3D appearance. Little details like seagulls flying across an island map or cloud shadows floating by are a polished addition. The new artwork for all of the Commanding Officers is nicely done, giving the game its own unique and memorable personality. Another nice touch is the many uses of the DS screens. The top screen is used mostly for displaying terrain, game, and unit status, helping to keep the lower screen uncluttered. Sound wise, the effects are fairly the same as the old, but fans will enjoy some slight enhancements. The music for the new and old COs is catchy as always; however, it is noticeable that the new CO's themes take more advantage of the Nintendo DS hardware.
This is simply an outstanding title and a perfect reason to buy a Nintendo DS, if you haven't already. If the original Advance Wars on the GBA was Super Smash Bros 64, Advance Wars Dual Strike is Super Smash Bros Melee. Don't be put off by the fact that the game is about war or a turn based game, if you give it a chance, you are more than likely to enjoy the experience. Players of the other Wars games know exactly what I mean. Regardless of complaints about the multiplayer facet, there is a ton of surprising content to be found in this title.