Advance Wars: Dark Conflict / Days of Ruin DS

Paul Govan's guide of Advance Wars: Dark Conflict / Days of Ruin. Subscribe to this column via RSS or Newsletter.

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Column:
Family Gamer

Format:
DS

Genre:
Strategy

Style:
Turnbased
Singleplayer
Competitive

Written on:
11/09/2008

Second opinion:
Family Gamer (DS)

Further reading:
Family Gaming Awards

Advance Wars started life back on the original 90's Gameboy as Gameboy Wars. But it wasn't until the Gameboy Advance that the game really came to maturity.

Its offering of turn based tactics in a bright and brilliant handheld game was soon snapped up. The DS versions have extended the experience with more screen space for stats, units and terrain. Advance Wars: Dark Conflict takes the series in a darker, yet more simplistic direction.

It's one of those type of game genres...

Turn based strategy games are the video gaming equivalent of chess, risk and other board games. The player is presented with a tile based environment and a number of pieces which they can position and move. These games usually revolve around some military conflict.

When the player directs an encounter to take place the comparative stats of vehicles, characters and current landscape are used to calculate the winner. Forest usually makes you harder to hit, whilst tanks do more damage than infantry.

But why is it any better than the others...

Advance Wars' take on turn based strategy is considerably more restrained when compared to other turn based video games. Rather than use the novelty of animated visuals and large arsenals of weapons the focus here is on balance and precision. Levels often fit on a single screen, and the number of units can often be counted on your fingers. A limited set of environment tiles are distinctive and well balanced, each area giving appropriate line of sight, movement, offensive or defensive bonuses.

Within this restrained world there is a game as complex as chess. As the turns unfold, detailed strategies are employed by the player to maximise the use of their limited resources. For experienced players, the resulting levels become puzzle-like spaces in which to play. This results in high replay value as experts aim to complete each level with a perfect score.

So what experience should I play this game for...

Players are often drawn to Advance Wars by its bright visuals and cheery gameplay. There is perhaps no greater sense of power in video gaming than watching your tank merrily bounce its way into an enemy city and come away victorious. Advance Wars: Dark Conflict provides an experience that builds a degree more seriousness into proceedings. It has a darker palette and an even more honed set of play options.

But more than all this, the simple attraction of the game is its ability to absorb you into a miniature world. Hours are lost, the day ends and the evening draws in, and all the while the Advance Wars player is in the bliss of the battle.

And when can I take a break...

As just mentioned, battles in Advance Wars can last many hours. from the outset it often looks like an easy win is possible, but before too long the determined enemies are making life difficult and drawing proceedings out into a full evening's play. On top of this the desire to replay levels and achieve those elusive quick decisive victories can further extend play sessions.

This is a great game for who...

Younger players are likely to struggle to grasp the forward thinking concepts required to progress with Advance Wars. Those that are comfortable playing Chess and Risk should feel more at home. In fact Advance Wars represents a good training ground for these other games.

Intermediate players will quickly get to grips with the basics of the game and appreciate just how much there is to do here. The initial simplicity gives way to a nuanced and complex game. Multiplayer mode may suite these players well, particularly if they don't have the time to invest in the substantial campaign mode.

Expert players will enjoy wringing every last ounce of fun from Advance Wars. From learning the ideal unit type and terrain combination to implementing complex pincer movements, there is always something more to do. They too will have the time required to really get to grips with the more refined aspects of play.

Thanks for reading the reivew, visit our Family Gaming Awards - the best games for the different people in your family.

Written by Paul Govan

Paul Govan writes the Family Gamer column. "I write family video game reviews. I want to play games with friends and family in the same place, as well as enjoy sharing the experience with my wife and kids. But as well as these there are precious late night gaming moments to fill. Throughout, time is of the essence."

Paul Govan's recent reviews:

• Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
• WarioWare: Twisted
• Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels
• Fossil Fighters

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