Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp Preview
After some extensive delays, the Advance Wars remake is almost upon us. Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp gives the first two games a serious makeover. Gone are the pixelated battlefields, replaced by slicker, more seamless polygons. So far, the changes are mostly cosmetic. But honestly, the core gameplay needed very little upkeep. These GBA classics can still hold their own, even after two decades or so.
Aside from the visual overhaul, what’s new with Advance Wars? For one thing, there’s a Casual mode. It doesn’t make a big difference, at least not that I can see. The AI is less aggressive, but things like damage and defense are left untouched. There’s also an online multiplayer mode, which I didn’t have access to. The last thing I noticed was a ‘reset turn’ function. You can roll back the current turn to the beginning before any actions were taken. It’s a small change, but a convenient one. You can still paint yourself into a corner, but this acts as a bit of a buffer.
Just As You Remember It
The core Advance Wars gameplay is more or less untouched. For the unfamiliar, these are turn-based strategy RPGs that put you in charge of a robust military force. Soldiers, tanks, planes, the whole shebang. Sometimes you can summon more forces, and sometimes what you see is what you get. Each side has a chance to use every unit before their turn ends. This leads to a lot of tense spectating while you watch the enemy do their thing. It’s not uncommon for the tides to totally turn from one round to the next. The gameplay loop is an equal mix of satisfaction and frustration.
Crushing your opponent in battle is a wonderful feeling. The explosions, the vanishing units, and the looks of misery all go down smoothly. Of course, this means that losing is just as awful. At least in that case, you can see your defeat coming from miles away. Then it’s just a matter of flying the white flag and trying again. I only wish the CPU opponents had the same graceful instincts. I’ve had several fights drag on for a dozen turns, when it was clear as day who was eventually winning. If you’ve got 15 units and they’ve got two? Maybe pack it in, that’s all I’m saying.
Like the originals, this collection is perfect for handheld gaming. I’ve put in over a dozen hours. Maybe two of them were spent with the Switch in docked mode. Otherwise, I’ve been sneaking in turns while watching TV, before bed, and during my lunch break. Even in casual mode, I appreciate the ability to pause and consider my next move. It’s not unusual for a single turn to decide the battle, after all. Plus, certain fights have needed multiple attempts. More than once, I’ve concluded a battle was unwinnable two turns before a surprise victory. Handheld mode lets me put it down and regroup with less hassle.
War On The Go
If you’ve been a fan of Advance Wars since the GBA days, I think you’ll be happy with this collection. So far, my time with the remake has been a blast. New players have even more to look forward to. These are punchy, relentless strategy games. Don’t be fooled by that cheerful cartoon exterior. I wish the CO power animations were a bit shorter, and the story’s pretty thin on the ground. But otherwise? Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is shaping up to be a can’t-miss Switch title.
***A Nintendo Switch code was provided by the publisher***
