Intelligent Systems, the Japanese studio responsible for creating Fire Emblem and Paper Mario, has been developing Advance Wars since its first installment. The original two games, Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, were released for the Game Boy Advance in 2002 and 2003, respectively, and were regarded as the benchmark for strategy games.
With the remastered compilation, Advance Wars 1+2 Reboot Camp, the original content has been preserved and updated in its entirety. The Campaign mode is nearly identical to the original, with all the battles remaining intact. The only notable change is the shortened tutorial in the first episode.
The plot of the two games is less of a focus, just as it was at the time of their original release. The player assumes the role of Orange Star’s military troops, one of the nations in Wars World, under the direction of Commander Nell. The player must defend against the Blue Moon invader, led by General Olaf, in a war where other nations are also taking up arms.
The plot is pretty straightforward and predictable, with a few twists here and there, but nothing remarkable. The addition of voice acting for the main characters is a great new feature. While it is only available during some conversations, it adds some much-needed personality to the characters. The dialogue can also differ depending on the player’s chosen character before each chapter.
While the storyline is more passive, it serves as a necessary foundation for the war-like setting of both games, in which the player takes on the role of a master strategist. The gameplay itself has remained relatively unchanged over the last 20 years. The player assumes control of various units on a square map to battle it out and come out victorious against the enemy. However, the game is not as straightforward as it may seem, as many factors must be taken into account to claim territory.
The first consideration is the units at your disposal, which are divided into three types: the army, air force, and navy. Each unit within these regiments has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. For example, tanks can conquer any armored vehicle, but they are vulnerable to bombers, which in turn are susceptible when faced with anti-aircraft vehicles. Consequently, the player must learn to master the characteristics of each of their troops, as they all have distinct traits, such as firing range, movement, and ammunition.
Once players have mastered the fundamentals, they must take into account the diverse terrain types on the map, such as mountains and forests that can obstruct or even block vehicle movement, while also offering better visibility and defense for infantry. Additionally, taking over cities can alter the course of the battle, as they supply resources to deploy better units, such as tanks or fighter jets.
Furthermore, the player must also consider the generals they lead, who take up the primary role in battle. Each general has unique passive and active abilities associated with their personality, which serve to enhance their troops.
After each battle, the player receives a score based on three criteria: power, speed, and technique used. The higher the score, the more coins the player earns, which can be used at Hachi’s store to obtain new generals, cards, as well as various artwork and music.
The beginning of each chapter serves as a tutorial, to make the game more accessible to players of all levels, including those who have yet to experience the series. As the game progresses, the experience becomes more enjoyable, especially when you start to see payoffs to your tactics. There are two difficulty modes available: Classic for challenge-seeking or nostalgic players and Easy for those who prefer a simpler experience.
The gameplay’s slower pace doesn’t work in its favor, as finding the right tactic may require some trial and error. Capturing buildings and defeating opponents can also be time-consuming, which can get frustrating. While the addition of fast-forward and turn-replaying features helps to mitigate this issue to an extent, the remastered titles still feel a little dated by modern standards.
Advance Wars 1 + 2: Reboot Camp boasts an extensive amount of content, with two campaigns and numerous missions available in Headquarters mode. The map editor and Hachi’s store offer further opportunities for players to customize their experience.
All in all, despite the addition of a fast-forward function and the ability to replay rounds, Advance Wars 1 + 2: Reboot Camp doesn’t quite hold up against modern strategy games. While it does carry some nostalgic appeal, the lack of new features may come as a disappointment for returning players. Nevertheless, Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising are enjoyable and accessible strategy games for newer audiences.
While Advance Wars 1 + 2: Reboot Camp does carry some nostalgic appeal, the lack of modern features may come as a disappointment for returning players.