Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is a much-awaited remake of the classic Game Boy Advance games, Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising. Developed by Nintendo and WayForward and published by Nintendo, this game brings the turn-based strategy gameplay of the original games to the Nintendo Switch with upgraded visuals and improved quality of life features. Let’s dive into the changes, positives and negatives of the game, and see how it stacks up against the originals.
The most noticeable change in Re-Boot Camp is the visual upgrade. The game now features high-resolution graphics that look great on both the handheld and docked modes of the Switch. The colors are vibrant, the animations are smooth, and the unit designs are faithful to the original games. The user interface has also been improved, making it easier to navigate and understand the different menus.
Another significant change is the addition of Dual Strike’s COs and units to the first game. This means that players will have access to more than 40 COs, each with their own unique abilities and powers, as well as new units like the stealth fighter and neotank. These additions add more depth to the gameplay and offer new strategies for players to explore.
Re-Boot Camp also includes a number of quality of life improvements. For example, players can now save mid-mission or just go back after putting their Switch in sleep mode, which is a huge relief for those who don’t have the time to play a full match in one sitting. The game also includes an undo feature, which allows players to reverse their last move if they made a mistake. These improvements make the game more accessible to new players and more enjoyable for veterans of the series.
One of the other positives of Re-Boot Camp is that it faithfully recreates the gameplay of the original games. The turn-based strategy mechanics are still as engaging as ever, and the game includes both the Campaign and War Room modes from the first game, as well as the Campaign, War Room, and Survival modes from the second game. The AI has been improved to make the game more challenging, and players can also compete against each other in local or online multiplayer.
However, there are a few negatives to consider as well. One of the biggest issues is that there is no new content beyond the addition of Dual Strike’s COs and units to the first game. While the updated graphics and quality of life improvements are welcome, players who have already played the original games might not find enough new content to justify the purchase, unless they’re just looking for a trip down memory lane.
Another issue is that the game can feel a bit slow at times, especially during the enemy turns. This is a common issue in turn-based strategy games, but it can be frustrating for less patient players who want to keep the action moving. Additionally, the game can be a bit complex for newcomers, especially with all the different COs and unit types to keep track of – for something that started life on a handheld system, there’s a surprising amount of depth here.
In conclusion, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is a faithful remake of two classic turn-based strategy games. The updated graphics and quality of life improvements make the game more accessible and enjoyable, and the addition of Dual Strike’s COs and units adds more depth to the gameplay. However, there is no new content beyond these additions, and the game can feel slow and complex at times. If you’re a fan of the original games or a newcomer to the series, however, Re-Boot Camp is definitely worth checking out – these are handheld classics that have been remade very well for the Nintendo Switch.
Score: 8.0/10
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