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    Advance Wars Dual Strike

    Advance Wars Dual Strike (Nintendo DS)

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    Developer

    Intelligent Systems

    Publisher

    Nintendo

    Genre

    Turn Based RPG

    Players

    8

    C3 Score
    9
    Reader Score (21 Votes)
    8

    Posted on 22.09.2005 User Icon Posted by Adam Riley (jesusraz) Number of Comments Comments: 21 Number of Reads Reads: 8488
    Tag Tags: Advance Wars Dual Strike, Intelligent Systems, Nintendo, Turn Based RPG, Nintendo DS
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    Just as the Fire Emblem series from Intelligent Systems only recently made the move to the West, the same company's Wars franchise took far too long to hit our shores, with Advance Wars on the GBA being the d
    The working title of this game was Omega Factor, and instead of having to deal with problems in Macro Land, Andy, Nell and the other Commanding Officers now have to look at staving off the threat from the reformed Black Hole Army in Omega Land. Under a new leader, the dastardly group have hit back in record time with even more force than before. Can the Allied Forces beat them down again? With your help it is certainly hoped so...

     

    Two of the main criticisms aimed at both the Advance Wars and Fire Emblem series (both created by IS) are that the graphical level is not as high as it should be and that nothing much seems to change between versions. Now, coming off the back of the last GBA version, at first glance you would think that the differences are negligible. However, this is simply not the case! The little characters and vehicles that move around the playing field are all animated sufficiently and with great variety in colour throughout the arenas helping to liven up the whole experience. But the greatest aspect has to be the actual battle animations, which are full of life. Watching the little men blasting away or simply pressing the fire button in their tanks is fun to watch. No flies on this game, especially as some battles can take place over two screens, adding a whole new element to the play!

    The same positive thinking goes for the aural side of Dual Strike. Intelligent Systems, at least in my opinion anyway, has managed to score games perfectly each time they churn out a new release. Advance Wars: Dual Strike is simply amazing, even more so when you stick your earphones in! Between the motivational tunes that fit in with the army theme to background music that proves to be so catchy that you might find yourself taking a break to soak it all in, Dual Strike should have something to please everyone. And then, once you get past the soundtrack's quality, there is the added value of voice snippets dotted around. Very nice!

     

    For those unsure of what the game is actually all about, the basic idea behind the 'Wars' franchise is to make sure that your batch of soldiers can overpower any opponent facing you. You can do this any way you would like. However, there is clearly a specific method to ensure victory comes as hastily as is possible. The key is not only to survive, therefore, but to try and be as efficient as you can, losing only the amount of troops necessary (which should really be none if you are that good). How you go about doing this depends on the way you think, with some being slightly more gung-ho, whilst others will take the slow-but-sure patient approach. Both can work, both can fail...and you are scored on different elements of style at the end of a battle round

     

    Neither will letting the enemy capture all of your bases. If a soldier with full health (ten points) lands on one of your buildings and chooses to start capturing it for use by the Black Hole Army, then it will only take two full turns to do so, leading to them gaining funds and you losing vital money and safe-guard territory. But with any luck, shooting around the maps with either the stylus or D-pad will get you through without too much of a hitch. Control is as fine as ever, although people will likely be split between which method to use. Whatever the case, this is probably the finest of the three versions to hit the West!

    And it will not be over any time soon, with so many different modes to play through that its
    Gameplay

    8

    Taking the addictive gameplay from the first two GBA games and adding lots of little bits and bobs to expand the series works perfectly!
    Graphics

    8

    The graphics might look little more than a small update of the GBA versions, but the colours, animations and general layout are far advanced.
    Sound

    9

    The soundtrack is of the usual high quality that has come to be expected of Intelligent Systems, plus there is some nice use of speech!
    Value

    8

    There is so much to do in this game, be it on your own or with a group of friends that putting the game down (even for nintendogs) will be very difficult!
    9

    /10

    C3 Score The Nintendo DS has already had some high quality product released for it, but Advance Wars: Dual Strike is definitely of 'AAA' standards. Whilst the gameplay will be all too familiar for some, the extras included and changes in gameplay to suit the DS setup ensure that this is the best outing in the series so far. Do not fancy raising a mutt? Go get this instead...
    Please post your comments below.
    Buy Advance Wars Dual Strike

    Reader Comments

    1
    February's Cubed3 Podcast - Nearly Complete!
    Number of comments 13744

     Operations Director, Senior Editor

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    After not being a huge fan of the previous two, instead preferring Fire Emblem, this really caught me by surprise!

    Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]

    Looking for a Voice Actor? Look no further! | Follow AdamC3 on Twitter!
    on 22.09.2005 at 10:38
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    Indeed
    Number of comments 7625

     L100 C3 Master

    Offline

    Great review as ever Adam.

    I never got round to AW2 so it feels a little tough going straight for this, but needs must.

    And I still play AW to this day so Dual Strike will probably keep me playing for a very long time.

    It's good to see the DS really taking off with the Triple-A games, let's hope Nintendo are rewarded with sales here!
    Barry Lewis [ nin10do :: General Writer :: Feature Writer :: Fountain of Industry Statistics ]



    "We're mentalist psychic Scots, which means we can read your mind. If you're lying, your head explodes and we laugh."
    on 22.09.2005 at 10:40
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    is spinning plates.
    Number of comments 10036

     L100 C3 Master

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    Agreed, another superb review. I wanted the game before and was planning to get it on the 30th - now I'm salivating for it.
    on 22.09.2005 at 11:04
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    February's Cubed3 Podcast - Nearly Complete!
    Number of comments 13744

     Operations Director, Senior Editor

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    Thanks a lot guys - brought to you from lovely ntl:, flitting between work and the review! :eek: With any luck it'll do better than AW2 did in the UK :roll:

    Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]

    Looking for a Voice Actor? Look no further! | Follow AdamC3 on Twitter!
    on 22.09.2005 at 11:27
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    Number of comments 43

     L5 Octorock

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    I think it's time I joined in on the fun. I've been hearing about AW for years and after reading Raz's review I think I need to take a visit to VG+
    thanks Jesusras!
    on 22.09.2005 at 12:25
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    Number of comments 5166

     L100 C3 Master

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    Really want this game, excellent review!
    on 22.09.2005 at 12:31
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    Indeed
    Number of comments 7625

     L100 C3 Master

    Offline

    tonkei

    Don't import it. AWDS is out in eight days, and if you use any half decent UK online retailer you can save
    Barry Lewis [ nin10do :: General Writer :: Feature Writer :: Fountain of Industry Statistics ]



    "We're mentalist psychic Scots, which means we can read your mind. If you're lying, your head explodes and we laugh."
    on 22.09.2005 at 13:16
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    Number of comments 5477

     Moderator

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    I agree with you 100% raz, this game is fully deserving of that 9.5 and is a MUST HAVE.


    [ Moderator :: Head of Secret Police :: Legendary Member :: United State-ian ]

    on 22.09.2005 at 13:45
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    February's Cubed3 Podcast - Nearly Complete!
    Number of comments 13744

     Operations Director, Senior Editor

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    Ah you guys are great, muchas gracias! :-D And nin10do's right about not importing as the game's out in Europe very soon and will probably be cheap from Amazon UK!

    UK gamers should lap this up...

    Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]

    Looking for a Voice Actor? Look no further! | Follow AdamC3 on Twitter!
    on 22.09.2005 at 14:16
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    Rob W

    0

    Reply Quote  #10

    Yes, that's right, you're all ripe for satire!
    Number of comments 2534

     L75 Dedede

    Offline

    Been split between this and the 'dogs for about a month. I think I've just decided. That many exclamation marks in one review means it must be good. Smilie

    Also, I'm surprised you still work at NTL...
    on 22.09.2005 at 14:42
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    Life's a game
    Number of comments 1050

     L53 Yoshi

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    yup great review. Cant wait for next wekk when i get it has soon as Game opens cause i got the day off YAY
    on 22.09.2005 at 15:12
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    February's Cubed3 Podcast - Nearly Complete!
    Number of comments 13744

     Operations Director, Senior Editor

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    It depresses me Rob! :-( I'll have a review of nintendogs coming soon as well (with any luck...!) As for exclamation marks! I don't know what you mean!! :tongue:

    Webby, thanks mate, glad to see people showing positiveness towards the game, especially after reading this review. Nice to influence people at times... :Smilie

    Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]

    Looking for a Voice Actor? Look no further! | Follow AdamC3 on Twitter!
    on 22.09.2005 at 15:51
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    jump for gold
    Number of comments 1039

     L52 DK

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    wish i could get this but ive still got AW2 to complete.

    -Have you any idea what it's like to be a Fembot living in a Manbot's Manputer's world?
    -What?
    on 22.09.2005 at 19:10
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    Number of comments 7

     L1 New Born

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    Another great review raz a must have title just hope it is recieved well
    on 22.09.2005 at 19:26
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    Hey everybody have seen my balls? They're big and salty and brown...
    Number of comments 6337

     L100 C3 Master

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    Too bad it was released too early to be online :-(.

    Ah well, looks like it rocks, and I know I'll be picking it up soon-ish!
    YOU HAVE JUST LOST THE GAME. Sorry. Smilie
    on 22.09.2005 at 20:07
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    Indeed
    Number of comments 7625

     L100 C3 Master

    Offline

    I just hope tonkei notices my comment.

    Importing can pain me at times but I can understand it fully, importing now is just asking for it to flop in our charts... :S
    Barry Lewis [ nin10do :: General Writer :: Feature Writer :: Fountain of Industry Statistics ]



    "We're mentalist psychic Scots, which means we can read your mind. If you're lying, your head explodes and we laugh."
    on 22.09.2005 at 20:12
    My User Card | Games | Blog | Reviews | Friend Codes | PM Me 
    February's Cubed3 Podcast - Nearly Complete!
    Number of comments 13744

     Operations Director, Senior Editor

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    People like spydarlee will definitely rush out and buy this (no?). But then again, if you own AW and AW2 you might, like E_S, still be playing on the GBA versions. Hmm, interesting point...

    Lttb, thanks! Smilie

    Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]

    Looking for a Voice Actor? Look no further! | Follow AdamC3 on Twitter!
    on 22.09.2005 at 20:20
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    Guy With The Mug
    Number of comments 3543

     L85 Ganon

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    I have played Raz's verison! Hooray!


    [:: Lee Sanders :: Cubed-3 :: News Reporter :: Writer :: Head Of Secret Operations:: Resisdentual Slacker ::]

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    on 22.09.2005 at 20:42
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    February's Cubed3 Podcast - Nearly Complete!
    Number of comments 13744

     Operations Director, Senior Editor

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    Hooray for Lee! Hehe Smilie :tongue: Sorry I've not used your GME pics Lee - the official team sent me a load for the article :-(

    Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]

    Looking for a Voice Actor? Look no further! | Follow AdamC3 on Twitter!
    on 22.09.2005 at 20:56
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    Do you have the jump cables?
    Number of comments 10618

     L100 C3 Master

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    Yesssss, screw the dogs, let's get mobilized people!

    Nice review, as ever, 'Raz.
    "We're mentalist psychic Scots, which means we can read your mind. If you're lying, your head explodes and we laugh."

    Fly fast, stay low, hit hard
    Guide to using the Metroid Bounty Hunters.

    {Guild}Ohmdal: But how did you get the poo inside of the box when the goat was sleeping on top of it?
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    on 29.09.2005 at 15:38
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    Number of comments 43

     L5 Octorock

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    re: 16) nin10do

    I waited in the end & picked it up from my local indie game store :Smilie
    on 22.03.2006 at 21:41
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