War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing aside from the thousands of video games offering an ever-changing backdrop. Titles that span the long history of mankind’s often pointless conflicts. Some titles see you on the battlefield struggling over every inch but Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp by American studio WayForward is very much an armchair general’s affair.
Return Fire
If the name rings a bell that’s because this turn-based strategy offering is a bundle of two classic Gameboy Advance titles; Advance Wars (2001), and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising (2003).
While the source material is over 20 years old, it’s all had a face lift and some restructuring. It’s also worth noting the game was held back a year due to the real-world conflict between Russia invading Ukraine.
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Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp basically lets you command your forces over a number of epic battles. Starting things up, you may feel a bit daunted by things but the game does a really good job at explaining each unit you have under your command as well as how different terrain will affect the battle.
Reboot Camp
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp does a solid job at equipping you with all the tools and most importantly the knowledge you’ll need to wage battle during the first few missions.
But that’s just the beginning as there are is some depth to be found in the level of strategy the game has that bely its cute and colourful visuals. Sometimes a strong defence can often turn the tides of an engagement as much as an offence.
The game features a few new additions on the gameplay front as well. Firstly, you can fast forward gameplay, as well as reset a turn if you think things haven’t gone to plan. These may not feel like massive add-ons but they really do streamline things.
Mission Brief
The first game, Advance Wars, sees you playing as one of three commanders. Each has different abilities that can help you in a pinch, like healing or buffing units. You’ll battle through a number of missions.
However, most of these will have you just destroying everything that moves. The simple mission design does show the core gameplay’s age a little.
The second of the two titles, Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, moves things forward greatly. To the point that you could see the first game as a sort of extended tutorial. Beware that in this collection, you must beat the Advance Wars‘s campaign to unlock the Black Hole Rising‘s campaign.
Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising features more commanders, one more unit-type and greater selection of battles. This is all build into a much stronger mission structure. The game also adds in a lot more options on the win conditions front allowing different tactics to thrive mission to mission.
Tales of War
Though those looking for a bit of a tale to flesh out these victories will not be disappointed. Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp features a colourful cast of characters telling of the epic battles between the Cosmo Land and Black Hole Army.
And with this being a WayForward title, you can bet it’s told through stunning animated cut scenes. These superb cut-scenes are a new and very welcome addition to this version.
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Beyond the campaigns, there are a host of options to challenge your tactics. Both on the couch and online to see who is truly top brass. Online play, however, is limited to battling with your friends list sadly, which is a misstep in 2023.
Advanced Look
You can also add a bit of spice to these conflicts with the custom map builder, that lets you build your dream battlefield for up to four commanders to wage war over. That you can then share with the world online.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is bright, colourful. The art style is visually engaging and interesting. The art is inspired by table-top board games and it works really well. And with the whole thing having a face lift – the game pops and looks super crisp.
As you would expect, the audio very good across the board with special shout out to the commanders individual themes, which help to add a bit of extra flavour to them.
Voice acting is present and very well handled but it’s been used sparingly throughout with some sections starting out voiced only, to end as text box affairs by the end.
Test of the Battlefield
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp takes two truly classic titles and gives them both a shiny new coat of paint for a whole new generation to enjoy. If you have grand dreams of being a legendary general this is a must play, or if you are looking for a change to your standard weekend combat.