Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (Nintendo DS)

The darkest entry yet in Nintendo's highly popular handheld strategy series, ADVANCE WARS: DAYS OF RUIN is set shortly after a meteor storm devastates a planet dominated by two warring nations. Though both governments are gone and there are few survivors, the militaries of both countries continue to fight each other.

Taking the role of a group of soldiers who still fly the flag of one of the destroyed nations, players maneuver soldiers, tanks, aircraft, and boats -- each with their own movement abilities, weapon types, and weaknesses -- around a gridded map in drawn-out, chess-like battles.

Days of Ruin's plot is easily the most compelling of any Advance Wars game to date, featuring surprisingly multifaceted characters on all sides of the conflict who contemplate the reasons why they fight and wisely question their leaders' motivations. Still, the story plays out with naught but text dialog and still images, so don't go in expecting Final Fantasy-quality dramatic narrative. And the game itself remains very similar to its predecessors. Players still need to secure factories to build new units, keep an eye on enemy patterns and tactics, and skillfully navigate diverse terrain that can hinder or increase the movement or vision range of different units. However, the biggest difference between Days of Ruin and other games in the series comes in the form of original units. For example, you now have available a Flare Tank capable of revealing hidden enemies and a new nuisance for helicopters and troops in the form of the Duster plane.

Unfortunately, the one major problem in the series has still been left unaddressed in this game: some missions don't allow for creative strategizing but instead force players to employ specific tactics in order to win the day.

The DS library has plenty of fun tactics games suitable for older kids, including Days of Ruin's predecessor, Advance Wars: Dual Strike. You might also try Luminous Arc, Front Mission, and Age of Empires: The Age of Kings. PlayStation Portable owners interested in turn-based strategy might consider Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, Field Commander, or Jeanne D'Arc. Console players can checkout the Wii's Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn.

Available on: Nintendo DS
Available online
Genre: Strategy
Developer: Nintendo
Released on: January 22, 2008
Price: 34.99
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Language, Mild Violence