After a delay, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine made the release of a game all about war in poor taste. Sadly Ukraine is still fighting to defend their country, but Advance Wars 1+2: Re-boot Camp is out now. It’s not even the first time real-world events have held back releases from this series. The original was delayed in multiple countries following the September 11 attacks (the US got it on the 10th). With no further delays, it’s time to see if the developers WayForward have delivered a victory for the series.

If the title isn’t apparent Advance Wars 1+2: Re-boot Camp contains Advance Wars 1 and 2, and has been given a fresh coat of paint to breathe new life into the series. While these are the first games for the series outside of Japan, there were several games before this. If you played either of these titles previously then you’ll know what to expect, the game doesn’t make any wild changes. You start with the Orange Star Army, where you’ll have to battle your way across the continents and against several opposing forces. As you progress you’ll uncover what is going on as a larger threat looms. This sets the stage for the second game, subtitled ‘Black Hole Rising’, where the fight continues against the Black Hole army. I am being purposefully broad about the story, while it is an old game series, I wouldn’t want to spoil anything for newcomers. 

I enjoyed the story for what it is way back when, and it was fun to experience it all over again. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and with the updated art and presentation along with the sometimes voice acting, it manages to feel a little different but still the same. 

Advance Wars is a turn-based strategy game, with similarities to the Fire Emblem games (likely due to being by the same developer; Intelligent Systems). You start each battle with your force on one side of the map, the opposition on the other side or positioned around the map to keep you at bay. Each side has a turn to move their units, whether it is smaller infantry or vehicles. Use your turn to move units, capture buildings, attack targets or provide support to other units. At face value it is quite simple, the goal is generally to either wipe out the enemy or capture their base, though sometimes it can be to just survive. The game does a good job of easing you into the more complex mechanics that impact every battle. It matters where you position your troops, they have an advantage on higher ground or if they can attack from a wooded area. If you aren’t travelling on open ground or roads, your movement will be impacted (depending on the unit). You also want to be balancing between using your infantry for capturing buildings and using them in combat. There’s a lot to keep in mind, which can lead to your turn taking longer and longer the more involved the battles get. While there is a lot to consider through the mission, you can easily pull up info, and now there is also a casual mode to give you the best opportunity to get through the games. 

Initially starting with the new recruit Andy as the CO (Commanding Officer), you begin your campaign with bog standard stats and he doesn’t excel at any form of combat, nor suffer any downsides. His CO power is to heal all of your units in the field, it’s handy at least. Fortunately, it isn’t long before you’re introduced to a wider variety of characters across the different sides, like Max with his hard-hitting troops, or Grit with his long-distance missile attacks, an assortment that ensures at least one compliments your strategy type or vehicle preference. 

The War Room returns of course, where you can tackle extra maps. This involves using the game's currency to purchase more, along with COs from the main story to add to the selectable roster. I used to spend time here when I got stuck on the campaign, there’s plenty to keep you busy on these extra maps or replaying the maps without the story bits. If this isn’t enough, you can also make your own maps. It's straightforward, and you could potentially keep yourself supplied with maps for as long as you have ideas for them.

WayForward has done a great job of retaining the look and sound of the original games, Including upgrading the original pixel art to represent the art that accompanied the originals through the game box and manual art. All of the units are now replaced with 3D models without losing their distinct look in the original.  

While remixing and updating the original tunes while still more than capable of bringing back memories of the mission starting tune even with the lingering off-note tailing off at the end.

I do also get that people could be upset that the game hasn’t retained the old pixel art and old GBA music, especially when there isn’t an option to switch over to them. The name of the game collection should be enough of an indicator that the developers are going for a Reboot. It’s never treated as just a remastered collection, and with GBA games now offered through Nintendo Online, you might just get the opportunity to play them in their original form. 

While the updated visuals and music and voice acting all add to the reboot, there is one visual design flourish that bugged me. And that is throughout both games was how the battlefield is framed. The field is presented almost like it was a tabletop game combined with a war planning table. To myself it felt like it wasn’t playing a story within the game world, but as someone playing a little battle scenario. I know that it’s all a game, it’s just a little detail that hit differently than playing the original. For return players, it might similarly bug you, or you’ll just ignore it immediately and focus on winning the battle.  

Online Multiplayer is a friends-only deal, potentially limiting the number of people you’ll be able to battle against should there be no locals nearby for a round. I can’t say I was in a rush to play against other people, being more interested in the campaigns over the extra maps. 

It’s great to see Advance Wars back, and WayForward has freshened up this 20-year-old game with nice new visuals and catchy music to battle to. There is no better time than now to experience this classic series or to relive old memories. Fingers crossed that Advance Wars: Dual Strike and Days of Ruin can get a similar treatment, hopefully before World War 3.