| 100 |
Nintendojo
The increased difficulty and lack of a Tutorial mode may turn off newcomers to the Wars series, but the fun, depth, and replayability of this game make it a killer ap for the GBA just as much as the original.
|
| 100 |
Cinescape
One of the best games to hit the market this year, portable or otherwise.
|
| 100 |
Nintendophiles
From my perspective, I prefer the original on the sole basis of storyline, because it provides for a greater variety of enemy CO’s and aids in creating a close bond with your own CO’s. Either way, it’s still a great game and is co-owner of the crown when it comes to “Best Game Boy Advance game.”
|
| 100 |
G4 TV
Attractive graphics, endless gameplay, engaging strategy, new features, and multiplayer out the, ah, missile silo... what more do ya want, a parade?
|
| 96 |
Gamer's Pulse
Packaged with a new, longer campaign, an expanded roster of COs, a bunch of new maps, and a new constructible unit, the game boasts plenty of original content.
|
| 95 |
Pocket Games
Strategy and suspense play a greater role this time around, not just because the CPU is more intelligent, but also because each new cast member brings different abilities to the battlefield. [Fall 2003, p.34]
|
| 95 |
Deeko
Though there haven't been as many improvements made to the game, Advance Wars 2 still manages to shine... as it is a polished title that simply needs little improvememnt.
|
| 95 |
netjak
An incredibly fun and addictive turn-based strategy game that even with its minimal improvements definitely overshadows what the original contained.
|
| 94 |
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
It might look old-fashioned, but Advance Wars 2 is incredibly satisfying, pleasingly intelligent and never less than tremendous fun, even when it gets horribly hard. [GamesMaster]
|
| 93 |
Game Informer
Everything a fan of the series could want. There are more opportunities for dual army control (like the final battle in the original) as well as much more challenging maps to defeat. [July 2003, p.121]
|
| 92 |
GameZone
Full of all the exciting, addicting gameplay of the first game, and best of all, there's more of it. And it's more challenging. And there's a map editor! And there's...
|
| 92 |
Nintendo Power
There aren't as many unit types as I would have liked, but the improved mission diversity more than makes up for it. [July 2003, p.144]
|
| 91 |
GameSpot
No GBA owner should be without it, and anyone getting their hands on a new GBA for the first time should make playing Advance Wars 2 one of their first orders of business.
|
| 91 |
GameNow
Definitely one of the meatiest handheld games out there, and if you let it, it'll absorb you as intensely as some of its larger siblings. [July 2003, p.51]
|
| 90 |
EuroGamer
Sure, it's a classic, but it's so obviously a £35 mission pack, and is probably double the price it should have been. Unless you were utterly captivated by the original and spend every day pining for more, or never owned the original, it's hard to justify why you should shell out for it.
|
| 90 |
Yahoo! Games
Advance Wars 2 doesn't take any hard turns from the formula established in the original... and this is one of those rare cases where an overall lack of innovation is probably a good thing in the end.
|
| 90 |
GamerFeed
Nothing has changed too much from the first title, but I spent over 100 hours with it, and thanks to the new editions that Intelligent Systems did include, I'm likely to do the same again.
|
| 90 |
NintendoWorldReport
Despite the map design issues, the gameplay is solid and is definitely not a rehash of the original Advance Wars. The additional characters, new story emphasis, and diversity of the scenarios make Advance Wars 2 feel like a brand new game.
|
| 90 |
eToychest
I have spent well over 50 hours with this game thus far, and I find myself still revisiting it. It has deep, rewarding gameplay, as was as an immensely satisfying multiplayer experience.
|
| 90 |
IGN
The game is made for players looking for more of the same, not for players looking for "more." It's such an incremental improvement over the original that the number 2 in the title honestly doesn't deserve to be there.
|
| 90 |
Gamestyle
Portable gaming at its best.
|
| 90 |
Cheat Code Central
It has a great story and interesting characters and makes you use your brain.
|
| 90 |
Thunderbolt
This is one of the few times where a sequel overshadows its predecessor. Even though the Advance Wars series will be seeing some time on the Gamecube sometime in the future, Black Hole Rising is still a blessing of wonderful quality, floating in a sea of mediocre ports and lacking games.
|
| 89 |
Gamer.tv
The original Advance Wars was a great game and it will enhance your enjoyment of this sequel when you eventually buy it. And you will. It's that addictive.
|
| 85 |
GameCritics
I'm giving Advance Wars 2 an 8.5 because of the game's lack of any significant innovation (the missile silos and volcanos are nice, but one new tank doesn't cut it for me). The developers decided not to take any risks, which I can't really fault them for, since the first game was so damn close to perfection to begin with.
|
| 82 |
GameSpy
A great game, and better than the first in all of the important ways, but the impact is lessened by the similarity to the first game.
|
| 82 |
Electronic Gaming Monthly
The sequel packs the same simple visuals and strategy system, but I think the rewarding gameplay's even better this time around. [July 2003, p.122]
|
| 80 |
GMR Magazine
The game has changed just enough to please loyal fans, and when you've got a formula that makes for such a compelling gaming experience, why mess with it? [July 2003, p.80]
|
| 80 |
GamePro
Just like its predecessor, Advance Wars 2 is a great, excellently balanced, and super-fun strategy game, but it feels more like an expansion pack than a sequel. If you never played the first one, skip right to number two.
|
| 80 |
NTSC-uk
The sequel throws players into the thick of battle almost immediately with only the faintest of reintroductions to the Wars world. The missions also get very hard, very quickly, with some of the later missions proving especially demanding, even for Advance Wars veterans.
|
| 80 |
Edge Magazine
Advance Wars 2 isn't really Advance Wars 2, it's Advance Wars 1.5. Still a superb game, it's only close to perfect for those who've never experienced perfection before. [Sept 2003]
|
| 80 |
Gamenikki
It's still a buy, but fans hoping for something new are in for a sore surprise.
|
| 80 |
GBA Central
Gameplay is the core of this title, resulting in fantastic replay value, only if you do not mind the fact that not much has changed from its predecessor. Due to the lack of new modes of play and new units, Advance Wars 1.5 would have been a more accurate title.
|
| 80 |
Village Voice
Happily, no improvement over the original's deep and difficult strategizing.
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