Advance Wars

Advance Wars is a turn-based strategy game where players command military forces on grid-based battlefields. The central campaign places the player as an officer for the Orange Star army, navigating a modern conflict that expands to involve rival nations and shifting alliances. Missions are linked, introducing new units and tactical situations that require learning the capabilities of both friendly and enemy forces.

Victory is typically secured by eliminating all enemy units or capturing their headquarters. The economic layer involves seizing neutral or enemy properties like cities and factories to generate funds for producing new units and repairing existing ones. Combat is resolved through a combination of unit type matchups, terrain effects, and the current health of the involved units, with a roster that includes ground, air, and naval assets.

An important strategic element is the selection of commanding officers, each possessing a unique special power that can temporarily boost unit performance or alter battlefield conditions. This choice adds a distinct layer to planning for both the campaign and multiplayer matches. Beyond the story, additional modes provide variety: a Versus mode supports competitive play for up to four players via system sharing or linking, while a War Room mode focuses on achieving high scores on specific maps, encouraging challenging and efficient strategies. Players can also design and share their own custom maps.