Along with its grittier, browner, and more next-gen art style, Advance Wars: Portrait Days of Ruin brings a much darker story to the turn-based strategy series, deviating from Wars World's usually colorful and light-hearted tone.
The apocalyptic plot begins with a storm of meteors devastating the planet, setting off a chain of natural disasters that kill 90% of mankind. Cutscenes show Commanding Officers contending with non-combat issues like starvation and disease, a drastic departure from Jake's inane quotes that peppered Dual Strike.
While we're on the topic of maturing the brand, we wonder if the game will take a chance and tackle themes from current wars and conflicts -- occupying a country in the midst of a civil war, outsourcing private military firms, or suffering losses to unconventional threats (e.g. IEDs, suicide bombers). It's unlikely, but it would be interesting to see executed.
Nintendo also put out over a dozen English screenshots for the game which you can view in the gallery below. The new images betray a great deal of unannounced details, like an improved map editor, new terrain and terrain stats, and a unit leveling system.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-12-2007 @ 7:37PM
Fullmetal Salchemist said...
You know what other series decided to get darker, browner, and more mature? Prince of Persia.
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10-12-2007 @ 7:55PM
Transition Metal Element said...
And that went great. Also, how are they going to explain co powers in this one?
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12-08-2007 @ 8:17PM
rosethornn said...
Prince of Persia "went great"?
It was horrible. It's like they took a market survey of what "the kids" think is cool and added it to Sands of Time. So over the top bloodshed, spikes on everything, swearing and no-one shaves. That doesn't make the game more mature, it makes it dumber.
I died a little when the Prince got an emo-scar across his face and went "You bitch..". This is not Prince of Persia. :'(
10-12-2007 @ 8:27PM
Rubang B (NDF - Heart) said...
NEEEEEEEED!
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10-12-2007 @ 9:39PM
Blue_Falcon said...
So the soundtrack will be done by Godsmack, I presume?
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10-13-2007 @ 8:11AM
Onomah said...
I hope that it doesn't get all dark and stuff, where your CO gets all weepy every time an infantry unit gets wasted." Those poor men, We have to avenge them."
Or questioning the morality of capturing cities. "sure we caputured it from th enemies, but are those people really better off now?"
I prefere my war games to be a bit more detached from reality.
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10-13-2007 @ 2:10PM
Spud O 'Shea said...
Stop with teh AW hawtness. You're killing me over here. Can't wait!
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10-13-2007 @ 5:51PM
flameofdoom666 said...
I never played an Advance wars game, is it worth picking up the DS versions? (Duel Strike, and this)
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12-06-2007 @ 1:41PM
Julien said...
YES YES YES YES YES YES ... YES !
10-13-2007 @ 10:49PM
Alisha Karabinus said...
A billion times yes -- the current Advance Wars is great, and unless someone pees on this one, I'm sure it will be as well.
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10-14-2007 @ 9:44AM
Migraine said...
Since I can't find Advance Wars Dual Strike around, except for fleabay, I've been waiting to see if a sequel would be coming out. This game might make me buy my 1st Nintendo DS system. Can't wait to hear the reviews on this one.
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10-14-2007 @ 9:19PM
Sonic_13 said...
This game just looks downright incredibly awesome!
Advance Wars: Dual Strike was great. I can't wait to get this.
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10-15-2007 @ 12:12AM
vgxtremist said...
My goodness, this is so fresh, yet I never imagined my innocent little AW series growing up this fast...dang I can't wait to see how this ends up.
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