Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising

"Best GBA game yet!"

September 9, 2001 Advance Wars was released. I got the game on Christmas of that year because of my love for strategy games. After playing through the game I found a highly sucessfull series in the making. On July 24, 2003 The second edition to the fairly new series was released. As I eyed the game months prior just waiting for the games release, I rode my bike immediately after school that day to pick up the game at my local Game Crazy. I raced home and found myself up all night playing the game non-stop. The next day at school I felt as if i was going to pass out in class, but luckily it was a Friday and the weekend would soon come. At 3:30 when school ended and hurried home to continue playing Advance Wars 2:Black Hole Rising. I only got 4 hours of sleep that weekend because of my new obsession with this game boy advance game. Since then it has been my favorite game for any portable system. I still play it every day just to keep messing around in Versus mode and the highly addictive Campaign.

Visuals/Graphics- 10/10
This anime graphics style is perfect for the 2D gba system. For the type of graphics they chose there is no flaws for what i am concerned.

Gameplay- 9/10
This game has a small learning curve and is great for anyone. Even if you don't like strategy based games this game will surely change your mind. Advance Wars 2:Black Hole Rising is a great turn-based strategy game that no other GBA game can match up to. It's unique yet, addictive style of GBA turn-based strategy is very fun and will get very hard in some levels of the game. So be ready for one of those games that will keep you up for nights at a time playing. The only con is that for people who don't like challenging games may give up on it, but for what i'm concerned not many have!

Replayability-10/10
As I mentioned in my intro, I haven't stopped playing since i bought the game and I doubt you will. After completely Campaign you will have a large choice of characters and some gold/points to buy new maps and war room missions. There is many different options/modes to play after beating the campaign. You will never get bored of this game. With tons of war room missions and versus maps it will always be good to come back to this game later on in life.

Multiplayer- 8/10
This game is probably the best multiplayer game out for GBA, the only flaw is it's very hard to find this game and I doubt you will have many friends with this game. If you do, however, have friends with the game you will have tons and tons of fun playing.

Sound- 8/10
The Sound goes perfect with the visuals, but some of the characters main theme may get very exasperating and annoying to hear over and over again so try listening to headphones as your playing. All though if you enjoy the themes then go ahead and listen to the game. I listen to my Ipod mini when i'm playing with some of the CO's(commanders), lately I've been just listening to the game though.

Storyline- 9/10
Advance Wars 2:Black Hole's Rising has a great story. The story basically is about an old commander named Sturm who has built up an army and is trying to take of the World of Wars. It goes good with the game. The story basically is nothing outside of campaign though. You will stop worrying about the story after you have finished campaign at least I think so...

Character Variety- 9/10
There is 18 unique characters with all different CO powers and Super CO powers. There is Andy,well rounded Co, Sami, Infantry specialist, Max, Direct Combat Pro, Olaf, the king of the cold, Grit, Indirect Unit Co, Colin, rich boy, Kanbei, Emperor of yellow comet, Sonja, Kanbei's daughter, Sensei, wiseman of AW2, Eagle, King of the Skies, Drake, former pirate, Jess, eagles rival, Nell, said to be born under a lucky star, Hachi, old guy that sells you maps(but you can use him later on in the game) Flak, Strongman(very unlucky) Lash, Terrain specialist, Adder, far movement, Hawke, and Sturm (both of which have all stronger than normal units. With all of these characters there are endless possiblities, but there's always room for more.

Overall- 10/10
Fantastic game period. You will never get bored of this highly addictive turn-based strategy game. My favorite GBA game yet and might even become yours. If you have the first Advance Wars you probably already know that this will game will be better than the last based on 20+ other reviews which is why you got to get this game soon. If you have neither get both if possible. It is well worth your 30 dollars

Buy/Rent
I highly recommend buying this game because it is becoming hard to find in some states and is undoubtedly one of the top 10 games/series of GBA. This will be a great gift for your friend, mom (XD), dad (b'-')b, little brother/sister or even just for yourself. GO NOW BUY IT! EBAY IF YOU HAVE TO!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/10/05