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Glory Days 2 Review for the Nintendo DS (NDS)

Glory Days 2 Review for the Nintendo DS (NDS)

It’s the Hard-Hitting Follow Up to the Original GBA Game!

Glory Days 2 is like a serious version of Advance Wars. Not to say that Advance Wars is silly or immature, but Glory Days forgoes the cartoonish presentation style. Once you become immersed in the game, as in Advance Wars, you’ll find the presentation doesn’t matter at all. This is a solid, fun, engaging game that is sure to please strategic shooter fans. And you don’t have to take it so seriously.

Glory Days 2 screenshot

If allowed only one complaint, it would be that the game is too short. That’s actually a backhanded compliment since I really enjoyed the game. I would like to have more of it to play. There is an eight-person multiplayer mode which will extend the replay value, but you’ll find yourself literally treading over the same old ground. If the single-player mode were at least twice as long, this would be an almost perfect game. So at the very least you can consider it the perfect rental. You can always purchase it later when you find a handful of friends that share your enthusiasm for pocket warfare.

Glory Days 2 is not an incredibly good looking game by DS standards. The original Glory Days debuted on the GBA. This sequel would be right at home on it. You’re not always afforded the best camera angles. Sometimes the camera is zoomed in too close which can make for dangerous situations where you can’t always see all of the enemy units. The characters, vehicles, and buildings are average looking, but they are easy to discern. Employing multiple scrolling backgrounds give the environments a great sense of depth. It looks great, but doesn’t really add anything to the gameplay. As I mentioned, the graphics are negligible as long as you can make out what things are supposed to be. The developers know that it’s the gameplay that counts, and it’s right on target.

Glory Days 2 screenshot

An interesting hybrid, Glory Days 2 combines tactical, strategic-style combat with 2D side-scrolling action shooting. It’s a great combination that blends arcade fun with some brain-engaging depth. But not to worry, it never bogs you down in superfluous micromanagement. There are many things to be aware of on many different levels but nothing too complex that would sacrifice the fun element and make your brain smoke. It’s not a very difficult game to learn, making it great for gamers that may not be attracted to strategy games in the first place. If I am allowed to complain a second time, it would be in regards to the controls. It can be just a tad cumbersome to control your shots, which compromises the action component of the game. Now, no more complaining. I promise.

As a game of war, Glory Days 2 pits your army against another. Your objective is to push the enemy back to their base and destroy it. Each side has several units including infantry, tanks, and aircraft. You take on the role of a pilot, controlling fighter jets and helicopters. At the same time you are also in command of your army so in a sense you are also the general. Playing both roles is quite easy once you get used to it. Units will have to be deployed continually as you lose them to enemy fire. The CPU will help you by automatically sending the proper units into battle, but it won’t fight the entire war for you. If you aren’t paying attention to all aspects of your duties, the enemy will sense your weakness and exploit it. At the same time, it’s up to you to avoid the enemy’s strength and exploit its weakness.

Glory Days 2 screenshot

In the middle of the battlefield are bunkers and innocent civilians. In order to advance you must take control of these bunkers and attempt to rescue the civilians. Cash is your reward for rescuing civilians. It can be used to purchase and deploy more tanks, weapons, ground units, ambulances, and aircraft. By overwhelming enemy forces, you can force them out of the bunkers and claim it as your own territory as you push forward toward the enemy base. Ground troops don’t have to be micromanaged. Once they are deployed, they will fight as per your directions. Where you need to focus your efforts is up in the air.

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