Strategy games have never been this fun and tough at the same time. Advance Wars is back with a new darker look. Days of Ruin is set on post-apocalyptic Earth after a meteor crash rendered the planet into a dangerous battleground (I’m surprised anyone survived. Does this mean we’re tougher than the dinosaurs?). As a player, you must use your turn-based strategy skills to the fullest in order to restore a sense of humanity. The game has a more subdued tone to give it that nice, dark atmosphere - perfect for playing it alone in your room past midnight.

Veterans of the Advance Wars series will find a slight increase in its difficulty level as compared to the previous games of the franchise. Although Days of Ruin stayed true with the series’ game play, it has some improvements that I think made the game better. For one, combat units are more balanced than before. And the best upgrade yet, the CO’s will not have a major affect on the outcome of the game. They still have the ability to turn the tide around, but the opponent can still recover after your CO unleashed his superpower. For me, this is a welcome development to the game.

Well, if you’re a frustrated general (or a closet megalomaniac), then this game is for you. Single player campaign mode can give you tons of enjoyable time. But if you really want to achieve global supremacy, try going online and challenge others. You can create, trade and battle on your own custom maps.

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin is a great follow up to Dual Strike. Every strategy game fan must have it, and that’s an order.