Mecho Wars

Are you a fan of Advance Wars? No? Then you're just a bad person. If yes, then prepare for fun. The game is the perfect remedy for the dreaded 10-20min. wait before the dentist office, or for class to start. Admittedly, I haven't played every iPhone game out there, but Mecho Wars is probably the best turn based strategy game on the iPhone to date, and is well worth its $4.99 price tag.

Mecho Wars, being an all inclusive turn based strategy app, includes multiple modes of play: single player, multi-player and challenge mode. (Basically if you get pissed off at the crappy dialogue in the campaign mode, play the challenge mode. No talk, just play.) The single player mode is, well, the story mode. Basically there are 2 warring factions, the Winged Crusade (the guys the user plays) and the Landians. Starting out you learn the skills needed to do well in the game, be it what each unit does, where they do the most damage, how to heal, etc...

The player uses his troops to conquer various structures on each game map. For those unfamiliar with Advance Wars, each map is sectioned off by a whole bunch of blocks. Each block takes, you guessed it, a movement point to move to. By moving your troops around the map, you are to attack anything and everything that seems relevant until you complete your mission. Throughout the mission, you get a decent variety of buildings to build so that you can have a more substantial attack force. The primary structures to build are factories, which expand the amount of units the player can have (as well as train units), cities, to earn gold to pay for the armies, and H.Q. structures, well, to win. There are 9 different units in the game, each with unique design and capabilities, but are land and air only (perhaps sea will come eventually, then the game would be EXTREME).

An intriguing design in game play is the way the environment effects the map. At night (aprox 1am game time), if there is water in the level, the water freezes for a few hours. Now land troops can cross, but only for a short amount of time.

The multi-player aspect has 2 options, shared and online. Unfortunately the online is yet to be finished, so stayed tuned for that, but the shared play is quite fun. Think of it like this. You're waiting to see the next big movie, either in line or sitting in the theater, it doesn't matter. You and your friend are bored, so you whip out this little treasure, and suddenly your boredom is gone! IT'S LIKE MAGIC. Thanks Mecho Wars.

So, how do I rate this app?

Graphics - Fantastic. This is 2D keep in mind, and the drawings are actually quite cool looking. The levels are basic, but that's not what keeps your attention. Thumbs up to the artist.

Gameplay - Fantastico. The meat and potatoes of the game. Similar to Advance Wars, I would not say that Mecho Wars is an improvement on the game mechanic, but just another similar style. I'm a huge fan of Advance Wars, and you should be to....well if you're down with being awesome. And if you're not, just go ahead and sell your iDevice. Anyways, Mecho Wars has a great feel to it, simple and fun. It is a great turn based strategy game.

Controls: El Fantastic. Literally, basic controls makes this game work. Not much going on, just tap once or twice, that's about it. Not much else really required to control in game.

Sound: Bueno. The sounds in the game are quite good, units have unique noises to them, but obviously since there are only 9 units in the game, one sound each...well, you get the picture. The music is very good, it fits the setting of the game, sci-fi.

Replay Value: Gigantico, this is a game you can play constantly. The computer's tactics changes at each new match. True there is a limited amount of maps for now, as well as limited amounts of units, but every time you play, something new will occur.
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