Strategy/Sim

Thanks in no small part to the success of Final Fantasy Tactics, American gamers have been treated to a mini-renaissance in this niche genre. Games like the Game Boy Advance (GBA) version of Tactics Ogre, Atlus' recently released Disgaea for the PlayStation 2 (PS2), and the much anticipated Fire Emblem for the GBA are dishing out loads of strategy RPG goodness to a market starving for more.

Never one to miss out on cashing in on a craze it helped inspire, Square (along with new partner Enix) has jumped into the mix as well by releasing Final Fantasy Tactics Advance for the GBA. So, does this title live up to the legend inspired by its predecessor? Generally speaking, yes.

Game Description: Strategy trading card game with more than 1,000 cards and updated rules. The most accurate re-creation of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game ever implementing updated rules from the official Trading Card Game and over 1000 cards, Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition Stairway to the Destined Duel is a must have for every duelist.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Violence

It wasn't too long ago that I had a conversation with someone about Pokémon. Interestingly enough, he said that while the Pokémon Game Boy titles were accompanied by a popular card game, virtually no one he knew actually played the cards. The cards were just something on the side—collectibles. To get in on the real Pokémon action you'd really have to get the Game Boy cartridges.

As an historical RTS, Praetorians does an admirable job of integrating its subject matter with solid gameplay, as opposed to simply using the historical period as a backdrop for a slew of war scenarios.

 According to ESRB, this game contains: Violence.

The original Advance Wars distinguished itself as one of the most complex and sophisticated titles on the Game Boy Advance (GBA) by bravely doing something few other carts have dared to do: it rewarded gamers for their intelligence and careful observation instead of their digital dexterity.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Violence

Game Description: Advance Wars 2 expands on the original title with even more strategic action and all-new features that take the game to the next level.

At first glance, the game appears identical to the first, which would have been a very welcome thing in my opinion due to the original's short playtime. However, this is not the case. Numerous changes to the formula have been made, and it pains me to say that almost all of them are poor ones. Lost Kingdoms II retains some appeal, though it's a clearly inferior sequel in several ways.