Like Dual Strike before it, Nintendo's Advance Wars: Days of Ruin brings out the best in strategy action, forcing you into a variety of rock-paper-scissors battles against strong artificial intelligence and human opponents through different scenarios. However, unlike other chapters, this one has a decidedly darker tone. Don't let that throw you, though – this change enhances the game's appeal.

You begin the game as Will, a drifter who finds himself caught in the wake of natural disasters. A number of the world's resources and population have dwindled, with two long-time warring armies scrambling to snag whatever they can. Will soon teams up with a group of experienced soldiers, led by the brave Captain Brenner, to form a new alliance in an effort to bring peace and prosperity back to the land. This isn't easy, however -- they're soon in over their heads, battling foes both on the ground and in the air.

As we mentioned above, the game is much darker than previous Advance Wars. The "cute" soldier and vehicle designs were scuttled in favor of more realistic ones. There are also quite a few more harrowing acts of war here, including nasty population-reducing attacks and even a few assassinations. It never gets over-the-top bloody, as it sticks to the level of violence that justifies the E10+ rating.

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