Cult Classic (Glory Days 2 (DS))

Member Name: frohmann

Product:	Glory Days 2 (DS)
Date:	21/03/08 (106 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast paced action with strategy elements, FUN

Disadvantages: Nothing major

Whether you own a DS or not, chances are that you have NOT heard of Glory Days 2 (GD2). It is not exactly the most publicised nor best selling of games on the DS. According to Amazon's sales rank, GD2 is 2601th on the list of bestselling games on all platforms. Compare that with Brain Training (13th on ALL platforms) and 42 All Time Classics (21st) and you get the picture that GD2 is not exactly in the mainstream.

I stumbled upon this game by chance whilst browsing in a high street store. Personally I find that a huge chunk of DS games do not appeal to me. GD2 seemed a departure from the normal offerings of brain training style games and children's games- I'm not keen on "The Whitaker Family Presents: Horse Life" or even better "Build a Bear"? I do enjoy all the Mario games as well (being a huge Nintendo Gamecube fan- all hail the mighty Gamecube) but sometimes you want something different- and GD2 offers that.

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Gameplay
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GD2 is a very fast paced 2D war game. It has two elements to its gameplay. The first being the action side of things. You get to control either a plane or chopper (that get better as the game progresses) and you must bomb the opposing army as well as engage in dogfights with enemy aircraft. At the beginning of the game the focus is very much on the action side of things.

The second element is the strategy side. You get to deploy tanks (the mainstay of your forces), soldiers, and jeeps with anti-aircraft missiles amongst others. Your army moves along the 2D battleground until it encounters enemy forces and all hell breaks loose. Panzer General this isn't but the strategy element gets more important, and more engaging, as the campaign progresses. Vital to your victory is money and you earn this by either capturing bunkers or rescuing civilians.

There are no cut scenes between the campaigns but rather a letter home from the front lines. This could have been really lame but somehow works and sets the tone for the next campaign. GD2 also benefits from a great soundtrack. It really is miles better than other DS games (although admittedly I haven't played that many). It really adds to the atmosphere, especially with headphones on.

Personally I find GD2 very engrossing. The action is fast paced as said before and it can get very challenging to win a battle. It is a constant struggle to maintain air cover for your army, bomb the opposing army, deploy troops according to the needs of the battle and finally rescue those pesky civilians popping up everywhere.

The game is playable with either the touchpad or the normal controls. Well, in theory that is. Unfortunately, I find that GD2 is not suitable to the touch screen controls which is a shame.

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Graphics
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The graphics are good but not amazing. Things can get a little pixelated close up. However, the game never slows when there is lots happening- essential to keep up the fast pace of the game.

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Multiplayer
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Unfortunately I have never had the pleasure of playing this game multiplayer. All I can say is that I would love the opportunity to do so. What is a shame is that every player needs a copy of the game, and there is no online play, so unless your mates also own this game you can't play against each other.

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Overall
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What is great about this game is that everything seems to work well together to create a fantastic package. The downside of this game is the chances of you being able to use the multipayer option are slim and this reduces the lifespan of the game- although you can create your own skirmishes as well as the campaign.

Whilst it may not appeal to all, I can strongly recommend this game as a fun, fast paced and action packed alternative to all that brain training.

Summary: Unique action and strategy game.