Moreandfaster's Profile

Well, what can I say? Dark Conflict certainly got a lot of press over the fact that it was losing the cutesy image and becoming darker and grittier. Sure, but it's an irrelevant point.

Dark Conflict's visuals haven't entirely changed. The units do look less cute, but not without some of their old naive charm. The writing's changed too, though it's still as cheesy as it ever was. I'm not actually a fan of the story retcon they pulled, but I spent most of the previous 3 games' cutscenes mashing the A button anyway.
The single-player campaign is a little strange. It plays a lot easier than any of the previous games did, for sure, and you can unlock little side-missions that have no effect on the main storyline.
They've gotten rid of the War Room, but in its place there are single player maps one doesn't have to unlock, and one of my favourite things they've added. Nintendo Wi-Fi connectivity. You can hook up, download some (admittedly small) maps, or play some online games. Despite not being a fan of friend codes, I think this is a big plus for the game.
But then there's the really important thing. The gameplay. For a start, they've nerfed the CO powers. Now they help you win the battle, rather than massively swinging the momentum of the game. That's the biggest real change they've made to the game. Some units have been tweaked, APCs can now construct temporary airbases and ports, and the Battleship can move and fire in the same turn, yes, but they're small changes, and with CO powers nerfed, the game is much more balanced. It's the pinnacle (in my opinion, at least) of Advance Wars so far.
If I'm going just about anywhere with my DS, Dark Conflict is at least in my pocket, if it wasn't already in the console itself. Absolutely a must buy.

--Footnote
I do have to add, I didn't touch on the sound, but that's because I almost never listen to it. Like most NDS games, it sounds a little tinny, and has fairly cheesy electronic metal (think C&C) which would surely have me turning off the volume if I ever had it on.