Glory Days 2 Review - DS

There’s not much new in the gaming world, but there are still creative uses of the old. Case in point is Glory Days 2. Not just an obscure sequel to an even lesser known game, but an ingenious merging of real-time strategy and the Activision classic, Choplifter. It sounds a bit strange, but the result is a DS game that feels familiar without being derivative.

Old School War Days

Glory Days 2 is a side scrolling action/strategy game that keeps things simple and fun. You play through a series of missions that chronicle a fictitious war between the US and, well, some evil military power. The story is told through the letters home the pilots write and is just barely enough to carry a plot. Thankfully, the gameplay doesn’t need a story to be amazingly appealing.

The objects of the missions are generally kept very basic. Flying either a plane or a helicopter, you must protect the ground troops who run along below you as they try to take over the base stations along the 2D battlefield. As they move to the left, the enemy troops are moving toward your main base and your extra bombing and machine gun fire power must weed out their numbers and keep them from overtaking the smaller buildings before your side gets there.

Weapon of Choice

Missions tend to alternate between plane and helicopter missions. On the chopper runs, you’ll be able to rescue civilians, which earns you money for troops. You can also carry foot soldiers and land them (or parachute them) where you want them. The helicopter is maneuverable and able to bomb, and the mix of troop management and outright shooting action makes these missions incredible fun.

The plane levels are a bit less appealing, since they are mostly bombing runs, and you’ll have to go back to base frequently to rearm. The plane has machine guns as well, but these are relatively useless, and the lack of maneuverability gives the levels a more frantic feel but lowers the enjoyment level.

The tug-of-war nature of the mission designs means you’ll be constantly struggling to hold the tide of the enemy back while your troops press forward. As your progress, you’ll be able to choose which units to add to the battlefield, though the complexity never approaches that of a typical 3D strategy game

Glory!

If you enjoy 2D gameplay, Glory Days 2 is certain to appeal. The mix of action and strategy is exceptional, and although the presentation certainly looks and feels 16-bit, the gameplay more than makes up for it.

Review by: Jason D'Aprile
Video Produced by: Scott Robison