Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising

Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising is a single-player and multiplayer turn-based strategy game. The story begins shortly after the events of Advance Wars. The Black Hole Army has regrouped under the command of a new leader, Sturm, and launched a fresh invasion against the nations of Macro Land. Players take control of the defending armies of Orange Star, Blue Moon, Green Earth, and Yellow Comet, guiding their forces across multiple campaigns to repel the threat and liberate the region. Each chapter of the campaign focuses on a different faction, allowing players to command a variety of characters with unique commanding abilities.

Gameplay is based on grid-based, turn-oriented strategy, where players deploy and maneuver units across land, sea, and air. Infantry, tanks, artillery, naval ships, and aircraft each serve distinct roles, with rock-paper-scissors style balancing encouraging combined-arms tactics. Infantry capture cities and bases to expand income and resources, while heavier units dominate battlefields but require careful logistical support. Combat outcomes are influenced by terrain, fog of war, and weather, encouraging players to adapt strategies to shifting conditions.

Commanding Officers (COs) remain central to the game. Each CO offers advantages and drawbacks that influence units under their command, such as movement boosts, attack bonuses, or improved defenses. As battles progress, COs build up a power meter that can be unleashed as a CO Power or Super CO Power, granting temporary battlefield-wide effects. These abilities can shift momentum dramatically, such as launching additional missile strikes, providing extra movement, or temporarily strengthening all units.

Compared to its predecessor, the sequel expands tactical variety with new units and structures. The Neotank, a heavily armed and armored vehicle, adds another layer of late-game firepower. Black Hole-specific installations such as minicannons, laser turrets, and pipelines introduce new mission objectives and hazards. Players must often destroy these defenses or seize critical facilities while still contending with enemy forces.

Beyond the story-driven campaign, additional modes add extra variety. Versus Mode supports up to four players on a single system, with options for free-for-all or team-based skirmishes. The War Room mode offers challenge maps scored by speed and efficiency, encouraging players to refine strategies for higher ranks. A built-in map editor allows for custom battlefield creation, which can then be shared and played in multiplayer matches.