Advance Wars is another game created by Intelligent Systems, the makers of Fire Emblem. It follows gameplay mechanics similar to Fire Emblem, but with a few key differences. It is considered to be the futuristic equivalent to Fire Emblem, using tanks, ships and aircraft as opposed to magic and medieval weaponry.
The main difference between the Advance Wars and Fire Emblem series is the basis of the gameplay. The games also include serveral other notable differences in gameplay:
- Units are expendable in Advance Wars, and more can always be built.
- It's set in a different "futuristic" timeline.
- It's much less story/text heavy.
- Each Advance Wars unit of the same class is completely identical to any other of that class.
- The amount of Hit Points an Advance Wars unit has affects their ability to attack and counterattack.
- Most ranged Advance War units can not move and attack in one turn.
- There are no houses or villages to visit in Advance Wars, although properties must be captured to secure steady income.
- In Advance Wars it is impossible for an attack to miss. (Although attacks can do 0 damage.)
- There are no critical hits in Advance Wars (more powerful attacks, however, can occur due to the CO's strengths and weaknesses).
- Characters featured in the main story in Advance Wars hardly ever take to the field, unlike Fire Emblem games.
- Most usable units are nameless, generic soldiers in Advance Wars.
- Advance War units can not gain experience and level up like Fire Emblem characters. They can gain up to 3 "levels" but these affect battle less significantly.
- There are no weapons or items in Advance Wars. Instead, each unit has fixed weapons that it can use.
- Advance Wars units can not usually heal each other or themselves, although units can be placed on buildings to fix them. Two units of the same type can also be combined to make a single unit with more hit points. In Advance Wars: Dual Strike, Black Boats can also fix other units.
- Advance War units cannot inflict or receive any status conditions (with the exception of Von Bolt's Super CO Power in Advance Wars: Dual Strike).
- Advance War units cannot promote in any way.
Advance Wars units include Infantry units, Recon units, Tanks (and stronger Tank variations), Fighter aircraft, Bomber aircraft, Helicopters (for fighting and transport), a variety of warships, Motorized-Bike units, and others varying on the specific game.