AW:DOR Chapter 7: Cool Your Jets

Our next mission is south, but we can see our first example of a Trial Map off to our east there. There are 38 Trial Maps scattered around the map, and they are plot-less challenge missions with COs that have little basis in narrative (where they have any to begin with). I won't be covering them, especially not during the story.

Right, so what kind of home are we going to be talking about here?

When last we left our heroes, we just had the hope of a food-producing factory torn from us at the last moment. This problem still needs solving, and we have no real direction to move on to.

We've only known him for two chapters and he's already floundering. Not exactly what one would call a promising omen.

AW:DoR Chapter 6: Creepy Flowers

Our next mission appears to be a redux of our last- a selection of property, a single factory (almost certainly in our territory), and a relatively open field. Don't let that fool you- this mission will be a blast of cold water to the face.

And that chapter title is certainly not inspiring the most pleasant of mental images.

...Near what now? Dr. Morris will take his sweet time explaining that, admittedly.

We are going to be spending some time talking about the dinosaurs.

AWDoR Chapter 5: Building Blocks

Our first time changing direction! Not that it matters, but it's a difference. We can also see that there are some new mechanics to be introduced this map from the preview alone! We'll discuss what's going on there once we get on the map, because that's one of the biggest features in the game.

We sure could use some of those, after what happened last map.

AWDoR Chapter 4: Take Me At My Words

Well, this map looks like it could get peculiar quickly. Let's see what shenanigans will ensue today.

The chapter refuses to entertain the notion that Will will actually be staying with the Mayor after this, clearly.

Oh, hi, The Beast. Guess we're having words with you today first.

Such is all the man has to say. It's times like these that you really realise what's missing- a generic lackey character to respond to The Beast's mad ravings in the affirmative. Fire Emblem loves having random people respond to a chapter boss's dialogue, but Advance Wars prefers to keep its generics to a minimum- and even then, they just use soldiers from each army. There is no generic soldier design for the Raiders faction, and so The Beast talks to an empty half of the screen.

AWDoR Chapter 3: Who Elected You King?

Our next stop is over here, and it's a place with an actual name, it seems.

So, let's talk about places with names in the world of Days of Ruin. Frankly, they are a small miracle by Advance Wars standards in general.

We have found, miracle of miracles, a habited area.

Will's surprise almost seems ludicrous without context. Remember that only a few weeks ago, the existence of people other than him in any numbers came as a welcome surprise.

AW Days of Ruin Chapter 2: Expodumping

Selecting missions is done on a world map screen, with a satellite map. To be fair, it's not like a political map matters after the meteors. In contrast to the Wars World trilogy, previously completed maps can be replayed at the player's leisure. All the dialogue will still be in place too, I believe.

We can also see a preview of the map on the top screen while hovering over it. This is the exact artstyle used for the Wars World trilogy, and it's jarring seeing it applied to the vastly different environments of DoR. 

Also, the difference between Wasteland and Woods on these screens is far less easy to pick out than I'd like.

Oh, if that title doesn't come off as the slightest bit concerning. I think we're a bit too early to be cashing in death flags yet, though- we've barely known our heroes long enough for them to have names.

Advance Wars Days of Ruin Compilation

The easy reference for Advance Wars: Days of Ruin.

Act 1: World Under Siege

• Chapter 1: Days of Ruin
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6
• Chapter 7
• Chapter 8
• Chapter 9
• Chapter 10
• Analysis
  

Act 2: A True Hero

• Chapter 11
• Chapter 12
• Chapter 13
• Chapter 14
• Chapter 15
• Analysis
  

Act 2.5: A True Villain

• Chapter 16
• Chapter 17
• Chapter 18
• Chapter 19
• Chapter 20
• Chapter 21
• Analysis
  

Act 3: Mental Warfare

• Chapter 22
• Chapter 23
• Chapter 24
• Chapter 25
• Chapter 26
• Analysis