Glory Days 2
Glory Days 2 has come along and it's the sequel to a game that basically nobody heard about from the GBA era. This wartime 2D side-scrolling strategy action game is difficult to pin down into any particular genre or simple description. ODENIS took some creative approaches to the way they handed the gameplay and presentation. We've never played an action game quite like this before and it's thanks to the DS's technology that we're able to. Whether you've heard about or played the first game before Glory Days 2 deserves a look thanks to the concepts it promotes.
Gameplay
One of the biggest reasons that Glory Days 2 is a success is because it melds concepts together and does so with unabashed ingenuity. The game essentially sends you on missions to destroy enemy troops and trust me when I tell you that it doesn't really deviate from that objective. You're heading out to blow &*#@ up and take names which is always a mark of the action genre.
Glory Days' twist comes as you begin to amass more troops of your own. Along with additional bodies to throw into the line of fire you'll be getting tanks, helicopters, jets, and other types of military equipment. There's a certain sense of empowerment that comes from trudging through a stage with an armada at your beck and call. However, this sense of grandeur would be nothing if the controls weren't intuitive enough to make for easy play.
For the most part there is a relatively steep learning curve associated with the gameplay. When you first start playing Glory Days 2 it's going to take some time until you're fully versed in the unique control scheme. I mean, this is a side scrolling shooter for all intents and purposes so you're going to instinctively use the D-Pad at the beginning. Don't fall into that trap though, this game requires touch control and the other buttons are used for other things. It's a tad rough at first but before long you'll be dragging the stylus across the bottom screen, watching the action on both the top and bottom, and unleashing hell's fury down upon your enemies. Once you're comfortable enough with things the game becomes intensely fun and that's where Glory Days 2 finds its success.
The gameplay maintains a certain arcade-like quality for its duration and really harkens back to the days of dropping quarters into machines in order to blow people up with a helicopter. The only problem with this game is that despite its ingenuity, sense of style, and incredibly fun gameplay elements; it's way too short. You could literally push through this title in a slightly extended sitting and that's a real shame. It feels like just as Glory Days 2 is getting to the point of, well... glory, the rug is pulled out from beneath you and you're left wanting. The game attempts to compensate for this by increasing the difficulty but that just doesn't circumvent the fact that this is a short, short game.
Some multiplayer is available if you happen to have friends who also own a copy of Glory Days 2. Up to eight people can play in the vicinity of each other because the game doesn't support online functionality. If you do have a buddy with the game you'll notice that the action is significantly more intense and it only gets even better as more people join in. In addition to multiplayer you can also create custom battles to expand the amount of time you spend playing this game but a longer campaign would have been more suitable.
In the end Glory Days 2 is a fine hybrid title that brings plenty of innovation back to the DS. It's an action game with strategy elements and the end result is an experience that is a whole lot of fun. For as long as it lasts (which isn't very) you'll think Glory Days 2 was the best thing since sliced bread and though the learning curve is kind of steep the control is solid. Hopefully the series will catch on with this title and we'll see a Glory Days 3 but until that happens this is a niche title that comes recommended.
Graphics
On one hand Glory Days 2 looks a little like Metal Slug though it's on an entirely different scale. The characters and vehicles are smaller than I was expecting they would be but they do allow for more units to appear on screen at the same time. The action can get really intense and the amount of explosions is quite satisfying during the midst of battle. The nice thing about it all is that no matter how packed things get the game never slows down and the animation is fluid throughout. This is a prime example of simplistic presentation coming across as something more impressive.
Sound
If you have headphones; use them. Glory Days 2 features an astonishing soundtrack and it stands as one of the best I have ever heard on the DS. Sure on console games we all have heard the sweeping war tunes with the WWII motif but Glory Days 2 encapsulates it all wonderfully. The sound effects are solid too and like the visuals you'll find the action riveting to listen to.
Conclusion
If you're in the market for a new action game for the DS then Glory Days 2 is one to consider. Sure it's too short, features a steep learning curve, and doesn't have online functionality. However, if you can look past those flaws you'll find an innovative title that branches out your expectations of what the action genre could be on the DS. The game is a lot of fun with plenty of depth and it has a fantastic presentation. That all equals a recommendation in my book and it leaves me wanting a worthy sequel. Recommended