So Close To The End: Advance Wars 2

I've got 4 or so more maps left to beat in Advance Wars 2, and I can feel the anticipation building up. Not so much in the game, but in completing another game. I think it's so rare to have a completed game in my library that when it happens I feel pretty good about it.

I think it's like most other accomplishments in life: they may not mean a lot to other people, but you know what went into it. I know that I have sat for hours and hours and worked and reworked strategies in my head to try and figure out how my army can be the opposing army. Last night, one map alone took me over an hour and a half. One time through. Won on the first try. That's some serious brain work to concentrate for that long.

But the game kept me involved. It tried to block of my access to recources and it tried to wipe out key units, but I worked the game out in my head. Every turn was taken many times before in practice of play. Outcomes were precalculated. Sacrifices were made. Triumps were won.

As the final blows were coming down upon the Black Hole Army, I could feel my troops morale building up in my fingers as I drew their path to the final bombing run. The soldiers and transports were holding position on the ground, not wasting the remaining energy they had as they listened to the chatter on the radio. The bombers and combat helicopters had surrounded the fuel deprived enemies and were holding off their fire while payloads were delivered to the enemies main battery cannons, the key to the win. The cannons that had cost many navy soldiers their lives.

The 16-bit sound of the explosion and and the few frames of animation were my reward. Both cannons down, the enemy retreated in suprise. Both Yellow Commet and Green Earth armies congratulated each other and reported the results to me. I was expecting worse scores, but realized that we had all persevered through tough times and gave it our all. We did deserve more. The win was satisfying.

We will continue on to finish driving Black Hole from our lands. And, apparently, Black Hole will be revieved by new commanding officers in Advance Wars: DS. When, exactly, this war will take place is still unknown. Many instances must occur before the factions are bought..brought to war again this year.