Big solid game, with a very durable multiplayer.
The first AW games gave us something new, something comparable to chess and other strategy. The sequel offered a better game with lots of new features. This game ads even more - even though not as much as in the first improvement, but still much.
Ok, let me explain the gameplay quickly. You play as one of four nations. 4 players can be on the field at the same time, allies or enemies. The game is turn-based so multiplayer is possible. You have a varying army on different places - in the seas, the sky and on the ground. You can capture stuff with infantry so that you get more money each day. With the money you buy more troops. But beware, you must buy something that doesen't have a weakness for something in the opponents army. All your "pieces" can kill another if it borders the square they're standing on. When all have moved their one time you end your turn. The other armies play and then it's your turn again. That's basically how this game works.
However it can get more complicated than that.
What makes the game more unique is the somewhat unbalanced COs that you can choose from. Depending on who you choose - you get different specialities. When enough time has passed, you can use a power that, for instance heals all your troops by 2 HP (the maximum is always 10) or makes your air units stronger.
This game introduces the ability to have two different COs at the same time (well you can change them when you end your turn.
The graphics and sound is alright, the theme songs for every CO is different and good. However you might be turning off the short fight scenes and play without sounds when you get more hard-core. At that time you will also skip the touch screen because it has it's flaws and slow management.
As with all turn-based games, this gets old after a while. Although this holds out for quite a while, especially if you got a DS friend to link up with and play wireless with. Or just take anyone and battle them hot seat style. What this game lacks is simply wi-fi (which they saved for Days of Ruins). It would've increase the value heavily.
Overall this is something that suits the DS perfect and one of the few high quality games for the console.
//Seriously, how can you not like this game?