Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising

About

Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising is a sequel that sharpens the turn-based strategy mechanics of its predecessor while adding new layers of tactical depth. Players take control of military commanders leading units across grid-based maps, balancing resource management, unit upgrades, and terrain advantages. Each match requires careful planning and quick adaptation as you deploy tanks, planes, and specialty units to outmaneuver opponents. The game blends single-player campaigns with competitive multiplayer modes, letting you test your skills against friends or AI. The sequel’s structure splits the campaign into four distinct fronts, each targeting a different continent with unique objectives and challenges. New commanders bring fresh playstyles and abilities, while weapons like the Black Cannon introduce novel mechanics. Though released in 2003, the Game Boy Advance version remains a staple in strategy circles for its tight design and replayability. The Wii U port later gave newer players access to this refined mix of planning and action, cementing its reputation as a standout entry in the genre.

Storyline

While the Allied Nations were still recovering from the war in Cosmo Land, the Black Hole Army had already recovered and has decided to launch a large-scale invasion on Macro Land. Along with the original Black Hole army's commanding officers (COs), four new COs were recruited, under the command of Sturm. Sturm orders each Black Hole CO to invade and capture each of the four continents controlled by the four other armies from the original game: Orange Star was to be taken by Flak, Blue Moon by Lash, Yellow Comet by Adder, and Green Earth by Hawke. Lash also invented several new war weapons like the Black Cannon and the Mini Cannons that were to be put to use in this invasion. The four allied armies must now work together to drive Black Hole out of their world once and for all. Once the Black Hole troops are driven from the Allied Nations' continents, their COs convene in Black Hole territory, near Black Hole's base of operations. Here they fight Sturm, the mastermind behind the invasion. The final battle takes place in front of the Death Ray, a powerful new weapon guarding the entrance to a missile, which, if not subdued in time, would destroy half of Wars World. The Death Ray is eventually destroyed by the COs of the Allied Nations, who manage to disarm the missile and corner Sturm. In an act of desperation, Sturm attempts to blow up the base and inflict damage on Wars World by self-destructing the missile. Andy attempts to stop Sturm to no avail. However, in a surprising turn of events, Hawke, second in command to Sturm, betrays his leader by killing him with Black Storm before the self-destruct is triggered. Hawke takes over as leader of Black Hole, and along with Flak, Lash, and Adder, leaves Macro Land with the few troops he has left.