Tiny Metal Reviews
Underneath a forgettable campaign and unimpressive AI, Tiny Metal houses the seed of a really deep and entertaining multiplayer wargame. But until a head-to-head mode is added, it's not much more than a set of unchallenging training scenarios broken up by far too much overwrought dialogue. I had plenty of fun with it, but didn't get the kind of edge-of-my-seat decision-making moments that turned the tide of a difficult battle I could find in similar games. I'd recommend delaying your enlistment until all the pieces are in place.
A perfectly competent Advance Wars clone, but until the free multiplayer DLC turns up it's only the half the game it should be.
This charming strategy game offers some cheap thrills, but the battles grow old quickly thanks to a lack of depth
Tiny Metal brings accessible turn-based military strategy back into the spotlight
No, Tiny Metal is no substitute for Advance Wars. It does a lot of cool things, and it absolutely satisfies the same craving. But as much as I loved it at times, I hated it at others. It allows for pure turn-based strategy bliss, but there's a lot of garbage to sift through in order to get to it.
Tiny Metal is a great attempt at reviving the Advance Wars style of approachable military strategy for modern audiences, but while it certainly looks and behaves the part, the poorly balanced campaign and uninspired narrative only serve to emphasise just how special those classic games were.
Tiny Metal is a fun military-themed, turn-based strategy game. It manages to put your brain in gear with the troops' different strengths and weaknesses creating interestingly close battles. However without a multiplayer mode, some translation issues, and a text-heavy story the game falls short of being a must buy.
Tiny Metal is a love letter to turn-based strategy games of the past, offering a similar experience which doesn't overstay its welcome. Sadly, the game by Area 35 doesn't even try to move away from its main influence, the Advance Wars series, resulting in a game that doesn't feel particularly daring or innovative. Still, there's plenty of fun to be had, especially in Skirmish Mode, where all of the game's subsystems and mechanics get the chance to shine.
Tiny Metal tries to pursue the long lost heritage of the Famicom Wars series... maybe too much ? Every good idea the game delivers is always counterbalanced by several bad ones : the dialogs are nice too watch but way too long for the genre, the missions are solids, but the Fog War is fustrating as it is, and the strategy is sometimes hard to fiollow with such a poor IA. Only those who choose to forbid Tiny Metal will enjoy its strong content.
Review in French | Read full review
Tiny Metal has the core mechanics nailed down brilliantly, even if it has cribbed much of its structure from the famous Advance Wars franchise.
Tiny Metal is an admirable return to the traditional turn-based strategy genre. There's enough of a challenge both in the campaign and skirmish mode to keep players happy for a good while, but the lack of any sort of multiplayer at launch hurts its overall score.
AREA 35's first UNITES title is a solid effort. Despite its simplistic looks is a game that demands a good amount of planning and strategy. Tiny Metal will definitely be familiar to Nintendo fans who are still looking for their next Advance Wars fix. While gamers new to the genre will find that Tiny Metal is a nice diversion for all those AAA games that haven't lived up to the hype. To still a phase from the old 16-bit console wars, AREA 35 does what Nintendont.
Strong, indie response for Advance Wars from GBA. Quite simple, but unbelievable engaging turn-based strategy with an interesting graphics.
Review in Polish | Read full review
I don't often criticize a game for not living up to the standards of another but Tiny Metal tries so hard to mirror Nintendo's approach I must speak up when I see failings.
Tiny Metal is a fun little strategy game, although a few issues stop it from being truly amazing
Overall, Tiny Metal is a very promising, and likely the best, attempt at replicating the successful Advance Wars formula that fans have been looking for. Although multiplayer has yet to be added to the game, and there are some minor performance issues, each of these can be taken care of with a few patches. This puts the game in a position to be great after a bit more work has been done to it, or to make an easily improved sequel.
Tiny Metal doesn't copy the Advance Wars formula — it improves it.
Right now, Tiny Metal feels slightly undercooked. It has the strong foundations of a game that could be great, but is let down at almost every turn.
That's the real thing that holds back Tiny Metal. There's no doubt that it has the basics covered, and the new focus fire mechanic works nicely when you can initiate it. The campaign and skirmishes make up a very lengthy game once you put them together, though you'll have to deal with a lackluster AI in the process. The lack of multiplayer wouldn't hurt so much if it weren't already promised, and the fact that the game launched without that feature makes it feel like an Early Access title rather than one with a $25 price tag. If you don't mind such things, then Tiny Metal is still worth checking out if you're a fan of simpler strategy. For anyone else looking for some challenge, it might be best to hold off to see if and when multiplayer goes live.
This might not be the Advance Wars that most fans want, but it is a solid strategy game offering a decent amount of options and depth in combat.