Tiny Metal Reviews
A lack of multiplayer at release detracts from how brilliant (and essential) Tiny Metal could have been, but it's the next best thing to Advance Wars that's currently available on the Nintendo Switch. Fans of that and/or turn-based strategy games will find something worthwhile here, despite that not so tiny price.
A decent game overall. Nice unit diversity, but really poor AI. I would definitely recommend waiting until the multiplayer component of the game is released before buying.
Tiny Metal has clearly taken a lot more than inspiration from the Advance Wars series, although they have thrown in a few new mechanics and a decent length single player which helps make this game it's own. The story is engaging, exciting and compelling and will have you intrigued all the way to the end with each battle different to the last due to the reveal of new units and mechanics along the way.
Tiny Metal hits most of the high notes nostalgic fans of Advance Wars are looking for. The lack of multiplayer and a few other missteps hold the game back, but turn-based strategy fans will enjoy the campaign scenarios. Beyond that, it fails to innovate on a well-worn path.
It seems like with the release of the Multiplayer patch Tiny Metal is finally meeting its potential, though to be clear the support isn’t terribly robust by any means. The core gameplay is certainly there, and should please strategy fans, but the Campaign’s story isn’t terribly interesting and the computer AI won’t likely impress strategy veterans. Assuming you’re able to coordinate with someone online to set up a lobby and match up the multiplayer patch should make for a great additional feature, but if you’re just looking for a random match-up keep in mind your enjoyment will be subject to some luck both in terms of finding a match and it being satisfying.
The various maps during the campaign, the well written story, and the pace of gameplay (outside of story elements) makes Tiny Metal a great addition to the Switch library of games. Tiny Metal gets a solid 3.5 out of 5. The price point may be a little high at $24.99, especially without multiplayer available, but for fans of this genre, Tiny Metal makes for a wonderful experience.
It's Advance Wars for a new generation as Japanese anime characters collide with adorable 3D units for turn-based combat.
Tiny Metal is a great homage to the Advance Wars series that is going to seriously scratch that itch for fans of Nintendo's strategy series. Its colorful look, fun gameplay mechanics, good unit variety and a solid amount of content to enjoy will keep you busy for several hours, making this a must-buy for fans of the strategy genre. Area35 did a great job with this game, and I'm very glad this one made it to the Nintendo Switch.
Overall, it's a game that feels explicitly made for fans of a very specific series in a very specific genre. If you don't like Advance Wars, you almost certainly won't like this. If you like Advance Wars and come into Tiny Metal with slightly measured expectations, you will find a good strategy RPG that borrows unashamedly yet reverently.
What Tiny Metal, as a clone of Advance Wars, does unfortunately abstract things too far, to the point where there's no real strategic depth left. It's decent fun and there's certainly a lot to it, and that multiplayer mode, when it comes, will be a good time waster with a couple of beers on a lazy Sunday afternoon, but as a tactics or strategy game it's all too limited for its own good.
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.
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.
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.
Tiny Metal doesn't copy the Advance Wars formula — it improves it.
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 is a fun little strategy game, although a few issues stop it from being truly amazing
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.
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
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.
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.