Tiny Metal Reviews

Tiny Metal is ranked in the 37th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
7 / 10.0
Jan 31, 2019

Tiny Metal is a fun little strategy game, although a few issues stop it from being truly amazing

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8 / 10.0
Dec 31, 2018

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.

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6.5 / 10.0
Mar 13, 2018

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.

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6.5 / 10.0
Mar 9, 2018

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.

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3.5 / 5.0
Feb 23, 2018

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.

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6 / 10.0
Feb 8, 2018

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.

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6 / 10
Feb 7, 2018

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.

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5 / 10
Feb 2, 2018

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.

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Metro GameCentral
GameCentral
Top Critic
7 / 10
Jan 16, 2018

A perfectly competent Advance Wars clone, but until the free multiplayer DLC turns up it's only the half the game it should be.

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9 / 10
Jan 15, 2018

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.

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9 / 10.0
Jan 11, 2018

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.

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7.3 / 10.0
Jan 11, 2018

This charming strategy game offers some cheap thrills, but the battles grow old quickly thanks to a lack of depth

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7 / 10.0
Jan 10, 2018

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.

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Jan 10, 2018

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.

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6 / 10.0
Jan 10, 2018

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.

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8 / 10
Jan 8, 2018

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.

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7 / 10.0
Jan 8, 2018

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.

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6 / 10
Jan 3, 2018

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.

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5 / 10
Jan 2, 2018

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.

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7.5 / 10.0
Dec 30, 2017

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.

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