The Worms are back and and they’re better than ever. Worms W.M.D. is a return to form for the multiplayer game that features those little pink worms and their crass sense of humor. While the series hasn’t been gone –I’m looking at a copy of Worms The Revolution Collection on the PS3 above me on the shelf as I type this– the series has, for lack of a better word “experimented” with different sort of games. We had the classic Worms formula in 3D as well and all sort of spin-off titles since the PS2 era. I’m pretty sure there was a golf game and tower defense thing at one point for some reason.
“…there have been some 18 Worms games, so it’s nice to be back to the version we know and love.”
But Worms really hasn’t been the beloved series since Worms Armageddon back in 1999. That game was so great that those little Worms are a mainstay in PC game history even after go knows how many versions and spin-offs. So it’s a great thing that Worms W.M.D. pulls more from Armageddon than any other incarnation. Back is the hand-drawn art style instead instead of the bland and washed out 3D atheistic of past games. In fact, the game is bloody gorgeous and feels organic, especially in this new world that the team has created. Each location is incredibly detailed and filled with a crazy amount of things to see. That’s actually one of the games strengths as Worms fans know that when you get a group of people playing, the game can slow to a crawl as each player takes a turn.
Team 17 has learned that what they do best, tends to work best. It was cute seeing Worms get all sorts of games, but fans have always known that classic Worms is the best Worms. Look, there have been some 18 Worms games, so it’s nice to be back to the version we know and love. But that’s not to say that this is exactly the same Worms we are used to. The largest addition is the vehicles that you van now use in battle. They are a lot of fun and unique in that any Worm can get in during a turn. That means if you are riding around in a killer tank, someone on their turn can kick you out and take over.
But one thing that hasn’t changed is the “unique” control scheme that Worms games have been known for. It’s a really simple thing, but it’s also equally terrible, almost by design it feels. Things don’t always work how they are supposed to, or how you think they should while playing and missing a swing, flubbing your jetpack and so on happens quite a bit. In any other game this would be a killer, but for Worms it adds to its charm as everyone is affected by it, so even the best players can end up killing themselves on accident. The insanity that goes on during multiplayer is what makes it anyone’s game while playing. In a world where streaming is king Worms W.M.D. is perfectly placed to provide hours of hilarity not only for those playing, but for people watching. It’s almost like streaming was built around a series like Worms.
There is also another addition that brings Worms W.M.D. into the modern age and that’s crafting. My stance of crafting has been well documented (I hate it), but for some reason it really doesn’t bother me here. I think that has to do with the waiting that is inherit to the series as a whole. When there are four-players going at it you turn feels like ages before it comes. The small crafting section helps to mitigate this by giving you something to do while waiting. It also means that weapons can be restocked into you inventory unlike past iterations. You can break down current weapons to build something better, or at least something better for the situation you are in.
Along the lines of additions Worms W.M.D. also adds a number of new and inventive weapons to bring the series into the modern age. You’ll be able to get satellite strikes that can clear large swaths of land for anyone unlucky enough you be there (including yourself) and electric charges that can jump from Worm to Worm. These sorts of weapons add a real strategy element especially when you get the high ground as position is often king with a game of Worms starts.
That said Worms W.M.D. isn’t a perfect game, but the fun factor easily overshadows the minor issues that are there, especially those inherent to the game itself. Fans of the series know these small issues help makes Worms, well, Worms. Knowing that at any second you could totally screw up a move makes for tense and hilarious play session among friends. The only actual issues that could be addressed include the camera which can be a real pain to control as there were times when it had a mind on its own when scanning the map. The controls are also scattered across the keyboard making little sense, so get those binded ASAP. And I do need to mention that a lot of classic weapons seem like they have been nerfed, but I could be wrong as it’s been a long time since I played classic Worms. Lastly the audio design (aside from the Worms themselves) is sort of lacking, mostly in the music department. It’s not bad, but many matches just felt empty at times.
You should also remember that Worms W.M.D. is a multiplayer experience first and foremost; whether that be the local or online variety. There is a “Campaign” mode, but this is nothing but 30 missions with no real connected thread. I really would have loved something here story-wise, but the levels themselves are varied so it’s a minor complaint, at best. Oh, and there’s also Steam Workshop support so you’ll be able to download and play all sorts of levels built by the community. In fact, I just finished a match on Air Force One!
4/5
‘Great’
*A Copy Was Provided For Review*
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