Worms WMD (2)

Back when I got my first PC that ran MS-DOS back in 2007 (Welcome to PE kids!), there was one game on that system that I was utterly addicted to: Scorched Earth. It was delightfully simple stuff, a tactical game of chicken as you and a friend took turns pelting each other with mini-nukes from across a chasm until one of you finally bit the dust in a colourful explosion.

And then there was Worms. Worms took that idea and added a colourful twist to it, as your army of invertebrates used everything from Uzis to Holy Hand Grenades swiped from Monty Python to knock the opposing team off of the map. It was a solid first effort, followed up by a sublime sequel that embraced the silliness even further.

Worms WMD (1)

Since then, there have been a lot of Worms games. And that’s kind of the problem here with Team 17’s latest venture in the franchise. You can give Call of Duty or LEGO flack for repeating a formula, but they’ve got nothing on Worms. To make matters worse, you can’t deviate too far from a pattern that was a winner in the 1990s, or you’d end up with something like “shudder” Worms 3D.

And so you have Worms W.M.D, a game which is exactly like every other Worms game out there. Hell, the last time I actually picked one of these games up was in 2010 with Worms: Reloaded. And I was right at home with the setup and controls. Virtually nothing has changed here, minus some new art and a few new features.

Worms WMD (3)

Worms W.M.D brings with it a crafting mechanic, a system that allows players to grab crates on the battlefield and whip up a few new weapons for the next turn. It’s not a bad idea, but it’s never really explored properly and is something best left for the multiplayer lobbies and those tens of fans who play the game religously.

There’s a selection of vehicles to play around with, cosmetic unlocks and voice packs to discover across a ton of levels that at least gives Worms W.M.D plenty of replay value if you’re into turn-based artillery sessions.

You’ve got a decent range of these vehicles to play with, everything from tanks and mechs trough to attack choppers with which to rain down a fiery death on the opposition. Much like the worms themselves, they’re also vulberable to attack but when used correctly they can turn a battle around in a single turn. At least in that regard, Worms is as strategic as it ever was as these neutral power-ups present a new hiccup to the usual turn-based combat. Some of the time.

And that’s…genuinely it. I’m properly struggling to come up with more words here, because this review pretty much reads off like a checklist of what you can do in the game. And I hate that. You lot deserve better than this few paragraphs of garbage you just read.

Last Updated: September 13, 2016

Worms W.M.D
I mean…it’s Worms. If you feel like paying full price for this latest entry because you happen to have a filthy love for watching the little fellas massacre each other then you’re sorted. If you’re wondering if you should stick to any of the other 20-odd Worms games that you already own, then Worms W.M.D isn’t going to change your mind easily.
6.5
Worms W.M.D was reviewed on Xbox One
75 / 100

23 Comments

  1. Ottokie

    September 13, 2016 at 13:37

    I added this game to my wishlist last night. But the massive prerequisite for this game to be fun, is having at least 4 friends to play with on skype or discord or wherever.

    Reply

    • ??????? ????? ™

      September 13, 2016 at 13:39

      I’m game

      Reply

      • Ottokie

        September 13, 2016 at 13:45

        Now we need 2 more victims 😛

        Reply

        • ??????? ????? ™

          September 13, 2016 at 13:47

          Lol

          Reply

        • VampyreSquirrel

          September 13, 2016 at 13:52

          *hand up*

          Reply

        • PoisonedBelial

          September 14, 2016 at 07:14

          I’m game as well.

          Reply

        • Johan Krüger Haglert

          September 17, 2016 at 05:57

          I have like 8-9 copies of Worms Clan wars so … if you find a whole group .. ;D

          Reply

  2. Dane

    September 13, 2016 at 13:48

    Howdy there! I’m a red-neck worm! -gwee pwip- *tingg*

    Reply

  3. RinceThis

    September 13, 2016 at 13:50

    Uh oh!

    Reply

  4. Alien Emperor Trevor

    September 13, 2016 at 13:59

    That’s how you get ants worms.

    Reply

  5. ElimiNathan

    September 13, 2016 at 14:29

    The game is getting high praise from long time fans on Steam

    Reply

  6. Craig Lotter

    September 13, 2016 at 15:23

    Isn’t the problem just that you’ve played too many Worms games? If you were new to it, would you score it as a good, polished game?

    Reply

    • The D

      September 13, 2016 at 19:17

      Good point actually. I think a newcomer to the series can find something to enjoy in Worms WMD, if they like a slower-paced piece of 2D carnage with cartoony visuals. But they’ll have a LOT of cheaper games to pick from in the series as well.

      Reply

  7. Deceased

    September 14, 2016 at 11:11

    Sad part is – NO worms game will ever beat Worms 2

    I’ve bought this, I’ve played this – I say if you want the real Worms experience… Worms 2 all the way.
    The crafting mechanic in this is utterly meh, as you just hunt the crates for the ingredients instead of that clutch: “OMG OMG OMG a Super Banana Bomb … I’ma rek you little bastards with this” feel.
    The vehicles also are far from my cup o’ tea.

    THE BEST PART of WMD for me is the cover which structures give – When used effectively, they turn tides
    ( prolly the same amount as vehicles – but it’s waay more tactical in my mind 😐 )

    Reply

  8. Mighty Meh

    September 14, 2016 at 13:33

    Scorched Earth, Wowzer that’s a throwback!! Many an hour was spent playing that game back in the day

    Reply

  9. Lord Chaos

    September 16, 2016 at 18:42

    Where do I DL this? Any worms is a must have

    Reply

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