Worms W.M.D Review

Worms W.M.D is the latest game in the Worms franchise and it manages to introduce some interesting new gameplay mechanics whilst maintaining what make the games so iconic.

I don’t think I’ve played a Worms game since the 90’s and I have to say that Worms W.M.D is a game that not only feels fun to play but also looks awesome, with a colourful 2D art style. The game comes from Team17 and they have managed to create a game that’s worth checking out. The first noticeable additions are vehicles and turrets, with both impacting gameplay in interesting ways. You can use tanks to cause mayhem and you can even control mechs. These new features add another layer to the gameplay and I really enjoyed the chaos they can cause.

There’s also the new crafting system, which allows you to collect all sorts of items from the battle zone and turn them into useful things to help your progress. The game has 30 main missions, multiple challenges and versus AI mode. The main campaign does a great job of introducing new mechanics in a structured and efficient way, although the objectives themselves are fairly repetitive.

The core gameplay itself is exactly what you would expect from a Worms game, as you take turns controlling your team of worms. You move around the vibrant 2D worlds and position yourself so that you can perform attacks and make use of the weapons at your disposal. The variety in weapons and attacks is vast and most importantly it feels fun. You have to carefully manage your resources and also consider the positioning of your squadron, not only for attacking but also defending yourself.

You can also make use of buildings and shelters throughout the various warzones. As you move into a building the game has a clever way of revealing what’s inside the structure. Its worth exploring and investigating these structures because there can be challenge unlocks.

Customization is another big feature within the game, as you can create your own team of worms. You can also create your own custom maps if you wish to do so. You gather XP based on how well you do during battle and then go on to unlock new collectibles and items. The game has plenty to unlock and reasons to replay if you want to find every item.

You can unlock music styles, celebrations and outfits which adds another layer of depth and purpose behind the gameplay. The game feels fresh and has injected life back into the Worms franchise and to be honest I was a little skeptical at first. The challenges are fun and there are even some unique boss style encounters. The game does have its issues but nothing that impacts the overall experience, like the missions starting to feel repetitive and the AI can act a little strange sometimes.

The multiplayer aspect is both offline and online and has up to six players. I didn’t play this mode a huge amount compared to the main missions, but it was great fun and actually fairly challenging, which in my opinion is a good thing. The local multiplayer is another awesome feature which I love to see in games like this. Playing Worms with friends is how the game plays best and its worth picking up for this mode alone, but the main campaign is also very enjoyable and feels rewarding.

The presentation of the game has returned to the classic 2D style and it has a vibrant and colourful design that looks timeless. The game runs incredibly well and the animations are smooth. You can easily zoom in and out with the back triggers to change the perspective of the battlefield. The camera is controlled with the right analog stick and helps you explore the layout of the scenery. The game also has a quant and subtle humour that runs throughout which suits the lighthearted and playful tone of the game.

Overall, Worms W.M.D is a much needed breath of fresh air for the franchise. It manages to introduce some clever new gameplay mechanics whilst remaining familiar. The design is vibrant and the 2D art style and layout of the battlefields are thoughtful and fun to fight in. I would have liked to have seen a bit more variation in the missions but overall this is a great game and is certainly worth checking out.

REVIEW CODE: A complimentary Sony Playstation 4 code was provided to Brash Games for this review. Please send all review code enquiries to editor@brashgames.co.uk.