Overview
For those that have never played Worms before, it is a 2D turn-based strategy game where you take your team of worms and shoot, sheep and blow up the opposing team in spectacular fashion. Worms can be played in single player campaign mode or multiplayer mode with up to four players.
Players control four worms each and utilizing a unique arsenal of weapons to destroy the opposing team. Games are set on a time limit and once the time limit nears its end, the water level raises to quicken the death toll of worms. Levels are fully destructible so players can burn, explode and drill through the terrain to destroy their enemies.
Graphics
Here is where the nostalgia really kicks in. If you have ever played a Worms game on any platform at anytime in your gaming existence, you have seen these graphics. The only real noticeable difference is that it's in HD, so the 2D graphics are crisper and cleaner. Same sheep animations, same air strike graphics, same worms. The customization is a nice touch that adds little depth to the game, but that's about it. Give your worms a hat to stand out from the crowd and even add a little victory dance to really shame your enemies.
Sound
It's all here. The crazy Irish accents. The Hallelujah of the Holy Hand Grenade. The sweet sound of "Uh Oh" every time a worm is out of health and self destructs. All the crazy and zany sounds from all the titles before are here, and some of the newer ones as well.
Game Play
For over the past decade that these titles have been made, the formula hasn't changed...at all; and there is no difference here. This is the same game you played when the first one came out back in 1995.
Where this game really shines is the multiplayer mode. With multiple death-match modes that can limit your arsenal or crazy crate mode that constantly adds resources, players can literally spend hours blowing each other up in every way possible. 14 new weapons and a slew of new maps make multiplayer a lot of fun with friends and enemies alike.
On the other hand single player mode is very repetitive and seems more like a practice mode against AI to really up your skill against real opponents. Campaign mode tries to break up the repetition by adding in challenges every couple of levels. Players may find themselves facing an opponent with only one turn to kill them, or ninja roping across a level within the expected time limit. This is fun, but these levels are so short and quick that it's almost gone before it even got started.
Overall
This is Worms. The same game you played back in the 90's, so if you're a fan of the Worms franchise I totally recommend this download. If you didn't like it then, you probably won't like it now. Being a fan myself I enjoyed my time with the title and enjoyed the multiplayer immensely. It's a great time killer and for quick skirmishes against your friends it can be loads of fun. Otherwise it's the same old tried and true Worms format that keeps bringing the title back every couple of years. Nothing game breaking or surprising here, and I think that's what adds to the appeal of the Worms games. No need to relearn how to play or change your strategy; just hop in, blow sh*t up, and have fun.
Worms Reloaded was developed by Team17 and distributed by Steam games on August 26th 2010 for the PC. Retailing for $19.99. A copy of the game was provided by the developer for review purposes.
