The definitive couch multiplayer game for Switch
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Developer: Team17
Type of game: turn-based Worm killing simulator
Players: single-player (1-6), local (2-6) and online-multiplayer (2-6)
File size: 4.6 GB
Available now on Nintendo eShop for $29.99, physical release in 2018
A TRIUMPHANT RETURN
I have to admit, when it comes to the Worms series, I haven’t been able to keep up. I fell out of touch with the series after it made its jump to 3D. What I did play though were all the Worms games on PC up until Worms World Party. Worms W.M.D brings back memories of those games and has everything that made them memorable and then some.
WHAT IS ‘WORMS’ ABOUT?
If you’re not familiar with the Worms series, a simple explanation is that you take control of a team of worms, armed with insane weapons and have to eliminate the enemy team, taking turns to do so. Exploding sheep, homing missiles and banana bombs are just some of the crazy weapons at your disposal as you eliminate the enemy worms in hilarious fashion.
SHINE ON YOU CRAZY WORM
While this game offers a lot in terms of single-player content, with unique challenge levels, missions and randomly generated maps of various locales, the multiplayer is where it truly shines. Whether you’re on the couch with your favourite drinking buddy or online, prepare to have a lot of fun. I won’t lie, some matches can be nerve wracking as you try to anticipate your opponent’s move and take the necessary precautions. Like chess, but with dodgy phone batteries and Uzis.
REFRESHING WORMAGE
Things are kept interesting with the introduction of turrets, sniper nests, tanks, mechs, helicopters and Rocket League cars. These are fun little diversions that can be incredibly effective when used appropriately to shift the game in your favour and thankfully, they never feel overpowered. You better think twice before overusing a tank; your enemy might destroy the tank and you will take extra damage from the explosion. Another new gameplay element I noticed is crafting. Crafting allows you to build new weapons to add to your arsenal or enhanced versions of them, using materials you collect from supply drops or by dismantling unused weaponry. It adds a new layer of strategy to the game and overall, it makes each game feel richer.
WORMS MY HEART
I played a lot of the game in docked and handheld mode and I have to say it is a 2D delight. The physics-based gameplay the older 2D games in the series were known for is back in full force with a beautiful engine powering the game. Visuals are crisp and an absolute joy to look at whether you’re playing on TV or on the go. As someone that jumped from the older games to Worms W.M.D, I have to say the art-style change is handled really well, with the Worms looking as adorable (and deadly) as ever. I had fun picking the wackiest headgear for my custom team, the Bubba Gumps, so that they look as awesome as possible when they eliminate their foes.
INCOMING!
On the voice front, the game is a nostalgia trip. The voice-acting is filled with pop-culture references and puns, just like I remember it from the past games. Worms pepper in some hilarious phrases in-between turns and will have you chuckling all the time. Trying to pick the funniest option from the speechbank for my team, I saw just how many options there are to choose from. What is really commendable is the fact that speech in Russian or German for example is recorded by native speakers of the language (a staple of the series from its early 2000s days from what I remember). It’s one of the many small details that make Worms W.M.D a worthy entry in the series.
CONS?
The game crashed once when I was in the process of generating a random map for a local multiplayer game but I had no other crashes or errors when playing the game. It was most likely an isolated incident but hopefully it will be patched later. Another thing I found strange is the fact that replays sometimes show a slightly different sequence of events. It’s not exactly a glitch and it doesn’t affect gameplay in any way but I suppose that’s just the game recreating the events for the replay with the in-game physics instead of playing back an exact recording of the previous turn. All in all though, the game performs well, the controls are responsive and playing is simply put, fun.
THE VERDICT
I had a great time reviewing this game and I recommend it to fans of the series as well as newcomers that are looking for a fun experience at home or on the go. I feel like Worms W.M.D, with its incredibly fun local multiplayer, is a perfect fit for any Switch owner’s library. Whether you’re with your family, friends or significant others, a game of Worms is always welcome.
Review code was provided by Team17 for Nintendo Switch.