Worms 2

"They're back..."

Worms became an instant classic back when it was released in 1995. The lives of many gamers were consumed by the simple yet addictive gameplay and became an obsessive habit not even patches or gum could fix. Two years later comes the release of the sequel - Worms 2. With improved graphics, more weapons, and online play, those Worms are back in arms…

In terms of gameplay, Worms 2 has not changed much from the original Worms. If ain't broke, don't fix it, right? So veterans of the previous game should feel right at home with the concept of things. For those who are new to this, Worms 2 is a strategic turn-based game, where a number of teams (ranging from two to six) are placed on a randomly generated landscape and slug it out. Each team takes turns to eliminate the opposition, using a variety of bizarre weapons, until there is only one team left standing. This formula is simple, yet unbelievably addictive, with the randomly generated terrain serving up endless possibilities of play, and with satisfaction of pummeling numerous opposing Worms back into the soil.

Most of the original weapons are included, with old favourites such as the bazooka, grenade, uzi, sheep, ninja rope and the infamous Banana Bomb all returning, and new weapons, such as the petrol bomb, holy-hand grenade, and the elusive Concrete Donkey, to use and wreck havoc amongst friends and foes alike.

Visually, Worms 2 is an immense step up from the original. The landscapes are still weird and colourful, but now have a lot more detail and look much more polished overall. But it is the Worms themselves that steal the graphical limelight. Team 17 has done a total cosmetic revamp on the Worms, giving them a completely new look, along with new comical expressions and emotions that gives them more personality, building on the atmosphere of the overall game.

The voices of the Worms was one of the things that made the original such a comic success. Thankfully, this hasn’t changed. Worms 2 still has all the witty high-pitched one-liners said by the Worms. There is a comment made by the Worms for almost every situation, be it while throwing a grenade, a retort from an enemy’s fire, or even yelling at other team members for stupidity. There are over 15 sounds schemes to choose from, as well as a ‘Sound Bank Editor’, which lets you make your very own sound schemes.

The background music is catchy and has a warfare feel to it, making it very suited for the game. But sometimes you'll get so enthralled in the game though you might not even notice the music.

Now with an online feature included, Worm Warfare can be taken to next level - Worldwide. Rather than jumping in and out of the hot seat, each player can leisurely sit at their own computer feuding against friends or complete strangers over a long distance, increasing what is already healthy lifespan to the game.

With all amount of customable features in this game, a level editor, a viciously addictive multiplayer hot seat game, and online play, Worms 2 is one of those games that will have you playing for long hours straight, and still come back wanting more. This series has been infamous for its cause of sleep loss, with Worms 2 certainly living up to this label. The game is enjoyable playing alone, with enough missions to defeat, but the cream of the gameplay is with a few friends.

Worms 2 builds greatly upon what was established in the original game. Everything you loved before is here, with an astounding amount of weapons available and unlimited levels to fight on, making it a worthy purchase if you’re either old or new to the series.

Gameplay - 9
Graphics - 9
Sound - 9
Replayability - 10

Overall - 9

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/12/03