Worms 3D

"A hilarious and wholly enjoyable addition to an excellent series."

Anyone who has been a fan of the Worms series since back in the days of Worms 2 and Worms: Armageddon can surely remember when Team17 themselves said that they would never even consider putting their beloved series through the gauntlet of 3D transition. Now, many years on, it seems that they have retracted their position and given us a whole new generation of Worms that move around in a full three-dimensional environment. It was considered technically impossible or impractical at the time; now gamers can find out for themselves if their initial reservations had any grain of truth in them.

Gameplay – 10/10

Undoubtedly, gameplay has always been central to the core philosophy of the creators of Worms; an obvious idea that is sadly overlooked far too often in the modern gaming market. For veterans of the series and new players alike, gamers who enjoy tactical, turn-based play will find many, many hours of enjoyment in playing with Worms new 3D engine. The game’s simple premise of eliminating all Worms on any of one to three other opponent’s teams is rarely easily executed. In addition to having to make accurate judgments and shots in a limited time, there are a plethora of other factors to consider before each shot is made, ranging from wind speed to splash damage. Although it is easy to be overwhelmed in such a myriad of information (especially so on higher AI difficulties, when every computer shot is next to perfect), it is important to remember that practice makes perfect. For the niche of gamers irritated with the oversupply of blood-drenched shooters or games with a somewhat lacking skill level, this is a refreshing alternative to opening fire with a gun and charging into the heat of battle. If patience and strategy seem like too much work for a video game, then Worms 3D may not appeal to you; gamers who prefer a slower, but undeniably exciting, pace will enjoy this primary aspect of Worms’ turn-based engine.

Controls take some getting used to, but Worms 3D makes efficient use of the GameCube controller. Again, nothing in this game requires lightning-fast reflexes for button combinations or what-not, but rather an attention focused on maximising each short amount of time per turn. The range of weapons in this game that can be used to obliterate the hapless any Worms range from the conventional to the bizarre – bazookas and uzis are intertwined with the traditional banana bombs and old women in an odd sort of harmony. As one might imagine, different weapons require different skills and may or may not be useful in different situations. Although blowing everyone in a tight spot away with dynamite would be good for a laugh in a multiplayer game, the shotgun might prove more useful against a decidedly sombre computer player.

Graphics – 6/10

The graphics for Worms 3D are simple and enjoyable. The Worms are delightfully animated and the scenery is nicely rendered. Photo-realistic terrains are dropped in favour of more stylised ones that better fit the cartoon-like tone of the Worms series. Every Worm also has a series of random actions that they perform while waiting, further adding to the personality and feel of the game. Unfortunately, several major graphics glitches (like Worms becoming distorted when in an overhead view) hurt the overall smoothness of the gameplay, most of these glitches can be overlooked during the heat of battle.

Sound – 8/10

Like graphics, sound for Worms 3D is decent and appropriate. The music has a well-written, ambient feel to it that is well-suited for a slower, turn-based game. Sound effects are excellent, being both effective and humorous at the same time. Explosions are convincing, and Worm-to-Worm trash talk is as amusing as the sound of explosive sheep frolicking across the countryside.

Replayability – 10/10

The hallmark of the Worms series has always been a relaxing multiplayer mode that can be enjoyed for hours and hours on end. Although the extensive single player mode is fun (albeit frustrating at times), the real beauty behind the Worms series, Worms 3D being no exception, is getting a group of friends together to hone each others’ skills against one another. The sheer uniqueness and simultaneous simplicity of Worms 3D’s multiplayer mode is what has carried the series through to this day. It’s difficult to explain the reason behind this appeal, but I would be willing to wager that it is the sheer scope of options available right from the start that carries this game through. Even after playing with all the weapons, options, and features, Worms 3D offers, almost literally, an endless supply of maps to play on, thanks to a very effective random generator. Additionally, as with most games, there are plenty more secrets to unlock throughout the course of the game, further lending to its longevity.

Admittedly, Worms 3D, as far as I can see, is a game that not everyone might take a liking to. Depending on one’s taste for unique, turn-based strategy, one could either get immediately hooked on it or cast it aside as boring or too difficult. Even for those who have never played any games from the Worms series, I would highly recommend picking up this game for a gaming experience vastly different from the rest of the games in a market saturated with first-person shooters and fighting games as primary choices for multiplayer options. As far as my own tastes go, as an ardent fan of slower games, those with decidedly bizarre premise, and the Worms series as a whole, this is one game I have been waiting for. And it was worth it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/27/04