Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The core of Worms revolves around its turn-based strategy mechanics, offering a unique blend of tactical depth and chaotic fun. Up to four teams of four worms face off on a fully destructible 2D terrain, where every move and shot can drastically alter the battlefield. Each worm starts with 100 hit points, and careful management of health, positioning, and resources is crucial to outlasting the competition.

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On your turn, you control a single worm for a limited time. Movement options include crawling left or right and executing jumps, but the clock is ticking—hesitate too long and you’ll forfeit your action. Falling from heights carries risk: take too big a plunge and you’ll lose health, possibly ending your turn prematurely. Worse yet, a misstep near water or offscreen spells instant death, forcing you to think twice before making daring maneuvers.

Attacking is equally strategic. You adjust your aim vertically, pick from a diverse arsenal, and factor in environmental effects like wind and gravity (especially on specialized maps like the moon). Standard weapons, such as bazookas and grenades, form the backbone of your offensive capabilities, while special items—dynamite sticks, airstrikes, and even a comical Fire Punch—add layers of unpredictability. Each shot leaves craters, reshaping the landscape and opening new tactical possibilities.

Beyond weapons, utility items like ropes and girders let you traverse chasms or establish defensive perches. This interplay between destruction and construction makes each match feel fresh, whether you’re digging tunnels to ambush foes or dangling precariously above a pit of water. The balance between calculated planning and wild improvisation keeps turns tense and entertaining from start to finish.

Graphics

Worms sports a charming, cartoon-inspired art style that perfectly complements its lighthearted tone. Each worm is rendered with expressive animations—taunts, winks, and panic flails abound—bringing personality to every battlefield encounter. Explosions are delightfully over-the-top, with peak pyrotechnics that never feel overly grim.

The game’s varied terrain themes—from lush forests and arid deserts to whimsical candy landscapes and low-gravity lunar fields—are rendered in vibrant color palettes. Backgrounds stay static to maintain clarity during frantic firefights, but foreground elements like destructible soil and rock dynamically deform under your attacks. Craters, tunnels, and floating islands emerge organically, ensuring no two skirmishes ever look the same.

Special effects such as swirling wind indicators, splash animations when worms land in water, and small debris particles from explosions add visual flair without overwhelming the action. Even on modest hardware, Worms maintains smooth frame rates, letting you focus on lining up that perfect bazooka shot rather than battling slowdown.

Interface elements are crisp and intuitive: weapon selection menus, turn timers, and health bars are clearly displayed without cluttering the main view. Subtle sound cues accompany weapon reloads and wind changes, reinforcing the visual feedback and aiding in moment-to-moment decisions.

Story

Worms doesn’t rely on a deep narrative; instead, it embraces a whimsical premise that places cartoonish worms in ludicrous combat scenarios. There’s no overarching plot to follow, but the real story emerges from player-generated chaos and memorable matches with friends or AI-controlled opponents. Each victory—or devastating defeat—creates its own little saga.

Customization options add flavor to your team’s “story.” You can rename your worms, assign witty catchphrases, and tweak victory dances, making every match feel personal. While there’s no evolving campaign, the emergent narrative of who betrays whom with a well-placed mine or who stages a last-second rescue jump provides replay value that outstrips many story-driven titles.

Humor is front and center: from pre-battle banter to witty death announcements, Worms keeps things lighthearted. Animations like a worm being squished by its own grenade are reminders that this game leans into slapstick. If you’re seeking character arcs or dramatic plot twists, you won’t find them—but if you enjoy crafting your own tales of explosive triumphs, Worms delivers in spades.

Overall Experience

Worms strikes an exceptional balance between accessibility and tactical depth, making it an ideal pick-up-and-play title for newcomers while rewarding veterans with its nuanced strategies. Matches move at a brisk pace thanks to the turn timer, yet there’s enough breathing room to deliberate over tricky shots and environmental hazards.

Whether you’re battling AI foes or duking it out with friends in local or online multiplayer, Worms guarantees memorable moments. The sandbox-like nature of the terrain and the sheer variety of weapons ensure that no two encounters feel identical. Unexpected chain reactions—like a failed shot setting off a dynamite cascade—keep everyone laughing and sometimes groaning in disbelief.

On the downside, the lack of a structured single-player campaign may disappoint those craving a conventional story mode. However, the game’s customizable match settings and skirmish options more than compensate, offering endless permutations of terrain style, wind strength, and turn length.

In sum, Worms remains a timeless classic for anyone seeking lighthearted strategy with a generous helping of chaos. Its vibrant presentation, strategic gameplay, and endless replayability make it a must-have for casual gamers and dedicated tacticians alike.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10