Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Worms returns to the classic turn-based artillery formula that defined the series, pitting teams of comical worms against each other in a fully destructible 2D environment. Each turn, players select from a smaller but carefully balanced arsenal of weapons—ranging from bazookas and grenades to the signature sheep and Holy Hand Grenade—and plan their shots by adjusting angle and power. The emphasis remains on tactical positioning, creative use of the landscape, and timing your weapons to maximize damage or force opponents into the water.

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The game offers a robust single-player suite, including three tutorial levels that gently introduce new players to wind mechanics, weapon trajectories, and movement tools. Beyond the tutorials, twenty distinct challenges await, each available in three difficulty settings. These challenges focus on precision, speed, and strategy—tasks range from clearing specific enemy worms within a time limit to completing tricky jumps with the ninja rope. Completion times are recorded on global leaderboards, fostering a competitive spirit even when playing solo.

Multiplayer remains the heart of Worms. You can face off against up to three friends locally or challenge rivals online in matches that accommodate four teams. Custom match settings let you fine-tune turn times, health levels, and weapon availability, ensuring every battle feels fresh. The streamlined weapon set speeds up decision-making, while the classic physics-based chaos ensures no two skirmishes play out the same way. With voice banks that can be customized via DLC, each match crackles with personality and laughter.

Graphics

Building on the legacy of Worms: Open Warfare, this installment upgrades the visuals to crisp HD resolution without losing the hand-drawn charm of its predecessors. Backgrounds are richly detailed, featuring vibrant skies, rolling hills, and dynamic weather effects that subtly influence the mood of each battlefield. Explosions, smoke plumes, and water splashes all come to life with smooth animations that pop on modern displays.

Character sprites maintain their cartoonish exaggeration—wide-eyed worms in helmets and combat gear—while movement animations for walking, jumping, and weapon use are fluid and snappy. The destructible terrain shines in HD: watch as craters deepen, cliffs crumble, and tunnels open under the force of a well-placed weapon. This tactile sense of destruction is as satisfying as it is strategic, since each blasted hole alters the map for future turns.

Additionally, several DLC packs expand the visual palette with new landscapes—from moon bases to tropical islands—and alternate voice banks that imbue your worm squad with distinct accents and quips. While these packs are optional, they show the developers’ commitment to keeping the game visually engaging and humorously fresh.

Story

True to the series’ roots, Worms opts for minimal narrative, focusing instead on sandbox-style combat and emergent storytelling. There is no overarching plot or campaign-driven story arc. Rather, you craft memorable moments through explosive encounters, lucky ricochets, and last-worm-standing comebacks. The charm comes from the absurd premise: tiny worms wielding rocket launchers, sheep, and even concrete donkeys in over-the-top battles.

That said, the challenge missions offer bite-sized scenarios that hint at thematic storytelling—rescue missions in volcano levels, sniper trials in snowy peaks, and timed demolitions in cityscapes. These standalone vignettes provide context for each test and give players a sense of progression beyond random skirmishes. Completing these challenges can feel like unlocking chapters in a nontraditional Worms chronicle.

The real narrative emerges in multiplayer, as you and your friends (or strangers online) narrate your own epic moments. A perfectly timed airstrike, a miraculous rope swing to safety, or a betrayal by friendly fire can all become legendary tales recounted long after the match ends. In that sense, the story belongs to the player community, fostering shared memories rather than scripted cutscenes.

Overall Experience

Worms strikes an excellent balance between nostalgia and modern polish. Longtime fans will appreciate the return to the original weapon roster and the satisfying depth of turn-based tactics, while newcomers benefit from clear tutorials, scalable challenges, and a streamlined menu structure. The HD visuals and updated UI make navigation and gameplay feel approachable and smooth.

Replayability is off the charts. Whether you’re chasing leaderboard times in solo challenges, customizing battle rules for a local couch match, or diving into online lobbies, there’s always another round of carnage waiting. DLC expansions further extend the lifespan, adding new maps, voices, and aesthetic themes that keep the action visually fresh and humorously diverse.

Ultimately, Worms delivers a mischievous, family-friendly package that consistently rewards creativity and quick thinking. Its blend of strategy, chaos, and humor makes it a perfect party game and a satisfying solo diversion. For anyone seeking a game that’s easy to pick up but hard to master, this HD revival of the classic Worms formula is a shell-shocking delight.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10