Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Worms delivers a turn-based artillery experience that’s deceptively simple to pick up yet rich in tactical depth. Each match sees you commanding a team of up to four worms as you trade volleys of unconventional weaponry—ranging from bazookas and grenades to the infamous holy hand grenade and banana bomb. The low gravity and destructible terrain ensure that every shot can drastically alter the battlefield, turning once-solid ground into perilous pits of water or jagged cliffs.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Customization is at the heart of Worms’ gameplay appeal. You can field up to four teams—each with up to four worms—and tweak everything from worm names and voices to weapon availability, ammo counts, health levels, and turn timers. This level of control lets you fine-tune matches for anything from frantic, over-the-top battles with infinite dynamite to thoughtful duels with only melee attacks and jetpacks.

Beyond the standard skirmish mode, the game supports open or closed maps and two terrain themes, adding further variety to the proceedings. Whether you’re slugging it out on a tightly confined volcanic island or navigating a sprawling archipelago, the dynamic interplay between wind, landscape, and weapon physics keeps every skirmish feeling fresh. The inclusion of both human and AI opponents means you can hone your strategic prowess solo or share the chaos with friends.

Graphics

Graphically, Worms adopts a charming, cartoon-inspired 2D aesthetic that balances clarity with character. Each worm comes to life with exaggerated animations—wriggling in anticipation before firing or flinching comically when caught in an explosion. The brightly colored weapon icons and intuitive UI help players quickly gauge in-match options without cluttering the screen.

The environments are rendered in bold, contrasting hues that make terrain features and hazards easily distinguishable. Even as the landscape crumbles under sustained shelling, the terrain’s texture remains readable, ensuring that you can plan your next shot without confusion. The two terrain themes—often reminiscent of verdant hills or moody wastelands—add subtle visual variety without distracting from the core action.

Special effects such as water splashes, fiery eruptions, and smoke trails bring each weapon to life, providing satisfying feedback for every well-placed (or hilariously wayward) shot. While Worms doesn’t push graphical fidelity in the traditional sense, its stylized presentation perfectly complements the game’s tongue-in-cheek tone and strategic underpinnings.

Story

True to its sandbox roots, Worms doesn’t offer a conventional narrative or cutscene-driven storyline. Instead, the game’s “story” unfolds through its match structure and the absurd, often memorable moments you create on the battlefield. Each skirmish feels like a self-contained tale of triumph, misfire, and unexpected environmental shenanigans.

The primary narrative drive comes from the customization options you choose—naming your worms, selecting cheeky victory cries, and crafting a team identity. This emergent storytelling means you’ll proudly recount how “Sir Splody” survived a direct Holy Hand Grenade hit or how “Captain Wiggles” used a jetpack to escape certain doom. These personal anecdotes become the glue that binds each match into a larger, laughter-filled saga.

Occasionally, the game includes themed campaign missions or challenge maps that introduce playful scenarios—survive a gauntlet of worms armed only with baseball bats, or traverse treacherous terrain under a strict time limit. While these missions aren’t tied together by a deep plot, they do offer guided objectives that add a dash of structure to the otherwise freeform mayhem.

Overall Experience

Worms strikes a rare balance between accessible pick-up-and-play fun and strategic depth that rewards thoughtful planning. Whether you’re a casual player seeking quick, explosive matches with friends or a tactical enthusiast who savors the fine details of windgauge calculations, Worms caters to both ends of the spectrum. The robust customization ensures endless replayability, as no two matches ever feel quite the same.

The game’s lighthearted presentation, paired with its unpredictable physics and arsenal of wacky weapons, guarantees moments of genuine hilarity. From accidentally sending your own worm plummeting into the water to orchestrating a perfectly timed Banana Bomb barrage, Worms thrives on emergent comedy as much as on skillful play.

For potential buyers seeking a multiplayer experience with enduring charm, Worms remains a standout choice. Its approachable design, coupled with surprising tactical layers and a high degree of player creativity, makes it an engaging addition to any library. Whether you’re rediscovering a classic or diving in for the first time, Worms promises chaotic fun and strategic thrills in equal measure.

Retro Replay Score

null/10