Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

As depicted very well by the title of the game, the infamous quarrelsome Worms are squirming for the first time in full 3D. The core objective remains unchanged from its 2D predecessors: crush, annihilate and put into oblivion the worm team of the enemy using a delightfully massive arsenal of wacky weapons. Fans of the series will feel right at home with the familiar turn-based structure, random wind conditions and a fully destructible terrain that reacts in satisfying splinters and craters to each explosive blast.

Transitioning into three dimensions adds both strategic depth and a fresh layer of challenge. Positioning your worms on hillsides, ledges or hidden tunnels now involves careful camera manipulation, and jumping, jetpacking or climbing require a steady hand. While some classic weapons didn’t make the cut, Worms 3D compensates with imaginative new contraptions—like the Lottery Strike, which unleashes a barrage of unpredictable projectiles, or the Gas Grenade, a toxic surprise that lingers in the landscape. Experimenting with these tools across varying map geometries ensures that no two matches ever feel identical.

Multiplayer remains the heart and soul of Worms 3D. Up to four players can duke it out locally or online in frenetic, laugh-out-loud battles. Customizable game rules let you fine-tune match length, weapon availability and victory conditions for quick skirmishes or marathon sessions. Despite occasional camera frustrations—due to environmental occlusion or abrupt auto-rotations—the sheer joy of lining up a bazooka shot, watching your worm tumble into a lava pit, and hearing that cheeky “Aww, snap!” grunt makes it all worthwhile.

Graphics

Stepping into the early 2000s, Worms 3D’s visuals were a bold statement: bright, cartoony environments filled with rolling hills, quirky props and colorful particle effects. Worm models sport a charming plasticky sheen, while explosions send chunks of earth flying in satisfying slow-motion fragments. The result is a vibrant playground that underscores the game’s comedic tone without ever venturing toward realism.

The fully destructible landscape is a technical highlight: terrain deformation happens in real time, carving out holes, cliffs and lava pits wherever your weapons strike. Each blast permanently alters the battlefield, forcing you to rethink strategy on the fly. Although draw distances and texture resolutions feel dated by today’s standards, the clean art style helps the game remain visually coherent and immediately readable—even amid the chaos of simultaneous homing missiles, fire bananas and concrete donkeys.

Performance generally holds up well on modest hardware of its era, with stable framerates and quick load times. The trade-off is occasional pop-in on distant objects and a somewhat clunky camera system that can obscure critical sightlines. Thankfully, manual camera controls and adjustable zoom levels mitigate most issues, allowing you to frame the perfect artillery shot once you master the learning curve.

Story

True to form, Worms 3D doesn’t burden players with an epic plot or complex narrative arcs. The “story” is simply your band of mustachioed worms facing off against rival teams in an arena of comedic violence. This minimal approach keeps the focus squarely on gameplay, letting each level’s themed backdrop and environmental hazards tell their own playful tale.

The single-player campaign is a loosely connected series of missions grouped by difficulty and setting—ranging from beginner training exercises to challenging “Deathmatch” scenarios. Brief introductory cutscenes and humorous victory quips give each stage just enough personality to keep you smiling without breaking the flow. It’s more about atmosphere than deep storytelling, and that fits the pick-up-and-play ethos perfectly.

If you’re looking for character development, plot twists or emotional investment, you won’t find them here. Instead, Worms 3D delivers tongue-in-cheek commentary, wacky animations and the trademark worm voices that make every jump, splat and taunt a memorable moment. In this universe, narrative restraint is a feature rather than a bug—allowing pure, unadulterated fun to take center stage.

Overall Experience

Worms 3D represents a bold evolution for the series, bringing the classic turn-based worm warfare into three dimensions without losing its trademark charm. The expanded arsenal—including inventive newcomers like the Lottery Strike and Gas Grenade—combined with fully destructible maps creates endless tactical possibilities. Online play remains a blast, turning quiet strategy sessions into uproarious, unpredictable brawls with friends or strangers.

While camera quirks and the omission of some beloved 2D weapons may disappoint purists, the game’s strengths far outweigh these minor frustrations. The bright, cartoonish graphics, satisfying physics-based explosions and wacky sound effects all contribute to an experience that’s equal parts strategy and slapstick. Customizable rulesets, map editors and a robust multiplayer lobby ensure strong replay value, even years after release.

Ultimately, Worms 3D is a must-try for fans of the series and newcomers who crave a strategic yet lighthearted turn-based battler. Its combination of accessible mechanics, chaotic multiplayer fun and relentless humor offer an engaging package that stands the test of time. Whether you’re plotting a sneaky water strike from above or laughing at a well-timed dynamite throw, this full-3D adventure keeps the wormy warfare alive and squirming in all the right ways.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10