Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Worms: Armageddon builds upon the classic artillery-based formula by giving players a toolbox of weapons and utilities that range from the familiar bazooka to hilarious additions like the Holy Hand Grenade and Mad Cows. Each match plays out in turns: you set angle, power, and timing against the wind, aiming to eliminate the opposing team of worms. Movement is just as important as firepower, with options to jump (now including backward jumps and backflips), swing on ropes, or deploy a parachute.

(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 👍)

This expansion introduces 16 brand-new weapons, six new utilities, and extensive rebalancing of existing gear. Single-player campaigns and challenges guide you through progressively tougher scenarios, unlocking unique gameplay schemes along the way. Some schemes restrict or grant access to certain weapons, encouraging you to adapt your tactics on the fly. The utility system has also been tweaked so that selecting a worm at the start of a turn now consumes a limited-use item rather than being a free action.

Multiplayer remains a major draw, whether you’re duking it out in hot-seat mode, over LAN, or via the more elaborate WormNET lobby. Custom team flags, victory anthems, and gravestones add a personal touch to competitive play. For creative players, the expanded map editor and new predefined maps allow you to craft chaotic or strategic battlefields. Thanks to community-driven updates, you can even import full-color PNG terrains and auto-record match replays for posterity.

Graphics

The visual style of Worms: Armageddon retains the cartoony charm of its predecessors, but with sharper sprites, richer backgrounds, and smoother animations. Explosions feel weighty and satisfying, with dirt flying and scenery deforming in real time. Whether you’re perched on a snowy mountaintop or nestled inside a toxic waste chamber, the color palette ensures every weapon blast pops off the screen.

Character animations shine with the addition of backward jumps and flashy backflips, giving each worm a dose of personality. The new menu interface is clean and intuitive, complete with distinct icons for weapons, utilities, and multiplayer options. Voice banks have been expanded, so when you land that perfect shot or inadvertently send your own worm flying into the drink, you’ll hear a satisfying taunt or groan that underscores the mayhem.

Thanks to ongoing community updates by dedicated modders like Deadcode and CyberShadow, the game now supports a wide range of resolutions and integrates PNG map importing for user-created content. This level of polish ensures that Worms: Armageddon looks crisp on both retro setups and modern high-definition displays, making it a visual treat even decades after its initial release.

Story

While Worms: Armageddon doesn’t feature a traditional narrative, its single-player campaigns are framed with humorous mission briefs and tongue-in-cheek dialogue. Each set of challenges feels like a self-contained skirmish that nudges you toward new weapons and tactics, providing a lighthearted sense of progression rather than a dramatic storyline.

The sheer variety of mission objectives—from simple “last worm standing” battles to timed defusal tasks—gives the game a playful tone. Between skirmishes, you’ll be greeted by amusing quotes from your team’s voice bank or a cheeky cutscene showing your worms adjusting their custom flags or playing their chosen victory anthem. These small touches lend a charming personality to what could otherwise be a purely mechanical experience.

Customization options like gravestones, team emblems, and anthems add an offbeat sense of lore to every match. You might find yourself inventing backstories for your squads—the “Flaming Furies” with their flamethrower specialty, or the “Old Lady Legion” delivering revenge one granny-launch at a time. This emergent storytelling is where Worms: Armageddon truly shines, turning every battle into a mini-episode of cartoon chaos.

Overall Experience

Worms: Armageddon remains a timeless favorite because it combines easy-to-learn mechanics with layers of strategic depth. Whether you’re a newcomer drawn in by its wacky weapons or a veteran looking to master each explosive tool, the game delivers a satisfying balance of skill and humor. Turn-based artillery meets party-game insanity in a package that’s equally at home in quick free-for-alls or marathon multiplayer sessions.

Robust single-player content keeps the solo gamer engaged, while the multiplayer suite—complete with custom maps, voice chat, and ladders on WormNET—ensures that competition never grows stale. The mod-friendly architecture and ongoing community support mean the game continues to evolve with fresh maps, new resolution options, and quality-of-life enhancements. If you’ve ever wanted a battle where exploding sheep and rocket-propelled holy relics are the norm, Worms: Armageddon delivers in spades.

For potential buyers, the bottom line is simple: this is one of the most enduring and endlessly entertaining turn-based shooters ever made. Its combination of accessible controls, strategic depth, and unabashed silliness makes it a must-have for fans of competitive co-op, party games, or anyone who appreciates a dose of cartoon carnage. Worms: Armageddon is a purchase you’re unlikely to regret—and one you’ll probably revisit for years to come.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10