Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Worms: Open Warfare returns to the classic 2D turn-based artillery formula that made the original Worms titles so beloved. Each player controls a squad of plucky worms, taking turns to move, aim, and unleash a variety of zany weapons on enemy teams. The weapon roster is leaner than in some of the later 3D entries, but it retains all the fan favorites—bazookas, bananas, and Holy Hand Grenades—making every match a strategic and often hilarious free-for-all.

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The single-player offerings include both custom skirmishes and a structured challenge mode, where you face AI-controlled teams with evolving objectives. These challenges range from timed demolitions to delicate puzzles that force you to think twice before pulling the pin. Controls on both the DS and PSP have been carefully optimized: the touchscreen interface on DS speeds up menu navigation, while the PSP’s D-pad and analog nub offer precise aiming for more exacting players.

Worms: Open Warfare also shines in its local multiplayer options. On the DS, you can join forces using just one cartridge, making it easy to jump into competitive matches with friends. The PSP version takes things further with wireless Ad-Hoc support, so up to four players can duke it out across different handhelds. This blend of quick-match capabilities and nuanced strategy ensures that each bout feels fresh, whether you’re planning a long-term tournament or a spontaneous skirmish.

Graphics

Visually, Worms: Open Warfare embraces a vibrant, cartoonish 2D art style that feels right at home on small screens. The colorful backdrops—from lush jungles to icy canyons—are rendered crisply, and the destructible terrain animations highlight every explosion and collapse with satisfying detail. The worms themselves are expressive and cartoonishly animated, letting you see their panic, triumph, and embarrassment in every turn.

On the DS, the dual-screen setup is utilized smartly: the top display shows the combat zone, while the bottom screen provides a zoomed-out view or quick-access menus. This separation keeps the battlefield uncluttered and lets you plan your next shot with ease. The PSP version offers a slightly sharper image overall, thanks to its higher resolution, but both platforms maintain smooth framerates—even when the entire landscape is crumbling around your worms.

Environmental effects, such as wind-driven smoke trails and water physics, are simple yet effective, adding tactical considerations without taxing the hardware. Explosions produce satisfying flashes and shockwaves, while the changing light and shadow across different times of day inject visual variety into every map. For a handheld title, the graphical presentation strikes an excellent balance between clarity, performance, and charm.

Story

True to the Worms ethos, Open Warfare doesn’t weave a deep, overarching narrative; instead, it leans into whimsical mission briefs and witty in-game banter. Each single-player challenge is introduced with a tongue-in-cheek description—often delivered in comic-book–style text—that sets the stage for what you’re about to do, whether it’s toppling prison walls or navigating booby-trapped platforms.

While there’s no saga tying one mission to the next, the variety of objectives and the personality of the worm voices keep the tone light and engaging. Every victory celebration and character quip underscores the game’s playful spirit, ensuring that even repetitive matches feel fresh. If you’re hoping for a dramatic storyline or character development, you won’t find it here—but the casual, irreverent humor more than compensates.

For newcomers, the modest narrative framework serves as an inviting tutorial that eases you into advanced tactics without feeling like a chore. Seasoned Worms veterans will appreciate the callbacks to classic levels and the self-aware jabs at the series’ own history. Ultimately, the story—or lack thereof—becomes part of the fun, emphasizing gameplay over plot without ever feeling hollow.

Overall Experience

Worms: Open Warfare stands out as a near-perfect handheld adaptation of the franchise’s core gameplay. It distills the series down to its most essential elements—strategic turn-based combat, map destruction, and off-the-wall humor—while optimizing the experience for portable play. The balance of single-player challenges and robust local multiplayer keeps the title engaging for both solo strategists and competitive groups.

Performance is rock-solid, with minimal load times and consistently smooth animations, even when the battlefield is littered with debris and explosions. The intuitive controls on both DS and PSP ensure that newcomers can pick up and play immediately, while the depth of weapon interactions and terrain tactics keeps veterans coming back for more. Whether you have a long train ride ahead or a handful of friends to challenge at lunch, Open Warfare delivers quick thrills and long-term replayability.

Ultimately, Worms: Open Warfare is a must-have for fans of tactical artillery games and anyone seeking a portable party title. Its faithful return to 2D, combined with streamlined controls and versatile multiplayer options, makes it an outstanding addition to any handheld library. If you’re in the market for a lighthearted, strategic shooter that you can carry in your pocket, your search ends here.

Retro Replay Score

6.8/10