Worms 3D (GameCube)

...premise for the very successful Worms series.

Team 17, the software company behind the very concept and development of the Worms games produce this latest iteration so that for the first time the experience can be delivered in a 3D setting.

The Worms series began in 1994 with the critically acclaimed Worms. It was a 2D shooter in which many of the games features were laid out - most of which still stand today. It was ...
...of worms. Each team of worms has a specified arsenal of amazing weaponry ranging from simple bazookas and grenades to powerful sticks of dynamite to create massive explosions, and air strikes to batter the enemy from above with a barrage of bullets.

As well as weaponry, the team also have special items at their disposal to add a further tactical element to the game. Ninja ropes can be used to traverse the landscape at speed, girders ... more

There's something remarkably satisfying about launching an exploding old woman or a sheep at a fellow annelid. Watching as the unsuspecting worm flies through the air and ends up either with his head stuck in the ground or sinking endlessly into the drink as an ex-worm, has a certain appeal to it. This is the premise for the very successful Worms series.

Team 17, the software company behind the very concept and development of the Worms games produce this latest iteration so that for the first time the experience can be delivered in a 3D setting.

The Worms series began in 1994 with the critically acclaimed Worms. It was a 2D shooter in which many of the games features were laid out - most of which still stand today. It was hailed as a classic, as the random level generator potentially could create up to 4 billion different landscapes, allowing for a different experience every time.

The main idea in the game series is to command your team of worms. Each team of worms has a specified arsenal of amazing weaponry ranging from simple bazookas and grenades to powerful sticks of dynamite to create massive explosions, and air strikes to batter the enemy from above with a barrage of bullets.

As well as weaponry, the team also have special items at their disposal to add a further tactical element to the game. Ninja ropes can be used to traverse the landscape at speed, girders can be placed to provide extra platforms, and special teleport abilities allow worms in tight spots to move to a more advantageous position. Worms is turn-based strategy (TBS) game, and as such a worm from each team takes it in turn to move and attack, and being allowed to use only one weapon or special item once a turn. There is a time limit per turn that each worm must act in. Each attack does varying damage to the worm depending on what weapon was used, and how well it was used. Each worm’s life total is set at the beginning of the match, and is decreased by the amount of damage it receives. When it reaches zero that worm is dead. The winner of the game is to be the only team with worms left alive.

This basis remains unchanged in the 3D incarnation, although the environments and worms are now in full 3D. The range of weaponry has also vastly increased over the original and previous incarnations of the game. This game sees the inclusion of many more varied weapons and items to enhance the gaming experience, although most new ones have to be unlocked (more later).

The obvious bulk of the game is multiplayer carnage, with you and 3 mates each controlling a team of worms over a landscape, looking to be proclaimed the Undisputed Champion of the Worm (or whatever!), and this is where the game really shines. The pick-up-and-play aspect of worms is amazing, and it is possible to fire up the GameCube for a quick five minute battle whenever.

The controls for the game are simple but intuitive, and are all comprehensively explained in the instruction booklet (and so shall not be detailed here.) In no time at all, gamers of all abilities will be bazooka-firing and teleporting strategically with ease, and as such you never really feel like a game is unfairly matched due to skill or experience. There is every chance the newcomer could pull off a shot that could change everything, and so this keeps everyone on their toes. This perhaps does provide perhaps the games one niggling fault that stops its being a truly great game. Being the main bulk of the game, the multiplayer experience needs to be flawless for the game to be a classic. However due to the simplicity of the controls, and over-emphasised and simplified weaponry means it can be far too easy to simply ninja rope over to a worm, and prod him off of the edge of the landscape and into the watery depths below. The arenas, being in 3D seem smaller and more accessible than their 2D cousins allows the scope for traversing and then using a cheap shot to kill worms. This can make the games dull and uninteresting.

However its saving grace is the customisation which you can put on just about everything. In order to combat the above problem (as long as all parties agree) you can customise your weapon/item arsenal so that cheap weapons are not allowed, and perhaps only allow bazookas and grenades, so that games are more skilful rather than cheap. This will improve your multiplayer experience as you get rewarded for accuracy rather than cheap tricks. It also allows you to increase/decrease the number of certain weapons in the team's arsenal to better suit you and your friends playing style.

As well as weaponry, landscapes (more later), names of worms, worm tombstones and worm accents can all be configured, although the latter few are purely for novelty purposes, although some of the comical accents do increase the enjoyment. (My personal favourites are the Scottish, and the old people) and allow you to personalise your team perfectly. Also your favourite customisations can be saved so you don't have to keep choosing them at the beginning of each match.

Perhaps what Worms is most famous for is its landscape generator. Before each multiplayer, whilst customising everything else, you have the opportunity to create a unique 3D landscape. Not only are there many different styles of landscape (e.g. haunted house, green fields, beach etc) but you also have the option of selecting how much of various things the landscape will be made up of, such as bridges, islands, constructs etc. When you have selected the required amount of each, the random landscape will be generated and you can see a preview of it before you play. This allows you to see if the generator has provided a landscape that matches you tastes, if not you can adjust the settings and try again. The fact that each landscape generated is unique allows for each fight to be a completely unique experience, and should you wish to you can fight on predefined landscapes which you have unlocked (More later).

However despite being a multiplayer-heavy game, there is also a lot for the single player to do. Apart from simply playing multiplayer matches against computer-controlled teams of worms, there is also a wealth of single player missions to get your teeth into. The first few are a few tutorials to allow you to get to grips with the main controls of the game. This gentle introduction allows you to hone your skills so that you will be able to compete successfully in other missions and multiplayer games.

The second set of missions are known as campaigns and are set in various situations, with your worms having to complete a specific objective (not necessarily killing the other worms) in a quick a time as possible. The final set of missions are known as challenges, and require you to proficient with various weapons/items normally by shooting targets in a quick a time as possible.

By performing well in any of these missions you earn a medal: gold, silver or bronze depending on your success. By completing these missions to a certain standard you can also unlock more varied weaponry and landscapes to use in multiplayer mode. The missions become harder as you progress and there certainly will be one or two that test even the most truly skilful games players around.

The visuals in the game are of a fairly high standard, and provide reasonable detail in what is a game that essentially they are not required for. Sure the visuals are nice, but chances are you wont pay much attention to them, as the real meat is the game-play. The same applies to the music and sound effects, apart from perhaps the quirky accented comments of your worms as they are hit, die or mock other worms for their stupidity.

The longevity of this game is superb, as the multiplayer will last ages with its varied maps and gaming options. The single player alone will also provide a challenge which will see the game firmly in your console for weeks on its own. All in all a game that will potentially last indefinitely if you and three mates are prepared to play it.

The price for the game varies. It is retailing in HMV at £19.99, and Amazon has it £15.99 second-hand. I would recommend this to gamers if you enjoy multiplayer gaming and a challenge. The game also provides humour and enjoyment as well as rewarding skill and success.

Go on throw an old woman!

Thanks for reading

Milky :) 

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