You may recall that one of my favorite iOS games of all time is the mighty "Super Stickman Golf." Despite simplistic graphics, the game is a strategic delight, blending spot-on physics with "Artillery"-style controls. "Artillery" actually inspired another game franchise, "Worms," which replaced non-moving cannons with psychopathic annelids. And "Worms," as it happens, already attempted the golf genre with the Java-based "Worms Crazy Golf" back in 2007. Now Team 17, the original developer of the "Worms" franchise, is attempting to take back the phsyics-based arcade golf genre crown from "Super Stickman Golf" with its own full release of "Worms Crazy Golf" on iOS, PS3 and PC. Yes, I realize we're getting into Mobius strip territory here.
This new release of "Worms Crazy Golf" is far more involved than the simplistic Java version. Expect "Worms"-staples like sheep and old women to be a major fixture of the release. Early screens of the game, which is scheduled for release in 2012, imply special power shots using soccer and eye balls. The character customization features of "Worms 2: Armageddon" also seem to have made the cross-over, with worms wearing zany hats.
I do worry that it might be a little ambitious for the mobile platform, given all the elements at play. Coins, high scores (rather than simply strokes), sub-weapons, club types. Many of these elements were excised from "Stickman Golf," much to the benefit of the game. It'll be interesting to see whether they all work well together or if they end up just overwhelming the basic golf gameplay. Either way, it's definitely a title I'll be watching out for when it releases later this year.