Between dodging fireworks and enjoying BBQ, I spent a fair amount of time playing "Worms 2" this weekend. Proud to say that, at one point, I was 12th in the work on the TruSkill Rankings, having won 19 straight Ranked Standard matches. So yeah, I played a lot of "Worms." What game sucked away your holiday weekend/normal gaming-filled weekend (for the folks out of the States)?
Rman5K: @multiplayers all the Forza and GT5 talk had me itching for some racing. Dusted off Forza 2 and sunk a good bit of time in to it ...
MikeCK88: @multiplayers I spent a lot of time with inFamous over the weekend. Finished playing through it "Evil" and started replaying it "Good"
feitclub: @multiplayers: in my case, it was our newborn son (two weeks old today) but I dreamt of playing BioShock every night...when I could sleep!
mikejjennings: @multiplayers Oblivion: hardly any real quests, but just riding around the huge world exploring, adventuring and looting! Absolutely awesome
dave_haas: @multiplayers I played enough GTA: Chinatown to consider running cops off the road to "lower my wanted level" driving home. Is that bad?
"Worms 2: Armageddon" follows in the long tradition of "Worms" games that have been coming out for nearly 15 years now. It's a 2D, turn-based strategy game where you control a team of cartoon worms armed to the teeth with grenades, rocket launchers and exploding sheep. The simple, almost-cute graphics hide a devious interior, though, as "Worms 2" is incredibly deep and sophisticated from a strategy standpoint.
The Highs
Team Customization
Apart from naming your team of four worms, "Worms 2: Armageddon" adds many additional layers of customization. You can pick from sound banks to change your worms' voices, hats/colors to change their looks and graves to change their final resting places. The number of options means you can make a team based just about any pop culture reference you can think of. An "Ender's Game" themed squadron with space helmets? Yes please!
Online Play
"Worms" has always been a multiplayer-centric franchise, and "Worms 2" is no different. The number of options and modes that the devs poured on here is admirable, and touches like avatar support (they cry when you're losing, for example) give your opponent a bit more personality. I never had any problems connecting to games, and thanks to the rabid fanbase you'll never want for a challenger.
The Arsenal
The number of weapons and items they've tossed into this game is large enough that you really have to be a snob to come away disappointed. Every favorite, from the Holy Hand Grenade to the Super Sheep to the Concrete Donkey, is represented with vigor. And relatively new additions (like the lightning bolt to revive dead worms and the sentry gun to limit movements) add interesting tactics to the game.
The Lows
The Learning Curve
While the game offers a semi-lengthy solo campaign to ease you into the intricacies of "Worms," if you're new to the franchise and you hop right online, you'll probably be decimated. "Worms 2" is a game of precision and planning, and if you have neither, you're going to be boned.
Final Word
Team 17 could've very easily sold "Worms 2: Armageddon" for 15 or even 20 bucks. At 10 it's an absolute steal and will please strategy fans the world over.
Well, I warned you. I said there'd be weeks like this one coming. Weeks where your new gaming options are, well, limited. Unless you're a big, big fan of "Harry Potter," retail stores won't exactly be brimming with exciting new content. Thankfully there's always downloadable games!
Pick of the Week: "Worms 2: Armageddon" (XBLA)
I'm willing to accept that not everyone loves "Worms" as much as I do, but considering my loving dedication to the franchise, understand that it's been a long, long while since I've seen a "Worms" game this rock solid. You're gonna have a hard time finding a better use for 10 bucks this week.
Runner Up: "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" (360/PS3/PC)
It's not great, but it's good...especially if you're a fan of westerns or straight-up shooting games. This sequel chucks all of the annoying stealth and platforming bits from the first game, leaving you with some intense (and extremely difficult) gunfights. Again, not going to burn your house down, but if you're desperate, it's not a half-bad option.
Announced on Team 17's Facebook page, "Worms 2" is finding its way to Xbox Live Arcade next week for a paltry price of 10 bucks.
I've been playing "Worms 2" on PartnerNet for the past month or two and I'm absolutely stunned by the price point. The original "Worms" was basically a scaled down version of the first PC release with upgraded graphics, and that went for 10 bucks. "Worms 2" is far from scaled down, offering a staggering number of weapons, modes and customization options. And no, they're not paying me, it's really that good.
Thankfully you don't need to take my word for it, as there's always the free demo for you to try out the title. Considering the first game was one of the all-time top sellers on XBLA, I have a feeling there are gonna be plenty of people to keep you company.
