After a short but impressive debut a few weeks ago, "Worms" is on the verge of release for the iPhone. After a vague "It's not long now..." message from developer Team 17, I checked in with Martyn Brown, the studio head, who confirmed that the game is, indeed, in Apple's hands.
Certification could take as long as a couple weeks, or as little as a few days, so it's hard to say when we'll be exploding sheep on our subway commute, but you can be sure you'll know right around when we do.
For clarification, though, that nifty multi-screen option for multiple iPhones, pictured above, was totally an April Fool's gag. Awesome...but fake.
"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.
I'm sitting on the 29th floor of MTV's offices in Times Square, watching the city get absolutely pounded by rain, which one thing: I'll be playing a lot of video games this weekend! Here's what's on the docket.
Prototype
About half way done with this one, and I think I can finish off the rest this weekend. While it's not without some quirks, specifically on the controls front, the scale definitely feels bigger than Infamous, and I do enjoy causing havoc in my home town.
Fallout 3: Point Lookout
Still digging deep into Bethesda's newest DLC pack, trying to find all of the locations and unlock that elusive achievement. Strange how walking around a post-apocalyptic wasteland doesn't bum me out in the least. Maybe the giant tesla cannon on my back has something to do with it.
Worms
"Worms 2: Armageddon" is dropping next week, so it's probably a good time to brush up on my grenade-tossing skills.
That should fill the weekend nicely...how 'bout you guys?
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.
