Despite a lack of retail releases, the Worms series isn’t a stranger to the Xbox 360 scene, with a high-definition re-make of the original already available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, which released in 2007. Two years on, and Team 17 have released a sequel, in the form of Worms 2: Armageddon.
The concept behind Worms 2: Armageddon remains the same as its predecessor, in which players take it in turns to control worms, which battle it out across various landscapes of all shapes and sizes whilst using a range of weapons, from powerful bazookas to exploding sheep. If you found that humorous, then this game is more-than-likely to be for you.
Inevitably, humour is what attracts many players to the game. Simple elements, such as a worm speaking Scottish, using stereotypical catchphrases and wearing bizarre hats, as well as the dance moves worms pull off; ensure players are letting out a quick snigger, even hours into playing the title.
As you’re probably aware, a common problem with Xbox LIVE Arcade titles is that they don’t offer a lot of gameplay time, usually due to the lack of replayability. Fortunately, Worms 2: Armageddon has plenty of game modes, offering hours upon hours of gameplay.
The first game mode players are likely to dive into is Campaign, consisting of thirty levels for players to make their way through. As you would expect, earlier battles give players a hefty advantage, which becomes a disadvantage at later levels. Every so often, players will come across a puzzle level, which requires clever thinking and quick fingers in order to complete. Despite being slightly on the short side, the campaign does provide players with a satisfactory amount of entertainment.
The other major game mode is Xbox LIVE, consisting of the regular player and ranked matches. These are then split into further game modes: Standard (which doesn’t really need much of an explanation), Pro (an advanced game mode to Standard, where less weapons and crates are available), Crazy Crates (in which crates fall at a constant rate) and Fort (which sees teams on two islands, so that only long-range attacks can be used). On the whole, the multiplayer is a fascinating experience, which can be enjoyed by many. Even weeks on from release, players can still be found in lobbies, which is a positive sign for players late to the Worms 2 party.
The remaining game modes in Worms 2: Armageddon are Local Match (which allows players to compete against the computer or local human opponents), Shop (in which players can spend coins earned in the Campaign, on the likes of new levels and landscapes) and Training (in which players can practise using all the game’s weapons), both of which continue to extend the game’s replayability factor.
Not only does the title offer hours of fun, it also looks great. For a title that released way back in 2007, Team 17 has done incredibly well to pull off such polished high-definition graphics. Everything from the worms, to the landscapes looks fairly spectacular, despite the cartoon-like appearance. The same can be said for the audio, assorting from the game’s soundtrack, to the sound of the Holy Hand Grenade singing “Hallelujah.”
To conclude, the new weapons, improved campaign and great Xbox LIVE game modes make Worms 2: Armageddon, like its predecessor, a contender for best Xbox LIVE Arcade title. At 800 Microsoft Points, it’s money well-spent and a must-buy.
