Worms W.M.D Review

Worms W.M.D

Release: January 1, 1970
Publisher: Team 17
Developer: Team 17
Genre: Action, Articles, Strategy, Switch NewsSwitch Reviews
PEGI: E10+
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Comment

Worms W.M.D is an artillery strategy game in the Worms series; it features gameplay style closer to Worms Armageddon than subsequent installments, while adding brand new features from usable vehicles such as tanks to buildings that the worms can enter. But does that make this Nintendo Switch version worth the $30 price tag , let’s discuss! Original Review written by FNCWill for GamesReviews.com, updated with Nintendo Switch enhancements by Adam Roffel.

Game Play

Worms is a turn-based military strategy game where you battle it out against each player whether that’s humans or AI, which take turns unleashing a barrage of weapons or crazy items to annihilate the enemy forces. Worms W.M.D is seen as the successor to Worms Armageddon; graphics and worms are returned to the classic 2D interface, however gameplay elements such as classes, water physics and dynamic objects have been removed.

New features included in Worms W.M.D , is the ability to craft weapons by gathering parts from special crates or by disassembling weapons. New weapons and utilities are added such as a phone battery and a bazooka , other classic weapons such as the Holy Hand Grenade return as well. Also new to the series are buildings that the worms can enter for a tactical advantage. Worms can make use of these buildings as a cover from enemy fire or to launch a surprise attack on enemy worms.

Another cool thing about Worms W.M.D , is for the first time ever , vehicles and stationary turrets are introduced. Worms can enter vehicles such as tanks, helicopters and mechs that are available from the start or by airdrops. Stationary guns, such as machine gun, mortar, flamethrower and sniper, can be used for greater damage within line of sight. Both vehicles and turrets can take damage and become unusable if they take too much damage, after which they are destroyed.

Worms W.M.D also has a pretty cool challenge mode , with little challenges to help you better your skills and learn new techniques by having a hard challenge to master it.

Nintendo Switch Enhancements

Worms worked well enough on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, but there was a bunch of in-game moments that held the game back. The lackluster single player experience wasn’t a hit with longtime fans, and even some of the multiplayer fun wasn’t as exciting as people had hoped for. Some of that changes with this Nintendo Switch version. Although the game itself is still pretty much the same, having the ability to take Worms on the go with the Nintendo Switch is a HUGE improvement for me.

Whether getting my oil changed, or waiting for a prescription to get filled, I can put the Switch screen down, disconnect the two Joy-Con controllers, and play a bit of Worms with my 8 year old son. In these moments – 10 minutes here, 20 minutes there – that Worms works so well, and I’m so glad to have this full experience on my handheld system. The Joy-Cons work great for the limited movements available in Worms, and while I’ve complained on numerous occasions about using the Joy-Cons in other games – most notably Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – it works so well here and Team 17 embraced this console to make their already-complete title that much better.

Conclusion

Worms W.M.D on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 is very much a ‘meh’ experience, likely because when you are sitting at home with hours to spare, there are a ton of other games you would rather be playing. However, the inclusion of the Switch’s portability makes the title a much better experience on the Nintendo Switch, especially as you work in games during short time spans. Again, the Nintendo Switch strikes, and that is great for Team 17!