Worms Collection review

Worms is a classic series, there's no doubt about that. Teams of tiny worms with high-pitched voices wielding bazookas and grenades across destructible environments, what's not to love? And I haven't even mentioned the Sheep Launcher. But while the series will always have a place in many gamer’s hearts it's fair to say it hasn't exactly been hogging the limelight recently, with criticism pointing to a lack of innovation after 15 years of Worms titles.

Worms Collection aims to change that and get fans talking about the franchise again. It's a compilation of three previously released games; Worms, Worms 2: Armageddon and Worms: Ultimate Mayhem. The first two games adopt the classic 2D look the series is known and loved for while Ultimate Mayhem looks at the battle from a 3D perspective.

We'll start off by looking at the original Worms, and unfortunately one of the more noticeable aspects of the game is how bare it all seems. The menu screen is very basic and only gives you the option of single-player or multiplayer gaming. Once you get involved in the action there are few weapons to choose from, although classics like the bazooka and dynamite are available. The backgrounds also could have done with a little more variety but there is enough to keep Worms enthusiasts entertained for a short while.

However it won't be long until many players move onto Armageddon. It's a much-improved game which adds a whole host of improvements, most notably in the amount of weapons the worms possess. Gameplay is similar to its predecessor but there just seems to be a lot more depth to the overall experience. Graphics are slightly improved and backgrounds are more diverse and interactive. In most of the levels there are exploding barrels lying around and when they go off they leave a trail of fire behind which your worms need to watch out for. Even something simple like that forces players to rethink their strategy.

Elsewhere players can also customise their team of worms, with the option of changing names, choosing voices, selecting victory dances and even picking tombstones. Taking your created team out into the world of multiplayer is a fun experience as you feel that Worms was always meant to be played with friends. You can choose to have ranked or unranked matches online or just choose the local multiplayer option to take on friends in your own home.

Speaking of online play, up to four players can go up against each other in several different game modes. Deathmatch is there as expected, but it's also supplemented by Forts and Race modes. Forts mode is similar to deathmatch but each team of worms is buried into their own forts. This means players will have to use items such as the blowtorch to dig their way out and get to the fighting. Race mode sees players compete to be the fastest to an exit point. The extra modes are a nice little addition even if the regular old deathmatch is the one you'll be going back to time and again.

Armageddon also features a single-player campaign with 35 missions to tackle. The missions vary in difficulty and require you to perform different challenges. It's not just deathmatches either, some missions even force you to solve puzzles such as getting from one point to another using only your weapons.

Completing the missions gives you in-game cash points that can be spent in the Worms shop. The shop contains new landscapes, weapons, missions and more, which you can purchase to further add to the experience. It's a nice little incentive to continue playing even when you feel you've had enough.

Moving onto Ultimate Mayhem and gamers will have to learn how to play Worms all over again. The classic 2D gameplay is replaced with a 3D look that is tough to get to grips with. Unfortunately the game comes with a tricky control system and wonky camera that means most games last so long you stop caring who wins. Computer AI is also very hit and miss, with enemy worms either making perfect shots against your team or blowing each other up.

There's a fair bit of variety in Ultimate Mayhem with six different modes, including two story modes and two challenge modes. Sadly the gameplay doesn't compliment the different challenges and they soon turn into a frustrating exercise. Ultimate Mayhem is a nice addition to the collection but the camera issues will need to be worked on before it becomes a fan favourite.

Overall the Worms Collection will bring back many memories for Worms fans who are looking for an excuse to revisit their childhood, as well as providing an opportunity for younger gamers to get to grips with the much-loved franchise. Armageddon will offer hours of enjoyment even when the other two games lose their appeal.