When I had heard that Team 17 was
going to put a worms title out on the PSP and DS, I was pretty happy to hear
about it. Well, from what I heard and have read about the DS version, things
aren’t going so well for our little dirt-dwelling friends. But as far as the
PSP version goes I am happy to report that the experience was what I had
expected.
Open Warfare is a throwback in the
worms universe. Unlike the 3D games that have come out on the console systems
recently, the PSP version takes us back to doing battle with big-eyed,
ultra-violent worms in 2D. Worms are placed at random points on a map that is
full of strange objects and out-of-the-way items. Afterwards, a turn-based
combat ensues as you use one of your four worms to try and win the battle of
attrition. Each worm is given a set amount of health points, which slowly is
drained as you take pot shots at your rivals. Of course you can find
additional health in the randomly placed crates that dot the landscape. But
don’t think for a moment that you can leisurely take your time as you waltz
around the landscape trying to off your rivals. Instead, a timer is constantly
counting down letting you know there is only a finite amount of time in which
to dole out the pain.
Such little worms, such big weapons.
Of course turns, also end when an
attack has been launched. Whether it’s a bazooka or a shotgun the game gives
you just a couple of seconds after the attack in which to try and get away.
Which makes perfect sense when using the stick of dynamite (my favorite).
Merely walk up to your opponent and drop the explosive right next to him/her
(I believe worms are asexual) and then run like the dickens, the massive hole
that this generates is impressive so get back fast. This has been the standard
in all the worms titles, fight and flight.
And how exactly you go about it is
up to you. The game features up to 22 weapons and tools in which to use on
your foes. Some offer pure stopping power like the aforementioned dynamite,
while others – like the shotgun – allow a bit more strategy. Grenades, banana
bombs, exploding sheep, rocket packs and a white surrender flag are some of
the available toys for the worms to use. Some weapons and tools aren’t
available right away and must be collected from the crates that occasionally
find their way on to the map. While it is slightly less than it’s console
cousins, the amount is still decent enough for a quality experience.
Fire in the hole!
Now there is nothing really
graphically demanding in this game, some good visuals as far as wacky
locations featuring canoes, ice floes, double-decker buses. It all works with
this goofy turn-based game. The worms themselves are legless bug-eyed critters
with sweet squeaky little combat cries that make you almost feel bad for
blowing them up, almost. It all works because the game doesn’t try to be
anything more then it is – a fun little combat game with touches of humor.
Now what I enjoyed probably the
most is the multiplayer aspect. If you have a friend that has the title you
can play ad hoc and really up the competition. Not that the A.I. in the game
is bad, it’s just in my opinion, these worm games were made for good clean fun
amongst friends. For some reason the ad hoc seems to work a bit better when
you are not in the same room, rather someone upstairs and someone downstairs,
go figure.
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Gameplay: 7.5
Easy to pick up, easy to use, not
overly complicated and you can play as little or as much as you like.
Graphics: 7.0
It’s simple, but effective. The
little worms are small on the screen but that’s OK, you can move the camera
around to see the terrain more effectively.
Sound: 7.0
Those little squeaks and battle
cries are almost endearing. Explosions are best heard when using the
headphones.
Difficulty: Medium
More than likely the best
competition will come from a friend who is playing against you.
Concept: 6.7
This is the umpteenth version of
the worms game, while there is nothing bad to say about it, there isn’t
anything new in this version.
Multiplayer: 7.5
It’s good; one of those kinds of
games you can easily pick up and blow through several multiplayer matches.
Overall: 7.0
A quality title. The perfect kind
of game for casual play or lengthy action.
