As a
franchise, Worms has had its ups and downs. After a couple attempts to alter
formula, developer Team17 has returned Worms to its roots as a 2D strategy title
in Worms: A Space Oddity. And while the shift brings back the franchise’s fun
and simplicity, it doesn’t do much to enhance or expand the formula.
For those
unfamiliar, in Worms you assume command of a team of worms in a quest to destroy
an opposing team of worms. Teams alternate time-based turns to reach strategic
positions and use all manner of ridiculous weaponry to eliminate the opposing
side.
For fans of
the series, A Space Oddity provides the Worms franchise as you know it and love
it. You have the enjoyable turn-based strategy, the wacky weapons, and the
cheesy (but fun) worm voices. And while this may be enough for some Worms
fanatics, it doesn’t add anything new to the package. In other words, Worms
plays well, but it also plays exactly the same as it did before.
The only
noticeable differences are the Wii motion and pointer controls. And while these
don’t necessarily enhance how you play the game, they are well implemented and
accurate, providing a certain sense of immersion. In fact the only real Wii-specific
oversight is the menu, which employs icons far too small for easy pointer use.
Other
additions, including story mode and mini-games, are decent additions, but don’t
add all that much. Worms is at its best as a multiplayer game. And even though
the series has been around for 13 years, it’s still a lot of fun to clash worms
with a friend or three. There are even some welcomed, if limited, customization
options for creating stages and gameplay modes. Unfortunately, the planned
online play was abandoned in development. It is sorely missed.
Much like
the rest of the game, the visuals don’t strive to be anything more than the same
old-same old. There is really no excuse for a 2D game to not look great in this
day and age, but A Space Oddity falls well short of the mark. Compare it to the
vibrant colors and sharpness of something like Super Paper Mario and Worms looks
outdated. Colors are dull, backgrounds are blurry, and the visual effects are
underwhelming at best. Worms may not look terrible, but it should look much,
much better.
The sound,
on the other hand, fares quite a bit better. The voice acting may be incredibly
repetitive, but it is, admittedly, really funny. The game also has some
surprisingly decent music.
Worms:
A Space Oddity is really a casualty of its own limited vision. The game is an
enjoyable incarnation of the franchise, but doesn’t add anything new to the
series. It plays and looks almost identical to its previous versions. Perhaps
the game could have been recommended at the $20-$30 range, but for a full $50, I
want more than a rehash.
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Gameplay: 7.0
Worms
is still a lot of fun. Then again, it’s basically the same game it was years
ago. While the return to 2D certainly restores some of the enjoyment that was
lost in the 3D versions, the formula is basically unchanged. A story mode and
mini-games don’t add a whole lot to the experience. The motion controls are well
done.
Graphics: 5.5
Worms
isn’t horrible looking, but a 2D game should look a lot better. Environments are
fairly bland, without much vibrancy or flare. Especially given the cartoon art
direction, it looks particularly underwhelming.
Sound: 7.0
Sure the voices
are repetitive, but they are still pretty funny. The music is also pretty good.
Difficulty: Medium
CPU difficulty
and strategy is customizable.
Concept: 6.5
Even though the
game still holds up fairly well, it isn’t doing anything new in the gameplay
department. The game does deserve credit for using motion controls in an
accurate and sensible way. It also has some nice customization options for
characters, game modes, and environments. The lack of an online mode, as was
promised originally, is regrettable.
Multiplayer: 7.0
Worms
has always been best as a multiplayer experience and A Space Oddity is no
different. Gather around a few friends and you will have a fun time. Online has
not been included, however.
Overall: 6.5
Worms: A Space
Oddity is a decent Worms game, but nothing more. The game lacks polish in many
areas and doesn’t distinguish itself from previous versions. That said, the game
is still fun, especially in multiplayer. But for a full $50, it’s very hard to
recommend.
