If there’s just one video game franchise I’d die on a hill for, it’s the Worms franchise from Team17. Worms Armageddon is one of the earliest multiplayer games I played on PC, my friend and I switching off at the keyboard as we attempted to absolutely obliterate one another’s worms in the most hilarious ways possible. In college, Worms 3D brought me back to the wiggly action with an entirely new perspective. Although I appreciated the 3D visuals, I just kept coming back to the 2D side-scrolling setting of the earlier games. Those games were perfect. I even have the Worms topper on my Rocket League vehicle, much to the chagrin of my nephew who gets annoyed that it doesn’t match our team’s cars.
Little did I know that a Worms experience could get even better.
Worms Rumble came from seemingly out of nowhere when it was announced earlier this summer, and the game is now available on PC, PS4, and PS5. Worms Rumble takes the 2D side-scrolling action to an entirely new level with fast-paced and real-time combat with fun game modes that I have already lost plenty of hours to.
Unlike the turn-based rounds of prior Worms games, Worms Rumble pits players against each other in real-time combat. Of course, all of the legendary weapons that you know and love make their triumphant return - such as the Holy Grenade and Sheep Launcher - while new weapons including the Hammerhead and Rocket Shield (my personal favorite) have been added to your arsenal. Game modes take the form of a free-for-all deathmatch - a mode in which slain Worms respawn - along with Last Squad Standing and Last Worm Standing, which are more akin to a battle royale.
I personally found that Last Squad Standing was the best game mode for me to learn how to play the game. Having teammates allowed me to at least have SOME help and not be bogged down by a full onslaught of other players. Of course, my team not only happened to win in my first-ever match, but I was the MVP of the match (and the only Worm left alive), so I might be a tad bit biased.
Even if you’ve played Worms titles in the past, don’t feel like you’ll be able to hit the ground running. Worms Rumble is hard. All of the controls are intuitive, but the game is just so fast-paced with a lot going on at once that it will take you some time to find your footing. The tutorial does well to provide you with everything you need to know, but you’ll become more familiar through trial and error by just playing the game. Aiming takes the most getting used to, especially since unlike the previous games, you only have split-seconds to aim and shoot at the oncoming enemies. All this being said, don’t let the initial challenge get you too frustrated. Once you get the hang of the controls and the timing of each weapon, you’ll become a Worm-killing machine.
Worms Rumble is incredibly addictive and fun. The 2.5D levels are fun to jump and roll through as chaos explodes from every corner of the map. I’m personally partial to the ziplines (they’re just fun!). As you progress through the game, you’ll increase your Worm’s level, as well as item levels themselves, which will unlock additional cosmetic items for your Worm. In true Worms fashion, you’re able to customize your character with different skins, eyes, mouth, and emote, as well as change their appearance and voice. You’re also able to change the color of your guns. I mean, who wouldn’t want to use a Sheep Launcher that has hearts painted all over it?
In a word, Worms Rumble is great. It’s fun and as hilarious as ever, whether it be from an over-the-top-kill or the witty banter from the Worms themselves. I worry that the steep learning curve may turn some players off, but if you’re able to stick with it, you’ll have a ton of fun in the latest game from a longstanding franchise that keeps on delivering.
A PS5 copy of Worms Rumble was provided to TheGamer for this review. Worms Rumble is available now for PS4, PS5, and PC.
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