Worms W.M.D is a 2D artillery turn-based tactics video game developed and published by Team17. It is the nineteenth installment in the Worms series, and was released on 23 August 2016 for Linux, OS X, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox One. It was later released on 23 November 2017 for Switch, on 1 July 2022 for Stadia and on 11 April 2023 for iOS and Android. Its gameplay resembles that of Worms Armageddon more than subsequent installments,[3] while adding new features that range from interactive vehicles such as tanks, to buildings that the worms can enter for protection.[4] It is also notable for being the first major redesign the worm characters have received since Worms 3D.
Worms W.M.D | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Team17 |
Publisher(s) | Team17 |
Series | Worms |
Platform(s) | |
Release | Linux, OS X, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One 23 August 2016 Switch 23 November 2017[1] Stadia 1 July 2022 iOS, Android 11 April 2023 |
Genre(s) | Artillery, strategy |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
editWorms W.M.D aims to replicate the gameplay of Worms Armageddon, with graphics and game design returned to a 2D interface. Gameplay elements from previous installments, such as classes, water physics and dynamic objects, are all removed. A new feature includes the ability for the player to craft weapons by gathering parts from special crates or by disassembling weapons. New weapons and utilities are added, such as a dodgy phone battery and a bazooka that creates fiery explosions; classic weapons such as the Holy Hand Grenade return as well. Also returning from Worms Forts: Under Siege are buildings that the worms can enter to a tactical advantage. Worms can utilize these buildings as a cover from enemy fire or to launch a surprise attack on enemy worms.
For the first time, vehicles and gun turrets are introduced, which can alter gameplay in many ways. Worms can enter vehicles such as tanks, helicopters and mechs that are available from the start or can be spawned by airdrops, to rain fire upon the enemy worms. Turrets, such as machine gun, mortar, flamethrower, and sniper rifle, can be used for greater damage within the line of sight. Like normal worms, both vehicles and turrets can take damage and be destroyed if they take too much damage.
Worms are separated in teams. Players can choose whether to use any preset team available or assemble a team of their own. The player can also customize their worms with custom fortresses, costumes, speechbanks, victory dances, gravestones, and victory songs to help tell them apart, as well as colour codes. Each worm within a team has a name that has something to do with the team name.
Release
editWorms W.M.D was released on Linux, OS X, PlayStation 4, Windows, Android, and Xbox One on 23 August 2016. It was also released on Nintendo Switch on 23 November 2017, on Stadia on 1 July 2022 and on iOS and Android in 11 April 2023.[5][6]
All-Stars
editOn 12 July 2016, as a pre-order bonus, Team17 announced an expansion pack called Worms W.M.D All-Stars, featuring extra content themed after various other video games, such as the Octane Battle Car from Rocket League, extra customes for worm customisation, various thematic weapons and extra missions.[7][8] On 15 November 2016, All-Stars was released for free to all players.[9]
Nintendo Switch
editFollowing the August 2017 Nindies Showcase presentation, Team17 had confirmed Worms W.M.D a release for the Nintendo Switch.[10] The game released digitally on the Nintendo Switch eShop on 23 November 2017 worldwide.[1] Team17 initially partnered with Sold Out Sales & Marketing in November 2017 with a plan to release physical retail copies by 2018.[11] However, in February 2018, Team17 then cancelled their plans for a physical release.[12] UK publisher Super Rare Games issued a limited physical retail release for the Nintendo Switch in October 2018.[13][14]
Reception
editAggregator | Score | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
NS | PC | PS4 | Xbox One | |
GameRankings | 83/100[23] | 80/100[24] | 78/100[25] | 75/100[26] |
Metacritic | 83/100[19] | 76/100[20] | 78/100[21] | 75/100[22] |
Publication | Score | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
NS | PC | PS4 | Xbox One | |
Destructoid | N/A | N/A | N/A | 7/10[15] |
GameSpot | N/A | 8/10[16] | N/A | 8/10[16] |
IGN | N/A | N/A | 7.8/10[17] | N/A |
Nintendo Life | 7/10[18] | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Worms W.M.D received "generally positive" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[20][21][22] GameSpot rated the game 8 out of 10 and said "The relatively simple gameplay is overflowing with finesse and strategy, the presentation is fantastic, and offline or on, Worms is just incredibly fun."[16] IGN praised the new crafting system but took issue with the buildings element, saying it was hard to discern which buildings could be entered and where their entrance points were.[17]
Game Rant praised the new additions to the gameplay and called it "the game Worms fans have been waiting for since Worms Armageddon."[6] DarkZero gave the Nintendo Switch version of the game 8 out of 10 praising its good selection of offline missions and rewarding training.[27]
References
edit- ^ a b Whitehead, Thomas (15 November 2017). "Worms W.M.D Will Bring Havoc to the Switch on 23rd November". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 30 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "Worms W.M.D". Team17. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ Walton, Mark (5 August 2015). "Worms WMD is the most Worms-like game Team17 has made in years". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "Incoming! Worms WMD and Worms 4 Announced!". Team17. 3 August 2015. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ Scammell, David (12 July 2016). "Worms WMD gets Perfect Dark, Rocket League, Yooka-Laylee & more pre-order content". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ a b Jacques, John (27 July 2016). "Worms W.M.D. Is The Best Worms Game Since Armageddon". Game Rant. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Worms W.M.D Release Date and All Stars Pre-Order Pack Announcement!". Team17. 12 July 2016. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ Donnelly, Joe (12 July 2016). "Worms WMD All-Stars pre-order pack has Rocket League, Payday 2, Goat Simulator cameos". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ ChewbieFR (15 November 2016). "Worms W.M.D : le pack de contenus "All-Stars" devient gratuit pour tous" [Worms W.M.D : "All-Stars" expansion pack is free to everyone]. Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ Calvert, Darren (31 August 2017). "Worms W.M.D. Is Now Officially Confirmed For Switch". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ McFerran, Damien (1 November 2017). "Worms W.M.D. And Overcooked: Special Edition Get Physical On Nintendo Switch In 2018". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ Lyles, Taylor (9 February 2018). "Team17 Cancels Physical Version of Worms W.M.D. for Switch". Dual Shockers. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
- ^ Craddock, Ryan (18 July 2018). "Super Rare Games Announces A Whopping Nine Physical Switch Releases". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
- ^ "SRG#6: Worms: W.M.D (Switch)". Super Rare Games. Archived from the original on 23 August 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
- ^ Carter, Chris (22 August 2016). "Review: Worms W.M.D". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ a b c D'Aprile, Jason (23 August 2016). "Worms W.M.D Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ a b Rudden, Dave (26 August 2016). "Worms WMD Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ Craddock, Ryan (23 November 2017). "Worms W.M.D. Review". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 26 December 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
- ^ "Worms W.M.D for Nintendo Switch Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ a b "Worms W.M.D for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 31 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Worms W.M.D for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Worms W.M.D for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "Worms W.M.D for Nintendo Switch". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 6 December 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ "Worms W.M.D for PC". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "Worms W.M.D for PlayStation 4". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "Worms W.M.D for Xbox One". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
- ^ "Worms W.M.D". DarkZero. 27 December 2017. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.