Game Review: Worms Open Warfare 2 (DS)

**souLLy** · September 5th, 2007, 12:02

Worms: Open Warfare 2
Platform: Nintendo DS
Publisher: THQ
Developers: Two Tribes/Team17 Software
Players: 1-4
Released:
US: September 4, 2007
Europe: August 2007

Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Buy from Play-Asia

What else can be said about Worms that hasn't been said before? It's one of those legendary games series that has been going as long as you can remember and has been ported to just about every console in the past 15 years. The basic idea behind the Worms games is two competing teams of worms take turns blowing each other up with bazookas, Uzis, dynamite, exploding sheep and other increasingly bizarre weaponry, until one of the teams is victorious; a seemingly simple concept that has really only been tweaked gently since its original conception. It's popularity came from the endless replayability of the game that came from the variety of weapons and landscapes that meant no one strategy would ever guarantee you a victory in a battle.

The first outing of Worms on the DS was a slightly disappointing affair; it suffered from low-resolution sprites that flickered badly due to a buggy game engine. Some unfortunate enemy AI also meant that enemy worms would often blow themselves to pieces or stand around doing nothing until their turn was over. This was all a shame since Worms seemed like the perfect game for Nintendo's new handheld particularly during the drought of good software the DS was suffering from at the time.

So it's with some caution we look at its sequel Worms: Open Warfare 2. The second installment of the series for the Nintendo DS and thankfully there's lots of reasons to feel positive about it's release, all of the criticism's aimed at the game engine seem to have been taken to heart and fixed. The game engine feels a lot more solid, the computer controlled enemies are a lot more intelligent (expect a thorough ass-kicking to start with) and overall everything seems a lot more polished than it's predecessor. The Worms games have never been a tour-de-force of graphical prowess but the chunky, colorful visuals are definitely likable enough- all of the usual dark humor is here and there's even a few slapstick cut scenes to raise a few smiles.

What Team 17 have put together is a Greatest Hits style package of all the best bits from the previous games in the series, all of the better weapons over the years are here, the mission modes of the later games are here and enough extras around to keep seasoned Worms fans satisfied. The online modes are particularly impressive, random games or games against your friends (using the standard friend codes system), plus online leader boards (think Tony Hawk).

With Worms games, as long as nothing upsets the game engine is solid and nothing is thrown into the mix to upset the balance then you're pretty much guaranteed good fun and Worms: Open Warfare 2 genuinely delivers. If you've never been a fan of the series previously, then it's unlikely you'll find anything to convince you otherwise here, it is what you expect, but perhaps the best version of what you expect.

It's an excellent addition to any DS game collection, for replay value and instant pick-up-and-play....ability. Top marks to Team 17/Two Tribes for making the game it's predecessor only hinted at.

Score: Very Good

***bandit*** · September 5th, 2007, 14:10

Great review! I loved worms

**Eyedunno** · September 5th, 2007, 14:57

I ordered this airmail from Europe (I'm in Japan), and it was worth it. I'm playing it obsessively, and haven't even touched the Wi-Fi stuff yet.

I'll be getting there very soon though; I've finished all the core campaigns and Blow minigames, and I'm at puzzle #24, Blast #6, and Draw #3. Only seven more things to buy from the shop (all extra minigame levels).

I'm glad there's such a long review here, as this is probably the best new DS game so far this year.

**Jayenkai** · September 5th, 2007, 16:19

Well, I'm glad to hear it's not as rubbish as the last one, and will now definitely consider picking it up.
I wasn't going to, until I saw some reviews.. You know how bad the last one was!

**shadowprophet** · September 5th, 2007, 17:33

You should throw up a few links in this article so people can order it online

I know if I ever get this title. "Which I will"
I will have to order online, My local places never carry brand new stuff like this

**rille** · September 5th, 2007, 21:44

Might as well mention that this version is a lot better than the first worm game for the ds. It feels llike the real thing.

The higher lvl puzzles and draw are pretty difficult challanges. :/

**souLLy** · September 5th, 2007, 23:00

Originally Posted by shadowprophet

You should throw up a few links in this article so people can order it online

I know if I ever get this title. "Which I will"
I will have to order online, My local places never carry brand new stuff like this

Good call, just chucked in an Amazon link

**kcajblue** · September 6th, 2007, 03:06

i just hope this is better than the first.

**Eyedunno** · September 6th, 2007, 04:23

It is better than the first. There's no comparison between the two, in fact. The game physics (including the shotgun and the ninja rope) are pretty much what fans of the PC games would expect, the AI is a lot stronger (possibly better even than PC versions, as the CPU is pretty smart about jumping this time around), and there are a LOT more weapons.