Worms (PlayStation) review "Ah worms, where to begin talking about a game so close to my heart? This simple, some might say primitive game that still exerts such a pull on gamers supposedly more into the million polygon delights of games like Shenmue, or long in-depth rpgs like Final Fantasy 9. Where then in this world for a simple 2D delights of Worms? A game that doesn't even support simultaneous multi player action. Surely it is better left to gather dust along with other relics of the PSX's early days. "

Ah worms, where to begin talking about a game so close to my heart? This simple, some might say primitive game that still exerts such a pull on gamers supposedly more into the million polygon delights of games like Shenmue, or long in-depth rpgs like Final Fantasy 9. Where then in this world for a simple 2D delights of Worms? A game that doesn't even support simultaneous multi player action. Surely it is better left to gather dust along with other relics of the PSX's early days.

WRONG!!!!!!!

The original Worms is one of the purest distillations of cruel, underhanded, sneaky gaming at it's best. Even more so than its (admittedly excellent) sequels does the original Worms leave you white knuckled with rage when you met you comeuppance from a well time Sheep lob by a laughing so-called friend. Or have you dancing about the room when you acquire the banana bomb and blast your entire opponents team to smithereens.

So lets get intimate with Worms the game proper.

No marks for story, there isn't one. NEXT!

GAME PLAY 10

The game play is Worms strongest feature. Several players can take control of up to four teams of four worms. A battlefield littered with mines is chosen and the worms placed randomly upon it. Weapons are chosen each turn for a worm to blast any opponents within reach. The tactics come in trying to obliterate enemies without leaving yourself open to terrible retribution. Non - offensive weapons like ninja ropes and teleports can be used to get out of trouble. Girders can be built up to protect yourself. The true bliss comes in using the hilarious weapons for the purpose of ANNIHILATION!!!

Many of the weapons rely on wind trajectory, so all the grenades, missiles, a bombs have the hilarious tendency to fly in the wrong direction and ''accidentally'' blow up your allies or even your self. Many turns can be taken acquiring the crates that contain the exploding sheep or mega powerful banana bomb. But truly the best way to kill an opposing worm is the ''prod''.

This can be hard to set up, but if an opposing worm has left itself teetering on the edge of a cliff, if you can get a worm to saunter up and ''prod'' them with its finger. The opposing worm will tumble pitifully into the sea and you can be very smug as you celebrate another victory!

Simply the amount of time me and my friends have spent playing this game is testament to its simple, addictive qualities. A word of warning though. The single player is not very good and the AI can be very vicious.

Audio/Video 6
OK it doesn't look that good nowadays. The little worms can be hard to make out, making accidental stepping on a mine a frequent occurrence. However the sound samples are hilarious and don't get irritating. You'll chuckle as your worm squeals ''you'll regret that!!'', when assaulted by a missile/bomb/sheep. You may even shed a tear when in mournfully declares ''Bye Bye'' on expiry of a 100 of its HP.

Replayability 10
Well I've had it a couple of years now and it's still bought out for group gaming sessions.

Rent or Buy?
Hmmm a difficult one. I've given it a great review, but many of you may want to get into worms via one of the sequels, like Worms Armageddon. Well you can't go wrong with either. Currently Worms can be picked up in the psx value range and I can think of no better introduction to the world of Worms than this simple, addictive multi player game. One that symbolises a more innocent time in video game history when a young man, bored with his A' level studies decided to create a game on his PC to entertain himself and his friends. The game that became Worms.

Community review by falsehead (March 08, 2004) A bio for this contributor is currently unavailable, but check back soon to see if that changes. If you are the author of this review, you can update your bio from the Settings page.