Metareview: Worms: Open Warfare 2
Of course, as more reviews roll in, all of that could change -- but for now, things are looking good for the wiggly warriors.
IGN -- 87%: "Worms: Open Warfare 2 is a massive upgrade to the original game, so much so that it really should have been its own brand instead of "Number Two" of the 2005 release. Awesome single player campaigns, fantastic multiplayer support, and some unexpected treats specific to the unique features of the handheld. It absolutely trounces the first game in every category and finally gives the Nintendo DS the true Worms experience."
1UP -- 90%: "The first Open Warfare squashed the prolific series' typically sharp and colorful visuals into a fuzzy mess, and offered essentially one mode (skirmish). Open Warfare 2 simply blows it away with the first truly engaging Worms single-player campaign, an absolute bounty of customization options, the deep multiplayer we've come to expect from the series (with Wi-Fi this time), and even some entertaining DS-specific minigames. This is truly a Worms to be excited about, with portability that plays to the strengths of the series."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gb @ Sep 6th 2007 2:52PM
Are there any owners of the game out there? Can you give the rest of us a mini-review?
Xian B. @ Sep 6th 2007 3:34PM
I would have picked up Worms back in 2005 if the reviews hadn't warned against it. I'm really excited that they decided to give the franchise another, PROPER go. I'm definitely picking this up on release day (Sept 18).
Zak Canard @ Sep 6th 2007 6:07PM
This is actually the first Worms game I've picked up since playing a demo of World Party for the PC and prior to that the original Directors Cut for the Amiga, and lets just say I'm (if you pardon the expression) blown away at how well executed it is. Two Tribes have done wonders on Team 17's flagship franchise.
The campaign mode has just the right difficulty curve for "one more go", some of the puzzle stages appear to be the work of some sort of sick genius (no bad thing), and the laboratory minigame stages are a lovely touch at giving the DS version that unique feel. But of course that's not what people are buying the game for, it's the online multiplayer. Heck that alone justifies buying the game, in fact I'm willing to put it up there with Mario Kart DS as a must-own wi-fi title.
Kevin @ Sep 6th 2007 7:29PM
I agree with Zak, though I'd like to add that I've been having a (worms) blast with the landscape editor. Fun to play with the different terrain types on the obligatory your-name-as-a-level stages you create--the DS interface is ideal for this. Currently working on a Rube Goldberg-esque level that chains a variety of prox mines and flying worms with the ultimate goal of destroying yourself.
Controls are pretty tight, though I used to be skilled at the ninja rope (but maybe it's just been a while since Armageddon). Would love to be able to zoom out a little and still have the targeting cursor for those distance shots, but I can live without it.
Wifi has been a fantastic addition (coming from someone who's never played the PC versions online), though my one complaint is that I would have liked options to search for "two-or-more" player games (kind of how Hunters would try looking for four people, but if only three were there it'd start the game anyway), vs. just two, three, or four player only. I'd love to get a 3+ game going, but there either aren't enough people with the game yet or most have realized it's easier to get in a pickup match if you shoot for one-on-one.
Otherwise, was really looking forward to this--enough that I went and bought it on release (which I rarely ever do). At one point I had been debating the DS and PSP versions, but after hearing about the level editor I knew the DS would be the way to go.
g2h0 @ Sep 7th 2007 12:22AM
I just picked up this game today and I would have to agree. This game is fun and deserves a spot on the must have list for the ds. The online play is almost perfect (need more players) and it plays a lot like worms armageddon. If anyone out there wants to play my friend code is 274988047426.
Xian B. @ Sep 7th 2007 4:52AM
It's out? OMG IT'S OUT! I was sure Amazon said the release date was Sept 18. Didn't they...? No matter now. Picking this up ASAP!
Kefka @ Sep 7th 2007 5:40AM
I've had this game for a few days now, and it truely is awesome. It's Worms DS done *right*, end of story.
I can't say much more that the other people haven't already said... There's a few minor features that I would have liked to see (replays, hotseat play, napalm, worm select, etc) but none of them are big deals.
Thankfully, roping (using ninja rope to launch yourself into other worms, knocking them off ledges, etc) doesn't seem possible anymore - it was the bane of online Worms the last time I played it (Worms 2).
I'm yet to play online, but I had a quick download play match against a friend... who then turned it over to his little brother when he wasn't going well, who proceeded to kick my ass in true Worms style.
As for release dates, Xian B - I went to the only game shop in Perth (Western Australia) a day or two after the release was announced on this very site, hoping they might have an import copy...
They had Australian copies. I'm boggled, but I assume it was launched all over simultneously.
Anyhow, go get it! Then we'll all have an online game! :D
Kefka @ Sep 7th 2007 8:53AM
Woo, I just realised that the game DOES have hotseat play! You can add multiple human controlled teams to a custom game.
There are no replays however, so I imagine it might be a bit tricky making sure the previous person can see what you did.
rumorofhope @ Sep 7th 2007 1:01PM
I'm thinking about picking up a DS and was curious where this MetaCritics list of the best DS games is? I'm going to pick up MarioKart DS and New Super Mario Bros..what else is good?
Xian B. @ Sep 7th 2007 3:44PM
rumorofhope: http://www.metacritic.com/games/ds/
Most entries here are followed by a "Read" link which will take you to the online reference (press release, product page, etc). The picture is also a link, most of the time.
Hadron @ Oct 2nd 2007 11:31AM
I have to say, this game is great. I hadn't originally intended to get it, but after MySims DS turned out to be such a disappointment, I decided to give it a go, and it's definitely worth the money: the AI is so good that even the easy will slaughter you without a lot of practice (some of the shots they can do with a bazooka is crazy) and the customisationability is impressive.
The only annoying thing is nothing to do with the game, as such, in that there doesn't seem to be anyone in the world who wants to play a 4-way forts game. And I love Forts :).
My Friend Code is 519803003165 btw
Can you fight someone if they don't have your friend code, but you have theirs?