Worms Revolution, released in 2012, was the next 2D Worms title on PC after Worms Reloaded, one that I really enjoyed, so I had high expectations.
The first thing you’ll notice is that it uses a new engine. Instead of using 2D sprites, it uses full 3D models for everything, from the worms themselves to the environment. It’s still played in 2D, but I’m not a big fan of this new style. One of the main reasons is that, while the game technically runs at a high FPS, animations are played at 30 FPS, making the game look choppy. You can get used to it, but for what is considered a modern Worms title, this is a huge letdown.
There are some additions to the Worms formula. One of the big ones is the addition of water to the levels. There are water containers that can be destroyed, as well as a few weapons that produce it. It’s not an instant kill like the water outside, but it can be used to displace and submerge worms. Other containers were also added that, when destroyed, can release fire, poison, or just produce a big explosion. These containers can also be moved around for more strategic placement. Worms also now have four different classes that play a bit differently from each other and add another layer to the strategic nature of Worms.
The single-player campaign was also disappointing to me. Not in terms of difficulty, because it is challenging, but because it’s just deathmatches. Previous Worms campaigns had different objectives and conditions, but here it’s just about killing all enemy worms. The exception is the “bosses”, which are puzzles that are shorter, easier, and more enjoyable. Also, what’s the point of a “boss” with a ton of health if the way to kill them is always to drown them anyway? Each mission has leaderboards for the fastest times, which is a bit odd since there is some luck involved in how the enemy behaves, so a good time doesn’t just reflect skill.
What’s cool is the addition of a British narrator, with unique, funny dialogue at the beginning and end of every mission. There’s also a separate puzzle campaign that I enjoyed more than the main campaign, and three additional DLCs: one with five new puzzles, another with five more deathmatches, and a more unique one with 10 missions where you only have one worm, blending deathmatches and puzzles. I particularly enjoyed this last one. The puzzle campaign and all DLCs also have the same narrator treatment.
And being a Worms title, you have strong multiplayer gameplay, either local or online (although online is almost dead), plenty of weapons, and customization options. The core gameplay is still solid and feels familiar, even with the new additions and changes.
Overall, Worms Revolution is a solid Worms title, but it was disappointing to me. I personally preferred Worms Reloaded or even Worms Ultimate Mayhem, with its 3D gameplay. But in the end, I can still recommend this on sale, with at least the Medieval Tales DLC.
