Wonderful + Mediocre < Decent (1.0.0.78)
Worms W.M.D is a "match"-based game - gameplay experience consists of individual matches, as opposed to a big adventure. It ain't a roguelite or arcade-like thing either, so your matches are intertwined with setting the matches up. Separating the former and the latter reveals one's flaws overshadow the other.
The game part of the game is great. If you're not aware, Worms is a turn based game where you move your worms and destroy enemy team with varying arsenal. A bunch of game systems are streamlined when compared to predecessors, but this is balanced out by complexity of the new additions. Buildings, parts of the map subjected to visibility restrictions, work surprisingly well. Stationary weapons and vehicles are rather non-intrusive and fun additional options. The greatest addition seems to be weapon crafting, having nothing to do with often obtuse crafting of other games. You order a weapon or a mod for one, and get it - but on your next turn. This really mixes things up in a good way. There is field for gameplay refinement, but it's hardly necessary. Oh, presentation's great too.
Enter the menu and problems stack up. There is no cross PC-platform online play, even ignoring the consoles - while Galaxy is there for that, and Worms developers made their own metaservers in past titles. There is also no map import tool in GOG version, not that one available elsewhere is without problems, nor is there an in-game map editor; available seeded maps are bland. The default key bindings interfere with menu operation... how did this happen? Authenticate with Galaxy, in case you want to try online play or just like the client, to get a profile-locked savefile - got offline? Gotta remake the teams! It really doesn't matter in comparison that the deeper menus are somehow clunkier than ever.
It's really disappointing since clearly a lot of thought was put in gameplay, and nonzero amount was put in other things, but altogether I cannot really recommend Worms W.M.D.
4 gamers found this review helpful