Pick-up and playing strategy/action titles like the Worms series lend themselves quite well to handheld consoles so it's not much a surprise to see another offering incoming from veteran developer Team 17. Worms Open Warfare 2 is due soon on both PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS. Richie recently had the opportunity to check out a preview build of the PSP version. Find out his thoughts in today's preview.
Worms Open Warfare 2
Friday Aug 10 2007, Preview by Riche Young
Predictably, THQ has gone down the tried and true formula route with Worms Open Warfare 2 so if you've never liked it, chances are this one's not going to change that. For those who've had and loved Worms before though (ahem... a COPY of Worms) then we're happy to report the early build of Open Warfare 2 is shaping up to be the most varied (long lasting) and hence, best of the lot. The new weapon additions (boomerang and bunker buster) and scenarios look to be on the money and it still manages to squeeze a laugh, even though it's pretty much recycled humour dating back to '95.
Like the originals, the second PSP release for the game is still in 2D, (it's actually kind of 2.5D, as the presence of an out-of-focus background and movement gives it a completely separate look) so contrary to rumours that had circulated when the first Open Warfare was released, this one's NOT in 3D.
The biggest strength with Worms has always been its multiplayer modes. It's the same here, and while we haven't fully been able to test them out (due to the game's incomplete state) the game will support "Infrastructure mode" allowing you to connect to a server and theoretically taking on anyone who is connected and playing the game. As such, THQ will also develop an online Worms community to support leaderboards and clans and allow you to download content to your PSP.
Aside from ""Infrastructure mode" there's "Ad Hoc" - which will let you connect wirelessly to up to four nearby buddies. This should be tops in both theory and practice; but it should be noted that every single person will need their own copy of the game.
More realistic (and economical) though is playing with mates on one PSP. This can be set up under the custom match setting and while it might not be as "techno-tomorrow" as a four-way connection and doesn't let you see what your opponents are doing in real-time (unless you're all crowded around the one screen of course), it still supports three people (and one computer opponent) to provide a half-decent multiplayer experience.
Single player mode is largely the same as always, however a Puzzle mode is now available. This is more or less a combination of mini levels though, with the primary aim still being to defeat the enemy worm team within each level in order to "complete the puzzle".
There are six new landscapes available which THQ oddly describes as being based on: "history's most famous wars." Err... while the landscapes are definitely based in warzone settings, which wars they're supposed to be isn't at all clear to us. And even so, the mere suggestion that any aspect of Worms is in any way realistic, is just bizarre. (Sorry THQ marketing people, we're not intentionally picking on you). Our point being that Worms' charm is - and always has been - found in its crazy-cool-stupidness, and 'cos of its perennially uncanny knack of being able to crack up a room full of mates.
Definitely, the level of customization looks to be superior to any other Worms game so far. You can now choose what your worms look, speak and dance like and design custom levels to battle on. Language-wise, the "redneck" and Irish settings are funny... but we think the Australian one could be better (it's just a bit non-descript). Landscape options include choosing land type, the amount of grass and water, whether you want it indestructible or not, the frequency of crate drops and of course, the types and amount of weapons. All up, customization is looking pretty cool.
Open Warfare 2 should be out soon, and as soon as a review copy lands we'll let you know the final lowdown and what we reckon it's worth...
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