After taking Xbox Live by storm after their last outing, the worms are now back in Worms 2 Armageddon, but does this new game really justify splashing out 800 MS points for if you already own the previous game?

 

Worms on Xbox Live Arcade is probably still one of the most play games online thanks to it’s ease of access and addictive nature, so if this latest version becomes even more popular it will be no surprise thanks to all the great improvements it brings with it.

 

 

For anyone new to the game, basically you control a team of four worms on a 2d battlefield, playing against up to another three teams (either Ai controlled or human controlled), the aim is to blast each other with a variety of weapons (some of which are of a rather odd nature) until only one players team is left standing. The winner therefore is the one who has at least one worm left.

 

When the game starts you can control your worm, allowing him to move left or right, and although the worms move quite slowly you can get around faster by using rope, a jetpack and all other sorts of equipment. When it is time to take down some worms you can make use of some bizarre weaponry such as the exploding sheep, which is basically a wooly bomb that jumps around the scenery and explodes on detonation, you also have other weapons such as Uzi’s, Grenades, Homing Missiles, Bazooka’s and Petrol Bombs, in fact the choice is so huge it would be impossible to name them all and there is no doubt that this is where the game really draws you in thanks to all the possibilities. It must also be mentioned that there is some strategy involved when using your weapons, this is because each weapon will act differently when used and you also have the wind and the amount of power you use to take into consideration when you are using/throwing the weapons. Sure the game may seem simple but understanding these elements is essential.

 

At the beginning of the game you are given the option to customise your worms, here you can choose your teams name and also name all of the individual worms, I personally opted for a Simpsons team, which actually worked out quite well because when I blew another worm up with a homing missile when using Homer during the game, I got a message saying you can’t underestimate a Homer, hehe.

 

One of the new additions to Worms 2 is the Campaign mode, this sees you play through 35 levels which offera a mix of both straight up deathmatches and various puzzles. While the matches explain themselves, the puzzles are slightly different and include things like having to figure out ways to make your ways across platforms using only certain pieces of equipment. The puzzles are a welcome addition to the game and although they are tricky it shouldn’t take too long for you to get through them.

 

Other modes in the game include a Local multiplayer mode, which basically sees you play offline against other players and of course the online mode, which is perhaps the best mode of all. Game modes on Xbox Live include Deathmatch, Forts, and Race, all of which can be played as either ranked or unranked matches, which obviously compliments the online leaderboards.

 

 

Finally the game also includes a shop, here you can customise your worms by using points earned in game. This allows you to buy new headstones, weapons and costumes as well as many other items and unlockables. This area is a great touch, oh and some of the costumes are just classic.

 

Worms 2 is a big improvement over the last game, both in presentation, effects and gameplay. On first look the game isn't overly different, however it is the little touches such as the worms new headgear, the burning scenery and the new and improved online mode that makes all the difference. Anyone who was addicted to the excellent original will love the sequel, it’s got class written all over it and for 800 MS points you cannot go wrong.