Introduction
This is the latest iteration of the long-running Worms series that started with a competition in Amiga Power (IIRC). Players control a team of invertibrates who lob a variety of conventional and not-so-conventional weapons at each other across a deformable sideways-on 2D map, much like Tanx, Gorillas, ar any other artillery game.
Gameplay
This version of Worms goes back to its roots on the DS after several full 3D outings on other platforms. As the name suggests, it plays much more like Worms 2 than any of the later games, although it feels a little bit lightweight compared to the originals. To compensate for this there's allsorts of DS goodness poured in, mostly in the form of mini challenge games.
The standard campaign is a standard linear battle through the various map styles, against increasingly difficult opponents. The difficulty curve is quite well gauged, and even though the CPU worms are unnervingly accurate you can usually outwit them. Progression brings reward points that can be spent on customising your team's look and sound, or on extra levels and resources with which to create your own.
The challenge games are rather interesting, possibly more so than the campaign. Split into categories of type, some involve effective use of the DS's unique controls, such as blowing your worm around on a parachute or drawing platforms for him with your stylus. They're all quite good and there's plenty of them.
Sights and Sounds
The game is colourful and cartoony, and makes the most of the DS's limited capacity. There are typically silly cutscenes too that can be amusing. Sound follows the same format, with loads of different voices for your wriggly troops.
Stuff that sucks
As a single player game it eventually gets a bit repetitive. The puzzles add a good few hours longetivity, but ultimately once you've done them and got fed up of the campaign you'll not find much reason to go back. Multiplayer over a wireless connection should be fun, although I've not tried it, and another DS owner can link up and play off your cartridge without having to own one themselves.
Conclusion
Back to the good old days, when worms were worms. Slightly lighter feeling than the originals, but with some nice additions for the platform. Possibly a bit too short.
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