Worms: Open Warfare 2

[Pegasus]

I wasn't even planning on buying Worms today. I just happened upon a used copy (only two weeks after its release!) during my quick stop at a local retailer. After a quick test-play I decided it was well worth the purchase; it also helped that it was in excellent condition and ten bucks less than a new copy.

I've only played a little bit so far, but I already like it a lot. Of course, that's coming from a Worms fan - since the first game. Though I did skip the first OW due to its less than stellar reviews.

Multiplayer games are fun, even if you can't communicate with your opponent in matches. It's a bit silly that you can't name your Worms for online matches unless you play with a friend. I already ran into an immature twit whose team flag said FY.

Other than that it feels very much like the classic Worms formula, which is great. It's nice that one can easily scroll around the screen, since horizontal view is a tad bit limited. Keeping the mini-map displayed on the top screen while the action ensues on the bottom works great, too. Some of the random landscapes can be a bit too random, as in the past, but that forces players to be a bit creative.

The touch screen is most useful for scrolling and quick weapon selection. Other than that, one controls the worms with the d-pad and face buttons. This combination works rather well. The game has some nice background music, and, naturally, the usual quirky selection of sound bites for the individual teams.

Fun stuff.

[Dazza]

I am a big fan of Worms, always have been. I was really dissapointed with the 1st DS game however so I wanted to play this version before buying it.

My fears were to be unfounded. My friend bought it last week and we had a few goes on Vs mode (only 1 cart needed) - Everything plays just as it should and the wifi mode is the icing on the cake.

I'll get this soon no doubt!

[Pegasus]

Bah. I played a few matches of Worms 3D today, and I once again was reminded that the extra third dimension did very little for the game. Too much inaccuracy, odd camera angles with hidden mines in nooks, and sometimes frustrating controls. I don't think I'll bother with it again, now that I have OW2. Worms is just best experienced in 2D.

[SKTTR]

I hope it's better than Worms: Open Warfare 1.
Bought it, but gave it back 2 days later.
The enemy AI.. the camera.. the physics..
it all was terrible...

I've played the original on Amiga and PC.
I even got a port on the original Game Boy.
Later I've played Worms Armaggedon on N64.

They were all fun, but I don't own any Worms game anymore. I wished for a good Worms game on DS which Open Warfare 1 is not. I traded it in and got the far superior cutesy-strategy-wargame Advance Wars DS instead.

Can someone tell me if Open Warfare 2 is muuuuch better than the first one? And not by the same developers.

[Pegasus]

It's definitely not the same developers. The original dev-team was scrapped, after the less than stellar port that was OW1. In fact, the engine for the sequel was written from scratch; no carry-over of code from the prequel in any way, shape, or form. Seeing that OW2 has gotten quite a few favorable reviews says a lot, too.

I haven't played the first game, as previously mentioned, but OW2 has definitely the Worms feel I know and love. I've been playing games in the franchise since the first game, so I definitely know when something's off, and, so far, everything seems to be working just fine, with the exception of a rare minor slowdown when a lot is going on which is far from a deal-breaker. The single-player affair doesn't take all that long to complete, but it's still fun; Worms, as always, is best played with others, and it sure is plenty of fun in multi.

The computer AI is somewhat hit-or-miss, but generally competent enough to kick your ass if you don't pay attention; I'd say it's on the same level as previous Worms games I've played. I haven't had any issues with the camera. The physics work very well. Everything is as it should be there.

[Dazza]

I have this now. Been messing about with some of the different modes. I am really loving it, esp the one where you blow into the screen or use the stylus to do blasts!

Some cool new weapons too! Rest assured this is not the turd which was OW1!!

Here's my code if anyone wants to play me sometime: 1504-3504-5536

Just PM me to give me your code.

[Pegasus]

My FC is 116075 263104 for anybody else who's interested.