Worms (computer game) |
Worms is a series of turn-based game Video game with the common theme of players each controlling a small platoon of worms across a two-dimensional (and, in more recent games, 3D_computer_graphics), deformable landscape. The series is decidedly tongue-in-cheek, typified by cartoon-style graphics and an eclectic and bizarre set of weapons. Worms is part of a wider genre of turn-based games in which each player controls characters who duel with projectile weapons; predecessors include Scorched Earth (computer game) and Gorilla (computer game) . The game, whose concept was devised by Andy Davidson, is thought to have been inspired by Lemmings (game) , with which it shares many similarities.
=Games in the series=
The Worms series consists of many games, which can be categorized into three generations. The games are categorized between the first and second generations according the game engine on which they are based, while the third generation encapsulates all 3D variants of the game. In order of production, they are:
Also released were a number of smaller spin-offs including Worms Pinball (1999), Worms Breakout , Worms Breakout2 and Worms Blast (2002).
Some unofficial worm-based games known as Liero and Wurmz were also released, based on real-time action.
Team17, the company who hold the Worms franchise, despite mainly concentrating on the new 3D variations of the game, are also making a new 2D addition (not based on Worms 2) for the Nintendo DS and the PSP. Also, Worms World Party has been rereleased for many systems as of late, including Game Boy Advance and the N-Gage.
=The game=
Each player controls a team of several worms. During the course of the game, players take it in turns to select one of their worms and use whatever tools and weapons are available to attack and kill the opponents worms and win the game. Worms may move around the terrain in a variety of ways, some requiring particular tools such as the Bungee and Ninja Rope . Each turn is time-limited to ensure that players do not hold up the game with excessive thinking or moving.
Over fifty weapons and tools may be available, but games are usually played with a reduced and thus less complicated arsenal, the settings for which are often saved into a scheme for easy selection in future games. Over time players have developed and refined a large number of very different and unusual schemes that do not always stick to the traditional worms gameplay of last worm standing , although these scheme types are more prevalent in 2-D versions of the game, due to considerable customisation ability (and a lack of such ability in 3-D variants).
Other scheme settings allow reinforcement crates to be deployed, from which additional weapons can be obtained; Sudden Death whereby the game is rushed to a conclusion after a time limit expires; and the inclusion of terrain objects such as land mines and explosive barrels.
Most weapons, when used, cause explosions that deform the terrain, removing circular chunks. The landscape is an island floating on an infinite body of water, or a restricted cave with water at the bottom (not available in 3-D versions due to camera restrictions). A worm dies when it enters the water (either by falling off the island, or through a hole in the bottom of it), or when its health is reduced to zero by, most commonly, contact with explosions.
=Screenshot gallery=
Image:PC Worms2.png| IBM PC clone , Worms 2 (1997) Image:Worms World Party screenshot.png| IBM PC clone , Worms World Party (2000) Image:GC Worms3D.png| Gamecube , Worms 3D (2003)
=Weapons and tools=
Main article: Worms weapons and tools
A feature that makes Worms known among many gamers is its wide variety of weapons. As new versions of the same game engine are released, new weapons are added to the collection, and very few are removed, if any. As a result, the second generation series has accumulated 60 weapons, and the third generation series about 40 weapons (yet to be confirmed).
Since Worms Armageddon , weapons that were intended to aid as utilities rather than damage-dealers (though some of them can also be used to deal damage when used in certain ways) were classified as tools. This classification mainly differs in the fact that they don t fall in ordinary weapon crates, and instead appear on toolboxes. However, many tools being left in the wrong classification, for the sake of keyboard-shortcut conveniences. Full classification was properly introduced in Worms 3D .
=First generation Worms games=
The game was originally a fan project, created with a cut-down version of Blitz BASIC programming language given away with an issue of Amiga Format magazine. It later evolved into a full commercial game, developed by Team 17 originally for the Commodore Amiga computer. These games have been released regularly since the mid-1990s, and are available for Windows and Mac based computers, Amiga systems, Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, Nintendo Game Boy and Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, Nokia N-Gage, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sony PlayStation , Sega Saturn, and PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox and possibly others.
During the development of Worms 2 , Andy Davidson wrote Worms - The Director s Cut , an exclusive special edition produced exclusively for the Amiga. This was, to his eyes, the pinnacle of the series. Featuring weapons not seen in any Worms game before or since, it looks like an enhanced version of the original game. Although many die-hard fans feel it is the best Worms game ever made, only 5000 copies were ever sold.
=Second generation Worms games=
The engine was completely redesigned using Microsoft s DirectX for the second generation Worms series, dropping the darker tones of the first generation and adopting a more cartoonish look along the way. Worms 2 , despite being the first of the 2-D series, is by far the most customizable of the Worms games with a very extensive set of detailed settings and toggles. Worms 2 also introduced internet play, though the interface was clumsy and primitive.
Worms Armageddon was initially intended to be released as an expansion pack for Worms 2 , but was released as a stand-alone game when it exceeded all expectations. Worms Armageddon included 33 in-depth missions in an extensive and elaborate campaign, along with training missions, deathmatch , some new graphics and sounds, and a few new weapons and utilities. Much of the customizability of Worms 2 , however, was removed, as Team17 thought that the interface would become cluttered and overwhelming.
Worms Armageddon also included a much more organised and functional internet play service, known as WormNET , which required registration and utlilized leagues and ranks. Problems with cheating led to the removal of the leagues, but their re-introduction is planned in a series of updates that have provided the game with more customizability.
Worms World Party , currently the latest in the 2-D series, was originally designed for Sega Dreamcast console to make use of DreamArena, but was also released for the IBM PC clone with new missions, a mission editor, and some extra customizability. With no new weapons, graphics or sounds, however, some see Worms World Party as a cash cow for Team17.
Two new 2D Worms games, one for Nintendo DS, the other for Sony PSP, have been announced to be in production. Both will be specifically designed for the handheld systems. No release date is currently set.
==Schemes==
Main article: Worms schemes
The extensive customizability of the second generation series, along with highly functional online play support, has led to a continued popularity that still exists many years after the games releases. There are a variety of unusual schemes that have been developed and refined by the WormNET community that are often played instead of the official schemes created by Team17. Some schemes have rules that are not enforced by the game itself, but are expected to be followed by players for the purposes of playability.
=Third generation Worms games=
In 2003, Worms 3D was released. This was the first game in the series to bring the annelid characters into a three-dimensional environment. It features an innovative poxel engine, described as a hybrid of polygons and voxels (the 3-D analogues of pixels). This allows for pseudo-realistic terrain deformation similar in style to the 2-D games, in which the terrain was represented by a bitmap.
The latest complete game in the series is Worms Forts: Under Siege , for PlayStation 2, Xbox and IBM PC Compatible. It was released in November 2004 and features the biggest variation on the gameplay that the series has yet to see. Rather than fighting only worms on a fully destructible land, your worms are able to build forts. The objective of the game has moved from only killing the worms, as you can now win a game by destroying the opponent s fort. Due to the change in strategy, a few people prefer to see this game as a spin-off rather than a true Worms game, though the similarities make it difficult to dismiss it as a spin-off easily.
Worms 4: Mayhem was released in 2005, being a revamp of the original Worms 3D engine, featuring smoother terrain deformation and making extensive use of cel-shading techniques. The gameplay is much the same as it was in Worms 3D , but new gameplay modes and weapons have been introduced. One of the major new features is the ability to create customised costumes and weaponry for teams.
=See also=
*Worms schemes *Worms weapons and tools
=External links=
|
|