Wipqozin
2 Aug 2009, 11:23
Let me preface any lengthy doctrine with the fact that I have been a Worms fan for a long time. By the time Worms 2 came out, I continuously played the demo on my PC until I had every move covered. I also bought Worms Armageddon and had some very memorable times. I quite literally grew up with the Worms franchise, and Armageddon was my favorite. It was for this reason, (as well as my transgression to Macintosh computers) that I bought the new XBox 360 release. I am still playing it and enjoying it for what it is worth. Yet, I do have some very serious qualms about the game. Chiefly, I am upset about the lack of resemblance to the old Armageddon, the limited weaponry, and the continuing lack of some basic editing options.
The first thing I noticed was that there were a few bugs that ranged from irksome to horrendous. I do not plan to tread this territory, as I know The Team is already working on the glitches that the members of this forum have pointed out.
The item that worried me the most was that W2:A is missing some of the essential items that made the original Armageddon worth playing repeatedly, and as if I need say it, fun. Armageddon was simply fun. This new version, though entertaining in it's own right, resembles the rather lackluster Worms game for XBLA. (If anything, it is more of a spiritual sequel, if one would dare to compare them in such a way.)
There were so many ways to improve on that first XBox 360 release, which is not to mention the many ways to bring back a bit of the old experience. For example, the return of fire is perhaps one of the greater improvements. The return of old equipment and addition of new weaponry was also well received. Though still, I remain unsatisfied. With fire now back in play (begging the question of why it ever left), I wonder where the trusty Flamethrower has gone? Wouldn't that be the obvious choice to get the most use out of the new mechanic? Also, where are the many other weapons that turned Worms into a creative and destructive game. I refer to the sheep launcher, the homing pigeon, and mole bomb, as well as the battle axe, the mini gun, and the subtle handgun. Oh, and how shameful it would be to forget the fun that was had with the mine strike, the Ming vase, and Mike's (notorious) Carpet Bomb. Even the utilities like worm select and 2X damage are gone.
All of these arsenal items made Worms into the game I saw it as. A wide selection of weapons meant more creative scenarios for destruction. Minimizing the selection from one game to the next seems to me a leap in the wrong direction.
Speaking of "creative scenarios," I have been wondering what happened to the campaign in W2:A. To me, in order to wear the "Armageddon" title, the game has to mix things up a little bit. Each mission, not including the 'puzzles' of course, is centered killing the enemy worms and nothing else. I cannot help but muse at lack of variety. What happened to different goals? There are certainly no missions to protect certain worms or grab specific crates in this new game. Is simply surviving testing situations no longer fun and gratifying?
Besides the mission and weapon selections, I find that editing option have dwindled down a bit, or at least changed. I realize that an actual terrain editor instead of a randomizer would take up a lot of space and may not be as feasible what with the XBox 360 controller. I do, however, miss the time when one could poke some holes in a solid chunk of land, actually place the worms inside their separate caverns, and let them have at it. Also, a lack of damage settings is something profound. Even Worms Armageddon for the GameBoy Advance had that. Still, editing options are the least of my concerns.
What I would like to see would be the release of some heavy Downloadable Content (and preferably at a low cost, but I know Microsoft has the final say). There is so much that can be customized and added to the game, and the tools are already there. The worms need more weapons and a few new missions, lest the days of Nasty Crew vs. Dodgy 8 on Cars after school be gone for everyone.
The first thing I noticed was that there were a few bugs that ranged from irksome to horrendous. I do not plan to tread this territory, as I know The Team is already working on the glitches that the members of this forum have pointed out.
The item that worried me the most was that W2:A is missing some of the essential items that made the original Armageddon worth playing repeatedly, and as if I need say it, fun. Armageddon was simply fun. This new version, though entertaining in it's own right, resembles the rather lackluster Worms game for XBLA. (If anything, it is more of a spiritual sequel, if one would dare to compare them in such a way.)
There were so many ways to improve on that first XBox 360 release, which is not to mention the many ways to bring back a bit of the old experience. For example, the return of fire is perhaps one of the greater improvements. The return of old equipment and addition of new weaponry was also well received. Though still, I remain unsatisfied. With fire now back in play (begging the question of why it ever left), I wonder where the trusty Flamethrower has gone? Wouldn't that be the obvious choice to get the most use out of the new mechanic? Also, where are the many other weapons that turned Worms into a creative and destructive game. I refer to the sheep launcher, the homing pigeon, and mole bomb, as well as the battle axe, the mini gun, and the subtle handgun. Oh, and how shameful it would be to forget the fun that was had with the mine strike, the Ming vase, and Mike's (notorious) Carpet Bomb. Even the utilities like worm select and 2X damage are gone.
All of these arsenal items made Worms into the game I saw it as. A wide selection of weapons meant more creative scenarios for destruction. Minimizing the selection from one game to the next seems to me a leap in the wrong direction.
Speaking of "creative scenarios," I have been wondering what happened to the campaign in W2:A. To me, in order to wear the "Armageddon" title, the game has to mix things up a little bit. Each mission, not including the 'puzzles' of course, is centered killing the enemy worms and nothing else. I cannot help but muse at lack of variety. What happened to different goals? There are certainly no missions to protect certain worms or grab specific crates in this new game. Is simply surviving testing situations no longer fun and gratifying?
Besides the mission and weapon selections, I find that editing option have dwindled down a bit, or at least changed. I realize that an actual terrain editor instead of a randomizer would take up a lot of space and may not be as feasible what with the XBox 360 controller. I do, however, miss the time when one could poke some holes in a solid chunk of land, actually place the worms inside their separate caverns, and let them have at it. Also, a lack of damage settings is something profound. Even Worms Armageddon for the GameBoy Advance had that. Still, editing options are the least of my concerns.
What I would like to see would be the release of some heavy Downloadable Content (and preferably at a low cost, but I know Microsoft has the final say). There is so much that can be customized and added to the game, and the tools are already there. The worms need more weapons and a few new missions, lest the days of Nasty Crew vs. Dodgy 8 on Cars after school be gone for everyone.