WORMS 3D FULL ISO PLUS

The weapon options menu pops up when you right-click the mouse and hey presto, you're off and firing! The interface is simplicity itself with icons in each corner giving you tips on health, weapon elevation, wind direction, enemy location and weapon selection. But frequently after the dust has settled the attacked worm does little more than shake his head from side to side, sit up, and squeak, 'That wasn't very nice!' Sure, this pays homage to the originals, and some kind of more dramatic response would just lift that sense of elation with each hit and would better suit the updated look. Yes, you get big explosions and fireballs and the accompanying sound effects match them well. Surprisingly, the only downside on the graphics is the surprisingly restrained degree of visual damage created by each hit. The maps are not as extensive as in the 2D versions so trajectory is much more critical and the emphasis is now all above ground, as the tunnelling option has been removed. This is where the jet pack and the teleport will definitely come into their own. One of the consequences of the new graphics is that movement time becomes more critical as you need to allow longer to get into position before setting up your next shot. The worms themselves rely on a broad range of facial expressions to express anxiety, elation or fear, allied to their familiar high-pitched squeaks (which can also be further customised). In other words, they are colourful, over the top cartoon creations, frequently mimicking film scenes (Saving Private Ryan, The Matrix, King Kong, etc.) and always with a strong vein of humour. That aside, the 3D graphics themselves are perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the original. Confounding this is no apparent option to customize keystrokes to particular actions. If, for example, you're on a roof and are trying to jump on to a ledge, you have to simultaneously use movement and direction controls and then hit 'return' to complete the action (and hit it twice if you need a backflip). In addition, you can enter first-person mode and use the equivalent of a crosshair for targeting, which takes some time to get used to. Now, movement is via the WASD keys and direction is via the mouse much like a standard first- or third-person action game, with the cursor keys to adjust the angle. In the past you simply moved your worm into position, used one control to alter elevation and another to control trajectory. This highlights one of the other major changes from the 2D predecessors - the controls. Using that view, you target the next worm and either watch the destruction unfold (in the case of the air strike) or return to third-person view to then launch your missile. The air strike and homing missile are dependent on a new camera view - blimp view - which gives you a top-down perspective that uncovers where the enemy are hiding. There are also a few new entries, including gas grenades and the nuclear attack.

WORMS 3D FULL ISO PLUS

You've also got your air strike, jet pack, ninja rope and homing missile, plus a few other 'hidden' specials that only get revealed after certain missions are completed. Standard stalwarts like the bazooka, grenade, cluster bomb, exploding sheep, Uzi and banana bomb are still there but out goes the much loved flame-thrower. In case you've been in a cave for the last 30 years (or outside of Europe - the franchise never did enjoy the same immense success it garnered east of the Atlantic), the principle of the game is to arm your team of worms with any one of a range of often bizarre weapons and take turns to shoot at the opposing wrigglies until they're hammered into oblivion.

Purists will complain anyway but, hey, we're in the 21st century now guys - moving on is what it's all about. A few old favourites have gone, several innovations have come in and new gameplay skills will have to be learnt to accommodate the new 3D perspective.

Well, the good news is that Team17 spent six years trying to get it right and on the whole, they've managed to pull it off. Would this be the equivalent of re-making 'Casablanca', in colour, with Jim Carey in the Humphrey Bogart role?

When Sega first announced that they were going to release a 3D version of everyone's favourite comic-look turn-based destruction game, a fearful howl was heard round the globe.

Worms 3d full iso