PLATFORM: PC, PS4, SWITCH (REVIEWED), XBOX | RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
Originally released six months ago on other platforms, Worms Rumble is an odd departure for the franchise. Worms fans are likely to be disappointed as there’s little resemblance to other games in the series, and potential new players might be put off because they think this is just another Worms game. It’s most certainly a game that should not be overlooked.
Worms Rumble is an online 2D action-platformer. You control just one worm in real time, and are thrown into a large map with up to thirty other people, trying to get as many kills as you can within the time limit. It’s similar to something like Towerfall or Duck Game but on a grander scale. There are various weapons from the Worms franchise littered around the map, and you can hold a type of grenade, two guns and a traversal item at any one time. Game progression consists of levelling up to unlock new skins for your worms to wear and new designs for the guns. It’s easy to pick up but difficult to master, but even if you lack skill, just moving around the map with some of the traversal mechanics is a blast.
All the modes are online and consist of either solo play or team play, with both a deathmatch option and a Last Worm Standing option. It’s a shame there’s no smaller local play option as that would have added to the longevity once the online user-base dies off.
The game works well in the Switch’s handheld mode, however it’s much easier to see what’s going on the big screen as things can get pretty chaotic. It’s also a lot easier to control on the big screen, as games that involve quick trigger presses can be pretty painful while holding the Switch (especially the regular non-Lite version). Either way, matches are over in under ten minutes so it shouldn’t be a big issue.
Worms Rumble is tremendous fast-paced fun and, being an online-only game, it’s the kind of fun that won’t be around forever, so get it while it’s hot.
