Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition [PlayStation 5] | REVIEW

Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition brings back a fan favourite with care and attention, with it offering a lovingly preserved slice of 90s chaos. And sure, it may no longer be the series’ high point and newer releases such as Worms WMD have outshone it, but it’s still a fun, feature-rich reminder of why Worms has endured for so long.

Check out some screenshots down below:

At its core, Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition remains a blast to play… both literally and figuratively. The turn-based gameplay still has that satisfying blend of strategy and slapstick humour that makes each showdown feel both dramatic and zany, and believe me, few things in gaming feel better than perfectly lobbing a grenade through the wind to wipe out a few rivals at once, hitting that perfect bazooka shot, or simply smashing an opponent into a watery grave with a baseball bat. Whether you’re swinging across the map on a ninja rope or detonating a sheep in just the right spot, the game is still packed with laugh-out-loud moments and tense finishes.

That said, it’s hard to ignore the fact that newer releases such as Worms WMD have come a long way since this, arguably improving the core formula and expanding across each aspect of its design. There’s a unique charm to Armageddon that newer games haven’t quite recaptured – in its chaos, its humour, its simplicity, and its sheer unpredictability – but after spending plenty of hours playing Worms WMD with friends, I couldn’t help but to find it the better game these days. Sorry, old friend…

Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition does make a solid effort to freshen things up for current systems though, with the visuals crisp throughout and the solid performance ensuring the action is steady even when things get hectic. It looks good without trying to overhaul the aesthetic, keeping the original’s cartoony style intact, and whilst the presentation might feel a little dated in places, it’s more nostalgic than off-putting.

“It’s a faithful update of a classic, full of personality, and still great fun in the right setting… you know… with a few beers with friends who still want to reminisce about the ‘good old days’.”

There’s a decent amount of single player content to get into too, with a selection of well-designed challenges making for a good way to get to grips with the game’s wide arsenal. There’s enough variety and difficulty to keep solo players engaged, and completing missions unlocks some classic goodies – everything from wacky weapons to alternate settings that expand your multiplayer options. It’s a rewarding loop, though be warned: it brings with it some difficulty spikes too, so expect a challenge.

One of Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition’s standout features are its array extras that delve into the history of the series, with the best being the additional titles on offer. A handful of older Worms titles, including the Game Boy and Mega Drive versions, are included as playable bonuses, and whilst they’re undeniably rough around the edges – limited by hardware and time – they’re a great bit of history to explore. You’re unlikely to spend hours with them, but they’re a welcome addition and a nice nod to the franchise’s legacy.

Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition holds up really well then, though there are some rough spots. The menus can be clunky and unintuitive, whilst a lack of a consistent zoom feature can make navigation or lining up shots a little trickier than it needs to be at times. Oddly, local multiplayer doesn’t assign individual controllers to each player either, meaning you can essentially take your opponent’s turn using your controller. It’s not a big deal or even a real problem, but it was a little odd (and could lead to some shenanigans).

Check out some screenshots down below:

Still, Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition knows exactly what it is: a lovingly preserved version of a classic. It may not be the absolute best the series has to offer anymore, but it’s still a fun, feature-rich package with plenty to enjoy – especially if you’re in it for the laughs and the nostalgia.

Developer: Team17
Publisher: Team17
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Website: https://www.team17.com/games/worms-armageddon-anniversary-edition