Worms Revolution stands out as a turn-based strategy game that brings chaotic, worm-based warfare to PC players. Released in 2012 by Team17, it builds on the series' legacy with 3D visuals layered over the familiar 2D gameplay. You control teams of worms armed with an arsenal of weapons, navigating destructible landscapes while outmaneuvering opponents. The game emphasizes tactical positioning, resource management, and environmental interactions, making every match a blend of strategy and absurdity.
Gameplay
At its core, Worms Revolution revolves around turn-based combat where teams take alternating turns to move worms and deploy weapons. Each worm has health points, and the goal is to eliminate the opposing team through direct attacks or environmental hazards. The introduction of worm classes adds depth: Soldiers serve as balanced all-rounders with standard abilities, Scouts are nimble and quick for reconnaissance, Scientists provide team buffs like health regeneration, and Heavies pack extra power but move slowly. You can mix these classes in your team of up to four worms per side, unlocking more as you progress.
Dynamic water mechanics play a key role, allowing you to flood areas with tools like the Water Bomb or drain them using the Plug Hole. Physics objects scattered across maps can be exploded for chain reactions, releasing effects such as fire or poison. Weapons range from classics like bazookas and grenades to newcomers like the Water Pistol and Wrench for repairs. Landscapes deform with each explosion, creating new paths or traps, and the game includes voice acting with customizable speech banks for added personality.
Game Modes
The single-player campaign consists of 32 missions that guide you through escalating challenges, focusing on combat scenarios against AI opponents. Puzzle missions, numbering 20, require clever use of limited resources to solve specific objectives, such as defeating guarded enemies with minimal tools.
Multiplayer supports up to four players in local or online sessions. Key modes include Deathmatch, where teams fight until one remains; Forts, emphasizing defensive structures; and Classic, which sticks to traditional rules without newer features. A level editor lets you design custom maps for battles in varied environments like beaches, sewers, farmyards, or spooky settings.
Key Features and Mechanics
Customization extends to worm appearances with hats, glasses, moustaches, and trinkets, plus victory dances and gravestones for defeated worms. The game incorporates a humorous narrative delivered by narrator Don Keystone, voiced by Matt Berry, with scripts from Dean Wilkinson. Physics-driven destruction ensures no two matches play out the same, as exploding objects and water flows alter the battlefield dynamically.
Core mechanics include:
- Class-specific abilities that influence team composition and strategy.
- Environmental interactions, such as using water to drown foes or physics items for explosive combos.
- A wide weapon set, including utilities like the Stick Up for stealing items and the Water Strike for area effects.
Is It Worth Playing?
For fans of turn-based strategy with a lighthearted twist, Worms Revolution holds up well even years after release. It appeals to those who enjoy tactical depth mixed with humor and destruction, especially in multiplayer settings with friends. Player reviews from its launch period highlight its appeal to series veterans, praising the class system and water mechanics as fresh additions. With no major updates since 2013, the game remains in its original state, but its single-player content provides solid replay value through campaigns and puzzles. If you prefer strategic games that reward clever planning over fast action, this one delivers consistent fun without ongoing commitments like seasons or live services.
