Worms 2: Armageddon is the sequel to the recent revival of a long-standing franchise called Worms. This is a game based on turn-based strategy, yet it is also a 2D shooter by all intensive means. Players will have access to varying weapons as more turns have passed, depending on the game mode this can range from bazookas, grenades, shotguns, the Uzi, to even more eccentric weaponry such as sheep that explode on impact, super sheep, air strikes, poison bombs, holy hand grenades, and even the dreaded Armageddon (a hail of fiery asteroids destroying nearly everything on the screen).

Worms 2: Armageddon is essentially the reunion of Worms players worldwide to the PlayStation Network. In this title we see an addition of many weapons since the last PSN title as well as gameplay enhancements such as a better random landscape generator, a better user interface, and a much better ranked match experience. Now, instead of just playing the same style of match against opponents, various game styles will be selected at random for you and your enemy to face off in. These include Standard, Pro, Crazy Crates, Fort, and more. Crazy Crates, for those who don't know, is a mode in which the weapon and utility pickup crates drop in mass and give players the chance to turn the tides with each moment.

This mode and the others now included in the ranked section of the multiplayer provide a much more intense and competitive experience. When you boot up the game and hop on to play a ranked session, there's always some one joining immediately. It's great to see this game getting the playtime it deserves on the PlayStation 3, and even greater to see that the bulk of the people playing aren't noobs and will give challenge to even the most skilled Worms players.

Beyond that you can expect to see all of the campaign missions in the Worms: Reloaded title recently released on Steam. These missions offer a gradual, well-paced way for newcomers to learn the game, become great at it, and for veterans to sharpen their skills again. Graphically the game looks better than ever. Truth be told, Worms has never looked or run this good on a PlayStation console until now. The trophies will have you rocking out for days trying to complete epic tasks in the Worms 2: Armageddon world and provide a much more deep experience than last time around. Issues with the engine itself have also been fixed, leaving this game running almost as smooth as its PC counterpart.

Sadly the full-featured map editor in the PC version is nowhere to be found again. This is a bit of a let-down, but the random landscape generator has been improved and offers a lot more variety and complexity in the levels, which is great. I would have loved to see completely custom maps, but certain perks in the PSN version of the game definitely make up for this, such as the massive community of players that exist for the title.

In this iteration of the game the player's worms actually show emotion and will be screaming when in danger. Although this is a small touch, it's a nice one to have. Helmets in the game (a.k.a. hats) that are exclusive to this title such as the Helghast and MotorStorm helmets are definitely a nice touch as well, and really give it that PlayStation feel.

In the shop you can customize your team with everything from unlockable hats, landscapes, weaponry, extra campaigns, forts, and gravestones. Yes, when your worms die they will have gravestones. Points, or gold, for this mode is unlocked through playing through the campaign mode of the game.

I think it's also great and worth mentioning that they have included Local Matches still in the title. You can pick up a controller and pass it around as each person in your household takes a turn at blowing people away. If you have a bunch of controllers, even better. This is something your average gamer really can't accomplish comfortably on the PC, and so it's a definite plus for the console gamer. Leaderboards are also back, and that is the entire incentive behind the ranked matches. You think you are one of the best Worms players in the world? Prove it.

All in all, I'd say that this game offers more of the same great turn-based shooting that you can expect from the franchise, only better. There hasn't been a game to run this smooth from the series on the PS3 yet, or any PlayStation for that matter, and this alone is reason for desiring the title. If you need any further motivation just know that while this game may seem simplistic and easy to pick up and play, and it is, it's also terribly addicting and never ceases to evolve and deliver on fun factor. If it featured the complete map editor from Worms: Reloaded, it would be very close to a full masterpiece. As it stands, everything is here for the best Worms experience yet.

• Title: Worms 2: Armageddon

  

• Platform Reviewed: PS3
• Developer: Team17
• Publisher: Team17
• Release Date: Available Now
• MSRP: $14.99
• Review Copy Info: A download voucher for this title was provided to DualShockers Inc, for purposes of this review.