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Intro
The
idea of combining the Worms franchise with the Bust-A-Move series
brings to mind something with the potential to be the most addictive game ever
created. You can rest easy however, as your free time isn't going to be sucked
up as much as it would seem as Worms Blast is a port that fails to take
advantage of the PC. However, with over 60 mini games, you might want to make
some free time in advance - just in case.
Gameplay: 7.5/10
Replace the dinosaurs
and their friends from Bust-A-Move with two worms from the Worms
series, as well as a host of other misfits -- including a deadly pigeon, an escaped
old-folk's-home resident, a skunk, and a cape-wearing sheep -- and you get about
fifty percent of what Worms brings to the title. The other half is the
charging meter; anyone who has played one of the previous installments of Team
17's ongoing series will recognize it. The longer the fire button is held when
using a weapon, the longer and larger the firing line becomes, which indicates
the power of the shot. Like Bust-A-Move, players will have to shoot colored
balls with their colored bullet, while using the charge meter to get to the trickier
spots.
The BAM-influenced puzzles
aren't the only means of presenting challenges as there is a host of mini-games
awaiting the player. Traveling a world map in a small boat, the player will choose
destinations and will have to complete that spot's puzzle. They can range from
the example above to a Centipede-esque escape game, to catching falling stars.
As free as the world may seem, the locations aren't as open-ended as they appear,
and although beating one may unlock a new level, backtracking will need to be
done before a new stage will be opened.
If traversing a cartoon map isn't your thing, there's always the tournament mode
or the ability to play with a friend. The tournament features the 60 mini-games
from the puzzle mode, playable in any order, instead of puzzle's crapshoot. Scores
will be ranked and tallied here, but it's mostly enjoyable since playing the less-enjoyable
levels isn't required. So, whether you want to shoot falling targets with a shotgun
or search through crates to find that lovely laser to cut through obstacles, they're
all here ready to be played. Winning
isn't just about gauging the shot to land on the desired target; there will be
stones that will deflect most weapons placed all over a level to make hitting
a spot all that much more difficult. Another carry-over from BAM is the
line additions; these are for the puzzles where every shot needs to be as effective
as possible, because if they're wasted, the entire puzzle will end up falling
onto the character. Misfired shots will also carry penalties as the color hit
will turn into the color of the projectile; this is very effective and brings
a heavy strategic element to the game. Time limitations will also play a large
role, especially since it seems that there is never enough of it.
As fun as some of the levels are, Worms Blast does have its problems. Multiplayer
and its various modes -- including deathmatch, line falling, catching stars, etc.
-- are fun, but having two people huddled around a keyboard cuts down on how long
each session will last. Control also hampers some of the levels: the characters
move at a slower pace for some situations and it can make a fun puzzle needlessly
difficult. Even when they are supposedly speedy characters, they always seem to
move as if something is dragging them back. The characters also have lifebars,
which are lowered when a projectile lands on them, or when they run into rocks;
the problem with this is that, since most objects will deplete the entire bar
in one hit, it's pointless for most of the game.
Graphics: 8.5/10
I really enjoyed the vibrant colors and smooth character
animations. The backgrounds are still images, but they manage to carry the game's
island theme and are varied enough to be entertaining for what they are. The character
designs were also a plus because hey, who doesn't love a sheep with a cape riding
a motorized banana? The animations were also very well done and really bring the
visuals to a cartoon level of quality.
Sound: 7/10
The music here
is mostly made up of the floaty drums that are most often associated with the
Caribbean. The bongo drums are present in full force and go along well with the
visuals. The music can get old after a while, but it's around that time that the
game itself loses its steam, so most sessions won't end with the speakers getting
turned down. I do wish some more comments were added, like the ones found in Worms.
Control: 6.5/10
This is where WB
really screams port. The mouse takes a vacation as the keyboard is given full
reign of the action and navigation. Using the mouse would have been ideal as targeting/firing
and moving could've utilized both buttons and made the action much quicker. Due
to the characters' lack of speed, the controls seem to react slow, and as a result,
severe key-mashing will occur. Sure, they're more than serviceable; they just
aren't optimized for enjoyment.
Overall:
7/10
Worms Blast is an enjoyable title with an attractive MSRP of
$19.99. The use of both the Worms and Bust-A-Move franchises was
handled well, and I don't think much more could've been added, though it often
comes off as a mish-mash rather than the heavenly match that they would seem to
be. The levels' different speeds might also turn off those who are used to taking
their time, while other levels might bore the BAM aficionados. Still, with
over 60 puzzles and the game's naturally addictive nature, it's an inherently
enjoyable title, and at that price, it's well worth checking out. [
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