For nearly a decade, the Worms franchise reigned supreme as the king of 2D turn-based artillery games. Known for its quirky humor, destructive environments, and simple yet deep mechanics, the series faced its biggest challenge in 2003: the jump to the third dimension. Worms 3D was Team17’s ambitious attempt to translate the beloved formula of exploding invertebrates and strategic trajectory into a fully realized 3D space. It was a pivotal moment for the series, aiming to capture the hearts of long-time fans while appealing to a new generation of gamers accustomed to the 3D gaming revolution. The result was a colorful, chaotic, and surprisingly technical experience that redefined how players interacted with the iconic Worms world.
While the Worms series has never been known for a sprawling epic narrative, Worms 3D provides a rich thematic backdrop for its mindless violence. The game places players in control of a customizable squad of worms who are seemingly at perpetual war across various surreal landscapes. From lush tropical islands and pirate-infested coves to spooky graveyards and futuristic moon bases, the settings are as much a character as the worms themselves. The "story" is largely told through the immersive single-player mode, where players complete specific challenges and secret missions that unlock new landscapes and sound sets. Each mission is peppered with the series' signature British humor, giving a sense of personality to the tiny soldiers fighting for dominance in a world that is literally falling apart around them.
Worms 3D retains the turn-based strategic core that made its predecessors famous but introduces the complexity of a Z-axis. Players take turns controlling individual worms within a set time limit, moving across fully deformable landscapes. The addition of 3D depth means that aiming is no longer just about vertical angle and power; players must now account for horizontal aim and the varying wind speeds that can carry a projectile off-course.
The game features an impressive arsenal of bizarre weaponry. Classics like the Banana Bomb, which explodes into multiple smaller sub-munitions, and the Holy Hand Grenade, accompanied by its famous choir chant, return with updated 3D visuals. Other favorites like the flying Super Sheep, Earthquakes, and Air Strikes allow for creative ways to dispatch enemies. Because the terrain is fully destructible, players can dig tunnels to hide from incoming fire or blow out the ground from beneath an opponent to send them plunging into the water below. Multiplayer remains the heart of the experience, supporting up to four players in local or online matches where team customization—from names and voices to gravestones—allows for a personalized touch to the carnage.
This game was released on several platforms, including the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo GameCube, ensuring that fans of all major consoles could join the fray.
Worms 3D remains a divisive but significant entry in the franchise's history. At the time of its release, it was praised for its technical achievement in maintaining fully destructible 3D terrain—a feat that was difficult to optimize for early 2000s hardware. While some purists felt the 3D perspective made the game more difficult to play compared to the precision of 2D entries like Worms Armageddon, many appreciated the new layer of strategy. Its success paved the way for sequels like Worms 4: Mayhem and eventually the high-definition compilation, Worms Ultimate Mayhem. It proved that the spirit of Worms—the humor, the chaos, and the "one more round" addiction—could survive and thrive outside of a flat plane.
Games
Worms 3D
Seller: retrogameplace
Country of origin: Spain
Status: loose
Description: Jeu Worms 3D pour console Playstation 2 (PS2) Tran... show more Jeu Worms 3D pour console Playstation 2 (PS2) Transformez vos après-midis en véritables batailles épiques avec Worms 3D, un jeu salué par les joueurs pour son mélange parfait entre stratégie et humour... show less
