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New demos on Nintendo Channel: Timely Worms demo and others
Nintendo has added a new set of DS demos to the Wii Nintendo Channel, which in general is a happy development. However, the particular titles that Nintendo has chosen to advertise may not be of interest to you, with one possible exception. Without a doubt, the highlight of this week's offerings (online until June 8) is a Worms: Open Warfare 2 demo. Try it out right now, and if you like it, you can pick it up for $10 at Gamestop! We're personally interested in the Cake Mania 2 demo, but other than that, it's Disney's show. If this were TV and you were 12, that would be great, but in terms of DS game content? Not so awesome. Hit the break for the full, fully underwhelming list.
There's more to Worms than not being online
The majority of coverage for Worms: A Space Oddity has focused on the lack of online play (including the title and first sentence of this post). However, lots of Worms games have been offline-only (if only because so many of them predate online capabilities in game consoles), and fixating on that disappointment draws attention away from the other aspects of the game, which include: the whole game. Four new trailers for the game focus on the game's new or updated weapons, like the Robo-Sheep seen here. The Robo-Sheep is like a regular sheep, but robotic, because it's more sci-fi that way. Also you can move the Wiimote up to make it jump before exploding.
Malwarez project grows virtual 3D organisms from vicious code
Ever had an urge to really get a visual on what masterfully written predatory code would look like if allowed to grow into a 3D organism? Okay, so maybe that hasn't been on the forefront of your mind recently, but there's no denying that Alex Dragulescu's Malwarez project is quite the source of eye candy. According to its maker, the aforementioned initiative is a "series of visualization of worms, viruses, trojans and spyware code," and their "frequency, density and grouping are mapped to the inputs of an algorithm that grows a virtual 3D entity." Who knew viruses could look so dreamy?[Thanks, Danger Mouse]
Worms: A No-Online Oddity
Some of you might have noticed the absence of Worms: A Space Oddity in our "awesome games that you forgot about" list; that omission was deliberate (and not an ironic "awesome game that we forgot about"), as we'd heard rumors that the strategy title's promised Nintendo WiFi Connection support had been cut. No online? No sale. IGN Australia confirmed in a recent preview that developer Team 17 has left out the online multiplayer and WiiConnect24 downloadable content features we were looking forward to. The hands-on impressions also has details on the level editor and new weapons, but those points seem overshadowed by the missing online support. Why wasn't this a high priority item on Team 17's docket? And what reason would any level-headed gamer have to purchase A Space Oddity over the online-enabled, $20-dollars-cheaper Worms: Open Warfare 2 on the DS? %Gallery-11246%
Wii Worms not getting online multiplayer
Worms: A Space Oddity for Wii will not include online multiplayer like developer Team17 had previously announced. ShackNews confirmed the info with THQ and the publisher put some great spin on the situation saying, "Worms: A Space Oddity is a social gaming experience that is best enjoyed locally, in a party-game atmosphere with other players." Take that online-enabled Worms Open Warfare 2 on DS and PSP! Hey, Worms on XBLA -- online play is so last-gen! So go find yourself some real life friends and enjoy Worms: A Space Oddity on Wii in March.
Worms: A Space Oddity screens wriggle to the surface
We love us some Worms, particularly those of the superior 2D variety, so news that the Wii would be getting its very own title dedicated to the soft-bodied invertebrates raised spirits somewhat in the NWF dungeons. These new shots of Worms: A Space Oddity follow up from October's lone trailer (which you can view after the post break), and certainly live up to the "Space " bit in the title; those green worms look reassuringly Martian. All being well, the antagonistic annelids should be touching down on Earth around next March, though considering its cheapness on PC and Xbox Live Arcade, anyone else think a budget price might be in order here? %Gallery-11246%
Worms downloadable content arrives every other Friday
Those with the PSP version of Worms: Open Warfare 2 will want to boot up the UMD and head into Infrastructure mode. The critter-filled action game has new downloadable content, and will continue to get new expansions, every other Friday into November. Each update will feature one additional map and landscape each. However, the first update included six flags (Yin Yan, Shotgun, Victory, UFO, Pointing and Peace) and four landscapes (Winter, Tugboat, Robot and Race). It's a nice, free way of extending the life of your game.
Metareview: Worms: Open Warfare 2
The recent Worms: Open Warfare 2 only has a few major reviews under its metaphorical belt thus far, but if the current scoring trend continues, the title will take its place among some of the most beloved titles on the system. The latest Worms installment has racked up some high praise and has already snagged the 20th slot on Metacritic's list of the highest-ranked DS games. Of course, as more reviews roll in, all of that could change -- but for now, things are looking good for the wiggly warriors. IGN -- 87%: "Worms: Open Warfare 2 is a massive upgrade to the original game, so much so that it really should have been its own brand instead of "Number Two" of the 2005 release. Awesome single player campaigns, fantastic multiplayer support, and some unexpected treats specific to the unique features of the handheld. It absolutely trounces the first game in every category and finally gives the Nintendo DS the true Worms experience." 1UP -- 90%: "The first Open Warfare squashed the prolific series' typically sharp and colorful visuals into a fuzzy mess, and offered essentially one mode (skirmish). Open Warfare 2 simply blows it away with the first truly engaging Worms single-player campaign, an absolute bounty of customization options, the deep multiplayer we've come to expect from the series (with Wi-Fi this time), and even some entertaining DS-specific minigames. This is truly a Worms to be excited about, with portability that plays to the strengths of the series."
Worms going to space on Wii
We're really interested in the newly announced Worms: A Space Oddity that THQ is bringing to the Wii in spring of 2008, and it's not just because the Wiimote is a perfect fit for the turn-based action game. No, we're more curious about how, exactly, one goes about making Worms into a console game again after its release in its $10 downloadable Xbox Live Arcade form. Wii will have four-player online play, but XBLA already has that. There's also apparently a "fresh visual style," you'll have to ask Worms 3D how that worked out. Don't get us wrong, we love Worms, we're just curious how they'll make it seem like a full-priced game again. If they pull it off, we'll be the first in line.
Worms Open Warfare 2 downloadable demo
The upcoming Infrastructure-enabled Worms Open Warfare 2 is going to hit PSP later this year. Until then, enjoy this free downloadable demo from THQ. Requires firmware 3.52 or above. 1. Download the demo zip file. 2. Extract the contents of the zip file. 3. Connect your PSP to your computer using a USB cable. 4. Go to the PSP/GAME folder. 5. Copy ULED90045 folder into the GAME directory. Make sure there are no sub-directories in this folder. Check out our new demos site: demos.pspfanboy.com
Worms: Open Warfare 2 vid shows off new modes
The most recent video for Worms: Open Warfare 2 looks like a big improvement over the last game. The backgrounds look a lot more detailed, and the additional weapons and gameplay modes sound pretty fun. Who couldn't love a gameplay mode called Concrete Donkey vs The Buffalo of Lies?
Worms Music and Terrains crawl on Marketplace
A bunch of new Worms content hit Marketplace today. First off, outside of the game, there are a themes and gamer pictures for 150 and 100 MS Points, respectively. Inside the game, there is a Music Pack, which is free to download. On the pay side of things, for 150 MS Points a piece, Desert and Manhattan are available for the invertebrate internecion between you and your friends. That all being said, we got one report from X3F reader Tucker that the update broke his game, though no other such scenarios have come in, so be careful out there, San Diego.
New Worms content wriggles out tomorrow
They say good things come to those who wait, and that may be more true for Worms fans than most. It took a long time and a massive heap of internet rage before Worms finally made it onto Xbox Live Arcade, but it was worth the wait for purists. Said purists may now rejoice a second time, as the new downloadable content (DLC to the kids) will be available tomorrow on Xbox Live. There will be 3 new landscapes available. The Space Landscape (pictured above) is free, while the Hell and Jungle Landscapes will set you back 150 points each. Perhaps the most exciting news, 22 new voice banks will be available for free. Finally, our Angry Scottish, Redneck (presents!), and Irish worms can rise again. Expect the new content to hit the ground running wriggling tomorrow.
New Worms content on Xbox Live tomorrow
Don't feel bad, it happens to everyone. You're blowing up annelids with a stick of dynamite or remote-controlled sheep, and you suddenly realize that you're just going through the motions. The visceral thrill is gone, it's just the same old ninja ropes attaching to the same old snow banks. Fear not, wormy warrior, a cure for your deja vu is coming tomorrow with three new landscapes for Worms on Xbox Live. The first, the "Space" landscape seen above, is a freebie, but you'll have to drop 150 points ($1.87) for each of the other two: "Hell" and "Jungle." If you need to recover from all the spending of points, there's one more bit of free content: Twenty-two new packs of worm voices have been added. And yes, they include "Russian" and "DoubleOhSeven" meaning you can finally pit James Bond against Teddy KGB in the Worms arena ... the way God intended. [Via Pro-G]
Next Worms game to have exclusive features on PSP
We know that Worms: Open Warfare 2 is coming to both Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. So, how are the two versions different? Well, both feature online (Infrastructure) play, but the PSP version will have a few features that Nintendo's handheld won't be able to offer. In an interview with IGN, director Martyn Brown revealed that the game will have additional leaderboards and the ability to share user-created levels with others. "With the PSP version, each user can upload a number of their custom created landscapes to be stored on the game's server, and those landscapes can then be downloaded by other users at any time. The PSP version also has extended community features, enabling players to form clans and compete against other clans, as well as send messages to other players who are connected to the game server (aka WormNet)." The PSP version will also have a few more customization options for Worms teams, and a "Time Attack" mode, "which are missions that see the player use the Ninja Rope, Parachute or Jetpack to race around a landscape, guiding their worm to an exit point in the shortest amount of time possible." We're excited to see Team 17 acknowledge the PSP's robust hardware capabilities and take advantage of it. When Worms: Open Warfare 2 comes later this year.
Worms: Open Warfare 2 gets the preview treatment
Over at IGN, they got their hands on an early build of Team 17's upcoming sequel to the horribly-received Worms: Open Warfare. With Worms: Open Warfare 2, the developer is set to make right the mistakes of the first title, confirming that Wi-Fi gameplay will be included this time around (get ready for Game Night, you silly little worms) and changing the core team out that worked on the original for Two Tribes. IGN confirms that just about everything has been improved; graphics are better, gameplay is more smooth (including the ninja rope) and the sound is way more crisp. What's most interesting, though, is the new "Laboratory" game type, which charges players with navigating a worm from one edge of the map to the other using a variety of the DS's unique features (blowing into the microphone etc.). See also: Worms: Open Warfare 2 trailer hits the internet trenches
Worms Open Warfare 2 gets serious about online
Worms Open Warfare 2 is getting serious about online. Not only does it feature Infrastructure play, it will offer a plethora of other features that will make it one of the most fully-featured online titles on our handheld. IGN's recent preview notes that "you can even create clans, text chat, track your online stats, share battlefields you've created in the level editor." Of course, that's not all. Like Wipeout, the game will have a great deal of longevity thanks to its downloadable content. Players will be able to "download some of the classic maps from previous Worms games via the title's online capabilities." With all these new features, Open Warfare 2 looks like a substantial upgrade to the franchise's previous iteration.
Worms: Open Warfare 2 trailer hits the internet trenches
When we revealed yesterday that a sequel to Worms: Open Warfare would be gracing the DS, complete with Wi-Fi Connect compatible multiplayer, we didn't realize that there was a trailer somewhere out there on the internet. After navigating the vast sea of tubes that comprises said intertron, we finally found our destination. We hastily caught the massive trailer in our nets and wrestled it on board. Now that the chefs had time to prepare it, it's ready for you past the post break. [Via Gaming Bits]
Worms goes Infrastructure in Open Warfare 2
This is what the original Worms: Open Warfare needed! Infrastructure multiplayer. None of this silly Ad-Hoc play. Finally, for those of us that don't have friends, we can take part in online Worms mayhem. Not only will this be an "international" affair, THQ is promising "stats and leaderboards." Not only that, "this time round you can create your own custom landscapes; as well as team flags, modified hats, tombstones, victory dances and more."A handful of new modes will be available in the sequel, including "Rope Race, Forts, Puzzle and Campaign modes. There's even a new Firing Range to try your hand at the 11 new weapons: such as the Bunker Buster, Buffalo of Lies, Super Sheep, Concrete Donkey and Holy Hand Grenades!" We have no idea what that means, but it sounds exciting, no?See a trailer, after the cut.[Via Joystiq]
Next portable Worms playable online
We do not know when, but there will come a day. And on this day, you will see millions of digital worms flying through the air, rocketing at the speed of information through the walls of your home. Do not be alarmed! You are not having coke-and-alcohol-fueled hallucination. (Note to Christian Slater: You are.) For the rest of you, this sight will herald the release of Worms: Open Warfare 2 on the DS and PSP, which THQ has announced will feature online multiplayer. The company has dropped a handful of details about the next iteration of the venerable annelidic series, including new modes like Rope Race and the Firing Range. There's also some new weapons like the intriguingly named Buffalo of Lies and Holy Hand Grenades. (Three-decade old Monty Python gags FTW!) More good news: It's going to be 2D. Still not enough for you? Check out the video, if you have a strong stomach for flying digi-worms.
