Worms Rumble Adds Battle Royale and Real-Time Combat To Series Formula
The Worms franchise is making a comeback in a big way with Worms Rumble. This brand new take on the series replaces the classic turn-based formula with real-time combat, and introduces a 32-player battle royale mode. While the game still includes the wacky weapons, costumes, and voice lines from the original series, this is a Worms like never before.
Traditionally, Worms is a 2D turn-based strategy game where players take turns attempting to damage one another with a large arsenal of weapons ranging from a simple pistol to an exploding sheep. Each turn, a worm can only move so far before using a weapon or gadget. One to four teams take turns moving each worm one at a time until only one team of worms remains. But Worms Rumble is changing the classic formula completely by adding real-time combat into the mix.
The announcement trailer for Worms Rumble was uploaded to the official PlayStation YouTube channel, and it showcases a montage of chaotic gunfights. With the introduction of real-time combat, players will no longer take turns controlling a group of worms, but they will control a single worm who can move and shoot freely for the duration of the match. A tweet posted by PlayStation stated there will be "three explosive real-time games [sic] modes," which referred to the game's deathmatch and solo battle royale. and squad battle royale modes. The trailer also showcased a variety of changes made to the core gameplay of the Worms franchise.
While Worms is no stranger to changing up its own formula, Worms Rumble is an absolute first for the series in more ways than one. An iconic mechanic in every Worms title is its destructible environments, but nostalgic announcement trailer did not show any environments being destroyed even when hit with explosives. A tweet from the official Worms Twitter did state that there will be "elements of destruction. While movement in Worms Rumble is based on the series' classic 2D movement, worms can now wall jump to reach higher terrain. Graphically, Worms Rumble has ditched the pixel sprites for newer 3D models and environments.
Worms Rumble gives the series a fresh coat of paint, with every battle taking place in real-time. This online competitive multiplayer experience also features cross-platform capability allowing players on PS4 to play with those on PC. Players can also customize their worms using in-game currency and can partake in seasonal events as well as daily activities to unlock different cosmetics. Worms Rumble will release later this year in celebration of Worms' 25th Anniversary, and a closed beta for the game will start on July 15.
Source: Team17, PlayStation