Customer Reviews

Worms: A Space Oddity

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Don't get me wrong; this is a great improvement on the classic series in some ways. The new controls (which could only be done on the Wii) are perfect once you get them down, which shouldn't take very long at all. The mini games (which are also the boss levels) are a worthy addition as well.

About the controls: like any Wii game worth owning, the controls are unique to this game and must be learned. I know some people hate having to learn something new, and prefer doing the same old thing over and over again, so this game may not be good for those people. However, the controls are VERY easy to learn and most people can expect to pick them up very quickly. Others may struggle some, but the problem there is not the game...

If you're new to Worms, the first thing you need to know is that it's very "hit-or-miss," meaning that people either love it or don't care for it at all... most people end up loving it though. It's incredibly unique, comical, really violent yet not violent at all at the same time, and it blends strategy with real time action in a way that no other game has. This release was geared toward you new comers, making it the easiest Worms ever to learn. I would always recommend Worms to anyone who hasn't tried it yet and thinks it looks interesting.

However, I've been a fan of the series since before it was even available in the US and I've played many different installments over the years. This is, in a way, a new breed of Worms. The animation and controls are unlike anything we've seen before and honestly I love them. The only problem is that this game was made to expand their target market, not to please current fans. I say this because, for a Worms game, it is extremely easy and fairly shallow. I'm rather surprised at how few levels there are and how similar they all are in style. I feel like there should be at least 5 more utilities to choose from (there are only 15 which can get old a bit too quickly) and there could be a lot more customization options too. This isn't a DS version... this is a Wii game and as such, it should be absolutely brimming with these things. After all, the variety was what made the repetitive game play so fresh when you keep coming back for more. I get what they were trying to do with the whole space theme, but I far preferred having one level in space and the rest of the levels all designed with completely unique styles from each other. I'm pretty sure they cut some of the variety that Worms fans have come to love and expect in exchange for disc space containing all of the animation that is worked right into game play (even the background seems to come alive). But the most important thing you'll probably want to know is that veterans can expect to beat Story Mode in about 7 hours, which is absurdly short. The reason for this is because it is by FAR the easiest Worms adventure you've ever seen. I breezed right through the first 3 worlds, which is half of the game. I'm about to finish the whole game and I just bought it. The customization does not live up to the standards that had already been set; you don't get to give your team a name and you only get to name 4 worms. I remember a time when you could have more than 4 worms on a team, and it was a lot better. It seems like this release also offers a lot less voices than usual, though the options that do exist are pretty good (narrator is probably my favorite). Open Warfare for the DS lasted me longer than this. In fact, that has A LOT more to it... which is really confusing to me. How can that even be possible considering the difference in the total amount of information that can be stored? Online play would have more than made-up for this, but they chose to ignore an incredible opportunity. I really wish I knew why they opted not to give people what they so obviously want (the ability to wage war with complete strangers around the globe) but if they had, this game would have had far more lasting appeal.

One thing that both veterans and newcomers should know is that unless you've got a really big TV, a lot of this game is too small. I can't even tell what I'm looking at sometimes. Also, the camera controls are extremely buggy and sometimes wont register at all, wasting valuable time for my turn. I really can't understand how they let it hit the shelves without fixing that first because seriously... it's really bad sometimes.

I know this might sound like a negative review, but I still don't regret getting the game at all. I LOVE Worms, and I love what they added to it. I just wish it didn't feel like they took so much away too.

Too many features cater towards the motion remote, but are not needed. Example - the digging tool: in order to dig, you press the button and then need to wave the remote around, back and forth in order to dig. This is ridiculous, as are some of the other required motion-needed actions. Some are greatly enhanced though, such as guiding bombs and using steering techniques in single player mode to steer the spaceship out of the atmosphere.

The controls are a bit tricky and annoying at time. I am still accidentally jumping to my own death because the "yes" button on the menus is the same as the "jump" button in game mode. Plus, everything is controlled by one hand, mainly - your one thumb, which hurts your joint after 5 minutes of playing. A great addition to this game is a ZOOM button. There are three distances you can watch the game at, but unfortunately, the default resolution is way too small to read anything. The tutorials are printed at this size and it's hard to make out any text or instructional graphics to help you understand the basics. Still a great game!

CONS:
*Only 3 worms per army (instead of 5)
*Thumb hurts from one-handed controls
*Small graphics (can't read most stuff)
*Less voices than previous games

PROS
*Still great 2D format
*Never ending enjoyment from multi-player mode

UPDATE:
---------------------
I sold this game after a few months of owning it - the motion controls got to me and drove me insane. I ALSO realized that they finally released a NORMAL (non-motion controlled) version of the game "WORMS: BATTLE ISLANDS" that I just bought. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND TIME and dont buy this game - look into Battle Islands.

Ahh Worms. A long running series that seems to get less publicity then it should.

For those who may be seeing the game for the first time, here is the basics of Worms games. You create your own team of worms. You choose things like worm names, your teams special weapon, voices, and gravestone upon death. Then the mayhem begins. You can go through the single player experience which is enjoyable and gives you a feel for the weapons and how to correctly use them as you complete missions and other exercises. Multiplayer is even more fun as everyone brings their team to the battle and tries to destroy each others team using a whole array of weapons.

Space Oddity goes to the roots of Worms games and is in its classic 2D. The Wiimote works extremely well for weapon use and play in the game. A downside is that the Wii game seems to be void of anything online. Where as XBox Live has it cheaper to buy and has online play.

This is a fun game for all ages and once you dive into the wackiness you will find that you wished you had found this series sooner.

I love the worms series but this game was simply unplayable. It was hard to tell which worm was which on my 30" TV. The pan and zoom functions were HORRIBLE; sometimes I would throw something and blow myself up just to reset the camera. I love to blow up my friends, especially with exploding sheep, but the controls were so frustrating that I gave up. I was thinking of buying this game but decided to rent it first just in case; I'm so glad I did! It's sad though because I love the series and would have happily spent the money on this game if only the camera controls worked.

Short review from fan of Worms series. Worms are too small .. cannot see worms expressions or weapons details which were part of the fun. Very short list of "weapons". Controls are odd as implemented via Wii controller. Movement of worms is even worse. No online play. Don't bother buying 'A Space Oddity' even if you are new to the series. Wait for something better from Team 17 who should certainly have done something more with this one.

For anyone who has played worms on the PC, you will not be happy with this game. It's completely lacking of fun and features and is most definitely not a $50 wii game. Endless Ocean for the wii is a better quality game then this and that is only $29.99. If anyone actually wants to buy this game they should wait for the price drop as the quality just isn't worth the price. The graphics are subpar compared to other wii games, and the setup menus are hard to make out and read. There are only a handful of weapons to choose from, most of which are hard to use. The laser was the only thing that could get you a guaranteed kill, but you need a steady hand to keep the crosshairs on the target. There is also no online play. Anyone who is thinking about buying this game should go out and rent it first to find out if they like it. This game was produced by THQ, the same group that released Company of Heros and Frontline fuels of war. Both PC games that required several patches to be playable, something you can't do for a wii game.

When I learned that Team 17 was making a worms game for the Wii I was initially excited. It seemed that they finally had a platform that would allow them to mingle the creativity of the franchise with the special interactivity the Wii controller provided. Sadly, they fell short in many areas and left those who have enjoyed this series in the lurch.

It's all been summed up already - too few weapons, repetitive character voices, and minigames so devoid of challenge one wonders if they outsourced the programming to a Junior High computer club. The programming efforts are just POOR. It feels rushed, as if a beta version had to be sent out because of some corporate deadline. Case in point: Whenever a level is loaded, you briefly see the game screen before a splash page abruptly comes up displaying a few statistics. The menu screen is also a nuisance to navigate. As for gameplay, there's some fun to be had, but it gets so repetitive after 15 minutes you get bored.

$50.00? That won't last long. $29.99 is more like it (as another reviewer said), and even then there are better games out there. Its too bad really. Worms is a very clever, very engaging turn based strategy game, but this version is a beta version of what should have been created.

What should be in this game?
1) ONLINE MULTIPLAYER (ZOMG you know, like the Worms games they made 10 YEARS AGO!)
2) More variety in weapons. (where's the baseball bat, prod, old lady, holy hand grenade, banana bomb, etc...? I know you can't put everything in, but how much harder would it have been?)
3) More 1 player levels / unlockables. (10 years ago we had way more levels to explore)
4) More variety in voices. (When a worm dies it says the same thing twice every time. Seriously...)
5) Some polish. (Abrupt splash pages begone!)

Where they did a good job:
1) Animated cut scenes. Very cute and fun.
2) Excellent use of the Wii controller for moving worms / aiming weapons.
3) Ummm... Nothing else comes to mind. I bought it 3 weeks ago and haven't played it for the last 2.

If they ever come out with Worms 2: Armageddon as a Wii download I'll be the first one to buy. As for this... I want my $49.99 back!

Another good worms game, but there are better versions.

I was hoping for more of the same kind of play as the older worms titles. I'm not a great fan of the 3D versions, but it is still fun. Just not as addictive as some of the old versions.

I'd buy it again, but only at used prices.

This is a fun game but it is a little different getting used to the Wii version. Also, there aren't as many weapons but you are able to customize levels and is pretty fun. It isn't as great as some of the classic Worms games that I have played before but still interesting.

as a mom i am not into alot of video games, so my teen son got this one because "it is slow enough for you to use, mom". i love it. i can participate in fmaily vidoe night now, instead of being stuck just watcing because i'm not fast enough to participate in the drivingor fighting games. and the things the worms say are just hilarious!!! ll of us take turns plunging to our death because we hit the wrong button, but that is part of the fun and laughter. this has worked great in our house for family game night. dnrmom