Review- Worms Forts

If it don't suck, don't fix it.

Lowdown:
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Team 17
Genre: Turn-Based Strategy
Players: 1-4
Price: $20

I am a huge Worms fan. I even have the original Worms. So, naturally, when Worms Forts came out, I just had to have it. I started the game off with the tutorial, which tell you how to play. It seemed simple enough, so I started a quick game against the computer only to be beat to a pulp. There's a lot of strategy involved in this game, but the idea is simple: build forts and destroy the enemy's.
The first thing I noticed when the game began was the level. The levels are now all square in shape with some sort of giant "thing" in the middle obstructing your view of the enemy's base, that is always in the opposite corner. Frustrating? Yes! Another thing I don't like is the fact that there are only two weapons usable all the time: the bazooka, and the grenade. All other weapons must be used from the top of buildings. The bigger and more powerful the weapon, the bigger the building you will have to build to use it.
The weapons themselves are quite cool, though. They range from giant crossbows, to lasers, to exploding chili, to flying hippos! One thing I find strange is that your team can only have a maximum of four worms. What happened to six? I also don't like the wonder. The wonder is a statue that, when built, the other team must destroy in two turns or you win. It seems like cheating to me. You do have to work to earn one, though. There are spots on the arena with stars called "victory locations". The more buildings you build on them, the more buildings will become available. Once you have two, you can build a keep, then more gets you a castle and so on. Buildings are limited, however. You may only build one wonder (which you need over five or more victory locations to construct), six towers, etc.
Overall, the game is pretty fun. Team 17 has really added to the strategic aspect of Worms in this latest installment, although the game looses some of its original charm. The point of the game is to destroy the other team's fort instead of its worms (you can still win that way, though), and the game looses its insane, frantic, landscape-destroying action from previous games. But, for 20 bucks, it's affordable and fairly fun.

Breakdown:
Graphics: Good, cartoony worms style.- 7
Sound: Happy, wormish music that goes with the level. Effects and voices are excellent.- 8
Controls: Easy to learn.- 9.5
Lasting Appeal: Depends. - 8.5
Overall: 7.5