Help me find the co-op!
As always Co-Optimus likes to check out the single player component of every game, but it is the co-op that is the meat and potatoes of our interest. Surely a co-operative Worms would be a riot? Only if you include people getting so bored and angry that they start a fight. Firstly, despite what the information says Worms Revolution barely scrapes being called co-op. There is no playing the campaign as a team, nor going online to fight the good fight with friends, instead you have to play locally versus computer AI. The 2 player Skirmish Mode mentioned in our preview may be hidden somewhere in the depths of the game, but I for one cannot find it and I've tried on more than one occasion. If anyone finds it feel free to drop a comment and I will have a look myself!
Setting up a local co-op match is not straight forward and suggests that it was never a core function in Team 17’s eyes. You have to create a game, then either log in on separate pads and accounts, or create clone accounts of player 1 and share the pad between teams. The whole thing is a mess and you end up playing 3 teams versus 1 AI team in a one off deathmatch game, not the full campaign we would have liked. Personally, I think you would be better off playing the old fashioned fake co-op I used to with the older versions of the game; name each worm after one of the players and swap the pad around when it is their turn – simple to understand and available across all versions of Worms.
When you actually set up the game there is the issue of waiting around. A co-op player receives a turn, then the AI, then another player, then the AI again. This means that you can be waiting up to 6 turns before you get to play again. With you mates umming and ahhing and the AI being pretty slow, it can be minutes before you touch the pad again – not indicative for entertainment imo.
Worms Revolution is one of those rare beasts that I think are better played as a versus game. The mechanics are as solid as ever, the weapons are improved and the graphics are crisp. There is also a plethora of annoying/funny British accents on offer as the Worms are despatched. Creating a versus game and going online is where Worms Revolution shines. If you really want to play co-operative do as I suggested and create a fake co-op game, each of you pick a worm and play as them. However, I think the pacing of the game will struggle to entertain you and your house guests. Therefore, better to stick to the solid single player campaign and great versus.
Editor's Note: The Co-Optimus Co-Op review of Worms Revolution was based on the Xbox 360 version of the game.
Verdict
Co-Op Score
Overall
The Co-Op Experience: Team up against the AI in the game's skirmish mode.
Co-Optimus game reviews focus on the cooperative experience of a game, our final score graphic represents this experience along with an average score for the game overall. For an explanation of our scores please check our Review Score Explanation Guide.