Turn-Based Strategy Games of the 2010s Codexery

Worms Ultimate Mayhem

A 3D re-release of Worms 4: Mayhem with added content.

Worms Ultimate Mayhem

Worms Ultimate Mayhem is a 3D turn-based tactics game from 2011, developed by Team17. It’s essentially a re-release of Worms 4: Mayhem, but with upgraded visuals, new content, voice acting for the story mode by Guy Harris, and gameplay tweaks like reworked camera controls. The game also pulls in content from Worms 3D, including that game’s campaign and multiplayer maps. It was released as a digital download for Windows and Xbox 360 in September 2011, and for PlayStation 3 in February 2012.

Like other 3D Worms games, it’s a turn-based artillery strategy where players can move freely in any direction. In the lobby, you pick from a wide range of weapons to use during matches. Each player controls a team of worms, taking turns with one worm at a time within a set time limit. Your turn ends when time runs out, you fire a weapon, or your worm takes damage. The goal is to wipe out all enemy worms, either by depleting their health with weapons (some of which can push or knock them back) or by knocking them into water for an instant kill. The last team standing wins.

Multiplayer supports up to four players, locally or online, with modes like Deathmatch, Homelands, and Statue Defend. Deathmatch is straightforward elimination. Homelands gives each team a home base, and crates can only be collected from the middle area, but the objective is still to eliminate opponents. Statue Defend is similar, but worms respawn at full health in their base when killed, and each base has bird statues—destroy all enemy statues to win. Single-player lets you practice against AI through tutorials, a story mode, challenge mode (all from Worms 4: Mayhem), and a remastered Worms 3D campaign. You earn coins and unlock shop items through single-player play.

All weapons and utilities from Worms 4: Mayhem return, plus the Binoculars from Worms 3D. The arsenal includes classics like the bazooka, fire punch, and concrete donkey, as well as newer additions like the poison arrow, sentry gun, and bovine blitz. You can customize worms with accessories and unique speech banks, and also create custom weapons with new combinations and power levels.

Reviews for Worms Ultimate Mayhem were mixed to average. Critics generally liked the multiplayer but criticized the camera angles, though some noted improvement over earlier 3D titles.

Quick Facts

Title
Worms Ultimate Mayhem
Developer
Team17
Series
Worms
Released
Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 / September 28, 2011 / PlayStation 3 / NA · February 14, 2012 · EU · February 15, 2012
Genre
Artillery, strategy
Modes
Single-player, multiplayer
Platforms
Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

Worms Ultimate Mayhem is a re-release of Worms 4: Mayhem, featuring improved graphics, all-new content, story mode voice acting by Guy Harris, and reworked camera controls. It also incorporates content from Worms 3D, including its campaign and multiplayer maps. The game was released as a digital download on September 28, 2011 for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360, and on February 14, 2012 for PlayStation 3.

Gameplay follows the 3D turn-based artillery strategy of previous 3D Worms titles, allowing players to move freely in all directions. Players choose from a wide variety of weapons in the lobby and control a team of worms one at a time within a set time limit. The objective is to eliminate all enemy worms by depleting their health or knocking them into water. Multiplayer modes include Deathmatch, Homelands, and Statue Defend. Single-player modes include a tutorial series, story mode, challenge mode, and a remastered Worms 3D campaign.

Weapons and utilities are carried over from Worms 4: Mayhem, with the Binoculars from Worms 3D. Customization allows players to equip worms with accessories and unique speech banks, and to create custom weapons.

Reader's Guide

Worms Ultimate Mayhem received mixed or average reviews from critics. The multiplayer was widely praised for its breadth of content and customization, though the camera angles were frequently criticized, with some reviewers noting improvement over earlier 3D titles. The artificial intelligence was described as inconsistent, ranging from incompetence in campaign mode to unrealistic accuracy in Quick Play. Loading times were noted as lengthy, particularly when restarting challenges. The weapon creation system was found to be constrained to damage sliders and modifiers that failed to produce the dramatic environmental effects seen in the 2D games. Some reviewers found the controls and movement tedious in single-player, while others appreciated the variety of game modes and the cartoonish element of destruction. The graphics were described as having an art style streamlined with high-definition video but still simplistic. Frame rate drops occurred during large explosions. The game's shift to 3D was considered by some a mistake against the authenticity of the original 2D titles.

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