Creator of the chaotic Worm series, Team 17, has released the latest full-to-bursting box of bazookas and banana bombs game in the series, Worms: Ultimate Mayhem, which allows fans and newcomers alike to join in with the fully 3D destruction in this pumped up digital collector’s edition of the very best content from Worms 3D and Worms 4: Mayhem...

Worms: Ultimate Mayhem won't be everyone's cup of tea. In fact I know a lot of people will find this annoying and hard to get to grips with... and it is. But, stick with the difficult control system and ignore the odd bug and you have another fun game in the series.

So, the control system... hmm... not the best laid out design to get to grips with, but still. To aim any weapon (or to look in first person) you have to press and hold the "X" button and then to aim you have to move the right or left analogue stick, and finally to fire you have to press the right trigger. I thought an easier way of aiming would be to hold down the left trigger, but apparently that's used to fire your secondary weapon. It sounds like a pain, but believe me, after a few goes it becomes incredibly easy.

Other issues include the tricky job of jumping. It can be a pain in the backside jumping onto objects to reach higher levels, because your worm invariable overshoots the mark and ends up falling back to earth. This is a pain if you've managed to climb some distance. And using the grappling hook is also not a simple task. But, again, it's simply a matter of practice.

This is a souped-up, re-vamped, high definition reimagining of Worms 3D and Worms 4: Mayhem, so if you own those games then there's not really much point in downloading this game. It comes complete with 60 single player missions, numerous challenges, 12 graphical themes, 38 weapons and utilities, full online play for up to four players and a whole truck full of ways to customise your worm and game experience.

It's best to start off playing the tutorial until you get used to the fiddly controls. Then move on to the story mode which slowly ups the challenges as you learn your way around. Then you can either go online or play with family and friends.

Another interesting aspect is the ability to customise your teams: including their appearance, voices and special weapons. Talking of which... I've been a fan of Worms games for years and thought I was past the age of guffawing like a small child, but the Inflatable scouser weapon had me rolling around the floor like an idiot.

As I mentioned previously, this is far from a well polished game, but if you love Worms, and are prepared to stick with it, then you'll get a lot out of this release.

8

Darren Rea