Worms: Open Warfare

Worms: Open Warfare is the series' first portable installment, with which Team17 set out to show that the worms' turn-based warfare holds up even in your pocket. The foundation stays true to the original – two teams take turns, destroy the surrounding terrain, and try to wipe out the opponent using a combination of bazookas, mines, sheep and other absurd weapons from the famous arsenal. Every turn runs against a countdown, so the player has to quickly decide whether to risk moving across unstable terrain or fire and take cover instead.

The PSP version benefits from the console's widescreen display, on which the sprawling battlefield fits naturally and clearly – the player sees more terrain at once, which makes planning artillery trajectories and escapes easier. Control via the analog stick and buttons also mirrors the established scheme from the console Worms games, so players familiar with previous entries quickly get used to aiming and rope movement. The PSP version is also the only one that lets you create an entirely new team in the editor instead of just editing an existing one, and it offers more detailed custom match settings, including weapon selection and rules for individual missions. Wireless multiplayer over an ad-hoc network then lets you battle friends even without internet access – you just need a second console nearby and both devices with their own copy of the game.

The graphics and sound draw on the same foundation as the other versions, but the interface and physics on PSP feel more compact and smoother than in the simultaneously released Nintendo DS version, which reviews repeatedly cited as the main difference between the two releases. Being portable also means individual matches can be started anytime for just a few minutes without the player losing the feel of a full-fledged turn-based battle.

Why play: The PSP version of Open Warfare is the right choice for players who want the classic Worms experience on the go, with comfortable controls and a widescreen view of the battlefield – ideal for trips and waiting in line, where a few minutes is enough for one quick round.