Worm Wars IV

Overview

Worm Wars IV delivers a fast-paced action experience that marks the final chapter of this cult favorite series, though it stumbles with technical issues and divisive gameplay changes. Early impressions reveal a game that retains the franchise's chaotic garden warfare premise while overhauling mechanics, resulting in a love-it-or-hate-it experience. Fans appreciate the energetic combat and nostalgic premise, but persistent bugs and controversial design choices prevent it from reaching its full potential.

This episode yet again changes the game play style and this time it’s all about fast paced action.

Rekall

Fast-Paced Action with Growing Pains

The shift to high-speed combat dominates Worm Wars IV's identity, replacing previous installment mechanics with adrenaline-fueled skirmishes. Players dive into rapid-fire battles where units spawn via ground pickups rather than traditional purchase systems, creating frenetic but unpredictable encounters. This overhaul injects fresh energy into the garden warfare concept, encouraging constant movement as players scramble for power-ups. However, the removal of strategic unit buying strips away tactical depth that long-time fans expected, leaving some feeling the series has abandoned its roots. The chaos intensifies during multiplayer sessions, where the two-player mode delivers enjoyable mayhem despite the core limitations.

Visual confusion compounds these issues during heated battles. Player-controlled worms now share identical designs with AI allies, making it frustratingly easy to lose track of your character amidst the pixelated fray. This oversight transforms intense firefights into frustrating "Where's Waldo?" scenarios, especially during screen-filling explosions. Combined with the mandatory keyboard-only controls—a jarring shift from mouse-driven predecessors—these design choices create accessibility barriers that undermine the otherwise energetic gameplay.

Technical Instability Undercuts Potential

Bugs and crashes emerge as Worm Wars IV's most consistent flaw, mentioned in nearly every review regardless of rating. Players encounter frequent stability issues ranging from minor glitches to full game-crashing errors, particularly during later levels or multiplayer sessions. These technical shortcomings disrupt the flow of otherwise enjoyable firefights, forcing restarts just as battles reach their climax. While the core assault gameplay shines during stable moments—especially when unleashing over-the-top weapons on enemy insect armies—the instability leaves many questioning whether the game received adequate polishing before release.

Despite these issues, the fundamental appeal of worm warfare remains intact. The satisfying destruction physics, vibrant garden environments, and absurd premise of battling for backyard supremacy still charm players willing to overlook the flaws. Graphical improvements over earlier entries are noticeable, with more detailed environments and smoother animations during non-bugged sequences. For series devotees, these nostalgic elements provide enough enjoyment to push through the technical headaches, but newcomers may find the frustrations outweigh the fun.