For those dedicated fans of the Worms series, I can understand you being skeptical about the developers turning this game into 3D. However, rest assured that it still keeps the same cartoony feel right down to the last button on a menu. This could easily be a Saturday morning cartoon the way it looks. It's not cel shaded, but it definitely isn't something you'd see most other games of its type doing. The style and grace of the series is faithfully brought into 3D with this title.

The same can be said of the sound. All the voices, plus a few more, are back, as well as the 'squishy' sound effects. Musically you couldn't ask for anything more. Easy tunes compliment the overall style of the game. The only flaw is how the sound is handled internally. There will be times when certain layers will go out for apparently no reason, like all the explosions or the movement sound effects, which is really a drag since the sound adds an important element to the gameplay.

Those new to the Worms franchise may find this title a little odd. It's not every day you see a handful of cute little worms blowing the hell out of each other. Somehow, strangely, this combination works perfectly, and Worms 3D is the latest iteration of the series, and also the first title to truly take this wonderful game into 3D.

The basic concept to Worms 3D is that you have a couple of worms with an arsenal that would make Arnold blush. The myriad of weaponry you get to use is as strange as the concept of the game. Banana bombs, flying sheep, old ladies, and even the Holy Hand grenade are at your disposal. There are so many diverse weapons to choose from, and all of the ones from the 2D titles have been cleverly given a third dimension (calling in an air strike actually shows a plane flying over and dropping bombs).

There is a simple Campaign mode where you progress through various levels, mostly having to kill other teams of worms, but there is some variety in there as well. At times you'll have to collect items on the map or navigate a lone worm around treacherous terrain. Things are kept generally fresh here.

The Campaign mode is accompanied by a Challenges mode where the missions get very specific; shoot as many targets as you can, eliminate worms in a certain amount of time, throw a hand grenade in a hole, etc... This is where you can unlock the really cool weaponry in the game, giving the Challenges more of a meaning than just using specific weapons.

Where Worms 3D really shines is in the Multiplayer mode. Here 4 players can go up against each other with teams of 4 worms a piece. There is literally an infinite number of levels to choose from because you can randomly generate a level while tweaking a dozen or so different features on it. Even though it's not a party game, it is so addictive when more people join in that it could easily be used as one.

It's amazing what one simple dimension can do to things. All you had to do in the previous Worms games was aim your trajectory on a 2D plane and fire. Now you've got to deal with wind and a third dimension, making hitting targets that much harder, as well as that much more fun. Worms 3D isn't impossible, but it can be as hard as you want it to be. Sticking with just Multiplayer will afford a lot of fun, but the Challenges are where the rewards are at, and these missions are no joke.

Worms 3D is a turn-based game. It's not a conventional strategy game, but there is definitely a large amount of it needed here. When it's your turn, you move one of your worms around and then perform an action, whether it's planting a mine, throwing a bomb, or parachuting off a high cliff. When you want to aim a weapon, you switch to a first person view and set the amount of power you want behind the shot/throw. This is where it gets complicated, because the wind will affect things like bazooka rounds or mortars. Harnessing the power of the wind to bring your shot to its intended destination is a skill that must be practiced long and hard before it is mastered.

Though it may be too much for purists, Worms 3D is actually a very good game in and of itself, let alone a good transition of an old series. Sure, some things had to be altered, like the indoor levels. Those are gone, and now everything is on the water, making that threat a constant. If you're skeptical, though, I urge you to at least check it out. You should be pleasantly surprised. If you're new to the series, this is still a great place to start, but don't forget to check out the older games that spawned this great title.