Worms 2

Worms 2

Developed by: Team 17

Released: 1997

Platform: PC

Worms 2 is a turn based tactical game. Control a team of worms to defeat your opponent with creative and often comical weaponry.

Worms 2 brought a distinct visual change to the Worms franchise, with influences coming from the world of cartoons – namely Looney Tunes’ Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote. This would become the game which cemented the look of all future Worms games.

Defining the Series

Worms 2 is the first ‘true’ sequel to the original game. Releases in between were either expansion packs or re-releases (such as 1997’s Worms: The Director’s Cut). Featuring the same premise of the original, the player controls a team of up to 8 worms using a collection of eclectic weaponry to take down the opposing team.

The game featured an overhauled graphics system and was the first in the series to feature cartoonish graphics, which has remained a staple of the series to this day. Designed by artist Cris Blyth, his early designs for the game feature in our Art of Play exhibition. Included are design memos, rough notes and storyboard designs alongside the very computer, an Amiga 4000, Cris used during the game’s development.

Interesting Facts

• Worms 2 was the first in the series to feature online multiplayer. At its peak as many as 200 people would be online at any given time.

• The game’s creator’s, Team 17, are based in Yorkshire, UK. Their publishing studio still stands in it’s native town of Wakefield. Team 17 have since gone on to publish over 25 separate Worms games.

• The Amiga 4000 (pictured right) was the personal computer used by Cris Blyth to develop the cut-scene animations for both Worms and its sequel.  The Apple Macintosh sticker refers to the fact that the Amiga is actually partitioned, and is half Mac, half Amiga!