Worms Ultimate Mayhem

About

Worms Ultimate Mayhem is a single player and multiplayer strategy game with a comedy theme. It was developed by Team17 Digital Ltd and was released on September 28, 2011. It received neutral reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Worms Ultimate Mayhem" is a 3D artillery turn-based strategy game featuring single and multiplayer action. Customize your team of worms and engage in battles with an arsenal of weapons, including the Holy Hand Grenade and the Concrete Donkey. With challenging campaign missions and online multiplayer, experience endless hours of worm warfare.

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86%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,396 reviews

story48 positive mentions

optimization12 negative mentions

Worms Ultimate Mayhem offers a fun and chaotic gameplay experience, especially in multiplayer mode with friends.
The game features a nostalgic blend of content from both Worms 3D and Worms 4: Mayhem, providing a rich variety of maps and missions.
Customization options for worms and weapons add depth and personalization to the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.

The game suffers from significant performance issues, including low frame rates and jittery mouse controls, making it frustrating to play.
Many players report bugs and glitches, such as unskippable cutscenes and AI inconsistencies, which detract from the enjoyment.
The online multiplayer community is sparse, leading to long wait times for matches and a lack of players to compete against.

story
194 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
70%
5%
The story aspect of the game is generally well-received, featuring a humorous and engaging narrative that combines missions from both "Worms 3D" and "Worms 4: Mayhem," with a time travel theme and a variety of mission objectives. However, technical issues, such as bugs that prevent progression in certain missions, detract from the experience, and some players find the single-player campaign uneven in quality. Overall, while the story mode offers charm and depth, it is often overshadowed by gameplay frustrations and performance problems.
- “The campaign combines narrative missions with puzzle-like objectives, environmental hazards, and escalating challenges that gradually introduce the game’s mechanics.”
- “The story mode offers fun platforming puzzles, though there are a couple of missions that are rather slow.”
- “The story itself being quite barebones as usual, although I must say most of the jokes cracked in the campaign were pretty funny.”
- “Some missions rely more on navigating awkward terrain than on strategic decisions, which can be disappointing for players hoping for deeper tactical engagement.”
- “No matter what you do, it freezes up during the opening cutscene and stops there, rendering the mission unplayable and uncompletable.”
- “Worms 3D campaign is frustrating (why the hell can I not skip the intro cutscenes?!) and sometimes broken (e.g. sixth mission - it doesn't start because I had low FPS).”
humor
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by its absurd weaponry, wacky voice lines, and chaotic gameplay that elicits laughter throughout. Players appreciate the nostalgic charm and comedic elements, particularly in multiplayer settings where unpredictable moments lead to hilarious interactions. Overall, the game successfully combines fun and humor, making it an enjoyable experience for both solo and group play.
- “With its trademark humor, destructible environments, and absurd arsenal of weapons, it’s a nostalgia-packed package that offers explosive fun for solo players and chaotic brilliance in multiplayer.”
- “The game’s humor is on point, with wacky voices and over-the-top animations that make it impossible not to laugh, even when it’s your worm flying off the edge.”
- “The animations are hilarious, it's all goofy and fun.”
- “Controls are terrible and it becomes unfunny with friends after about 20 minutes.”
- “Not funny after 30 minutes.”
gameplay
128 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
62%
6%
The gameplay of "Worms Ultimate Mayhem" is a mix of nostalgic turn-based artillery strategy and new 3D mechanics, offering a fun and chaotic experience that retains the series' signature humor and customization options. While many players appreciate the dynamic gameplay and the ability to create unique rulesets, some criticize the transition from 2D to 3D for being less tactical and more casual, with issues like awkward controls and AI performance detracting from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game is generally seen as a solid remaster that provides enjoyable multiplayer and replay value, especially when played with friends.
- “At its core, the gameplay revolves around the same turn-based artillery strategy that made the series famous.”
- “The campaign combines narrative missions with puzzle-like objectives, environmental hazards, and escalating challenges that gradually introduce the game’s mechanics.”
- “Ultimate Mayhem takes the classic Worms gameplay and shoves it directly into the third dimension, and let me tell you, the transition breathes new life into the game.”
- “Less tactical than 2D counterparts: some longtime fans may miss the tighter, more deliberate gameplay of the classic 2D Worms titles.”
- “The framerate sucks, the gameplay sucks; Worms should stick to 2D stuff and never try this sort of game again.”
- “I played it for a very short time and found lots of bugs, and the gameplay was both ugly and boring.”
graphics
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
64%
6%
The graphics of the game maintain a charming cartoonish aesthetic, enhanced with vibrant colors and expressive animations, though many players note that they feel dated compared to modern standards. While the remastered visuals offer some improvements, including high-definition updates, character animations can appear stiff, and optimization issues have been reported. Overall, the graphics are generally well-received for their nostalgic appeal, but they may not meet the expectations of players accustomed to contemporary gaming visuals.
- “The cartoonish aesthetic remains intact and is complemented by expressive worm animations, vibrant color palettes, and amusing weapon effects.”
- “Definitely a nostalgic game that combines the experience of Worms 3D and 4 Mayhem with updated Worms 4 Mayhem graphics.”
- “Great graphics, great controls, and lots of depth; this game shows that Worms can exist in a 3D environment and do it well.”
- “Dated graphics: though charming, the visuals show their age, and character animations can feel stiff by today’s standards.”
- “Graphics: while the graphics are improved compared to previous games in the series, they still look a bit dated compared to current standards.”
- “Graphics are way too dated for 2011; it looks about 2004 graphics tops.”
music
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
65%
9%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the nostalgic and enjoyable soundtracks that evoke strong emotions and memories from the original titles. However, some critics note a lack of variety and the absence of iconic tracks from previous games, leading to disappointment over remixed versions and lower-quality audio. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, it falls short of the standards set by earlier installments in the series.
- “I still remember those feelings... the joy and excitement hearing the music start up for the first time... it brings a tear to my eye.”
- “It's fun, looks beautiful, has a great soundtrack, it's actually challenging and it brings that childhood nostalgia.”
- “And the soundtrack for this game is top tier for me; it always gives the right atmosphere to the place and the map. Funny thing, I'm listening to the game OST while writing this review.”
- “Iconic Worms 4 menu theme song is gone and replaced with a watered down version of it.”
- “Only thing that makes this game a little worse is that the old soundtracks from Worms 4 Mayhem are not included.”
- “This game is just bland with uninspiring music and no art direction.”
optimization
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
46%
43%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous performance issues, including low frame rates, erratic mouse movement, and frequent crashes, particularly on newer PCs. While some enjoy the gameplay, the technical problems detract significantly from the overall experience, leading many to recommend against the PC version due to its poor optimization. Despite patches that address some issues, the game remains largely unoptimized, making it difficult to recommend for players seeking a smooth experience.
- “Fixes performance issues, enables support for all languages present in the game files, removes the sepia effect in the Worms 3D campaign levels, as well as many other things.”
- “Performance is okay if you have a medium high-end rig.”
- “The game feels smooth, runs smoothly, and generally plays well; the only gripe that I have with it is the jetpack, which feels kind of odd and controls like a llama driving a car.”
- “The game itself is enjoyable but plagued with bugs; mission 6 of the Worms 3D campaign just gets stuck in the starting cutscene, achievements are finicky, and the mouse movement feels like dragging a stick across gravel combined with performance issues.”
- “Unfortunately, it simply doesn't function on newer PCs. Low frame rates, broken mouse movement, and constant stuttering were among the issues I experienced.”
- “A great game ruined by horrid optimization and a terrible camera.”
stability
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, freezing issues, and various bugs that hinder gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. Many feel that the game feels unfinished and lacks polish, leading to frustration despite its fun elements. Overall, while some players find charm in its quirks, the overwhelming consensus is that the game suffers from significant stability problems that detract from the experience.
- “I really think it could have benefitted from a little cel-shading, but otherwise, it runs great, and the destructible environments make things very dynamic.”
- “No matter what you do, it freezes up during the opening cutscene and stops there, rendering the mission unplayable and uncompletable.”
- “It was clearly a cash grab and feels completely unfinished with glitches and an extreme lack of polish.”
- “Frequent crashes, graphics glitches, and poor optimization for PC.”
replayability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
43%
21%
The game is praised for its high replayability, with features like randomly generated maps, customizable settings, and a variety of weapons that keep gameplay fresh and engaging. While some players may find the story mode repetitive after multiple completions, the overall experience remains addictive and offers a wealth of single-player and multiplayer content. The combination of unique mechanics and dynamic gameplay ensures that players can enjoy the game repeatedly without losing interest.
- “A game with a lot of replayability and a fun one while doing it.”
- “In the original Worms 3D, you could randomly generate multiplayer map terrain and customize it with a setting/theme, size, number of hazards and drops, etc. This really helped to keep things replayable and fresh.”
- “This level of variety gives Worms Ultimate Mayhem a unique level of replayability that makes it an easy choice when I want to play something.”
- “You might get easily bored playing it over and over (this isn't in my case yet, but yes, the story is replayable and some users found it boring to complete again).”
- “I'm not sure how alive the online scene is, but the bots are fairly good and the randomly generated maps provide endless replayability.”
- “There are loads of weapons to choose from, and the destructible map and random crates, mines, and teleporters add replayability to the game.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, often requiring a significant time investment that feels overwhelming when played solo. However, the experience can become more enjoyable when shared with friends, turning the grind into a more social and entertaining activity.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “More tedious garbage from the worms people.”
- “While the game can tend to grow fairly tedious when played by one person, if you huddle up a couple of friends around the computer and break out the snacks, you're bound to have a good time.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere in the game is described as unique and deeply impactful, evoking a range of emotions from solitude to joy, largely enhanced by its exceptional soundtrack. Players appreciate the immersive quality of the environments, particularly the maps and ocean, which contribute to a reflective experience. Overall, the atmosphere is noted to be more subtle compared to earlier entries in the series.
- “This is one of the first and most played games on my old PC, and as I grew up, I understood why. I had about 500+ hours with both games, W3D and W4M. I don't know why, but this game is the only one that gives a completely different atmosphere, making me rethink a lot—like about the maps or the ocean surrounding the island. The worms themselves make me feel both alone and not alone, happy and sad.”
- “The soundtrack for this game is top tier for me; it always provides the right atmosphere for the place and the map. Funny thing, I'm listening to the game OST while writing this review.”
- “In general, the atmosphere in WUM is subtler than in previous entries.”
- “This is one of the first and most played games on my old PC, and when I grew up, I understood why. Unfortunately, most of the time I played this game was with a cracked version, but I can say that I had about 500+ hours with both games W3D and W4M. I don't know why, but this game is the only one that gives a completely different atmosphere that makes me rethink a lot, like about the maps or the ocean surrounding the island. The worms themselves make me feel alone and not alone, happy and sad.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The monetization strategy has been criticized for featuring poor-quality paid DLC and intrusive in-game advertising, leading many to perceive it as a cash grab. Despite the absence of microtransactions, players feel the game is unfinished and plagued by glitches, contributing to a negative overall impression.
- “All of this without microtransactions.”
- “Bad paid DLC and in-game advertising practices (have you bought Alien Breed TM yet!?”
- “It was clearly a cash grab and feels completely unfinished with glitches and an extreme lack of polish.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game enhanced by the deep character customization options, which allow for personal connections to their team members. The gripping story evokes strong feelings, with some players reporting tears during key moments, highlighting the game's ability to resonate on an emotional level. However, there is a humorous critique regarding the lack of emotional consequences for in-game actions, suggesting a desire for more impactful interactions.
- “Riveting gameplay, stunning graphics, gripping story (I cried a few times, 3 to be exact).”
- “Touching upon the character creation itself, Ultimate Mayhem adds more depth to the already improved formula of Worms 3D by allowing the player to fully customize their team members, going further than just the team's flag, voice bank, and grave. It presents a wide variety of hats and wigs for worms to wear, various gloves, glasses, and mustaches/beards, and even unique 'team weapons' that let you create either a firearm, grenade, or air strike of your own making. This customization allows for emotional investment in your team, as you can adjust the damage and strength of the blast, balancing the gameplay experience.”

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55%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

XBLA/PC Review - 'Worms Ultimate Mayhem'
Worthplaying.com
55%

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5h Median play time

4h Average play time

2-7h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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Worms Ultimate Mayhem is a strategy game with comedy theme.

Worms Ultimate Mayhem is available on PC, Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and others.

On average players spend around 4 hours playing Worms Ultimate Mayhem.

Worms Ultimate Mayhem was released on September 28, 2011.

Worms Ultimate Mayhem was developed by Team17 Digital Ltd.

Worms Ultimate Mayhem has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its optimization.

Worms Ultimate Mayhem is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Worms W.M.D, Worms Revolution, Worms Reloaded, Worms Clan Wars, Worms Armageddon and others.

Worms Ultimate Mayhem

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XBLA/PC Review - 'Worms Ultimate Mayhem'

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