When I had heard that Team 17 was going to put a worms title out on the PSP and DS, I was pretty happy to hear about it. Well, from what I heard and have read about the DS version, things aren't going so well for our little dirt-dwelling friends. But as far as the PSP version goes I am happy to report that the experience was what I had expected.

Open Warfare is a throwback in the worms universe. Unlike the 3D games that have come out on the console systems recently, the PSP version takes us back to doing battle with big-eyed, ultra-violent worms in 2D. Worms are placed at random points on a map that is full of strange objects and out-of-the-way items. Afterwards, a turn-based combat ensues as you use one of your four worms to try and win the battle of attrition. Each worm is given a set amount of health points, which slowly is drained as you take pot shots at your rivals. Of course you can find additional health in the randomly placed crates that dot the landscape. But don't think for a moment that you can leisurely take your time as you waltz around the landscape trying to off your rivals. Instead, a timer is constantly counting down letting you know there is only a finite amount of time in which to dole out the pain. 

 
Such little worms, such big weapons.

Of course turns, also end when an attack has been launched. Whether it's a bazooka or a shotgun the game gives you just a couple of seconds after the attack in which to try and get away. Which makes perfect sense when using the stick of dynamite (my favorite). Merely walk up to your opponent and drop the explosive right next to him/her (I believe worms are asexual) and then run like the dickens, the massive hole that this generates is impressive so get back fast. This has been the standard in all the worms titles, fight and flight.

And how exactly you go about it is up to you. The game features up to 22 weapons and tools in which to use on your foes. Some offer pure stopping power like the aforementioned dynamite, while others - like the shotgun - allow a bit more strategy. Grenades, banana bombs, exploding sheep, rocket packs and a white surrender flag are some of the available toys for the worms to use. Some weapons and tools aren't available right away and must be collected from the crates that occasionally find their way on to the map. While it is slightly less than it's console cousins, the amount is still decent enough for a quality experience.

 
Fire in the hole!

Now there is nothing really graphically demanding in this game, some good visuals as far as wacky locations featuring canoes, ice floes, double-decker buses. It all works with this goofy turn-based game. The worms themselves are legless bug-eyed critters with sweet squeaky little combat cries that make you almost feel bad for blowing them up, almost. It all works because the game doesn't try to be anything more then it is - a fun little combat game with touches of humor.

Now what I enjoyed probably the most is the multiplayer aspect. If you have a friend that has the title you can play ad hoc and really up the competition. Not that the A.I. in the game is bad, it's just in my opinion, these worm games were made for good clean fun amongst friends. For some reason the ad hoc seems to work a bit better when you are not in the same room, rather someone upstairs and someone downstairs, go figure.

Gameplay: 7.5
Easy to pick up, easy to use, not overly complicated and you can play as little or as much as you like.

Graphics: 7.0
It's simple, but effective. The little worms are small on the screen but that's OK, you can move the camera around to see the terrain more effectively.

Sound: 7.0
Those little squeaks and battle cries are almost endearing. Explosions are best heard when using the headphones.

Difficulty: Medium
More than likely the best competition will come from a friend who is playing against you.

Concept: 6.7
This is the umpteenth version of the worms game, while there is nothing bad to say about it, there isn't anything new in this version.

Multiplayer: 7.5
It's good; one of those kinds of games you can easily pick up and blow through several multiplayer matches.

Overall: 7.0
A quality title. The perfect kind of game for casual play or lengthy action.