Best Games Like Worms 1995 to Play Today

Since its debut in 1995, Team17's Worms has defined the turn-based artillery genre with its mix of destructible environments, quirky humor, and trajectory-based combat. This article highlights the best games that share the mechanics, chaotic multiplayer fun, and strategic depth of the original Worms, covering both classic inspirations and modern alternatives you can play right now.

What Defines the Worms Formula?

The appeal of Worms comes down to a few fundamental mechanics:

• Turn-Based Artillery Combat: Players take turns moving individual squad members and lining up shots using angle, power, and wind variables.
• Destructible Terrain: The battlefield changes dynamically as explosions carve out craters and eliminate cover.
• Absurd Arsenals: Beyond standard bazookas and grenades, matches feature unconventional tools like exploding animals, airstrikes, and utility gear like ninja ropes.
• Instant Death Hazards: Water or deep chasms mean that a well-placed push or explosion can eliminate an enemy regardless of remaining health.

Top Games Like Worms (1995)

Maggots

If you want a lightweight, direct homage to early turn-based artillery games, check out Maggots. It captures the minimalist charm, retro aesthetics, and physics-driven turn-based battles of classic artillery titles directly in your browser. With no downloads required, it provides quick, competitive matches that focus purely on positioning, weapon trajectory, and blast damage.

Hedgewars

Hedgewars is a completely free, open-source turn-based strategy game heavily modeled after the classic Worms series. Instead of invertebrates, you control hedgehogs equipped with a vast selection of comedic weapons. It features highly customizable maps, customizable rule sets, and active online multiplayer that preserves the exact pacing and physics of late-90s tactical artillery games.

Liero

Often described as "Worms in real-time," Liero removes the turn-based system entirely. Players tunnel through fully destructible 2D earth using digging tools and ninja ropes while firing weapons simultaneously. It is faster and far more chaotic than the original Worms, making it a classic alternative for players who want the same aesthetic with frantic, twitch-based action.

Gunbound

Gunbound adapted the artillery formula into a competitive online multiplayer format. Players pilot distinct mobile vehicles (called "Mobiles"), each with specific armor types, weight classes, and shot trajectories. While it incorporates RPG progression elements, the core gameplay requires calculating wind speeds, shot angles, and timing to outplay the enemy team.

ShellShock Live

For a modern 2D artillery experience, ShellShock Live shifts the focus from crawling soldiers to tanks. It offers hundreds of upgradable weapons, dynamic terrain destruction, and massive 8-player matches. While it leans more heavily into progression and weapon unlocks than Worms, the strategic calculation of angles and blast radiuses remains central to victory.