Best Turn-Based Artillery Games Like Worms

Since Team17 launched Worms in 1995, the turn-based artillery genre has remained a staple for players who enjoy physics-driven combat, destructible terrain, and tactical humor. This article examines the core mechanics that defined the original classic and highlights the best modern titles and indie adaptations carrying the torch today.

The Formula That Defined a Genre

The original Worms combined simple mechanics with deep tactical gameplay. Players took control of small squads placed randomly across fully destructible 2D landscapes. Using an arsenal of bazookas, grenades, and unconventional explosives, players had to account for shot trajectory, blast radius, and fluctuating wind speeds to eliminate the opposing team before the timer expired. The simplicity of taking turns, paired with high-risk precision and unpredictable environmental destruction, established a blueprint that developers continue to emulate.

Modern Alternatives and Successors

Several standout titles have built upon the foundation established by the 1995 classic, offering everything from browser-based matches to expansive 3D battlefields.

Maggots

For players looking for a streamlined, accessible experience directly in their web browser, Maggots provides an authentic return to the genre's roots. It captures the essential 2D artillery gameplay style, allowing players to engage in fast-paced tactical duels with projectile-based weapons and destructible ground without requiring heavy downloads or complex setups.

Hedgewars

Hedgewars is a free, open-source turn-based strategy game that closely mirrors classic 2D Worms gameplay. Instead of annelids, combatants are cartoon hedgehogs battling across randomly generated islands. The game features an extensive weapon roster, deep cosmetic customization, and cross-platform multiplayer across Windows, macOS, and Linux.

ShellShock Live

ShellShock Live shifts the theme from creatures to armored tanks while preserving the core physics-based shooting mechanics. It emphasizes progression, offering hundreds of upgradeable weapons, dynamic terrain destruction, and massive multiplayer matches with up to eight players battling simultaneously.

Worms W.M.D

For those seeking an official release, Worms W.M.D represents the peak modern refinement of the 1995 formula. Developed by Team17, it abandons the 3D experimentation of earlier entries to return to traditional 2D hand-drawn landscapes. It expands the strategic layer by introducing drivable vehicles, mountable turrets, enterable buildings, and an in-match weapon crafting system.

Gunbound

A long-standing favorite in the genre, Gunbound replaces infantry with mobile vehicles called "Mobiles," each possessing unique shot types and defensive stats. Environmental factors like the "Thor" satellite and fluctuating wind conditions add layers of strategy to every shot, making positioning and trajectory calculations vital for victory.