Worm Run Review

Worm Run, a Kickstarter-funded endless runner, does something different with its chaotic play style than many other games. It shines at times because of it, but it also suffers from many imprecise moments that holds it back.

Players control a jetpack-equipped person who finds themselves trapped in a hellish labyrinth, being chased by a giant worm. Much like in real life, the giant worm will always win unless lava gets in the way. As such, players must swipe to jet through this maze, collecting the currency of Grubies along the way, hopefully leaving a gravestone that's further in the maze than one's friends are. Yes, that is a feature, and it's pretty cool to pass up the scores of those who failed sooner.

The game operates differently than other endless runners, as a 2D platformer with plenty of acrobatics to its name. The worm represents an ever-present threat, and so while there's always a little bit of room for error, the threat of being devoured always exists. It brings a great sense of tension to a game that's also forgiving. Also, the game handles its continue system well: only the Grubies earned in a run can be used to actually revive, and the revive cost steadily increases. This means that buying one's way atop the leaderboard is more difficult than in something like Temple Run 2.

Worm Run's issue that keeps it from endless runner greatness is that its flick controls lead the game to feel very random. I do well for a while, but when the giant worm is breathing down my neck, ready to make me worm food, I find it difficult to reliably go the way I want to. The physics are very floaty, especially akin to something like N+, but the speed and swiping are something that would only work on a touchscreen. But, the innate innacuracy is just frustrating to deal with.

The game is universal, but it works best on the iPad because all the graphics are just incredibly small on iPhone. As well, I like using two thumbs to swipe in a Bit Pilot style on the iPad. The game has a currency store, but most of the important in-game items can be had after several repeated playthroughs. The most expensive items are largely cosmetic and warp tunnels for starting later on in the game; the $3.99 pack including 1,000,000 Grubies should buy everything and then some.

Worm Run is fun, but it sadly is not perfect. Still, for those looking for something that's a bit different, this is worth checking out.