One of the best parts of Xbox Live Arcade is the way it has revitalized 2D graphics. Ever since the success of Mario 64, developers have been rethinking 2D classic games and infusing them with "cutting edge" 3D graphics. In many cases, those cool new visuals came at the expense of gameplay. The Worms franchise was one series that suffered from the move to 3D. The Xbox Live Arcade version of the game returns the series to its 2D roots while amping the graphics to high-definition in order to keep it from feeling like a relic from the past. It's also got great replay value, thanks to solid Live multiplayer. For the most part, it's a success. However, minimalism and problems stemming from the HD look to keep it from greatness.

Team17 had nearly perfected the Worms formula by the time they decided to add a third dimension. In Worms, each player controls a team of worms armed with bazookas, grenades, exploding sheep, and other fun weapons. Players take turns trying to blow up their opponents. Environments are randomly generated each round and are fully destructible. There's also an astonishing amount of physics involved. Players not only have to determine the strength and angle of most weapon shots, but they must take into account wind resistance and the current shape of the terrain. There are, of course, tools to move worms around the land, including a ninja rope that is truly impressive.

The enhanced graphics look nice, but things can appear a bit small.

Though the Live Arcade Worms gives the franchise its spine back, it's also kind of a bare-bones release. The initial release included just three stage themes, though you can now download one for free and buy three more. Sound banks of worm voices were also lacking in the first release, but this too can be improved through a couple of free updates. Still, Team17 has yet to address a distinct lack of weapon variety. Many favorites are strangely missing, including the mortar, mini-gun, holy hand grenade, super sheep, old woman, bungee cord, homing pigeon, and most notably, the baseball bat. Leaving out the old woman is understandable, but that baseball bat was fun and useful!

This version of Worms takes a different approach to advance the franchise graphically. The developers chose to keep the classic 2D visuals while using the added power of the Xbox 360 to create a super smooth, high-definition cartoon world. As a result, the graphics are simultaneously wonderful and headache-inducing. The game looks great, but it's certain to cause eye-strain for those without large televisions. On a 23" HD television, it can positively hurt to look at those tiny worms. In some cases, the small particles of terrain that block your way can appear almost invisible. What's funny is this is the first 2D Worms game to include a camera zoom function, but it simply doesn't allow you to move in close enough.

Once you download a couple of free sound bank updates, Worms' audio is pretty decent as well. There's a ton of voices to apply to your team, and they're all pretty much hilarious. There only seems to be one piece of music in the entire game, but it stays in the background and it shouldn't get too annoying.

Worms isn't perfect, but it looks like Team17 plans to regularly add to and update it via Marketplace downloads. The question is whether or not you want to spend the money on it. The game costs 800 points, and each terrain upgrade costs about 150 points. Team17 has been good about giving some of its add-ons for free, but there's no telling how much gamers will be forced to spend on this game before it really feels complete. Still, if you're looking for some great multiplayer action and have the cash, Worms should fill the void. And hey, at least it's not 3D.