Did a Digital Wormhole Just Spit Out an XCOM-Like Worms Game? Let's Dig In, Mate!
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
A recent leak, stemming from an initial *Prince of Persia* reveal, exposed details and media for *Worms Galactic Tactics*, a new *XCOM*-style strategy RPG in the *Worms* universe, with a copyright takedown of leaked footage strongly suggesting its legitimacy. This unexpected shift for the franchise promises 3D tactical battles, squad-based combat, and upgrades, all developed directly by Team17.
Alright, gather 'round, folks, because the gaming universe just had one of those glorious, chaotic moments where the fabric of reality got a bit... leaky. You know how it is: one minute you're minding your own business, the next, a stray pixel opens a portal to unannounced games. This time, it all kicked off with a whiff of a *Prince of Persia* leak (thanks, j0nathan, you digital mischief-maker!), and then, in a classic 'hold my pint' moment, another X user, EvilLeeker, decided to join the fun. And what did they drop? Only some screenshots and footage of a *Worms* game with serious *XCOM* vibes. Bloody hell!
Now, if you're like me, you probably just did a double-take. *Worms*? *XCOM*? Together? It sounds like someone accidentally brewed a potion of tactical strategy and cartoon mayhem, and frankly, I'm here for it. The whispered name for this unannounced title is *Worms Galactic Tactics*, and from what's been peeking through the digital tea leaves, it's a full-blown strategy RPG. We're talking 3D maps, a bird's-eye view, and apparently, a mission-based structure where your squad of up to six battle-hardened invertebrates goes up against far larger enemy forces. Imagine that – six worms, against... well, presumably a bloody horde of other worms. Talk about an underdog story!
The leaked images also hint at an upgrade system between stages, which, let's be fair, is pretty standard SRPG fare, but exciting nonetheless for *Worms*. It seems Team17 is aiming for a 'lighter, more accessible SRPG' rather than trying to rival the genre's most hardcore titans. My naturally curious brain instantly wonders, 'lighter how?' Will it be a gateway drug to tactical brilliance, or will it simplify things a bit too much? Only time (and hopefully, an official announcement) will tell, eh?
Now, here's where the plot thickens and my optimistic chaos meter goes off the charts. EvilLeeker also shared gameplay footage via Streamable, which was, rather tellingly, *promptly removed due to a copyright claim*. Oh, you beauty! Nothing screams 'legit leak' quite like the legal eagles swooping in. The screenshots, however, were still floating around on X as of May 9, 2026, which is good news for us nosy lot.
Adding more fuel to the fire, there was a cropped screenshot of a Steam client showing access to the game, internally codenamed 'Project Arrakis.' (Yes, *Dune* fans, you heard that right! Perhaps the worms will spice up your life?). The 'team17_playtest' build identifier also strongly suggests that Team17 itself is directly involved in development, not just some external studio, which is ace news for fans of the franchise's original spirit.
Art-style wise, it looks like they're ditching the gloss of *Worms Rumble* for a more old-school cartoon vibe, reminiscent of classics like *Worms 3D* and *Worms 4*. And from what we're seeing, missions might even be split across four stages or maps, with upgrades possibly resetting between missions. It's a proper strategic shake-up for our wriggly friends.
So, what does this all mean for us gamers? Well, if this leak (which, let's be honest, feels pretty solid thanks to the copyright claim) is anything to go by, *Worms* is about to evolve in a seriously interesting direction. It's a bold move, merging the slapstick artillery action with deep tactical planning. My brain is already conjuring scenarios of carefully positioned worm commandos unleashing holy hand grenades with surgical precision. It could be brilliant, it could be bonkers, but one thing's for sure: it's got my attention, mate.
Original scoop credit goes to Dominik Bošnjak over at GameRant. Cheers for peering into the digital abyss and bringing us this juicy morsel!
Source: Game Rant
Tags: Worms, XCOM, Strategy RPG, Game Leak, Team17
Original article: Game Rant