331 - Silkworm

·37 min·3 clips

Mike argues Silkworm's single-player feels restrictive, missing the true game designed for two players.

The episode begins with the hosts reading the back of the box for Silkworm, noting its odd phrasing. They introduce the game as a side-scrolling shoot-em-up where players choose between a helicopter or jeep before starting. Mike explains the helicopter offers air maneuverability but limited firing angles, while the jeep is ground-bound with more flexible turret control. The hosts debate which vehicle is better, with Joe preferring the helicopter for its cool factor and Sean arguing the jeep is overpowered. A key discussion centers on whether Silkworm is primarily designed for multiplayer, as the single-player experience feels restrictive. Mike suggests the game shines in two-player co-op, where one player controls the helicopter and the other the jeep, creating asymmetrical gameplay. Sean compares this to modern co-op games like A Way Out and It Takes Two. The hosts critique the game's level design, noting it lacks environmental interaction and features repetitive enemies. They describe the bosses as vague pixel machinery, though the final boss is acknowledged as cooler. The badge system is discussed, with Mike noting only the final badge offers a permanent upgrade, making the others largely cosmetic. The hosts read hints from the manual, including a cheese strategy for avoiding missiles. They mention Silkworm was ported from computers and inspired a vertical shoot-em-up called SWIV. The episode concludes with all hosts agreeing Silkworm is not essential, citing its basic single-player and lack of innovation.

As heard by us

Silkworm turns box-copy bravado into a brisk argument about co-op design.

Silkworm gives Nostalgia a clean way into a game that seems eager to sell itself before it explains itself. The hosts start with that back-of-the-box promise about every bite being crammed full of action, then follow the manual's artificial-intelligence setup: MHC2, an…

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Why you'd press play

For the player who wants Silkworm to explain why a second person might matter.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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