Hogs of War: Information from Answers.com

Hogs of War

Platform: PlayStation
Release Date: July 12, 2000
Similar Games: General Chaos (Sega Genesis), The Unholy War (PlayStation)

Game Description

Get in there, soldier! With the advancements in technology and lust for territorial gains, six powerful nations have locked forces in a ferocious war. Ranging from German, Japanese and Russian forces to the British, French, and American armies, players must guide their troops to victory by any means necessary. There is one thing, though -- these armies consist of power hungry hogs dressed in sophisticated uniforms.

Infogrames North America Inc.'s Hogs of War is a turn-based strategy game in which players battle rival nations, bloodthirsty pigs, and a speedy clock. Using an army of three to six pigs in any given confrontation, battles are conducted throughout vast 3D territories with plenty of room for exploration and nooks and crannies in which to hide and set up devastating ambushes.

Because the clock is constantly breathing down your neck, you'll need to think of strategies on the fly and make quick and decisive decisions. Are you going to move in and kick some swine butt or play it defensively? Time's up! There is little room for hesitation. As the general, you'll supply your hogs with powerful weapons and useful tools including ripple bombs, accurate sniper rifles, and jetpacks that breathe new life into the age-old adages about 'when pigs fly.'

If you're unable to make your decisions within the allotted time period, you will have left your troops in danger. Once the clock reaches zero, it turns the action over to the opposing force who will then exploit your inability to think quickly. Play smart and try and setup strategies that will leave the opposition in dire straits.

In addition to the various single and multiplayer campaigns, Hogs of War features an exclusive Level Generator that allows players to create and manipulate an endless supply of map territories. There's also a Training scenario that familiarizes players with the turn-based action, flow of gameplay, and controls.

Don't you love the smell of bacon in the morning!? ~ Matthew House, All Game Guide

Roots & Influences

Although Hogs of War is the first turn-based strategy game featuring warring pigs, it takes humor from the pages of David Perry's wacky world of Shiny Entertainment. Because of the outrageous weapons and humor, it resembles the Sega Genesis classic General Chaos with some gameplay elements from The Unholy War. ~ Matthew House, All Game Guide

Review: Enjoyment

This game is fun, pure and simple. If you want to enjoy this game to its fullest, try to get at least two of the three bonuses on each of the 20+ missions. ~ J.C. Barnes, All Game Guide

Production Credits

DEVELOPMENT

Senior Designer: Ade Careless

Programmer: Andrew Fox

Artists: Berni, Izzy Stewart

Lead Programmer: Jacob Habgood

Artist: John Guerin

Producer: Matthew White

Programmer: Paul Tapper, Simon Nicholass

FMV Artist: Darren Mills

Physics Programmer: Ben Wilson

Studio Manager: Carl Cavers

FMV Artist: Darren Mills

Physics Programmer: Dr. Ian Badcoe

FMV Artist: Gavin Whelan

Executive Producer: Mark Glossop

Additional Programmer: Phil Rankin

FMV Artist: Richard Simmons

Localization: Sarah Bennet

FMV Artist: John Hackleton

QA Manager: Phil Eckford

QA Supervisor: Julia Sturman

Lead Analyst: Asad Habib

Analysts: Jody Hindle, Carrie Hobson, Rob Taylor, Barrie Tingle, James Salt, Matt Tuckett, Mick Sanderson, Dominic Hartley, Jay Hartley, Stephan Woodward, Dan Webster, Martin Berridge, Nick Herring

Studio Marketing: Larry Sparks

Marketing Manager: Cindy Church

Product Manager: Richard Iggo

Studio Production: Morgan O'Rahilly, Ivan Davies

Producer: Tony Buckley

Design Consultant: Sean Millard

Executive Vice-President, Production & Publishing: Jean-Phillippe Agati

Head of Label-Infogrames Motion: Olivier Goulay

Manual Author: Steve Owen

INFOGRAMES ENTERTAINMENT SA

Product Development: Kurt Busch

Product Marketing: David Riley, Fredrick Balay

Creative Services: Sheryl Knowles

Documentation Localization: W.D. Robinson

Public Relations: Meridith Braun, Wiebke Vallentin

Online Marketing: Kiana Tran

Online Marketing: Jason Stokke

SQA Manager: Tom MacDevitt

SQA Supervisor: Donny Clay

Lead Tester: Ted Tomasko

Ass't Lead Tester: Eric Alberson

Tester: Chris Plep, P. Tseren Sodbinow, Kinh Williams ~ Keith Adams, All Game Guide

Review: Overall

Like the Worms series for the PC and PlayStation, Hogs of War puts you in control of five military troops and throws you into various environments around a Hog-like version of the world. Human soldiers are replaced by pigs that come armed with a variety of weapons and are divided into teams. Each "team" is basically the same, save for the nationalist jokes and voices (China, USA, Russia and Germany are some of the nations spoofed in the game).

The single-player missions consist of dropping five of your Hog grunts into a battlefield and disposing of the opposing team in a quick, precise fashion, all while keeping members of your squad alive. The environments you are dropped into are large enough to sport different types of strategy based on enemy placement of barracks and stationary guns as well as rough terrain and water.

Gameplay is almost identical to Worms, as each opposing team (or nation) takes a turn maneuvering a member of their team into position before choosing a weapon and attacking. Each pig has a certain amount of hit points to be depleted. As you advance and dispatch of your enemies through each mission, you are given bonuses for keeping all of your team members alive, completing the mission, as well as "secret" bonuses that vary from mission to mission. It is at this point that Hogs of War begins to take on a life of its own and separates itself from its 2D counterpart in terms of gameplay.

All of your soldiers initially have three grenades, a rifle and a knife at their disposal, but this changes with the bonuses awarded at the end of each level. Each bonus earns you a token that can be allocated to a member of your team as an upgrade. Initially all of your hogs start out as grunts, but the first upgrade will set each individual on unique career paths, including Medic, Engineer, Heavy Weapons and Espionage.

Once a career path is started on a certain hog, it cannot be reversed, and each additional upgrade will not only give you more HP, but additional weapons and tools to wreak havoc and destruction upon your enemy. For example, upgrading a Grunt to the first Espionage level will turn your hog into a Scout, arming him with a knife, a rifle, a poison gas bomb and the ability to pickpocket weapons.

Upgrading a second level turns your Scout into a Sniper, giving you a knife, sniper rifle, poison gas, suicide explosion, two pickpocket turns, and the hide function. Each character class also has automatic attributes specific to each class (Espionage class hogs cannot be detected on radar and Engineers can detect minefields with ease), and can pick up and use items scattered along the battlefield.

This offers a great variety of customization suited to many different types of gameplay styles. If you're a demolitions expert and thirsty for mass destruction and carnage, make a few of your characters Heavy Weapons and start causing huge explosions that can affect multiple troops on the battlefield at once. If you're in a stealthy mood, you might want to concentrate on having a few hogs in the Espionage environment, which allows you several modes of strategy in itself; do you hide far away from the enemy and pick away at them with sniper rifles, or infiltrate their base and strip their best troops of their weapons, making them all but useless? The choice is yours, and the continual upgrading motivates you to keep pushing through the game as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Each move has to be extremely calculated and executed, all within a time constraint for each hog's turn. Sloppy mistakes can often account for casualties of your own troops as well as those of the enemy. As in the game Worms, each pig explodes when it dies, which can damage (and kill) anything close to it. So if you decide to finish off that enemy trooper with a quick snipe to the head, make sure it isn't standing next to one of your own, or it could send one of your troopers sliding down a hill and into a dangerous lake (which rapidly depletes hog health as if it were lava) or flying into a minefield.

Many may be turned off by Hogs of War's simplistic graphics, and while they are devoid of fancy textures and large numbers of polygons, you can clearly see across the battlefield. The voices are humorous, and each "nation" has their own quips before an attack. The two-player game adds to the fun, strengthening the replay value that comic strategy buffs saw in the Worms series. It's also important in the single-player mode to try to get at least two out of every three bonuses in order to upgrade. Doing so will not only make the game more enjoyable, but extend the longevity of the game considerably.

There are very few games that can make you throw down the controller in frustration and then run back and play again a half hour later. Hogs of War is one of those games, and fans of strategy games (especially the Worms series) should seek out this fun PlayStation gem. ~ J.C. Barnes, All Game Guide

Review: Graphics

The graphics are the title's Achilles heel, but it's forgivable considering how fun the gameplay is. ~ J.C. Barnes, All Game Guide

Review: Sound

The music fades into the background and offers little variety, but the voiceovers are amusing and the explosions make loud, bass-filled BOOMS on good speakers. ~ J.C. Barnes, All Game Guide

Review: Replay Value

You can go through the single-player mode again as a different nation and try different styles of play, and there's the multiplayer game that will eventually take over as the dominant style of play (if you frequently play videogames with friends). ~ J.C. Barnes, All Game Guide

Review: Documentation

The black-and-white manual briefly explains the ranking system, weapons skills, controls, and offers a series of hints. ~ J.C. Barnes, All Game Guide

Wikipedia: Hogs of War

Hogs of War
The Sony Playstation cover of Hogs of War
Developer(s)	Infogrammes Studios
Publisher(s)	Infogrammes Europe
Release date(s)	PlayStation: August 5, 2000 June 8, 2001 Microsoft Windows (PC): November 3, 2000
Genre(s)	Turn-based Strategy
Mode(s)	Single player Multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: (T) Teen ELSPA: 11+ PEGI: 12+
Platform(s)	Sony PlayStation, PC
Media	1 CD-ROM
Input	Controller, Keyboard

Hogs of War is a video game released for the Sony PlayStation and PC in 2000. The game is a turn based strategy title in which First World War-era anthropomorphic pigs engage in combat. As observed by reviewers^{[citation needed]}, play proceeds in a similar manner to Worms, with the notable distinctions of 3D graphics, vehicles, a career-based single-player mode, and voiceover work (both narration and for characters) by British comedian Rik Mayall.

The theme tune for the game is Sousa's Liberty Bell March. The design of the game is discussed in the book “The Game Maker’s Apprentice”, which is co-authored by the lead programmer of the game and has a foreword by one of the game’s designers.

Teams

The titular "hogs of war" are anthropomorphic pigs, each wearing a coloured uniform to identify its nation. Each team is based around the stereotypes of their particular nation, and they make comments in reference to these when attacking, injured, etc. They are:

"Tommy's Trotters", based on the World War I British Expeditionary Force, in army green.
"Sow-A-Krauts" (a pun on Sauerkraut and the pejorative "kraut") based on World War I Germany, in grey outifts (including pickelhaube for the Heavy Infantry).
"Sushi Swine", in yellow fatigues, based on Japan.
"Uncle Ham's Hogs" in light blue, themed after the United States of America
"Garlic Grunts" in dark blue, ostensibly French.
"Piggystroika" in red uniforms, who represent the Soviet Union.

There is also a secret team from the final level, Team Lard, who represent the game's development team. They wear purple uniforms, but cannot be selected to play without using cheat codes unless playing the Playstation version (by typing in a team name of "MARDY PIGS"). However, they can be unlocked as a 'Survival Bonus' by completing the final level without any of the player's pigs being killed. The player must then reclaim the world for Team Lard from the team that the player originally used to complete the game.

Gameplay

Control moves from pig to pig in turn. During its turn (which may have a time limit) the pig can move around the level and attack (usually only once) the other pigs. Vehicles and stationary weapon implacements are available for use. Levels may include water hazards (which sap the pig's health while they traverse them) and minefields (which will damage the player, ending their turn, if a mine is triggered). A variety of weapons and items are carried by players or may be picked up in the level, which are themed on the technology available in the First World War setting. Many of these have a similar function, or a similar name, to those in the influential Worms.

Single-player game

The game's single-player campaign is composed of a series of unique levels, each more difficult than the last. These often contain novel objectives.

Objects in brackets are dropped as the level progresses. Words in bold indicate that the subject is triggered by a particular action Words In italics indicate that the objects are received at drop-off points once a pig arrives.

Level number and name	Time	Enemies	Medals	Vehicles and shelters	Pick ups	Water	Mines
01 - War Foundation	99	3 Grunts	None	None	1xTNT 2xSniper Riffle 2xBazooka	Yes	No
02 - Routine Patrol	99	2 Grunts + 1 Gunner	None	None	1xTNT 3xBazooka	Yes	No
03 - Trench Warfare	60	3 Grunts + 1 Gunner	None	3 Shelters	1xCluster Grenades 1xCluster Grenades	No	Yes
04 - Morning Glory!	60	2 Grunts + 3 Gunners	None	None	3xMortar 3xRiffle Burst 1xAirburst	Yes	Yes
05 - Island Invasion	60	1 Sapper, 1 Orderly, 1 Scout + 2 Gunner	None	2 Shelters	3xAirburst	Yes	No
06 - Under Siege	60	2 Bombadiers + 2 Snipers	None	None	1xSuper Airburst	No	Yes
07 - Communication Breakdown	60	1 Orderly, 1 Scout, 1 Bombadier + 2 Grunts in Pillboxes	None	2 Pillboxes	1xSuper TNT 1xSuper TNT	Yes	No
08 - The Spying Game	45	1 Medic + 2 Snipers, (2 Spies)	None	1 Shelter + 1 Medic Tent	3xRocket Launcher 1xJetpack (1xJetpack)	Yes	No
09 - The Village People	45	2 Bombadiers + 1 Pyrotechnics, (1 Pyrotecnics)	1 Medal	3 Shelters	1xSuper TNT 1xJetpack 1xCluster Grenades 1xairstrike	Yes	Yes
10 - Banger's and Mash	45	1 Scout + 2 Gunners in Artilleries	1 Medal	2 Artilleries	1xSuper TNT 5xMortar	No	No
11 - Saving Private Rind	45	1 Bombadier + 4 Snipers	1 Medal	1 Shelter	1xAirstrike 2xJetpack 1xHoming Missile 3xHoming Missile	No	Yes
12 - Jusdt Desert	45	3 Pyrotechnics + 2 Spies	1 Medal	6 Tanks	1xHoming Missile (1xAirstrike)	No	Yes
13 - Glacier Guns	45	5 Gunners in Pillboxes	1 Medal	5 Pillboxes	10xAnti p-mines (1xAirstrike) (1xAirstrike) 1xRocket Launcher 1xRocket Launcher 1xRocket Launcher 1xRocket Launcher 1xRocket Launcher (3xJetpacks)	Yes	No
14 - Battle Staions	45	4 Pyrotechnics	1 Medal	None	3xHoming missile 3xAirburst (3xAirburst) (3xAirburst) (3xAirburst) (3xAirburst)	No	Yes
15 - Fortified Swine	45	1 Pyrotchnics + 3 Spies	None	1 Duck	5xRocket Launcher 2xJetpacks 1xAirstrike	Yes	Yes
16 - Over the Top	45	1 Grunt, 1 Gunner + 1 Commando, (1 Gunner), (1 Gunner), (1 Gunner)	2 Medals	2 Artilleries	3xMedicine Balls 3xCluster Grenades 1xSuper TNT	No	No
17 - Geneva Convention	45	4 Commandoes in Health Tents	2 Medals	4 Health Tents	3xCluster Grenades	Yes	Yes
18 - I Spy....	30	5 Spies	2 Medals	None	(1xSuper TNT)	No	No
19 - Chemical Compound	30	1 Surgeon, 1 Spy, 1 Commando + 1 Pyrotechnic in a pillbox, (1 Pyrotechnic)	2 Medals	1 Pillboxes + 2 Tanks	1xJetpack 3xRocket Launcher 1xAirstrike	No	Yes
20 - Achilles Heal	30	4 Surgeons, (4 Surgeons), (1 Surgeon)	(2 Medals)	1 Health tent	3xH-exlp. Grenades (1xMedicine Ball) (1xMedicine Ball) (1xMedicine Ball) (1xMedicine Ball) (1xMedicine Ball) (1xMedicine Ball) (1xMedicine Ball) (1xMedicine Ball) (1xMedicine Ball) (1xMedicine Ball) 1xHoming Missile 1xHoming Missile 1xHoming Missile 1xHoming Missile	No	No
21 - High and Dry	30	5 Commandoes	2 Medals	None	1xGuided Missile 1xGuided Missile 1xGuided Missile 1xGuided Missile 1xGuided Missile 1xRocket Launcher 1xRocket Launcher 1xRocket Launcher 1xRocket Launcher	Yes	No
22 - Assaination	30	1 Scout, 2 Gunners in Artilleries, 1 Hero in a shelter, (2 Commandoes)	3 Medals	1 Shelter + 2 Artilleries	1xJetpack 1xJetpack 1xHoming Missile 1xHoming Missile 1xHoming Missile 3xAirstrike	No	Yes
23 - Hero Worship	30	4 Heroes	1 Medal + 4 Medals	2 Pillboxes + 1 Shelter	1xJetpack 3xCluster Grenades 3xGuided Missile	Yes	Yes
24 - Hamburger Hill	15	8 Pyrotechnics	5 Medals	None	1xGuided Missile 1xGuided Missile	No	No
25 - Well Well Well	30	1 Gunner, (5 Legends)	None	1 Pillbox	1xAirstrike 1xJetpack 1xAirstrike 1xJetpack	Poison Water	No

The final level contains some "swill drills". It also features unique enemies: a single bombardier in a pillarbox to start with, aided later by parachuting Legends.

At the end of each level, the player receives Promotion Points:

One for completing the mission
One if all the team's pigs survive
One for each medal collected

At the start all of the pigs are Grunts. These can then be specialise in different fields by "promotion" using the Promotion Points, and ultimately become Commandos and Heroes, "jack-of-all-trades" units. Computer-controlled units are upgraded to match the player's expected rank throughout the campaign. On the highest difficulty level, Heroes are the only opposition.

Promotion Points Required	Heavy weapons	Espoinage	Engineer	Medic
None	Grunt
1 Points	Gunner	Scout	Sapper	Orderly
2 Points	Bombadier	Sniper	Engineer	Medic
3 Points	Pyrotecnic	Spy	Sabateur	Surgeon
6 Points	Commando
8 Points	Hero
Unavailable	Legend

Legends are only on the opposition on the final level.

Multiplayer game

The game's multiplayer mode features a selection of preset levels, and also a "level generator" capable of creating a vast number of permutations either at random or according to player preferences. These levels which can be "saved" for later use by recording a password. The game progresses in a similar manner to the single-player campaign, with the option of computer-controlled teams. As only one pig can be controlled a time, the game requires only one controller regardless of the number of players.

Plot

The entry video shows an Edwardian era sergeant-major (with a somewhat blimpish attitude to life) at a recruiting centre preparing his troops for war. He states that his troops must conquer the continent of Saustralasia (in the Pigsific ocean), which is shaped like a pig, to gain access to "swill". There are 5 lands in Saustralasia including Hogshead, Bellyopolis, Trottsville and Arstria, each of which must be captured after 1, 4 or 5 battles (depending upon the size of the contested territory) against other countries. Throughout the game, the player receives updates on their progress (and the progress of the battle as a whole) from Commander IP Grimly.

Additional Information

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

The title screen is an obvious parody of the film Full Metal Jacket.
The German band Aerger released a pop record about Hogs of War (or "Frontschweine" as it was known in Germany) in 2000.
The design of Hogs of War is discussed in the book “The Game Maker’s Apprentice” which is co-authored by the lead programmer of the game and has a foreword by one of the game’s designers.
Although Hogs of War was often criticised for being heavily based on Worms, Worms was itself based on an earlier DOS game called Scorched Earth (computer game).
The voices of the units were provided by Rik Mayall.

External links

Hogs of War at MobyGames

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