Hogs of War

"Oink! Grunt! Oink!"

This is an excellent title for the PSX. The concept of the game is like Worms, except in 3D and with pigs. The weapons are all different.

You have an optional training mission to start you off. The first mission has you controlling 5 ''Grunts'', each carrying a Rifle, a Bayonet and 3 Grenades. The goal is to annhilate your opponent in any way, whether by blowing them up, drowning them or stuffing a Bazooka up their....

The controls might take some time to get used to. Throwing grenades and launching bazookas requires skill and precise aiming. You can change the angle of your trajectory and determine how much power you will use. The more, the further the grenade, bazooka goes. With precise aiming, the damage can be major. Other weapons, like the pistol and Sniper Rifle, changes the view to a sniper-like view. Here, you aim for a pig and BOOM! However, the more time you take to aim, to more unstable your aiming sight will become.

The game is turn-based. You have a certain amount of time to move your pig around and attack the enemy or pick up crates filled with goodies. As the game progresses, you have less time to scramble your troops. At the end of each mission, depending on your performance, you get ''Promotion Points''. There are used to promote your low-life grunts into bad ass Gunners, Sappers, Snipers...etc... Each career path gives each pig new toys to play with. A Gunner will have unlimited Bazookas, a Sapper will have TNT and a Shotgun, a Sniper will have a Sniper Rifle, Poison Gas Grenade and the ability to disguise himself as an innocent looking box or a tree (!?).

The MultiPlayer game is also fun. You get a few random chosen pigs and try to annhilate each other, along with the optional CPU players. A great party game as well.

Graphics 9/10
Graphics are excellent. Animation is HILARIOUS. I have NO complaints.

Sound 9/10
Again, the sound are truly hilarious. Each pig will say a smartass comment before they attack or get hit (I'll shoot if they don't shoot back!'') and the boot camp is funny too (''Now you have a BAZOOOOKA. You use the BAZOOOOOKA...'')

Originality 10/10
Except for the concept, this game is truly unique, nothing quite like it. Except Worms. ^_^

Replay 8/10
You'll love to play this over and over again with yourr friends.

Gameplay 9/10
Easy to use and easy to get adjusted to. Nothing else to say.

Rent or buy? If you like Worms, buy this. 'Nuff said.

Oink.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/18/01, Updated 01/25/01