Hogs of War

Infobox VG| title = Hogs of War


caption=
developer = Infogrammes Studios
publisher = Infogrammes Europe
designer =
series =
engine =
released = PlayStation
vgrelease|PAL=2000-06-08|NA=2000-08-05

Windows
vgrelease|PAL=2000-11-03
genre = Turn-based strategy, Artillery game
modes = Single player
Multiplayer
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=Teen|PEGI=12+|ELSPA=11+
platforms = 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 reviewersFact|date=August 2007, 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 (a sow being a female pig) 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 Russia.

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

"Hogs of War" is a turn-based tactical war game. During a faction's turn, which may have a time limit, the pig can move around the level and attack the other pigs. Vehicles and weapon emplacements are available. Levels may include water hazards, which sap the pig's health while they traverse them, and minefields which will damage the pig, ending their turn, if a mine is triggered. A variety of weapons and items are carried by pigs or may be picked up in the level, which are themed on the technology available in the First World War setting.

ingle-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.

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 pigs are Grunts. These can then be specialise in different fields by promotion, using Promotion Points, and ultimately become Commandos and Heroes. 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.

Multiplayer game

The game's multiplayer mode features a selection of preset levels, and a level generator capable of creating a number of permutations either at random or according to player preferences. These levels 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 introductory video shows an Edwardian era blimpish sergeant-major 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 five lands in Saustralasia including Hogshead, Bellyopolis, Trottsville and Arstria, each of which must be captured after one, four or five 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 war as a whole from Commander IP Grimly.

Additional information

* 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.

equel

On 2008-02-13 Infogrames announced [http://corporate.infogrames.com/MT-3.34-en/mt-static/FCKeditor/UserFiles/File/CA_Q3_FY07_08EUR_FINAL.pdf FISCAL YEAR 2007-2008 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS (not audited figures)] "Hogs of War 2" for Nintendo DS, Wii, PlayStation 2 and PC. It is planned to be released this fiscal year (ending 2009-03-31).

External links

* [http://www.mobygames.com/game/hogs-of-war Hogs of War at MobyGames]

References