Hogs of War: When Pigs Took the Trenches

In a World War I-era world, pigs are the soldiers. Hogs of War arrived at the tail end of the turn-based tactics boom, offering a quirky alternative to gritty war games.

🐷 About the game

• Release: 2000
• Developer: Infogrames Sheffield House
• Publisher: Infogrames
• Platform: PlayStation, Windows
• Genre: Turn-based tactics

🎖️ The experience

You command a squad of pig soldiers, each with a name and a personality. The tone is lighthearted, even silly, but the battlefield is serious. The pigs grunt, squeal, and deliver one-liners as they blast each other across muddy fields. It feels like a cartoon war, but the tension of each turn keeps you focused.

🎯 How it plays

Players take turns moving and attacking with their pigs across 3D terrain. Each pig can use weapons like rifles, grenades, and bazookas. The goal is to eliminate the enemy squad. The camera can be rotated to aim shots, and wind affects projectile trajectories. A career mode lets you lead a team through a campaign, earning promotions and unlocking new gear.

✨ What makes it special

• ✅ Pig soldiers: The anthropomorphic pigs are not just cosmetic—each has a distinct voice and personality, adding charm to the strategy.
• ✅ Rik Mayall's voice work: The British comedian provides memorable, over-the-top voice lines for the pigs, giving the game a unique comedic edge.
• ✅ World War I setting with pigs: The combination of a serious historical conflict with cartoon animals creates a humorous contrast that sets it apart from other tactics games.
• ✅ 3D terrain and physics: The game uses 3D environments with elevation and wind, making each shot a tactical puzzle.

It feels like a cartoon war, but the tension of each turn keeps you focused.

🕹️ The retro charm

The 3D graphics are blocky and low-poly, typical of the era. The pigs are simple models with exaggerated features. The menus are basic, and the interface is functional but clunky. It runs on Windows 95/98 and PlayStation, with a resolution that feels small today. The charm is in its earnest attempt to be both a strategy game and a comedy.

🎵 Sound & atmosphere

The music is a mix of orchestral and military-style tunes, fitting the war theme. Sound effects are crisp: gunshots, explosions, and pig squeals. Rik Mayall's voice work is the highlight—each pig has a distinct, silly accent and catchphrase. The audio creates a playful atmosphere that undercuts the violence.

⏳ Then vs. now

• Still works: The turn-based tactics are solid, and the humor remains funny today.
• Feels dated: The 3D graphics are rough, and the camera controls can be frustrating.
• Needs patience: The slow pace and lack of modern conveniences like undo buttons may test modern players.
• Unique appeal: No other game combines World War I with talking pigs in quite this way.

🧐 Curiosities

• Rik Mayall's involvement: The comedian recorded over 1,000 lines of dialogue for the pigs, giving each a unique personality.
• Infogrames Sheffield House: The developer was known for quirky games, and Hogs of War was one of their most memorable titles.
• Multiplayer focus: The game supported up to four players in local multiplayer, a common feature for the time.

🏁 Why remember it?

Hogs of War is a charming oddity that blends strategy with absurd humor. It's worth remembering for its unique premise and Rik Mayall's voice work. Anyone who enjoys turn-based tactics with a smile should give it a try. It's a pig of a game, but a lovable one.

📚 Sources

Hogs of War Wikipedia

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