Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The twin pack of Hogs of War and Worms delivers two distinct flavors of turn-based, artillery-focused tactics that have become genre staples. In Hogs of War, you command platoons of anthropomorphic pigs across a series of war-torn battlefields. Each mission requires careful positioning, judicious use of weaponry, and strategic movement around obstacles. The game’s supply of hilarious one-liners from commanding officers keeps the tone light, but don’t let the humor fool you: careful aiming, cover mechanics, and soldier classes are all pivotal to victory.

Worms takes the core mechanics of turn-based artillery and refines them into a delightfully chaotic playground. You guide small teams of worms armed with bazookas, grenades, and the iconic Holy Hand Grenade through fully destructible environments. The physics model is instantly intuitive yet rich in potential tactics: ricochets, chain reactions, and indirect hits reward creative play. Multiplayer sessions quickly escalate into frantic races against the timer, keeping even veteran players on their toes.

Despite their shared DNA, these games offer surprisingly different pacing. Hogs of War’s missions often center around specific objectives—capture the flag, escort missions, or all-out elimination—encouraging methodical planning. Worms, by contrast, thrives in its open-ended skirmishes: survival of the last team standing is your sole directive, meaning spontaneity and improvisation reign supreme. Together, they provide hours of varied tactical satisfaction.

Graphics

Hogs of War presents a fully 3D world filled with lush jungles, fiery deserts, and muddy trenches. Its cartoonish art style ensures clarity in combat scenarios; bright colors distinguish each hog faction, while exaggerated character models convey personality at a glance. Animations are smooth, whether your pig is firing a mortar or accidentally diving off a cliff. Though dated by modern standards, the textures hold up with a charming, almost storybook quality.

Worms sports a simpler, 2D—or some might say 2.5D—cartoon aesthetic that has endured for decades. The art direction focuses on readability: easily identifiable weapons, clear terrain deformation, and lively worm expressions. While the backgrounds can feel static compared to Hogs of War’s dynamic arenas, the destructible landscapes and flying particles of explosions create a visceral sense of impact that never grows old.

Both games emphasize fun over photorealism, resulting in timeless presentations that appeal regardless of hardware generation. Whether you’re ducking behind a haystack of Hogs of War or watching a Worms grenade reduce a hillside to rubble, the visual feedback is immediate, satisfying, and always easy to parse—even in the heat of multiplayer madness.

Story

Hogs of War offers a lighthearted campaign narrative that serves as little more than a framing device for battles. You follow a ragtag band of hog soldiers striving for control over a series of war zones, each led by a different pig general with their own comedic personality quirks. Cutscenes are brief and peppered with puns, but they provide enough motivation to advance from mission to mission and introduce new gameplay wrinkles.

Worms, by contrast, dispenses with a traditional story altogether. The premise is simply that rival worm clans want to whittle each other down to the last squirming survivor. Any “narrative” emerges through the emergent play of multiplayer matches, the competitive banter you share with friends, and the occasional mission-based tutorial. This minimalist approach lets you jump straight into the action without worrying about plot continuity.

Together, the two games cover both ends of the spectrum: Hogs of War’s cheeky campaign and Worms’ pure sandbox skirmishes. If you crave a sense of progression and personality, you’ll gravitate toward the hog-filled trenches. If you simply want explosions, laughter, and a near-infinite variety of matchups, Worms has you covered.

Overall Experience

This twin pack stands out as a must-have for fans of turn-based artillery games. The combination of Hogs of War’s 3D antics and Worms’ 2D destructibility ensures you never run out of fresh challenges. Both titles shine brightest in local multiplayer, whether you’re facing off against friends on the couch or battling AI opponents when no one’s available.

The learning curve is approachable for newcomers yet deep enough to keep seasoned tacticians engaged. Weapon upgrades, unlockable arenas, and multiplayer customization options extend the replayability far beyond initial completion. Even decades after their respective releases, these games maintain vibrant communities, mods, and fan-made maps to keep the content flowing.

With its blend of strategic depth, comedic flair, and varied presentation, the 2 Games: Hogs of War / Worms pack represents exceptional value in a single purchase. Whether you’re seeking single-player missions with memorable characters or endless multiplayer mayhem, this duo delivers an addictive, laughter-filled experience that holds up remarkably well over time.

Retro Replay Score

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