Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

S.W.I.N.E. delivers a fresh spin on the real-time strategy genre by swapping out tanks and mechs for turrets and squealing infantry. From the very first mission, you’re thrust into a 3D battlefield where unit composition matters more than on-the-fly base building. Before each mission, you pick the exact mix of Rabbits or Swine you’ll bring along—light scouts, heavy gunners, medical engineers, and the occasional super-weapon. This pre-mission roster system forces you to anticipate threats and plan your counters, rewarding foresight over frantic micromanagement.

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Once the action starts, the classic RTS interface feels surprisingly intuitive. You move squads rather than individual soldiers, set waypoints, and deploy special repair units that can revive or fix damaged troops right in the heat of battle—albeit for a resource cost. These repair “ambulance” units introduce a tactical layer: do you push forward with damaged tanks and risk losing them, or do you divert engineers and slow your advance? It’s a clever risk-reward mechanic that keeps each skirmish tense and unpredictable.

The game’s 22 single-player missions span both Rabbit and Swine campaigns, offering 11 levels apiece. Early Rabbit stages focus on guerrilla tactics and hit-and-run ambushes, reflecting the underdog struggle against the Swine National Army. After you complete that first, narratively driven campaign, the tables turn: you command the Swine’s overwhelming might in tougher, more resource-intensive operations. This campaign flip keeps the overall pacing brisk and varied, pushing you to master both defensive retreats and full-frontal assaults.

Graphics

Visually, S.W.I.N.E. stands out for its bright, cartoonish aesthetic. Environments are rendered in bold, saturated colors—rolling green hills for the Rabbit territories, muddy fields and war-torn villages under Swine control. Explosions and weapon impacts produce vibrant, firework-like bursts instead of gory dismemberment. This light-hearted design choice ensures the game never feels grim or gratuitous, fitting the humorous tone perfectly.

Unit models are distinct and memorable: Rabbits wear makeshift armor and wield oversized carrot-shaped bazookas, while the Swine lumber forward in bulky steel plating, firing pork-themed rockets. Animation quality is solid for a 2001 release—soldiers trot and scurry naturally, tanks rumble with convincing weight, and engineering units awkwardly scuttle in to repair allies. Occasional clipping or pathfinding hiccups emerge in complex terrain, but these minor technical foibles rarely derail the fun.

Perhaps the most charming graphic feature is the 6000+ voice samples. A gruff Swine sergeant might grunt orders, while a panicked Rabbit footman squeals “Incoming!” at the first sign of danger. Speech bubbles and on-screen text are clean and easy to read, enhancing battlefield awareness without clutter. All told, S.W.I.N.E.’s visuals strike a fine balance between functional clarity and cartoonish charm.

Story

Set on the fateful morning of August 3rd, the Swine National Army launches a surprise invasion of CarrotLand, home to the Rabbit nation. Within two weeks, the Rabbits are driven from their homeland, reduced to a ragtag band hiding in backwater forests. You begin the first campaign as the beleaguered Rabbits, tasked with rallying survivors, rescuing captured comrades, and staging sabotage operations against an enemy that vastly outnumbers you.

The narrative unfolds through mission briefings, in-game chatter, and cutscenes that blend slapstick comedy with surprisingly stirring moments. Watch a squad of brave Bunnymen sacrifice themselves to stall Swine reinforcements, or cheer as your prankster mechanic rigs a giant daisy cannon to blow up a hog supply depot. The writing never takes itself too seriously but still builds genuine empathy for the underdog Rabbits.

When the Rabbit campaign concludes, the point of view shifts. You assume command of the ferocious Swine, pushing deep into Rabbit defenses with overwhelming firepower. This role reversal deepens the story by exploring both sides’ motivations—porcine generals rant about “restoring order,” while Rabbit leaders preach solidarity and hope. The overall arc is lighthearted yet surprisingly memorable, fueled by sharp dialogue and colorful characters that linger after you power down the game.

Overall Experience

Ultimately, S.W.I.N.E. is a compelling blend of strategic depth and cartoonish humor. Its pre-mission unit selection ensures each battle feels unique, while the repair-unit mechanic adds strategic nuance. Between the underdog Rabbit missions and the might-makes-right Swine campaign, players get to experience two complimentary sides of the conflict, each with its own flavor and strategic demands.

Replay value is bolstered by three difficulty settings, 10 multiplayer maps, and a skirmish mode that lets up to eight players duke it out in LAN or online matches. Whether you prefer hit-and-run guerrilla tactics or rolling over foes with mechanized pork-power, there’s an approach that suits your playstyle. The combination of clear visuals, humorous voice work, and balanced mission design keeps things fresh well beyond the initial run-through.

For fans of real-time strategy looking for a witty change of pace, S.W.I.N.E. remains a charming classic. Its blend of 3D battlefield tactics, memorable characters, and satire makes it a standout title, even years after its release. If you’re in the market for a strategy game that doesn’t shy away from laughs, treats unit customization as a strategic puzzle, and rewards both careful planning and bold maneuvers, the S.W.I.N.E. saga is well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10