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I have to say that there is some truth to the old saying “time really flies you by when you’re having fun“, because it’s been over 18 years since Stormregion released their classic animal-themed RTS game “S.W.I.N.E.” for PC (the original game launched back in 2001).

swine hd remaster the war between swine and rabbits

Believe it or not, but in “S.W.I.N.E. HD Remaster” you actually get to play as either pigs or rabbits (yes, there is a war going on between rabbits and pigs).

Yes, I know. I couldn’t believe it at first either, because it feels as if it was just yesterday that I played “S.W.I.N.E.” on my college PC. However, the game is indeed over 18 years old, and I haven’t heard much about “S.W.I.N.E.” since the early 2000s.

S.W.I.N.E.’s cutscenes may be +18 years old (the graphics look pretty outdated), but the videos are still fun to watch.

That’s also why I got very surprised when I found out that Kite Games and Assemble Entertainment had made an HD remaster edition of “S.W.I.N.E.” for PC, and the game is called “S.W.I.N.E. HD Remaster” (it’s out right now for PC via GOG and Steam).

This is what the mission briefing screen looks like in “S.W.I.N.E. HD Remaster” (you even get a hint about what enemy units that you might face in the said mission).

Right off the bat, for those who have no idea (whatsoever) what “S.W.I.N.E.” is all about. Well, “S.W.I.N.E.” is an old-school RTS game where rabbits and pigs are at war, and you get to play as either one of them.

Since there are no base building elements at all in “S.W.I.N.E.”, the main focus is instead on battle and strategy.

A fun sidenote would be that I’m yet to figure out which side that’s supposed to be the good and bad guys.

Anyways, from my point of view, “S.W.I.N.E.” is more or less what happens when you mix “Ground control“, “World in conflict” with some truly war hungry animals (in this case, pigs and rabbits).

At the end of each mission, you get grade receipt of sorts. You also get to see how many units you lost Vs how many enemy units you have destroyed.

I still have to say that “S.W.I.N.E.” is even less complicated and straight on than “World in conflict” and “Ground control”.

Simply put, “S.W.I.N.E.” is so none complicated that a little child could play the game without any fuss (you are more or less ready to go without even playing through the game’s tutorial once).

You can buy, sell and upgrade your vehicles with the money that you’ve earned from each mission (be sure to spend your money wisely though, as it’s going to affect your chances at winning the upcoming missions).

For example, there are no base building elements in “S.W.I.N.E.” whatsoever, and you only get to control a handful of military vehicles with each mission. Furthermore, every single mission is as simple as they get (you either have to defend, destroy or go somewhere).

The pigs and rabbits faction has a very different line-up of military vehicles (the pigs got heavier and slower vehicles, while the rabbits got lighter and faster vehicles).

In other words, you won’t have to cry yourself to sleep at night just because you don’t understand what you’re supposed to do in-order to complete a mission (there are no “Company of Heroes” or Close Combat-like mission briefings or mission objectives in “S.W.I.N.E.” ).

“S.W.I.N.E.” may be over 18 years old, but the remastered edition of the game actually looks pretty darn good in-game.

So at the end of the day, there aren’t all that many downsides to “S.W.I.N.E.”. Well, at least not if you want to play a simplified, none complicated and action-intense RTS game.

It’s also worth pointing out that “S.W.I.N.E. HD Remaster” offers improved graphics, sound music and much more.

So if you enjoyed the original “S.W.I.N.E.” game (or simplified RTS games in general), then you should pick up “S.W.I.N.E. HD Remaster” with no doubt, because it’s a really fun, action intense and creative RTS game.

Pros:
+ There are two different and crazy factions to play as (pigs and rabbits).
+ Plenty of different military vehicles to pick from.
+ The humor.
+ Nice looking visuals.
+ A catchy soundtrack.
+ A LAN/Online multiplayer mode.
+ improved graphics (4K baby!), sound, music and much more.
+ Air strikes!

Cons:
– The A.i can be rather stupid at times
– If you like base building, then this is not the game for you.
– Some people might find “S.W.I.N.E.” to be way too easy.
– A few enemy units and buildings take forever to destroy.

Gameplay: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound and music: 4/5
Controls: 5/5
Replay value: 4/5
Story: 4/5

tgg grade 4 out of 5

Verdict: 4/5
S.W.I.N.E. HD Remaster is more or less what happens when you mix Ground Control, “World in conflict” with some war hungry pigs and rabbits.

Well, it might sound insane in theory, but Kite Games has actually managed to pull everything off since S.W.I.N.E. HD Remaster is a fun and action intense animal-themed RTS.

Title: S.W.I.N.E. HD Remaster
Developer: Kite Games
Format: PC
Genre: FPS
Resolution: Default resolution
Release date: 2019-05-23
Difficulty: User-defined
Spent time: +10 hours
Average grade internationally: N/A
PEGI age rating: +12
Price: 9,99 Euros via GOG and Steam

***Disclosure***
We (TGG) are a part of the GOG family, and we may receive a profit cut out of your purchase via the GOG links in this post. We were also given a review code for this game.

Robin “V-Act” Ek
Editor in chief
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @TheGamingGround