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 Curling is that sport that nobody ever admits to watching during the Winter Olympics, but yet when everyone is at the pub, it always comes up. While the hopes of running down an icy lane with a broom may be dashed due to athletic abilities, aspiring Olympians can try their hand at virtual curling, but with pigs. Sadly, this game does not come with a compliment of freshly cooked bacon.
Pig Curling is all about playing a game of curling, but with pigs as the Stone, and a bit more interesting course setups. Players will need to slide pigs toward a target at the end of the screen, all while compensating for mechanics such as different pig sliding characteristics, various obstacles, and increasingly more difficult winning conditions. There are even special pigs that have various abilities, like peeing on the track to slow down the swine behind them, that will aid in besting the frantic physics puzzles. The different types of pigs present their own unique challenges, and learning how to utilize these differences will separate the men from the boys. It is a simple premise that will challenge gamers for hours.
The game takes a basic approach when it comes to the presentation. There is no music to listen to while playing, so hopefully that iTunes library is full. The pigs do squeal when they are launched, while hitting wood, bouncing off walls/pegs, and interacting with the world leads to sounds that feel as though they come straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon. The visual package takes the same basic approach as the audio one, with vibrant colors taking the main stage. The different types of environments (like wood and ice) are nicely detailed with the pigs sporting a comical look and bruises showing up after they bounce off an obstacle. The audio and visuals work well together to provide a lighthearted gaming environment, but this is not going to knock anyone’s socks off.






The only issue that crept up was a hyper sensitivity problem that would have moves being made that were not exactly planned. I would lift my finger from the screen and the game would sometimes think I was actually launching the pig. This would then lead to resetting the stage to try again. Hopefully an option can be added in a patch to allow for sensitivity adjustments.
Overall this is an enjoyable change from the bounty of other physics-based games. The setting is entertaining, the puzzles challenging, and everything is wrapped up in a humorous package. Score junkies will find plenty of replays in constantly hunting for the elusive bulls eye. Who knew pigs and curling went so well together, and it is fun to boot! Any hesitation can be conquered by checking out the free version as well.