Blood and Bacon

I’d use Blood and Bacon for a workout where I want something loud and uncomplicated, because pigs coming at you from every direction should keep your attention off the treadmill display. I’d keep the pace comfortable, though, since shooting while your hands are bouncing around sounds like a small but ongoing negotiation.

Gameplay

I think the appeal here is that the game has a very clear job for you: explore the maps, shoot the porcine monsters, and keep moving while the next group arrives. That’s a useful kind of simple when you’re exercising, because you don’t have a long story scene asking you to stop and watch somebody explain why the pigs are doing this. I like games that get to the part where I’m doing something, and this seems to understand that.

There are 25 enemy types, plus bosses and minibosses every 10 days, which gives the shooting some variety without making you learn a whole new set of rules every few minutes. I’d probably enjoy the steady change in what’s coming at me, and the big monsters sound like a nice reason to sit up a little straighter without needing to remember a complicated plot. The day and night levels also give the maps some variation, though I don’t know how much that changes the feel of each fight. It’s still a lot of pigs.

The co operative setup sounds like a good fit if you have someone to play with, because a game built around an onslaught is more fun when there’s another person reacting to it with you. I wouldn’t expect that to make the shooting less busy, though. If you’re trying to hold a conversation, watch your footing, and keep track of several enemy types at once, that is a handful of jobs for one afternoon.

I also appreciate that the game sounds like it spends its time on fights rather than making you sit through long stretches before the next one. That matters more to me for exercise than a deep progression system would, because if I’ve started moving I want the game to give me a reason to keep going. I don’t know whether every map keeps that pace equally well, but the basic setup is promising. Monsters show up, you shoot them, and you move along.

Category Score: 3 out of 3

Treadmill and Bike Compatibility

Full controller support is a big plus, and I’d start with a controller rather than trying to manage a mouse while my arms are moving. The issue is that this is still a shooter, and aiming at enemies while you’re running or pedaling isn’t the same as aiming from a chair. A pig can be right there and your thumb can still be trying to catch up.

I’d put the treadmill at a comfortable walking pace, or use a bike where the pedals can keep going while your hands do the careful work. That’s not because the game sounds slow. It sounds busy, and the regular enemies, minibosses, and larger bosses mean you’ll have to pay attention instead of zoning out. I’d rather have a steady workout and miss a shot than turn the whole thing into a contest between my legs and my thumbs.

There’s a nice tradeoff here, because the constant shooting should keep you mentally involved, but it probably won’t be the game I’d pick for a hard run where every step is already taking focus. If the screen gets crowded, I’d lower the speed before I tried to play more aggressively. I know myself well enough to think I’d start chasing one enemy around the screen and forget that the treadmill keeps moving. That would be an unforced error.

The maps and day and night levels sound like a reason to keep playing, but I wouldn’t treat every encounter like it needs perfect aim. This is a game about surviving the onslaught, not proving you can shoot a tiny target while your whole body is in motion, and I’d take the occasional messy shot as part of the deal. If you’re on a bike, I think the hand movement is easier to manage. On a treadmill, I’d keep the belt slow enough that missing a shot doesn’t turn into a footwork problem.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Computer Requirements

The minimum requirements are very modest, so I’d expect this to run on an older computer or one using integrated graphics, assuming it’s in working order. I’d check that the machine has a sound device, since the requirements specifically call one out, and then I’d spend less time worrying about the graphics card. The pig army does not appear to demand a very fancy computer.

Category Score: 3 out of 3

Conclusion and Score

Blood and Bacon sounds like a sensible choice for someone who wants a straightforward shooter and doesn’t mind keeping an eye on their aim while exercising. I’d play it at an easy pace, preferably on a bike or a slow treadmill walk, and skip it for workouts where I need all my attention on moving.

Overall Score: 2.67 out of 3