#10: Shrek 2 (PS2)
Dreamworks and PDI’s much-anticipated follow-up to the 2001
animated blockbuster Shrek saw our
eponymous green hero once again take centre-stage alongside Fiona and an array
of fairy tale creatures as he prepared to meet the in-laws in the kingdom of
Far Far Away. The 2004 movie tie-in video-game follows the plot of the movie,
albeit somewhat rather loosely. In fact, therein lies my most prominent
criticism. Now, I’ve no problem with tie-ins that diverge from the plot of the
movie, as long as they make it clear that they are not strict adaptations but
spin-offs. The problem with this game is that, while it does follow the plot of the film (just about!), none of the levels
actually derive from scenes in the film, save for maybe one or two. As a
result, this game falls somewhere between the categories of movie tie-in
adaptation and spin-off.
This may not be an issue for everybody. In fact, it’s
probably not an issue for many at all, but it’s a factor I’m considering.
Having said that, taking this game for what it is rather than for what it
isn’t, it isn’t bad at all, but it’s hardly a masterpiece. The game follows
four interchangeable characters in each level, allowing for multiplayer
interaction. At the end of each level (except for the boss battles) there is a
special ‘final round’ entitled ‘Hero Time’, which sees one of the four
characters complete a challenge, usually based on their own unique abilities.
The individual abilities of the characters comprise one of the game’s
highlights. Shrek can use brute strength to carry enemies and toss them aside,
Donkey can utilise his ‘burro blast’ to break through barriers and clear paths,
and Big Bad Wolf can use his powerful breath to blow away enemies and activate
certain switches. Of course, there are also some rather odd and incongruous
abilities that aren’t given much explanation, such as Fiona’s inexplicable
ability to slow down time. Regardless, they’re fun to use, and the interactions
between the characters are fun to watch and listen to, even if their voiceovers
are obvious imitations of the celebrities who voiced them for the big screen
(Shrek’s ‘Scottish’ accent is particularly painful). The differences between
the characters, their interactions and abilities is probably the game’s most
inviting aspect. It actually makes it feel as though some thought went into the
character’s designs, rather than just blandly maintaining a multiplayer feature
throughout for no real reason.
The levels aren’t too challenging, and the game seems to be
consistent in its difficulty. The graphics are decent, although some characters
look strikingly different from their original models (I’m looking at you, Fairy
Godmother!). But very few of the levels bear any resemblance to scenes in the
film. The most similar are ‘Fairy Godmother’s’, involving the exploration of
the potion factory, and ‘Cookie, Cookie’, following Mongo the giant gingerbread
man’s rampage through Far Far Away. Yet even the most accurate scene
adaptations contain needless additions, interactions, and sometimes characters
(where did Li’l Red and the Fairy come from?!). Maybe I’m being nit-picky here,
but I find the fact that it strays so far from the plot of the film rather
irritating.
As a standalone game, however, this is very good. The
interactions and abilities are, for the most part, well thought through and
effective. It doesn’t feel contrived either, and the voiceover work is decent,
I suppose (although personally I can’t listen to some of the impressions
without creasing or cringing). It’s hardly what I’d call original, but it has a
certain charm to it and the characters all work well together. It’s fun, it’s
simple, and the animations are smooth. Though not exactly the perfect tie-in,
you could do far, far worse.
6.5/10
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