Taste-Test: Shrek 2

When I first saw that there was going to be yet another game based off the Shrek movie license I wanted to die, at least just a little. I saw “Shrek 2 – coming soon to Nintendo GameCube” and shed a tear for the future of gaming. Alas, as the first screens started to become available and more information came to light myself and GCC Senior News Editor Joe McCollum had talked about how it might actually be a decent game…little did we know.

Now, I must say in the game’s defense, I am only four or five levels in, so there’s a very small possibility that it will get better as it moves on, however, I am wholly unimpressed thus far. Strangely, it would seem as though the level I played at E3 just last week whetted my appetite, as it was the first level and, perhaps uninspired, but fun nevertheless. As it were, the game just kind of went downhill. I really wish I could say more good about the game, as I am a fan of Activision and Luxoflux (the team who made True Crime: Streets of LA), but from what I’ve played it’s a crappy game.

I can understand that, yes, the game is aimed at smaller children. The “puzzles,” if you can call them that, are totally brain dead, and the action makes it feel as though GCC Staff Zombie Chuck could handle it. If you really, really, really like pressing B over and over again, then this game is for you. Puzzles and enemies alike are completely comatose.

When I had first read about it, like I said, I was pretty interested. The graphics, deservedly so, are pretty cool. They aren’t jaw-droppingly wonderful, but they make you smile (which in my realm of dark depravity is always a welcome sort). The graphical style that Luxoflux had used really helped bring the Shrek universe to life. I liked the graphics, but something being pretty doesn’t exactly make up for shallowness, which is something very important and that you children should learn at a young age (or at least remember for when you’re in Middle and High School). The general idea is that you control a party of four, Shrek ever-present, and a rotating of other characters. The first level your party contains Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and the Tiny Tim Gingerbread Man. Later on the team will consist of people like Puss in Boots and Little Red Riding Hood. Each character has their own special ability; Shrek can lift heavy things, Fiona slows down time, Gingerbread man throws cookies, Donkey has a super-powerful kick called the Burro Blast, etc. Throughout the levels each character’s ability is needed to get past some sort of impasse, but so far has not been used to it’s fullest potential.

I don’t know about this one. It’s a shame because it had some good ideas, but it just isn’t very good, and if this first half is any indication, well…it ain’t dark yet, but it’s getting there. Expect a full and hopefully better review in the coming days.

Kevin McGinnis