Shrek the Third (Xbox 360)

Games based on films tend to be pretty poor — just look at the “Harry Potter” or “Spider Man” games for evidence of this. The third movie in a series also tends to be a bit disappointing, as the writers desperately try to come up with a movie that will be as successful as its predecessors. “Shrek the Third” is no exception to either of these rules.

Storywise, the game manages to remain faithful to the film, with a puppet-show narrated by John Cleese (the only one of the film’s cast to voice the game as well) telling the story. This manages to be amusing and make a nice alternative to traditional video cutscenes

At best, the gameplay in Shrek the Third is simplistic. Levels follow a repetitive pattern consisting of beating up baddies who simply charge at you as soon as you come near them and seldom land a hit on you, and three-dimensional platformer puzzles, requiring you to find certain switches or complete rather inane puzzles.

There are occasional boss fights and mini-games spread throughout the main story, as well as a number of items to collect on each level. Finding these items generally requires minimal sidetracking, and so little depth is added to the linear gameplay.

In addition to collecting items to complete levels, you must also collect coins called “Far Far Pounds”. Collecting these allows you to unlock bonus costumes for Shrek, Puss and Donkey, making them stronger or allowing them to collect more fairy dust.

Combat is relatively simple. A, B and X each have an attack move and you can hit Y at certain times to perform a finishing move. As you kill baddies, they drop fairy dust which allows you to perform character specific special moves such as Shrek’s “Ogre Stomp” or Puss’s “Look Cute” attack.

Each playable character does feel different and requires a slightly different play style, but it would be nice if you could select a character to play at the start of the level instead of being forced to chop and change by the game. Available characters include Shrek, Donkey, Puss, Fiona, Artie and the three Princesses. Of these, Donkey is easily the least fun to play, with Shrek being the most rounded character.

The mini-games provide some diversion, but herding frogs, firing tomatoes at wooden pirates, and trying to sink pirate ships with a fixed cannon soon becomes boring.

Unfortunately, Shrek the Third has no online gameplay aspects on the 360 which is rather disappointing. It does have a selection of two player mini-games, but once again these are bland and have little replay value.

Visually, Shrek the Third is a bit of a let-down. While most of the character models look pretty good compared to the models used in the film, there is a distinct lack of texture both in characters and in the level design. This leads to Puss and Donkey looking rather solid and glossy as opposed to being furry. This game certainly does not push the 360’s graphics processor in the slightest.
Ideally, some better textures, less glossy looking surfaces and some character facial expressions would go a long way to improve the look of the game.

Sound-wise, I initially found the game rather annoying. At the starting menu you are treated to annoying sound-bites by soundalikes of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas and a 20 second piece of music, all of which repeats endlessly. As you get into the levels, the music improves, retaining a sound similar to the film, although it does appear that very little of the actual music used in the film has been transferred to the game.

Overall, Shrek the Third is not the best gaming experience I’ve ever had — it’s tedious, repetitive and annoying, but if you have an Xbox 360 and Shrek obsessed kids, then this might keep them entertained during the long summer break. Still, I’d tend to avoid this title because of its utter mediocrity.

[Ghostsuit]

Young kids will probably find it fun I guess.

[Posh]

Originally Posted by Hammer

Games based on films tend to be pretty poor — just look at the “Harry Potter” or “Spider Man” games for evidence of this

Spidey 2 is one of the most fun games ever!

[Thermo]

Originally Posted by Posh

Spidey 2 is one of the most fun games ever!

I agree with this
Tempted to buy Spidey 3, purely cause its only £15 these days and supposedly exactly like spiderman 2
Was just like Grand Theft auto except you got to swing about New Yoik, quality

[Jaemi]

Aye, Spiderman 2 was about 100 times more fun than I thought it would be.

[Hammer]

Mental note: Do not generalise or you will be hauled up for it.

Aye, Spidy 2 was pretty good for a movie tie in, but the first spiderman game was dire and 3 isn't meant to be that good.

[endless psych]

On the subject of hauling folk up... Wheres your bloody hyphens!!!

[Posh]

I've heard Spidey 3 is shit but if you like Spiderman 2 get Ultimate Spiderman. It's from the same team, I think, and it just takes everything that's great about Spidey 2 and improves it and adds lovely cell shaded graphics

[nevali]

Originally Posted by endless psych

On the subject of hauling folk up... Wheres your bloody hyphens!!!

What hyphens, apostrophe-boy?

(Oh right, “Spider-Man” is the official spelling. My bad; I thought it was “Spider Man”. I knew it wasn't “Spiderman” though).

[Posh]

Originally Posted by Seinfeld

It's Spider-Man. He's not like... Phil Spiderman.

Seriously though, who gives a fuck.

[Joe Spinebuster]

Every Spider-Man game ever is awesome, even "Arcade's Revenge" on the SNES, coz it's fucking Spider-Man FFS. Spider-Man 2 and Ultimate Spider-Man are fucking off the chain.
I got Spider-Man 3 last week and completed the story mode in just a few hours, because I couldn't put the damn thing down. It is similar to Spider-Man 2, aye, but not as good. It's a lot glitchier, and so much more frustrating. Still awright, but, I recommend it.

FUCK THIS GUY AND HIS SPIDER-HATIN'!

[Rio Ohki]

Maximum Carnage - Mega Drive.
Play as Venom? Alright then!