Shrek The Third

Video game adaptations of big movies, particularly kid’s movies, tend to get a lot of flak from more hardcore gamers – and not without some justification. Not offering anything original in terms of gameplay is one thing but they’re usually quite shoddily made and with little real connection to the movie they’re supposed to be based on. Shrek The Third won’t be winning any video game awards for innovation but it does at least look and sound like the film and is unlikely to disappoint anyone who simply wants to relive it from the comfort of their own joypad.

In predictable fashion the game is a third person action adventure in which you get to control Shrek, Donkey, Puss in Boots, Princess Fiona, Arthur and Sleeping Beauty. Each has their own subtle differences, from Puss n’ Boot’s double jump to Sleeping Beauty’s guide ability, but combat always comes down to just mashing the attack button as rapidly as possible. Everyone also has their own special move as well, from Fiona’s flying kick to Puss n’ Boot’s "cute puss" move.

Another inevitable aspect of the game is a series of mini-games, but most are actually quite good, particularly Castle Capture where you have to smash down an opponent’s walls and Ships Ahoy where you have to defend a beach from invading pirates. All can be played with a friend outside the game, which is more than can be said of the main story mode which is sadly single player only. The graphics are decent though and everyone looks like their movie selves, even if the celebrity impersonators don’t sound like them. As a video game it’s a fairly average affair all round, but as a marketing tie-in it succeeds with flying colours.
Harrison Dent

• Adventure as Shrek and His Friends: Play as favourites like Shrek, Donkey, Puss in Boots and Fiona, as well as new friends Arthur & Sleep Beauty, each with unique abilities.
• Explore the Movie and Beyond: Adventure through 20 levels from the movie and beyond that bring this twisted fairy tale to life. Visit movie locations like Far Far Away, Merlin`s Hills and Worcestershire
• Academy plus never-before-seen places such as Stromboli`s Puppet workshop and the Evil Queen`s Castle.
• Play Fun Multiplayer Mini-Games: Choose from 5 radically different mini-games. Knock over your friend`s tower with a catapult in Shrek`s Castle Capture, fire canons at the pirates in Ships Ahoy, jump through the dangerous Catacombs Leap, and more.
• Battle All New Enemies: This all-new cast of villians includes hilarious gnomes, arrogant jocks and dangerous pirates. Take on bosses like the huge Ice Dragon, the devious Prince Charming and Hook`s band of pirates.
• Collect Coins and Unlock Features: Collect the gold coins scattered throughout the kingdom to unlock new costumes, special bonuses, multiplayer maps, extra characters and even special Pinocchio and Gingy`s commentary.