Shrek the Third (Console Version)

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Tons of punching in between punch lines.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this game is based on the movie of the same name, and there are three games named Shrek the Third. The version reviewed here is for the consoles -- Nintendo Wii ($50), Microsoft Xbox 360 ($50), Sony PlayStation 2 ($40) -- and for the PC ($20) and Sony PlayStation Portable ($40). While this version tracks the storyline of the movie, this game is all about beating up bad guys. Although there is no blood, you inflict pain and punishment on others to make them fall down and eventually disappear.

  • This is a quest to help friends.
  • Each character has their own special attack, and the focus of the game is beating up the bad guys. Shrek will continue to punch guys until they fall down and eventually disappear.
  • Not applicable.

What's it about?

This version of SHREK THE THIRD, created for the consoles (Xbox 360, PS2, and Wii), PSP, and the PC, is an action-adventure with a heavy emphasis on bashing the bad guys. It tracks the story presented in the movie, with Shrek searching the world of Far, Far Away to find the missing heir, Arthur. As players explore the 20 levels of the game, they will have the opportunity to play as Shrek, Puss-in-Boots, Donkey, Fiona, Arthur, and Sleeping Beauty.

On each level you are assigned a character and a series of quests, from playing through the level without dying, to finding a hidden geek in a locker, to destroying Captain Hook's piano. You will also need to collect coins and smash everything in sight to acquire fairy dust, the commodity that allows your character to execute special power attacks. While the game is mostly about combat, it also offers a little bit of puzzle play and six two-player Mini games (except on the PC, which only has one Mini game).


Is it any good?

 

The constant fighting gets old quickly, but the humor in the dialogue keeps it fun. If your kids like games that let them smash and bash everything in sight, then this is not a bad movie tie-in adventure. And the Mini games can be entertaining. The Nintendo DS version is the better game because it offers cooperative play for up to three players and focuses on puzzle play instead of combat.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about how developers extend the movie experience through games. Did this one stay true to the franchise? If you were responsible for developing a video game based on the Shrek character, what would your game look like? What makes the world of Shrek fun to play in?


This review was written by Jinny Gudmundsen
Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
 
a fun action game for kids 10 and up!
this game is a great game! if you have a 10 year old kid looking for a fun action game...this is it!!! violence: punching,kicking,and sword swinging. comerciolisem: this is a quest to help shrek's friends. so overall this is a really good game for kids over 10! (belive me i rented it and it was the only game i played for a week!)

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Kid, 10 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Parent of 3, 9, and 9 year old
April 9, 2008
 

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
is was weak
The script was weak. They didn't put too much thought into it. It was OK for kids with the poo poo jokes. It was not as funny as the first or even the second one.

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Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
 
boring
boring boring boring boring boring no fun no fun

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Kid, 9 years old
April 17, 2010
 
awsome
awsome

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Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
 
boring
boring movie

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Kid, 12 years old
March 12, 2010
 
i think it's better for 5+ because it has some bad things in it
i saw that word "pu**" and that's a really bad word to say

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 14 years old
March 12, 2010
 
i think it's better for 5+ because it has some bad things in it
i saw that word "pu**" and that's a really bad word to say

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Jinny Gudmundsen
Platforms:Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Windows, PSP, Game Boy Advance
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Action/Adventure
Developer:Activision
Release date:May 14, 2007
Price:$50
ESRB rating:E10+ for Cartoon violence and crude humor

This review was written by Jinny Gudmundsen

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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