Common Sense Media Review
By Jinny Gudmundsen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tons of punching in between punch lines.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
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.
Talk to Your Kids 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?
Game Details
- Platforms : Xbox 360 , PSP , Nintendo Wii , Windows , PlayStation 2 , Game Boy Advance
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Activision
- Release date : May 14, 2007
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : September 26, 2024
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