Shrek 2: The Game

If a donkey is also a burro, does that make a little donkey a burrito?

Sound a little forced? It is, but that is an example of the humor that floods through Shrek 2 from Luxoflux and Activision for the PS2 console system.

Shrek 2 is a linear escapade, picking up where the original movie left off. The game combines arcade adventure in a lush three-dimensional setting. The voices of the main characters – Shrek, Fiona and Donkey either are the actors from the motion picture or voice actors who sound amazingly close. The trio also has a new ally in the fight, Gingerbread Man, who can jump in the air and fire off candy canes at the opponents.

The game is built on a group mode of combat. You have the party and can switch from one character to the other. Each has special attacks which may prove of some use. For example, Shrek can jump and do a belly drop which will stun opponents.

Fiona is the martial artist. Donkey has hooves of fury, and cookie boy has the ranged attack.

The game starts simply enough with collecting eyeballs for the trip to Fiona’s parents.

Donkey wants to get some parfaits for the journey, but Shrek reminds him rather forcefully (in tone) that ogres don’t eat parfaits. That begins the introduction to the romp through this tilted take on the world of make-believe and fairytales.

You will run into old nemesis, like Robin La Hood, and of course the “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall” is floating nearby to offer guidance.

The controls are very easy to understand and use. The gameplay itself is a linear walkthrough. The mapboard is divided into sections and you must complete the missions in each area to advance to the next. Invisible walls border the levels. You can knock an opponent through them, but your cast of characters cannot move through. And should you accidentally know that enemy, or target, through the invisible barrier, it will return to the mapboard.

Likely the most compelling aspect of this game is the graphics. The game does have a rotatable camera, and you can zoom in and out to enjoy the look of this title. It is as though it is right off the silver screen.

However, what Shrek 2 has in looks, it skimps on content – well, if you are an older player. This is a game that is geared for the younger crowd, and the young at heart. The gameplay is somewhat simplistic, and the arcade feel is not immersive. The game structure will also hamper replay ability.

All that said, though, if you are fan of the film, or just enjoy the pleasures of a simple arcade title, then Shrek 2 may be what you are looking for. This game is not overly complex, but has some charm in the presentation.