Shrek the Third
Preview
Long live King Shrek.
by William Thompson
previewed on PC
With a little help from DreamWorks
Graphics are cartoon-ish as you would expect from a game based on an animated movie. But they are still quite detailed which is as you would expect given that DreamWorks Studios had input into the game. There are certain areas reminiscent of Sid Meier?s Pirates, especially the pirate level.
All the characters look as though they just come straight out of the movie and I guess this would make fans of the movie (especially the smaller gamers) happy. Landscapes and location graphics are vibrant and colourful when they need to be and at times give a darkish (in a cartoon type of way) feel to particular levels.
The introduction cut-scene is done superbly, giving an overall background to what has happened and what Shrek and his friends need to do. It just keeps the gamer in the medieval timeframe in which the game (and movie) is set.
Donkey: "Look out! They got a piano!"
Sound is also done well, bringing the feel of the movie to the PC screen. John Cleese has reprised his role of King Harold from the movie and does voice-overs in the game. Other characters also sound authentic even though the original actors did not do the voice-overs (don?t tell the little kiddies, though). Sound effects are simple yet effective, notifying the gamer of coins collected as well as other bonuses.
Controls are very simple, as is the case with most action games, and in fact are an improvement on the previous Shrek game. This is a plus as the game would be geared towards the younger gamers who might not have the motor skills of a more advanced gamer. Maybe the controls are simple so that older dads can show their kids how to play without too many complex moves required. The controls for the Wii have also been given some thought with the use of the motion-sensors coming into play.
From what we?ve seen so far of the game, there is not much to dislike. It is a simple platformer that anyone (including the younger gamers) can pick up and play. Graphics and Sound are authentic and are kept faithful to the movie. With the movie no doubt being a worldwide hit, the merchandising will follow, and this is definitely a plus for the game.
