Pandora's Box: The Ultimate GameCube Tier List

#64: Shrek 2

Rating: E

Players: 1-4

Price Range: ~$13 USD

A 3D beat-em-up based on the DreamWorks movie of the same name.

Now, this could be considered a hidden gem, at least to some, as this is actually a good game despite the low standards licensed fare live up to.

In terms of the movie itself, it is definitely one of DreamWorks' best, with the animation and especially the humor still holding up, with some of it actually being kind of adult, what with the satirizing of pop culture tropes, at least at the time.

I mean, there is literally a joke about the O.J. Simpson car chase.

While I think that How to Train Your Dragon, at least the first two films for me, are definitely better, Shrek 2 is up there.

Now, onto the game itself.

This is a 3D beat-em-up where you playthrough levels as a set cast of 4 characters, each with their own abilities while trying to progress through the stages.

Each one is different, and arguably better than the last.

Each character has their own abilities that has each player actually work together, especially since they share a camera.

For example, Shrek can pick up and throw things, Fiona can...slow down time, I guess, Gingy can throw cookies that can distract enemies and even guide the Three Blind Mice in a stage, and many others.

The game also takes a lot of creative liberties that I think improve the experience overall, such as the captured fairytale creatures breaking out of prison being its own level despite having next to no time or importance to the film.

Far, Far Away is also its own set of miniature levels partway through the game, with one of the more memorable missions being to pick up hundreds or so of various pieces of jewelry and gold in a museum with a rampaging troll type monster with a club, in which every players has to work together to pick up everything without dying, as the monster one-shots everybody, with no revives. It's quite simple, yet fun.

Perhaps the most iconic part of this game would be the "Hero Time" segments of the game, where one of the set characters, regardless of who is playing them, has to tackle a unique sequence on their own, which is quite enjoyable. Some of these include beating up and throwing ne'er-do-wells into a police truck as Shrek in one of the Far, Far Away sections, singing to a bird loudly to have spontaneously combust as Fiona, and there is even a boss fight exclusive to one of these sections, so it is quite cool.

The game is also balanced decently in terms of challenge, as while the objectives and combat may be simple, some of the missions can be shockingly easy to either die or lose in if you are not paying attention, which I like. The Puss in Boots boss fight is a great example of this.

However, this game is based on a property at the end of the day. So if you know nothing of the series, then this game has limited appeal. The graphics are...fine. Not particularly good, but just barely passable. Also, as a 3D four-player beat-em-up, it would be inevitable that the game would be better played with others as opposed to doing it alone, and some may find the combat repetitive, even though I think it has enough variety to not fall into that trap.

Also, some of the liberties with the source material are sort of...out there. Like the Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood are playable characters despite the fact that they have little if any relevance to the plot of the films at all.

Perhaps the biggest casualty of all would be in two levels specifically where the fourth character is...a nameless fairy. Yes, a nameless fairy. Easily the worst character in the game.

You know that joke in which player two is given a crummy controller to play with because...they're player two? Well, this is that, except it is actually baked into the game itself.

This character shoots projectiles that are pitifully weak, she has no special abilities, which means she isn't required for progression or anything, and, perhaps worst of all, she dies in only about two hits. Two hits and then whoever is playing as them is held hostage by the game until the other players get to the checkpoint.

Ridiculous.

Still, for the incredibly low price, if you like the film and have some people around willing to play, you'll definitely like this game.