Shrek 2 (video game)

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Shrek 2
Shrek 2 North American Microsoft Windows box art
Shrek 2 North American Microsoft Windows box art
Developer(s)Luxoflux (console version)
KnowWonder (Windows version)
Beenox (Windows port of console version)
Aspyr (Mac port of Windows version)
Vicarious Visions (GBA)
Eurofun and DTR (mobile)
Publisher(s)Activision
Director(s)Phillip Trumbo (PC)
Producer(s)Liz Lehmans, Elizabeth Walkey (PC)
Designer(s)Elizabeth Walkey, Amanda Brightley (PC)
Artist(s)Peter King, Andrew Brinkworth (PC)
Writer(s)Kelly Wand, Susan O'Connor, Liz Lehmans (PC)
Composer(s)Kevin Manthei
Kevin Riepl
Rob Berry
EngineUnreal Engine 2 (original PC and Mac)
Platform(s)GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, Microsoft Windows, OS X, mobile
ReleaseXbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance
  • NA: April 28, 2004
  • PAL: June 18, 2004
Microsoft Windows, OS X
  • NA: May 3, 2004
  • PAL: June 18, 2004
Mobile
  • NA: May 31, 2004
  • PAL: September 1, 2004
Genre(s)Action-adventure, beat 'em up, platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Shrek 2 (also known as Shrek 2: The Game and ported for the PC as Shrek 2: Team Action) is a 2004 action-adventure video game published by Activision, based on the DreamWorks Animation film of the same name. The game was developed by Luxoflux for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube platforms, while a version for PC was developed by KnowWonder.

Plot

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Further information: Plot of Shrek 2

Shrek 2's storyline follows a similar plot to that of the film. Shrek and Fiona are on a journey to the Kingdom of Far Far Away to visit Fiona's parents. Shrek's in-laws are unhappy that a crude ogre is married to their daughter Fiona and turned her into an ogre, and the battle for acceptance ensues. The game covers things not shown in the film. Plot elements are delivered primarily through a storybook interface (text and illustrations) shown before each level.

Gameplay

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GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox versions

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In this version of the game, the player is able to play as Shrek or his friends and travel through 11 levels. In each level, the player controls a team of four characters, and can switch between them at any point. Each character has a unique ability that aids them in fighting enemies or moving through the environment (for example, Donkey can destroy obstacles and Fiona can slow down time).

The game is broken into different chapters, each with its own set of goals. One chapter requires the player to make sure three blind mice safely make their way to the witch's house. Other chapters have the player acting as a deputy in Far, Far Away Land—collecting bits of Humpty Dumpty, stealing treasure from a troll, helping the police clear out rioting hooligans from the streets, escorting Cinderella while she window-shops for a glass slipper, ridding the town of the Pied Piper's rat infestation, collecting chickens for a stew, or battling Puss in Boots via timed button presses.[1]

Players play mini-games when they are not traveling on hazardous paths from point A to point B. Challenges that require the player's entire party include having to punch chickens into cook pots or a pen, escorting characters through a stage (Billy Goat Gruff and the three blind mice), and collecting fairies, jewels, etc.[1]

The second type of mini-game, dubbed "Hero Time", gives one character a challenge to complete, usually emphasizing that character's particular skills displayed in the movie. Donkey at one point has to chase a fleeing onion wagon while riding on the back of Dragon. Fiona holds a private concert for a flock of black birds she is collecting for a pie (via exploding them by rhythm based button presses). Shrek has to throw a bunch of thugs into a paddy wagon.[1]

Game Boy Advance version

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This version is a side-scroller with graphics resembling the Donkey Kong Country series, developed by Vicarious Visions. The game is separated into five books (worlds), each with five chapters (levels). The story of the game is a compressed version of the movie it is based on. The playable characters are Shrek, Donkey, Puss in Boots, Human Shrek and Gingerbread Man, each with their own unique set of skills.

Development

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The game was first announced at E3 2003 in May that year, as a co-publishing collaboration between Activision and TDK Mediactive, the then-current video game license holder for the Shrek franchise, with Luxoflux announced to be developing the title.[2][3][4] In December 2003, Take-Two Interactive purchased the North American operations of TDK Mediactive and rebranded them as Take-Two Licensing. With this, Activision terminated their publishing deal with TDK and instead announced a new partnership with DreamWorks for the Shrek license instead.[5][6] Shortly after Activision announced that they would continue to work with DreamWorks to develop and publish several video games based on the upcoming movie,[7] before they released the first trailer for the game in Spring of 2004.[8]

Two versions of the game were released for the PC; one developed by KnowWonder for younger audiences using Unreal Engine 2, and the other a port of the original console release under the title Shrek 2: Team Action which was developed by Beenox.[9]

The score for the game was composed by Kevin Manthei and Kevin Riepl. The soundtrack album consists of 58 tracks with over 65 minutes of score. It was released on May 6, 2004, by KMM Productions.[10][11]

Reception

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Shrek 2 received "mixed to average" reviews from critics.[18][20][19][22][21] GameRankings and Metacritic gave it a score of 72.56% and 72 out of 100 for the Game Boy Advance version;[12][18] 72.27% and 70 out of 100 for the GameCube version;[13][21] 71.92% and 71 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version;[14][20] 71.29% and 72 out of 100 for the Xbox version;[15][19] 62.90% and 55 out of 100 for the PC version;[16][22] and 49% for the Mobile version.[17]

IGN reviewer Mary Jane Irwin called the GameCube, Xbox, and PlayStation 2 versions of Shrek 2 "an amusing jaunt into the world of the movie,"[1] and Craig Harris, another reviewer of IGN, called the GBA version "an absolute treat, especially for those who dig the artstyle of the film," though he stated it to be "nothing new".[39]

The game, along with fellow movie sequel based game published by Activision, Spider-Man 2, shipped more than five million units combined and were the best-selling titles of May and June, respectively.[46]

In the United States, Shrek 2's Game Boy Advance version sold 700,000 copies and earned $18 million by August 2006. During the period between January 2000 and August 2006, it was the 35th highest-selling game launched for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS or PlayStation Portable in that country.[47]

By July 2006, the PlayStation 2 version of Shrek 2 had sold 850,000 copies and earned $26 million in the United States. Next Generation ranked it as the 70th highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in that country. Combined console sales of the Shrek series reached 2.5 million units in the United States by July 2006.[48]

During the 8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Shrek 2 for "Console Children's Game of the Year".[49] The game won for Favourite Video Game at the 2005 Kids' Choice Awards.[50]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Irwin, Mary Jane (May 5, 2004). "Shrek 2". IGN. Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  2. ^ "Activision and TDK Mediactive Set to Debut Shrek 2™: The Game at E3 Expo 2003". investor.activision.com.
  3. ^ IGN staff (May 6, 2003). "E3 2003: TDK reveals lineup". IGN. Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  4. ^ IGN staff (May 7, 2003). "E3 2003: Activision announces lineup". IGN. Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  5. ^ "Activision Signs Agreement With Dreamworks For Video Game Rights To Upcoming Feature Film". investor.activision.com.
  6. ^ IGN (September 3, 2003). "Take-Two Acquires TDK Mediactive". IGN. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  7. ^ Calvert, Justin (December 19, 2003). "Activision signs Shrek 2 from DreamWorks". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  8. ^ Dunham, Jeremy (April 9, 2004). "Official Shrek 2 Trailer". IGN. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  9. ^ "Shrek 2: Team Action for PC – GameFAQs". www.gamefaqs.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-21. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  10. ^ KMM Productions (May 6, 2004). "Shrek 2 Original Game Soundtrack Released". PRWeb. Archived from the original on June 20, 2004. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  11. ^ "Shrek 2". Kevin Manthei Music. Archived from the original on November 2, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  12. ^ a b "Shrek 2 for Game Boy Advance". GameRankings. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  13. ^ a b "Shrek 2 for GameCube". GameRankings. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  14. ^ a b "Shrek 2 for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  15. ^ a b "Shrek 2 for Xbox". GameRankings. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  16. ^ a b "Shrek 2 for PC". GameRankings. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  17. ^ a b "Shrek 2 for Mobile". GameRankings. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  18. ^ a b c "Shrek 2 for Game Boy Advance Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on June 18, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  19. ^ a b c "Shrek 2 for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  20. ^ a b c "Shrek 2 for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 26, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  21. ^ a b c "Shrek 2 for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  22. ^ a b c "Shrek 2 for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  23. ^ EGM staff (July 2004). "Shrek 2". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 181. p. 94.
  24. ^ Bramwell, Tom (August 12, 2004). "Shrek 2 (Xbox)". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  25. ^ Miller, Matt (July 2004). "Shrek 2". Game Informer. No. 135. p. 112. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  26. ^ "Shrek 2". GamePro. August 2004. p. 68.
  27. ^ Dodson, Joe (June 15, 2004). "Shrek 2 Review (Xbox, GC)". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  28. ^ Dodson, Joe (June 15, 2004). "Shrek 2 – ps2 Review". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on August 24, 2007. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  29. ^ Davis, Ryan (May 5, 2004). "Shrek 2 Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  30. ^ Provo, Frank (June 3, 2004). "Shrek 2 Review (GBA)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  31. ^ Palley, Stephen (June 2, 2004). "Shrek 2 Review (Mobile)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  32. ^ Davis, Ryan (June 3, 2004). "Shrek 2 Review (PC)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 5, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  33. ^ Rice, Kevin (May 29, 2004). "GameSpy: Shrek 2". GameSpy. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  34. ^ Buchanan, Levi (June 28, 2004). "GameSpy: Shrek 2 (Cell)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on May 6, 2006. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  35. ^ The Bearer (May 13, 2004). "Shrek 2: The Game – XB – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  36. ^ Bedigian, Louis (May 9, 2004). "Shrek 2: The Game – PS2 – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  37. ^ Hollingshead, Anise (May 13, 2004). "Shrek 2: The Game – GC – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  38. ^ Aceinet (July 18, 2004). "Shrek 2: The Game – PC – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  39. ^ a b Harris, Craig (May 4, 2004). "Shrek 2 (GBA)". IGN. Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  40. ^ Buchanan, Levi (June 18, 2004). "Shrek 2 (Cell)". IGN. Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  41. ^ Irwin, Mary Jane (June 7, 2004). "Shrek 2 (PC)". IGN. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  42. ^ a b "Shrek 2". Nintendo Power. Vol. 182. July 2004. p. 120.
  43. ^ Baker, Chris (July 2004). "Shrek 2". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Archived from the original on June 20, 2004. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  44. ^ "Shrek 2". PC Gamer: 58. July 2004.
  45. ^ Wapshott, Tim (June 26, 2004). "Shrek 2". The Times. Archived from the original on January 14, 2006. Retrieved July 19, 2014.(subscription required)
  46. ^ Golze, Benjamin; Thorsen, Tor (July 21, 2004). "Activision reports record sales". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  47. ^ Keiser, Joe (August 2, 2006). "The Century's Top 50 Handheld Games". Next Generation. Archived from the original on October 10, 2007.
  48. ^ Campbell, Colin; Keiser, Joe (July 29, 2006). "The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century". Next Generation. Archived from the original on October 28, 2007.
  49. ^ "2005 Awards Category Details Console Children's Game of the Year". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  50. ^ "Adam Sandler, Hilary Duff, Will Smith, Usher, Avril Lavigne, Romeo, Raven, "Spongebob Squarepants," Tony Hawk, Green Day, "Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events" And More Grab Top Honors At Nickelodeon's 18th Annual Kids' Choice Awards". April 2, 2005. Archived from the original on February 8, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
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