Shrek 2 The Video Game Review - Game Boy Advance

When Activision picked up the Shrek license after three Shrek GBA games had already hit the market, they chose to switch things up and make Shrek 2 a corporative style, puzzle environment game. You play as Shrek, Donkey and Puss In Boots, each with their own unique skills that help you get through the various levels, a style originating with the classic The Lost Vikings, but has become quite popular with CGI movie based GBA games including, Over the Hedge and Ice Age 2, plus two more Shrek titles, Shrek 2: Beg for Mercy & Shrek The Third.

The gameplay is a pleasant surprise, having the player strategize through puzzle environments while never getting dull. This is done through the stand out level and puzzle design. The controls are easy to pick up and challenging enough for older players, while still being fun for a younger gamer.

The only glaring problem with the gameplay is the combat system that makes it difficult to hit your opponent and opens you up to take more damage than you shell out. The best way to beat your enemy is to stand at the edge of their reach and wait for them to pace by so you can get hit them, making for some of the slowest passed combat possible.

The biggest negative was how much of a boy’s club it is. Girl Gamers have become a huge chunk of the market, with handhelds as the preferred platform. Although Shrek may be the main character, Princess Fiona is a strong female who young girls can relate to. It’s a shame her only presence in the game is as a background character. Heck, in the movies she knows Kung-Fu. A true waist not to include her.

Parents Tips: E for Everyone. The most violent content is Puss In Boots' use of his sword to kill enemies, instead of knocking them out like Shrek and Donkey are able to do. There is no blood and once you've defeated an enemy they simply disappear.