Shrek (video game)

As the titular character Shrek, the player completes objectives named "Good Deeds" in different areas accessible in a storybook overworld. Shrek can walk, run, jump, and wall jump through platforming levels, and he can subdue enemies by punching, kicking, throwing, or using flatulence on them. Enemies will try to inflict damage on Shrek, and the player can recover Shrek's health by collecting hearts. Enemies can be temporarily stunned if Shrek uses many punches, kicks, or flatulence, which he gains the power to use by eating onions. Explosive flatulence can be used as a weapon if the player collects enough chili peppers. Unlike other games, enemies can only be knocked out and do not die or re-spawn. Shrek's objectives may require platform jumping and wall jumping to get to the required area of the game.

Following a completely different narrative than that of the eponymous film which it is based on, Shrek is meant to be a "continuation" of the story of the film, taking place after the title character has set out to regain his swamp and become a "'de facto' hero" to the fairy tale creatures.{{Cite web |last=IGN staff |date=June 13, 2001 |title=Shrek Interview (Xbox) |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/13/shrek-interview-xbox |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413235525/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/13/shrek-interview-xbox |archive-date=April 13, 2019 |access-date=June 14, 2019 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}} Shrek is delivered a message by the infamous Magic Mirror that his wife Princess Fiona has been captured by an evil wizard, Merlin. Shrek must travel to Merlin's Dark Tower Fortress of Pure Evil, but an impassable fog has been laid across the Fairy Tale Lands. The fog and Merlin's Fortress can be passed through the completion of Good Deeds. The Magic Mirror gives Shrek a Book of Good Deeds and offers to teleport him to places where Good Deeds are required.

On December 20, 2000, TDK Mediactive signed a five-year deal with DreamWorks SKG to produce video games based on the Shrek license; the plan upon signing was to release a Game Boy title coinciding with the film's release and issue another game for "a next generation platform" in the fourth quarter of 2001.{{Cite web |last=IGN Staff |date=December 20, 2000 |title=Shrek Signs with TDK Mediactive |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/21/shrek-signs-with-tdk-mediactive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317094905/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/21/shrek-signs-with-tdk-mediactive |archive-date=March 17, 2014 |access-date=October 13, 2020 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}} On February 6, 2001, the next-generation console was announced to be Xbox, development duties would go towards Sandbox Studios, and the game would use character and object models from the original movie.{{Cite web |last=IGN Staff |date=February 6, 2001 |title=Shrek Confirmed for Xbox |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/02/07/shrek-confirmed-for-xbox |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017124730/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/02/07/shrek-confirmed-for-xbox |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |access-date=October 13, 2020 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}} In April, Digital Illusions CE purchased Sandbox Studios, and was soon renamed as Digital Illusions Canada. However, the game remained on schedule.{{Cite web |last=IGN Staff |date=April 6, 2001 |title=Digital Illusions and Sandbox Studios Merge |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/04/06/digital-illusions-and-sandbox-studios-merge |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210101/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/04/06/digital-illusions-and-sandbox-studios-merge |archive-date=November 3, 2018 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}}

The game was noted for being the first commercial title to make use of deferred shading,{{Cite web |title=History: 2001-2004 |url=http://www.electricsheepgames.com/games3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202224623/http://www.electricsheepgames.com/games3 |archive-date=December 2, 2013 |access-date=April 14, 2011 |website=Electric Sheep Games}} owing to the developers being able to write an advanced renderer without the constraints imposed by limited hardware typically targeted by games aimed towards children, such as the need for software rendering as a fallback in low-end computers that lack a graphics accelerator.{{Cite web |title=Rich Geldreich |url=https://sites.google.com/site/richgel99 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604071319/https://sites.google.com/site/richgel99/ |archive-date=June 4, 2012 |access-date=April 10, 2012 |website=Google}}

On May 16, 2001, IGN released nine clips of gameplay footage from the Xbox title, noting "details in the graphics including loads of bump mapping an{{sic}} per pixel shading."{{Cite web |last=IGN Staff |date=May 16, 2001 |title=E3 2001: First Movies of Shrek on Xbox |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/05/16/e3-2001-first-movies-of-shrek-on-xbox |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018194028/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/05/16/e3-2001-first-movies-of-shrek-on-xbox |archive-date=October 18, 2020 |access-date=October 13, 2020 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}} During development, Sandbox Studios was acquired by EA DICE (prior to their acquisition by Electronic Arts) and renamed to Digital Illusions Canada.

Shortly after the game's release, TDK Mediactive announced that a Shrek title would be released for the GameCube in 2002.{{Cite web |last=IGN Staff |date=November 30, 2001 |title=Shrek and Robotech to GameCube |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/30/shrek-and-robotech-to-gamecube |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713190526/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/30/shrek-and-robotech-to-gamecube |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}} In December, it was officially announced that Digital Illusions would handle the game for a Q3 2002 release on the GameCube, while a PlayStation 2 version would follow in Q4 2002.{{Cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Shahed |date=December 4, 2001 |title=TDK Announces Fiscal 2003 Lineup |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tdk-announces-fiscal-2003-lineup/1100-2829765/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113024509/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tdk-announces-fiscal-2003-lineup/1100-2829765/ |archive-date=2023-11-13 |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=GameSpot}} IGN assumed that the late release could mean that the port would be a different game outright.{{Cite web |last=IGN Staff |date=December 12, 2001 |title=Digital Illusions for Shrek GC |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/12/12/digital-illusions-for-shrek-gc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113024508/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/12/12/digital-illusions-for-shrek-gc |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}}

The PlayStation 2 port of Shrek Extra Large was never officially revealed, and is very likely that the port never got past the announcement stage. The purchase of TDK Mediactive's US operations by Take-Two Interactive in September 2003 and being stripped of the Shrek license prevented a release otherwise.{{Cite web |last=IGN Staff |date=September 3, 2003 |title=Take-Two Acquires TDK Mediactive |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/09/03/take-two-acquires-tdk-mediactive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922052852/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/09/03/take-two-acquires-tdk-mediactive |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |access-date=October 1, 2017 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}}

{{Video game reviews

| NGC = true

| XBOX = true

| na = true

| MC_NGC = 36/100{{Cite web |title=Shrek Extra Large for GameCube Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/shrek-extra-large/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107223145/https://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/shrek-extra-large |archive-date=January 7, 2015 |access-date=July 17, 2014 |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures}}

| MC_XBOX = 49/100{{Cite web |title=Shrek for Xbox Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/shrek-2001/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106214449/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/shrek |archive-date=January 6, 2015 |access-date=July 17, 2014 |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures}}

| Allgame_XBOX = {{Rating|2|5}}{{Cite web |last=Marriott |first=Scott Alan |title=Shrek (Xbox) - Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=31833&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115062213/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=31833&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |access-date=September 14, 2015 |website=AllGame |publisher=All Media Network}}

| EGM_XBOX = 3.33/10{{Cite magazine |last=EGM staff |date=January 2002 |title=Shrek |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/3/31/EGM_US_150.pdf |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |page=230 |issue=150 |via=RetroCDN.net}}

| GI_NGC = 3/10{{Cite magazine |last=Brogger |first=Kristian |date=January 2003 |title=Shrek: Extra Large |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200301/R03.0730.1649.24977.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040827213300/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200301/R03.0730.1649.24977.htm |archive-date=August 27, 2004 |access-date=July 17, 2014 |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=FuncoLand |page=102 |issue=117}}

| GI_XBOX = 2/10{{Cite magazine |last=Helgeson |first=Matt |date=January 2002 |title=Shrek |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200201/R03.0801.1130.05397.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041115001512/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200201/R03.0801.1130.05397.htm |archive-date=November 15, 2004 |access-date=July 17, 2014 |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=FuncoLand |page=86 |issue=105}}

| GamePro_XBOX = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{Cite magazine |last=Iron Monkey |date=November 15, 2001 |title=Shrek Review for Xbox on GamePro.com |url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/18283.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208044558/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/18283.shtml |archive-date=February 8, 2005 |access-date=July 18, 2014 |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG Entertainment}}

| GameRev_XBOX = D+{{Cite web |last=Baldric |date=December 10, 2001 |title=Shrek Review (Xbox) |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/37369-shrek-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726143414/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/shrek |archive-date=July 26, 2014 |access-date=October 22, 2021 |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline}}

| GSpot_XBOX = 5.3/10{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Miguel |date=November 15, 2001 |title=Shrek Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/shrek-review/1900-2825006/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208230813/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/shrek-review/1900-2825006/ |archive-date=February 8, 2014 |access-date=July 18, 2014 |website=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures}}

| GSpy_XBOX = 48%{{Cite web |last=Padilla |first=Raymond |date=December 8, 2001 |title=Shrek (Xbox) |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/december01/shrekxbox/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050217075325/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/december01/shrekxbox/ |archive-date=February 17, 2005 |access-date=July 18, 2014 |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment}}

| IGN_NGC = 3/10{{Cite web |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |date=November 12, 2002 |title=Shrek Extra Large |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/12/shrek-extra-large |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725141035/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/12/shrek-extra-large |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |access-date=July 18, 2014 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}}

| IGN_XBOX = 5.6/10{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Vincent |date=November 19, 2001 |title=Shrek (Xbox) |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/20/shrek |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010032950/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/20/shrek |archive-date=October 10, 2014 |access-date=July 18, 2014 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}}

| NGen_XBOX = {{Rating|1|5}}{{Cite magazine |date=January 2002 |title=Shrek |url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen85Jan2002/page/n43/mode/2up |access-date=October 22, 2021 |magazine=NextGen |publisher=Imagine Media |page=43 |issue=85}}

| NP_NGC = 2.1/5{{Cite magazine |date=December 2002 |title=Shrek Extra Large |url=https://archive.org/details/NintendoPower149to169Incomplete/Nintendo%20Power%20163%20-%202002%20Dec/page/n119/mode/2up |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Nintendo of America |page=218 |volume=163 |via=Archive.org}}

| OXM_XBOX = 5.3/10{{Cite magazine |date=January 2002 |title=Shrek |magazine=Official Xbox Magazine |publisher=Imagine Media}}

| XPlay_NGC = {{Rating|1|5}}{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Skyler |date=December 9, 2002 |title=Shrek Extra Large (GCN) Review |url=http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3409807,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021219224841/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3409807,00.html |archive-date=December 19, 2002 |access-date=July 18, 2014 |website=Extended Play |publisher=TechTV}}

| rev1 = The Cincinnati Enquirer

| rev1_XBOX = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{Cite news |last=Saltzman |first=Marc |date=November 28, 2001 |title=Xbox launch lineup [date mislabeled as "December 28, 2001"] |url=http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/112801_xbox.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306122551/http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/112801_xbox.html |archive-date=March 6, 2008 |access-date=July 18, 2014 |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |publisher=Gannett Company}}

}}

Both Shrek and Extra Large received "generally unfavorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. Reviewers criticized the gameplay in particular, as well as the audio. IGN described Extra Large{{'}}s puzzles as "run of the mill" and complained of the lack of audio in certain sections of the game. X-Play criticized Extra Large{{'}}s framerate, "jerky" animation, and camera control claiming it could make some players nauseous. Critics generally praised the game's graphical presentation, with X-Play{{'}}s Skyler Miller saying the game's graphics were "impressive at a standstill" and Raymond Padilla of GameSpy claiming the in-game graphics matched the movie's visuals.

Extra Large{{'}}s visuals were less favorably received, with IGN critiquing the game's lack of bump mapping when transitioned over to the GameCube as well as the poor animation. NextGen said of the Xbox version, "This young-skewing platform adventure is kept from greatness by a few small things – namely, bland, broken gameplay; an uncannily counterintruitive camera; unfocused, comically haphazard level design and goals; and ho-hum sound. Simply put, this game sucks."

On December 11, 2001, TDK Mediactive CFO Martin Paravato reported sales for both Fairy Tale Freakdown and the Xbox version making up "a significant portion of our revenue."{{Cite web |date=December 11, 2001 |title=Shrek Not Among Top 6 Selling Xbox Titles |url=http://www.digitalmediafx.com/News2001/December/121101/Shrek-Xbox.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229142536/http://digitalmediafx.com/News2001/December/121101/Shrek-Xbox.html |archive-date=December 29, 2010 |access-date=October 13, 2020 |website=Digital Media FX}} Shrek was the ninth-highest selling Xbox for the month of November 2001, selling 45,900 units and making up 2.6% of the console's revenue.{{Cite web |year=2002 |title=Microsoft's Xbox Gamble |url=https://digitalstrategies.tuck.dartmouth.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/6-0011.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018224737/https://digitalstrategies.tuck.dartmouth.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/6-0011.pdf |archive-date=October 18, 2020 |access-date=October 14, 2020 |website=Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth |page=22}}

As of October 2002, total units of all of TDK's Shrek games released at the time, including the Game Boy Color, Xbox, and GameCube games as well as Hassle at the Castle (2002), totaled over 1.2 million units in sales.{{Cite web |last=Orlando |first=Mike |date=October 30, 2002 |title=Shrek: Extra Large ships |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/7965/shrek-extra-large-ships |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906014903/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/7965/shrek-extra-large-ships |archive-date=September 6, 2017 |access-date=October 13, 2020 |website=Nintendo World Report |publisher=NINWR, LLC}}

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{{Reflist}}

• {{mobygames|id=/shrek}}

{{Digital Illusions}}

{{Shrek}}

Category:2001 video games

Category:Digital Illusions CE games

Category:GameCube games

Category:Platformers

Category:Shrek (franchise) video games

Category:3D platformers

Category:Video games developed in Canada

Category:Xbox games

Category:Cancelled PlayStation 2 games

Category:Single-player video games

Category:TDK Mediactive games