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# ‘Shrek the Third’ ★★★
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/shrek-the-third/
- Published: 2007-05-24T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T00:50:06.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Entertainment, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By MICHAEL J. TITTINGER Daily Press Editor*

PLAYSTATION2 Not being the target demographic for Activision’s “Shrek the Third,” I had to suspend my thirst for spilling Nazi blood or calling an audible at the line of scrimmage like I do in my typical video game fare. But the ogre movies had done right by me and my nieces, so I decided to give the “Shrek” game a test-drive. Besides, the wife is a big Puss in Boots fan.

Unfortunately, gamers have to proceed through the quests as Shrek, Fiona, Sleeping Beauty, Puss, Arthur and Donkey at the game’s behest. So while one favorite character and their fighting abilities might appeal to different players, just who storms the castle is not an option left to the player. In this sense, one size does not fit all.

In “Shrek the Third,” players attempt to save Far Far Away after Prince Charming storms the city in an attempted coup. It’s up to Shrek and company to find a suitable king for the land, presumably Artie, the future King Arthur. But none of the backstory really matters once you’re gaming, advancing from one arena of battle to another with similar skills to battle similar enemies. A game designed for children 10 and up should offer the player more challenges in terms of problem-solving and guile, rather than a drawn-out punch-em-up that leaves one feeling a tad numb after a few hours.

Another feature allows players to square off in mini-games (since the story mode game doesn’t allow for two players!), shooting at pirate ships and cor-ralling frogs and the like. To be honest, the “Shrekleboard” mini-game was my favorite feature of the game, a relaxed game of shuffleboard staged on a pirate ship, complete with soothing music. While that admission likely speaks volumes about my video game wants, it also says a lot about the rest of the featured title, as does the eight-page instruction book (four of which explain the entire breadth of the game).

Voiceover actors do a respectable job imitating the familiar cadences of actors Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas, but the game forces players to watch their exchanges over and over again, often preventing an eager combatant to jump right into the action. In the end, “Shrek” the game does little to challenge players of any age.

And from what I’m gathering at home, it could use a lot more Puss in Boots too.

“Shrek the Third” is available on all major gaming systems, including your PC.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/052407-12_01.jpg)

TAKE THAT: Puss in Boots should have been included in the game much more prominently. (Photo: Photo courtesy Activision)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/052407-12_02.jpg)

TAKE THAT: Puss in Boots should have been included in the game much more prominently. (Photo: Photo courtesy Activision)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 24, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/052407.pdf?ref=smdp.com)