Shrek Smash N' Crash Racing

Turbo-Märchen: Mit Shrek & Co. über Stock und Stein. Auch als Animationsfigur muss man nur lange genug auf der Leinwand präsent sein, um ein Rennspiel im Mario-Kart-Stil spendiert zu kommen. Dem grünen Oger, der demnächst zum dritten Mal im Kino zu sehen sein wird, ist dies gelungen.

When it comes to license gaming, it’s really no secret that publishers consider big-name franchises like Shrek to be a free meal-ticket. Game after game releases, they sell well, kids grow tired of them, and it all begins again. In the case of Shrek Smash n’ Crash racing, however, we were pleasantly surprised to see that the game delivers a solid slice of racing at a budget price, and though there’s nothing that’s going to put this one in the history books, it’s a far better game than the bulk of Shrek titles before it, and a decent $20 racer for franchise addicts.

Avec le nombre croissant d'adaptations diverses basées sur la licence Shrek, l'ogre au coeur tendre se devait de faire une incursion dans le domaine des courses de kart. Malheureusement, le résultat est loin d'être exceptionnel, et seuls les moins exigeants ne regretteront pas leur achat. On s'en doutait un peu...

L'ogre qui détrônera Mario n'est manifestement pas encore né. Shrek Smash'N'Crash Racing est un petit jeu de courses honnête qui comblera sans doute les joueurs les moins exigeants, et les petits ogres désireux de retrouver leurs personnages préférés dans une lutte motorisée, ou presque. Sans surprise.

Avec le nombre croissant d'adaptations diverses basées sur la licence Shrek, l'ogre au coeur tendre se devait de faire une incursion dans le domaine des courses de kart. Malheureusement, le résultat est loin d'être exceptionnel, et seuls les moins exigeants ne regretteront pas leur achat. On s'en doutait un peu...

All of the environments are imaginative, colorful, and filled with Shrek-inspired detail. They are a great sight to behold, but alas, they are all too short. I would liked to have seen double the amount of tracks. At the least the developers didn't resort to padding each level with repetitive backgrounds just to make them longer. I guess, in a sense, it's better to leave them wanting more, but what I felt more than anything after playing this game was disappointment. And that's something that I just don't want more of.

For what it's worth, Shrek Smash N' Crash Racing is not the worst kart racer out there. Heck, it's not even the worst Shrek Kart Racer for a handheld (Shrek Swamp Kart Speedway gets that honor). Still, this game only does a few things right, and even those it doesn't manage to carry through. The tracks are well done as far as looks, but they're short and poorly laid out. The actual racing is not challenging and clumsy. The voice acting, while well matched to the celebrity voices, are obnoxious and far too repetitive. For kids under eight that adore everything Shrek, this game will amuse them for about 20 minutes, tops. Everyone else is advised to stay far away.