Over The Hedge : Games : Web Wombat

Over The Hedge takes the prize in both of these categories – it’s the same children’s game formula which I’ve played numerous times before while cashing in on the Over The Hedge movie.

It’s a shame I didn’t see the movie prior to getting my "game on" as it felt while playing the game that I lacked certain knowledge needed to fully appreciate it. Although, even without seeing the movie it was quite easy to follow the basic premise of the game; sneak around suburbia “gathering” (a.k.a. ‘stealing’, for those 2 people out there considering this game who have actually been through puberty already) food from the humans while battling mind controlled critters and the dreaded exterminator.

The game starts off by hurling you into the first level – I know, I know, slow down! You start at the first level? Not to worry, I’m going somewhere with this – this being the level where you learn the groundwork for the rest of the game; movement, attacking and the fundamentals of the game. After completing three more levels you are then taken to the woods - a semi sub-menu where you are able to change characters - interact with others, choose from a selection of hats to wear (must be a movie thing, this is where the appreciation factor comes into account), and select the level which you want to play.

Remember how you gave me grief before on the first level comment, well, this is where I was going with it. Once you've picked your level from the woods along with your game mode (Missions or Mini-games - Mini-games I’ll get stuck into later!) you can choose to go back and complete previous missions so as to complete secondary objectives or collect items which you may have missed the first time through. This feature gives the game more replay ability, yet not as much as I would have hoped. Hence, the first level is only the first level in the sense that they make you play it first… this is why I’m writing and you’re reading… checkmate!

I’m going to pretend that last sentence doesn’t exist and go straight on to the gameplay. Easy and repetitive are the two words that come to mind...also fun and humorous, the jury is still out on which two words win.

Put bluntly - this is easier to play and score with than being on a date with Paris Hilton. But I can’t really complain since this game is marketed for children (unlike Ms. Hilton), and contrary to what my mum says, I’m not a child.

Repetitive –plain and simple – there is not a whole lot to your character’s showcase of moves. Basically, there is swinging your golf club/stick (or whatever your creature wields), you can also jump on your partners shoulders and go for double the damage. Then there is a special attack which you have a charge up meter for, a jump and a double jump in which you pull off mid-jump in the air, and- saving the best until last - there is a projectile attack where you charge up a golf ball and drive that little thing to kingdom come! I found myself hammering down the same button for the majority of the game. So, it does get a little monotonous at time - not forgetting that most levels are identical in general gameplay; destroy objects, collect items, defeat multitudes of enemies, and avoid traps.

Although, there is the occasional 'mix it up' here and there, there are a few levels in which you are sent down a path where you must avoid various obstacles and sometimes also defeat enemies. They even include boss levels where you showdown with the different villains in the game. Those items which you collect in each level aren’t just there for pretty looks either. They unlock a hefty amount of extras which you can view from the main menu. These include concept art, movies, music, and original comics.

There is a two player option, when playing the game by yourself you are always accompanied by a second AI player which you can swap instantly to with a press of a button, simply hook in another controller and take control of both. This can make the game more enjoyable because as they say, the more the merrier, and even parents can join in on the fun and play with the kids.

Thankfully, there are only a total of three mini-games – R.C. Rally, Range Driver, and Bumper Carts. None of which I can say are any good.

-R.C. Rally see's you navigate your R.C. car through one of four various tracks. You have a boost ability and you can pick up more boost on track. The controls are shocking to say the least, taking jumps will usually end in tragedy, and it actually is kind of hard to win for a children’s game. Range Driver is similar to a shooting gallery. You use your golf club to drive shots into the objects or creatures that are currently listed on the bottom of the screen. Finally, there is Bumper Carts which is the ol' destruction derby game where you control a golf cart, collect a variety of power-ups, all the while smashing the be-jesus out of your opponents. Whoever left standing is the winner.

Fun, I recall mentioning fun at some point; and to be honest, it is actually fun to a degree. It is a game in the end and games are fun. How long the fun lasts is the major problem. Children seem to have attention spans of a fish these days, but if you are one of those 2 grown ups out there - the "fun" soon starts to feel like the "fun" of watching Big Brother… incredibly painful and wanting to gorge your eyes out with a rusty spoon.

On the up side, the characters you play are extremely funny and witty, each with their own style of humor. The cutscenes are always a nice breather in the game, very amusing, and does an all to good job of making you want to go see the movie (which I'm sure was the marketing plot from the very beginning!).

The graphics are fine. Wasn’t expecting much from a kid’s game based on a CG movie as the graphics don't generally need to be hardcore for such a game to be any good. The camera positioning can become somewhat annoying because it is locked into place which can make it sometimes hard to judge distance. As for the sound, there is not much worth pointing out besides that it would have been a great deal more enjoyable if the likes of Bruce Willis and cast had voiced their own characters in the game (as opposed to some rather dodgy impersonations).

While it brings nothing remarkably new to the table, Over The Hedge enhances slightly upon its genre and is a contender for a worthy purchase. Those who loved the movie and cannot get enough of it will most likely enjoy this title. The capability of two players might make all the difference; it sure makes those mini-games more fun (if not a reason for actually playing them now). Overall, Over The Hedge is a solid children’s title that has done much better than most movie-to-game adaptations, and makes it over the hedge...barely.

Game: Over The Hedge
System: PS2
Players: 1-2
Online: No
Developer: Edge of Reality
Distributor: Activision

Rating: 65%

(Ratings Key/Explanation)

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