In this age of pervasive slop maybe we should be grateful for Shrek 2 Remastered

Shrek 2 Remastered is coming out in November, it has been announced. I wasn't aware there was a Shrek 2 game for PS2, the OG Xbox, GameCube and PC, probably because in 2004 I was too busy thinking about all the other games coming out. You know, stuff like Half-Life 2, World of Warcraft, Halo 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Wings of Power: WWII Heavy Bombers and Jets.

But Shrek 2 does indeed exist, though contemporary reviews don't point to it necessarily justifying that existence. "You know folks, this game is pretty bad," wrote Nintendo World Report. "Shrek 2 is harmless, inoffensive, middle-of-the-road action for young children," Eurogamer wrote with superlative diplomacy. IGN gave it a 7 even though the reviewer "dreaded" playing it.

It's a 3D platformer, kinda, though it has some interesting features. You can switch between four characters on the go, which clearly inspired Rockstar during the making of GTA 5. …