Games based on movies tend to lack in the quality department. This has become the standard for movie-based games, and our expectations of these titles have significantly dropped because of this fact. However, the relationship between Activision and Dreamworks has spawned several solid titles based on the animated and CG films in the last few years. As Dreamworks prepares to release its latest CG work of art, Over the Hedge, Activision has been steadily working on console and handheld titles that will release just before the movie hits next month.

In the midst of a week filled with pre-E3 events, Activision invited us out to Dreamworks' studio in Glendale, California to check out the Over the Hedge movie and game. While we can't talk all that much about the movie, we can say that it's well worth the cost of admission these days, and the game is shaping up along the same lines of quality. Activision has had a close relationship with Dreamworks for some time now, and the two companies have shared assets and ideas throughout the four year development process of the movie, and the two year development process of the games.

This close relationship has allowed the games to play and feel very much like you're taking control of the movie. We took a look at the PlayStation 2 version of the title, which walks players through the 90 minute movie within the first couple of levels, then moves on to expand on the storyline following the end of the film. Every area from the film, which includes the forest area beyond the hedge, and the suburban area where the humans live, has been worked into the game. In addition, while every character from the movie is featured in the game (including some extras that didn't quite make the final cut), players will only be able to control one of the four primary characters: RJ, Verne, Hammy, and Stella.

There are over 30 levels in the game, including several mini-games featured within the levels, as well as separate mini-games that must be unlocked by completing specific missions. The mini-games featured within the levels help to break up the basic action adventure aspects of each level, while the unlockable mini-games offer a different kind of fun outside of the main game. There are three unlockable mini-games including bumper karts, RC racing and range driver. Bumper karts features the characters driving in a demolition derby style racing game using golf karts, RC racing is your basic racing game, and range driver is a golf driving range for animals.

The main game and all three unlockable mini-games offer two player co-op or competitive play. At any point in time throughout the main game a second player can jump in or out of the action. So if your kids are playing through a level and you decide you want to jump in, just grab the controller and get in on the action. When you're done, the second character will go back to being computer controlled.

While many of the real voice actors from the movie couldn't make it into the game, the development team at Activision was able to get the original voices of the three porcupine kids into the game. In addition, the voice-a-likes that Activision is using sound very close to the real voices of Bruce Willis, Wanda Sykes and the rest of the star-studded cast.

Dreamworks is developing Over the Hedge into a franchise along the lines of Shrek, and more games are already planned for later this year and beyond. A game based on Hammy is well underway at Activision with a release date currently set for late 2006. If things go well, expect more games from the Over the Hedge characters and possibly even a cross-franchise title featuring all of your favorites from the various Dreamworks animated films. We'll have a full review of Over the Hedge when the game releases just before E3, as well as new information on the Hammy title when we visit Activision at E3 next month.