View source for Over the Hedge (Nintendo DS video game)

{{short description|2006 video game}}
{{distinguish|Over the Hedge (video game){{!}}''Over the Hedge'' (video game)}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Over the Hedge
|image = Over the Hedge DS Cover Shot.jpg
|caption = PAL region cover art
|developer = [[Vicarious Visions]]
|publisher = [[Activision]]
|producer = [[DreamWorks Animation]]
|released = {{vgrelease|NA|May 9, 2006<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=May 9, 2006 |title=Find Out What Awaits Over The Hedge |url=https://www.gamezone.com/news/find_out_what_awaits_over_the_hedge/ |access-date=January 21, 2024 |website=GameZone |language=en-US}}</ref>|EU|June 9, 2006|AUS|June 14, 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?title=Updated+Australian+release+list%2C+12%2F06%2F06&id=4745&sid=8b6941472e4b8ce9849ebb557437b2d6|title=Updated Australian release list, 12/06/06|website=PALGN|date=12 June 2006|access-date=4 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613234622/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?title=Updated+Australian+release+list%2C+12%2F06%2F06&id=4745&sid=8b6941472e4b8ce9849ebb557437b2d6|archive-date=13 June 2006|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>}}
|genre = [[Platform game|Platform]], [[Stealth game|stealth]]
|modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
|platforms = [[Nintendo DS]]
}}

'''''Over the Hedge''''' is a [[platform game|platform]] video game with [[stealth game|stealth]] elements developed by [[Vicarious Visions]] and published by [[Activision]] for the [[Nintendo DS]] [[handheld game console|handheld]] [[video game console]]. It was first released in North America, and was later released in Europe. The game is set immediately after the events of the [[DreamWorks Animation|DreamWorks]] movie ''[[Over the Hedge (film)|Over the Hedge]]'', just like its [[Over the Hedge (video game)|adaptations on consoles]].<ref name="IGN"/>

Gameplay involves guiding three playable woodland creatures through suburban houses to collect items and return them to their forest. House inhabitants and traps must be avoided or neutralized to succeed.<ref name="GS"/> The game's plot concerns [[Over the Hedge (film)#Voice cast|Gladys Sharp]]'s attempt to turn what is left of the animals' forest into a swimming pool; the animals try to prevent this by luring endangered species to the forest, making the forest a protected habitat.<ref name="GRRL">{{cite web|url=http://www.grrlgamer.com/review.php?g=overthehedgeds|title=Over the Hedge (DS)|last=Cardoso |first=Didi|publisher=Grrl Gamer|access-date=2007-12-09 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070510125817/http://www.grrlgamer.com/review.php?g=overthehedgeds |archive-date = May 10, 2007}}</ref> ''Over the Hedge'' received positive and average reviews from the gaming press, as well as gaming website [[IGN]]'s 'Best Game No One Played' award for 2006.<ref name="BGNOP">{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/ds/36.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070109234155/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/ds/36.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 9, 2007|title=Best of 2006 – DS – Best Game No One Played|publisher=IGN|access-date=2007-10-14}}</ref> The game was praised for the technical achievement of displaying full [[3D computer graphics|3D]] on both of the Nintendo DS' screens,<ref name="DEEKO">{{cite web |url=http://www.deeko.com/nintendo_ds/reviewdetail.asp?id=597|title=Over the Hedge Review|last=Sellers|first=Pete |publisher=Deeko|date=2006-05-27|access-date=2007-10-14 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070812201151/http://www.deeko.com/nintendo_ds/reviewdetail.asp?id=597 |archive-date = August 12, 2007}}</ref> but some reviewers found the gameplay repetitive.<ref name="GRRL"/>

==Gameplay==
[[Image:Over The Hedge DS Verne LOS.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Verne (Over the Hedge)|Verne]] encounters one of the inhabitants while exploring a house. The red cone on the lower screen shows the man's sight range.]]
In ''Over the Hedge'', the player controls one of three animals, who attempt to steal items and destroy construction materials from suburban homes.<ref name="IGN"/> The player must explore three-dimensional households in order to complete these objectives, while avoiding the residents and their pets.<ref name="GZ"/> If the player is spotted, they must escape from the enemy's line of sight, otherwise the player will fail the level.<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="GZ"/> Each level requires several trips to be completed.<ref name="GS"/> Security systems must be avoided or deactivated in order to progress through each level.<ref name="GZ"/>

Each character has their own unique abilities. Verne has the strength to push and carry large items and can retract into his shell in order to avoid detection, but cannot jump as high or run as swift as the other characters. RJ has average strength and agility. He can climb, lift items and also throw Verne. Hammy is the most agile of the three, running swifter and jumping higher. This enables him to circumvent security more easily.<ref name="GRRL"/><ref name="DSADV">{{cite web|url=http://ds.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=3949|title=Over the Hedge|last=Smith|first=Stephen|publisher=DS Advanced|date=2006-07-07|access-date=2007-10-14}}</ref>

''Over the Hedge'' is presented in full 3D on both of the Nintendo DS' screens, which is not often seen in a Nintendo DS game.<ref name="BGNOP"/> The upper screen displays the game in an over-the-shoulder third person perspective, whereas the touch screen shows an overhead perspective. The lower screen indicates the sight range of enemies and can be used as a touch screen to target enemies to attack. The console's microphone is used to attract the attention of dogs or to rouse the woodland creatures should they be knocked unconscious.<ref name="GZ"/>

===Multiplayer===
A multiplayer mini-game is included and allows two players to compete via the DS' wireless connection, only one player needs an ''Over the Hedge'' game cartridge for two separate DS consoles to play. [[Over the Hedge (film)#Voice cast|Stella]] the skunk is available in this game mode, alongside the three playable characters from the main game. Players navigate a maze to collect food before the timer runs out. The player with the most food wins the game. At most five pieces of food can be carried at once, these must be carried to a collection area before more food can be picked up.<ref name="DEEKO"/>

==Plot==
''Over the Hedge'' is set immediately after the events of the [[Over the Hedge (film)|animated film]]. Gladys Sharp, president of the homeowners' association, returns and plans to bulldoze the forest in order to build a swimming pool. She has been joined by a new character, Henri Smith, a taxidermist and Dwayne's brother. Given an idea from Hammy, RJ decides to have endangered species move to the forest in order to have it declared a protected habitat, preventing its destruction.<ref name="IGN"/> The householders have been warned about RJ and company's intentions, and have created traps from everyday objects to repel the thieves.<ref name="DEEKO"/> The animals manage to gather supplies so that a [[black-footed ferret]] salesman named Jack, a [[gray bat]] scientist named Sylvia, and an [[ivory-billed woodpecker]] retiree named Samson can live in the forest. As a last resort, Gladys kidnaps the friends of RJ, Verne and Hammy for Henri. So the trio hack into the security cameras of the house and lure Gladys ranting into them. Once the news and police hear this, both humans get arrested for trying to capture endangered animals. Afterwards, the animals then continue to steal food.

==Development==
Unlike the [[Over the Hedge (video game)|home console versions]], the Nintendo DS version of ''Over the Hedge'' was created as a separate game by [[Vicarious Visions]].<ref name="IGN preview">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/28/over-the-hedge-8|title=Over the Hedge – The Dreamworks flick's hitting the Nintendo DS in a surprisingly impressive design from Vicarious Visions|last=Harris|first=Craig|work=[[IGN]]|date=2006-03-28|access-date=2010-06-02}}</ref> Game writer [[Evan Skolnick]] noted the original goal was to make a simple [[tie-in]] game with the film, but the development team was soon instructed by [[Activision]] to "knock this one out of the park".<ref name="Skolnick">{{cite web|last=Skolnick|first=Evan|author-link=Evan Skolnick|url=https://www.evanskolnick.com/othds|title=Over the Hedge|publisher=evanskolnick.com|access-date=2019-09-11}}</ref> As a result, Vicarious Visions decided to write a new story, and create in-game [[cutscene]]s using [[full motion video]] (FMV).<ref name="Skolnick"/> The use of FMV was unusual for the Nintendo DS due to software limitations, such as only having one 3D [[game engine|engine]] and [[Read-only memory|ROM]] space restrictions.<ref name="Gamasutra">{{cite web|last=Duffy|first=Jill|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12972|title=GDC Preview: Managing Editor Jill Duffy's Picks|work=[[Gamasutra]]|date=2007-03-05|access-date=2019-09-11}}</ref><ref name="Skolnick"/> In a 2007 [[Game Developers Conference]] lecture, programmers Chuck Hommick and Gregory Oberg explained how the company avoided many of these obstacles by not including fog or night levels, and by using texture matrices in animated cutscenes.<ref name="Gamasutra"/> Due to budgetary constraints, only the first two cutscenes were fully animated.<ref name="Skolnick"/> The rest were static images with text captions, typically found in Nintendo DS games.<ref name="Skolnick"/> Craig Harris of [[IGN]] called ''Over the Hedge'' "one of the most impressive Nintendo DS products this year - at least on a technical level".<ref name="IGN preview"/>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
|GR=73%<ref name="GR">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ds/931662-over-the-hedge/index.html|title=Over the Hedge|work=[[GameRankings]]|access-date=2007-10-14}}</ref>
|MC=71/100<ref name="meta">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/over-the-hedge/critic-reviews/?platform=ds|title=Over the Hedge|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=2019-09-11}}</ref>
|GSpot=5.4/10<ref name="GS">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/over-the-hedge-review/1900-6152315/|title=Over the Hedge Review|last=Provo|first=Frank|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=2006-06-06|access-date=2007-10-14}}</ref>
|GameZone=6/10<ref name="GZ">{{cite web|url=http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r28663.htm|title=Over the Hedge Review|last=Bedigian|first=Louis|work=GameZone|date=2006-05-22|access-date=2007-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815093417/http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r28663.htm|archive-date=2007-08-15}}</ref>
|IGN=8.2/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/05/over-the-hedge-7|title=Over the Hedge review|last=Harris|first=Craig|work=[[IGN]]|date=2006-05-05|access-date=2007-10-14}}</ref>
|NWR=6/10<ref name="NWR">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/11715/over-the-hedge-nintendo-ds|title=DS Review: Over the Hedge|last=Pallesen|first=Lasse|work=Nintendo World Report|date=2006-06-12|access-date=2007-10-14}}</ref>
}}
The game received both positive and average reviews from the gaming press, with an average score of 73% from both [[GameRankings]] and a 71 from [[Metacritic]].<ref name="GR"/><ref name="meta"/> ''Over the Hedge'' was awarded [[IGN]]'s "Best Game No One Played" in the Nintendo DS category during their 2006 Game Of The Year awards.<ref name="BGNOP"/>

Several reviewers were impressed by the game's 3D graphics, considering the graphical limitations of the Nintendo DS. GameZone's Louis Bedigian commented "Three-dimensional worlds are such a rarity on the DS that you'll definitely take notice".<ref name="GZ"/> In particular, the technical accomplishment of using the DS' two screens to show gameplay in two different angles and in full 3D was praised.<ref name="DEEKO"/><ref name="NWR"/>

Critics are divided over the game's difficulty level and target audience. Some found the game too easy for adult players. Nintendo World Report's Lasse Pallesen stated ''Over the Hedge'' is not engaging to adults or children due to "the repetitive collect-a-thon nature of the game and the one-dimensional gameplay".<ref name="NWR"/> GameZone's Louis Bedigian had similar reservations, "Players young and old will be turned off by the lack of excitement".<ref name="GZ"/> Other reviewers felt the game was suitable for children and adults. Deeko's Pete Sellers found the game "a well designed adventure that requires patience and planning".<ref name="DEEKO"/>

Some reviewers found the gameplay, focused mainly on collecting and returning objects, as repetitive.<ref name="GRRL"/> In his [[GameSpot]] review, Frank Provo stated "Games geared toward younger players are typically repetitive, but Over the Hedge for the Nintendo DS sets a new standard for repetition". He lists one of the negative aspects of the game as "Whole game feels like housecleaning or a real estate tour".<ref name="GS"/> GameZone's Louis Bedigian also found the game repetitive, saying "..the game stays far away from anything deep, opting for a simplistic series of missions that redefine the meaning of the word rehash".<ref name="GZ"/>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{MobyGames|id=/over-the-hedge_}}
* {{IMDb title|0476579}}

{{Over the Hedge}}
[[Category:2006 video games]]
[[Category:3D platformers]]
[[Category:Activision games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Over the Hedge video games]]
[[Category:Platformers]]
[[Category:Nintendo DS games]]
[[Category:Stealth video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo DS-only games]]
[[Category:Vicarious Visions games]]
[[Category:Video games based on comics]]
[[Category:Video games about raccoons]]
[[Category:Video games about reptiles]]
[[Category:Works about friendship]]
[[Category:Video games set in Indiana]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]