SKYLANDERS: Spyro's Adventure

 Skylander's is an all age appropriate game from Activision and Toys for Bob. While the price to play the full experience is higher than most games on the market the game and the collectibles are well worth it. Even as a veteran gamer I had a refreshing good and worry free time playing Skylanders. The different worlds, the ever changing characters and exciting quest and puzzle solving adventure is fits perfectly into this new world of Spyro. So whether you're nostalgic about your days playing as a polygon shaped Spyro or if you're young and new to the gaming world looking for something to get you hooked, this is definitely the game to turn to.
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Pros: Fast exciting game play, Amazing and cartoony characters and worlds that add layers of enjoyment to the game play, a fun soundtrack, seemingly endless possibilities that fit any level of gamer and their various play styles, a collectible character for everyone you're sure to find one that fits you perfectly, fun collectibles in-game that keep you looking for secret puzzles in each world, easy to play for any gamer but it never really gets boring.
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Cons: Expensive, Voice acting and NPC character design could use a major overhaul, could use skill trees instead of an upgrade store, some of the collectible hats don't quite fit right on every characters head.
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Skylanders is a fun game there's no doubt about it. Not only does it bring a renewed sense of childhood nostalgia it also gave me hope for the new gaming generation. It's hard to find games suited towards the young pre-teen generation that deliver the amazing and addicting experiences I found when I was a child coming into gaming. However, while it may not be the new ocarina of time or super Mario 64, it is certainly an amazing game that any parent should be proud to let their child play. Not only does it have some of that sneaky "educational-value" parents look for in games, through things like puzzle solving, semi-complicated task and often vague objectives that any younger gamer might have to take time to figure out, it also has two fundamental addictions that any proper gamer child should have: collectibles and really silly humor. Skylanders is in no short supply of both.

 

However parents may raise one serious concern over Skylanders: Price. A well founded fear of their wallets being drained as their new gamer child begs for a new character pack every time they step into Walmart. The picture above shows all the current available Skylanders (save some pretty awesome yet expensive collectors editions) and at $10 for each (or $20 for 3, a way better value) it is easy to see what concern most parents would have. However when all your kid wants is another skylander to play with instead of a new pack of Lego's or a new barbie or any $20-$30 toy that most non-gamer children want it is certainly easier to justify buying a skylander instead. Lets face it, the Skylanders look cool and kids love playing with them on whatever system they have for it. Can't think of a good birthday present or Christmas gift? BOOM! Skylanders, an easy $20 to make your kid feel like the richest kid in the world. Trust me the same applies for any self-respecting teen and veteran gamer.

 

 

Speaking of which, what does a game like Skylanders have to offer to anyone above the age of 14? Surprisingly a lot. If you were like me and love to play Spyro as a kid this game is a no brainer, while not as Spyro focused as the other games were (for obvious reasons) this game is the next step in Spyro's natural evolution. SO if you did play Spyro you'll get an infectious case of Nostalgia that will keep you rolling out $20 bills to keep on playing, leveling up and just trying out new and awesome characters. Even if you never played Spyro as a kid most gamers will still get a kick out of this inventive way to play, collecting toys and watching them come to life certainly makes my day and certainly makes me feel like I'm trying out a whole new gaming world. So if you've been on the fence about Skylander's don't be! Go out and buy it right away and get addicted just like so many gamers have.

 

 

 

 

You'll face many of the same enemies through most of the game, though it seems like every 15 minutes or so a new bad guy pops up. The main quest places you in the shoes of the new portal master, sort of like a controller or keeper of the skylanders, and by using your "portal" you summon the Skylanders from their frozen state to help fight for and save their world from the clutches of KAOS ( presumably Chaos and Khaos have been beaten to death as villain names.) And most people will recognize Kaos' voice right away as the one and only INVADER ZIM! That's right for any veteran gamer this is sure to give you a double shot of memories as you constantly listen to this new bad guy with ZIM's voice bantering on just like the good old days. The game is easy to follow and is nothing if not straight forward and to the point when it comes to your quest's and objectives. Your main goal is to repair an ancient device that keeps the good in the Skylander world protected from the bad. Essential a beaten to death concept, but it still has an awesome kick to it.

 

 

The puzzles are simple, while some take longer than others to figure out they are never to hard as most involve pushing Turtle's or rocks one way or the other. While not the most challenging game it's still a lot of fun and shouldn't be passed over as a "kids game." Spyro is certainly back and this time I think he's here to stay and be passed on to the next generation as the game that got them started.

Look out for the exciting new Skylanders Adventure: Skylander Giants, due out October 21st 2012!


You can buy the Starter Pack here through Gamestop: http://www.gamestop.com/ps3/games/skylanders-spyros-adventure-starter-pack/90629