Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure (Multiplatform, PS3 Reviewed)
Publisher: Activision
Developer:
Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure is a gimmicky, but satisfying platformer. The graphics, story, gameplay and score are all tight. While some of the focus is taken off Spyro as the lead, the different strategies required while playing as the other characters keep the game fresh.
Features:
- 1-2 Players
- 3D Platformer with RPG elements
- Characters obtain Experience Points that allow them to Level Up.
- Characters collect coins that allow them to purchase new abilities.
- Written by Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow
- Main Theme by Hans Zimmer
PS3 Starter Kit Includes:
- Game Disc
- Three Skylanders Figures (Spyro, Gill Grunt and Trigger Happy)
- The Portal of Power
- Character Poster
- Trading Cards
- Web Codes
- Batteries for the Portal of Power
Story:
Kaos, an evil portal master, has very nearly taken over Skylands by destroying the Magical Core, Master Eon and then banishing the Skylanders to Earth in toy form. You have been recruited as a new portal master. Using the Portal of Power, you may transport Skylanders (one at a time in single-player mode, two at a time in a co-op game) back to their land so they can collect parts to rebuild the magical core and then defeat Kaos. The game is written for a younger audience, but there are elements that older players will appreciate; it’s very aware that it liberally uses clich���©d ideas and pokes fun at itself throughout.
In particular, Kaos borrows a little from the Wizard of Oz and every bumbling super-villain you’ve ever met. He uses a rather intimidating, projected avatar to represent himself to his adversaries. In reality, as it were, he is diminutive in stature, clumsy, due to his enthusiastic nature, and sports a nasally voice. He’s not entirely incompetent, because he obviously got far enough to nearly destroy the Skylands, but he underestimates his foes and in doing so, his boastful claims often fall short. I enjoyed his clearly disinterested assistant, who can often be seen rolling his eyes, occasionally points out his boss’ shortcomings and is clearly the one who keeps Kaos’ grand schemes in check.
We jump into the game just after the destruction of Eon and the Magical Core. Eon’s assistant, an absent-minded mole named Hugo, has been told that a Skylander and new portal master will meet him at a specific location, a town filled with cartoon animals that is faces imminent destruction.
Gameplay:
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None of the fights are particularly difficult, though the battles with Kaos do up the challenge level slightly. You’ll face nothing that will have you pulling your hair out, though you may come across a few battles that will catch you off guard the first time through.
Graphics:
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Play Controls:
Easy to pick up quickly. Responsive.
Sound:
Warburton, Steve Blum
Overall:
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| Score: 8.1 | |
| Graphics: | 8 |
| Play Control: | 8.5 |
| Gameplay: | 8.5 |
| Satisfaction: | 8.5 |
| Sound: | 7 |
