Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure for XBox 360 Review

By Jennifer (Double Duty Mommy) at 9:23 AM
For one of Makenna's big presents we were at a loss at what to get her until John saw the Skylanders display at the store. We are a huge gamer family so I was up for checking it out then I got the word that Activision would send us the game. When it arrived we told Makenna that it was an early Christmas present since we had to open it and review it.
So what exactly is Sylanders: Spyro's Adventure? Well even though this game is subtitled "Spyro's Adventure" - in reality, the game just features Spyro. He is not a bigger star in this game than the other Skylander. We have never previously played a Spyro game so to us, this didn't make a difference.
So what exactly are Skylanders? Skylanders are basically powerful creatures that belong to different elemental groups such as fire, earth, wind, tech, ect... As you progress through the game, you’ll encounter different areas, enemies, and other obstacles that can only be reached by using or are more susceptible to certain elemental types.
When you purchase the Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure starter pack you will get 3 Skylanders figures and The Portal of Power (along with other extras). You won't be able to find a stand alone game on it's own and there is a reason for this. The Skylanders in the game need to be activated in-game by acquiring their real-world toy figurine versions and have the game communicate with them.

Wait what... communicate?!

Yep, that's what makes this game so fun and exciting! What makes Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure truly unique is the super cool “Portal of Power,” a USB powered pedestal that your Skylanders can be placed on in real life. In order to use the characters in the game, you must physically place them on the device which, in turn, activates them in the game! John loves that he can add the figures to his "man shelf" of other collectible game figures he has when the game is not in use.
The great thing about the figures is that they also retain the character data on the figures themselves, so your son or daughter can bring their favorite characters to a friend’s house, play with their own character in the Co-Op mode with said friend, then bring them back home and continue playing right where the two of them left off. And guess what? This character data? It works across ALL platforms. So if you have a XBox 360 and your child's friend has a PS3, 3DS, and even on the PC and Mac - you don’t have to worry about anything – it all works. If you know anything about gaming you know this is amazing because cross-platform game play is practically non-existent, even in 2011.
As far as the game goes the graphics are bright and smooth. The game is propelled by a story-driven adventure. The story was a little short for our liking and wish it was longer but unlike other games that make you purchase DLC, if you go out and purchase one of the other Skylander characters you will get access to new levels and your game can continue in a different way and earn different "achievements". Your kids will fall in love with the amazing world of Skylands where they explore mysterious, mythical lands, battle menacing outlandish creatures, collect gold and treasures, and solve puzzles (some I have to help Makenna on) all while on a quest to save the world from "Kaos", an evil Portal Master.
There are a lot of cut scenes in the game that cannot be bypassed which didn't bother Makenna but they could be a little boring for John and I. What do I mean for me and the hubby? Well, even though this is a kid based game (ages 6+) we enjoyed playing the game by ourselves and in co-op mode when Makenna is sleeping. It's hard to find a game that I enjoy playing with John that has co-op mode so it is fun to play Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure with John late at night and spend that time together. To add a player to the current game all you have to do is put another character on the portal and it is instantly transported into the game - no special screen to switch to or anything. 

With every game there are a few things I wish I could change or add, with Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure there aren't many but they do exist.

I wish there was a level difficulty choice in the game play. Yes, it's a kid's game but I think it's good to challenge kids especially if they level up their character. Also, the co-op mode would be even better with actual online console play, where you can play with other people around the world.
These two things definitely aren't deal breakers and to tell you the truth we've since purchased 11 other Skylanders including Flameslinger and Sonic Boom (I nicknamed "Eagle Eye"), a pirate ship extra level and two Hidden Treasure pieces! We're on the search for Wirlwind which is a Target exclusive but cannot find him anywhere in our area (If you find him I will pay to have it shipped to me - seriously... let me know).


Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure is a without a doubt a MUST buy game. Yes, it's a bit pricey especially if your kids want more Skylanders (as low as $7.99 for single, $19.99 3-pack) but it's completely worth it no matter how old you or your kids are. Skylanders is a great change from the typical shooter games that are all the rage right now and definitely in my home. Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure makes you remember what it's like to play a happy, fun game.
Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure rated "E10+" by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Ratings Board) and is available for purchase at GameStop, Toys R Us, Walmart, Amazon, Target and Best Buy for $69.99 for the starter pack (game, portal and 3 Skylanders). You can play the game on XBox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo Wii.

Disclosure: I was provided with the featured item (Skylanders starter pack) at no cost by the manufacturer and/or its PR agency in order to test the products abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others. I did not receive any other monetary means.

26 commented:

CanCan on December 21, 2011 at 10:27 AM said...

This is SO cool! I got to see it at the Time To Play holiday event...its like every boy's dream toy!

Jennifer on December 21, 2011 at 10:32 AM said...

it's so fun! My 7 year old daughter is so in love with it too. that's what I love about it, all ages and girls or boys love to play it

Stefani on December 21, 2011 at 11:07 AM said...

Sounds like a fun game. We have the Wii, so I might have to grab a copy of it!

Virginia Higgins on December 21, 2011 at 12:36 PM said...

Looks like fun!

Lolo on December 21, 2011 at 12:58 PM said...

This game looks like a blast!

Mar at Obviously MARvelous said...

This looks super unique. I know my 7yr old nephew would adore this!

Theresa on December 21, 2011 at 5:41 PM said...

That looks like so much fun! My kids would love that!

Penelope on December 21, 2011 at 6:13 PM said...

This looks like a LOT of fun!

Blondie said...

OMG, I already bought this for my son for xmas!  This is all he's been talking about lately.  And actually I think it sounds really cool....I can't wait to try and play it. 

April Smith Decheine on December 21, 2011 at 7:17 PM said...

Oh how fun for the kids!  I watched my boys play some Tiger Woods golf last night on our PS3 or is it called PS2 LOL?  They can play with people all over the country, they are so competitive :-) Happy Holidays!

Louise said...

THis game is so awesome

Barbara Platt said...

looks cool, not sure if it would work for my g-kids

Mommyhastowork said...

My son asked for this for Christmas! Cool - thanks for the review.

Anne said...

This looks like fun!

Donna on December 26, 2011 at 9:03 AM said...

My son might like this for one of his after-Christmas gift card buys! :)

Crystal on December 26, 2011 at 1:39 PM said...

This looks like so much fun!

Sam on December 27, 2011 at 2:22 PM said...

That looks like a lot of fun!

Zipporah Sandler on December 28, 2011 at 7:49 AM said...

My son would have LOVED this when he was young.

Tammy said...

I like the pedestal.

Katie said...

sounds like a fun game!

HilLesha Anderson said...

Fantastic review! My son loves this game. :)

Louise said...

This is such a great game

Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell on December 28, 2011 at 8:24 PM said...

I played with that at BlogHer and I thought it was the coolest thing!

Laurie said...

My boys got this for christmas for the Wii and they love it, so fun!

Tian_hapsari said...

Thank you for the review! I think I'll go straight to my closest Target!

Brandy said...

I definitely love new toys myself and know quite a few kids who would love that. Thanks for the review.

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