Skylanders
is a whole game concept in itself, where players use real toy character figures which when placed on the portal of power become your gaming character on screen. The
new Skylanders Giants is a sequel to the original Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventures which
came to market a year or two ago.
As we
never really played Skylanders as that was pre GamesBooth we were determined to
review the new Giants. To get you started you need the aptly named Starter Pack – this consists of:
review the new Giants. To get you started you need the aptly named Starter Pack – this consists of:
-
The Portal Of Power – this is vital to
the game it serves as the gateway to the game by bringing the characters to
life.
-
3 x Giants Figures – Jet-Vac, Cynder and Tree-Rex – each giant has his or her own unique
skills that they bring to the game. Aptly named Giants as they’re twice the size
of original Skylanders figures.
-
3 x Secret codes – which are used in
the online game mode to unlock additional characters
-
The game disc itself - available for PS3, Xbox and Nintendo Wii
-
Trading Cards – seems to be all the
rage for all sorts of games (Moshi Monsters in my daughters case)
-
Sticker chart – this lists all 48 of
the Skylander characters, including the new Giants, each time you purchase a
figure from the
shop it comes with a sticker which you add to the chart and you can keep a simple record of your collection.
shop it comes with a sticker which you add to the chart and you can keep a simple record of your collection.
It’s
worth noting at this point that if you do play the original game and have a
selection of figures, they’re compatible with the new
Giants game, but they will be inferior to the new characters, even if you’ve spent ages making them the best.
Giants game, but they will be inferior to the new characters, even if you’ve spent ages making them the best.
The story goes that the Giants
were separated from the other normal sized Skylanders in the world of
Skyland. Kaos, who isn’t good
as the name suggests has used the portal to return to Skyland after previously being on earth – unfortunately his journey electrocuted
him and he carries the electric charge back into Skyland. Kaos wakes the sleeping Arkeyan Conquertron and uses its powers to aid him
in the search for the Lost City of Arkus, If he reaches the lost city, he aims to claim ownership of the all powerful Iron Fist of Arkus
(my wife loves Iron Fist shoes by the way), which in turn will allow him to control Arkeyans. This must not happen and it’s your
duty to stop – by using the various Giants and their unique skills you must travel across skylands and take on various quests to put a
huge spanner in Kaos’ plans.
as the name suggests has used the portal to return to Skyland after previously being on earth – unfortunately his journey electrocuted
him and he carries the electric charge back into Skyland. Kaos wakes the sleeping Arkeyan Conquertron and uses its powers to aid him
in the search for the Lost City of Arkus, If he reaches the lost city, he aims to claim ownership of the all powerful Iron Fist of Arkus
(my wife loves Iron Fist shoes by the way), which in turn will allow him to control Arkeyans. This must not happen and it’s your
duty to stop – by using the various Giants and their unique skills you must travel across skylands and take on various quests to put a
huge spanner in Kaos’ plans.
The game is much like a platform
game across open lands when in
story mode, there is also a battle mode and a co-op mode for two
player gaming – ut unfortunately two player only, would’ve been
nice to step this up to four players so the whole family can be
involved. In the story mode you and your giants go around
basically beating people up who get in your way and collecting
treasures. There are all sorts of elements to this and you use your
different Giants until you get the best result. There’s also an
element of puzzle solving requires, whether it’s a simple push block or trigger puzzle to the more complicated, by fun mini games.
story mode, there is also a battle mode and a co-op mode for two
player gaming – ut unfortunately two player only, would’ve been
nice to step this up to four players so the whole family can be
involved. In the story mode you and your giants go around
basically beating people up who get in your way and collecting
treasures. There are all sorts of elements to this and you use your
different Giants until you get the best result. There’s also an
element of puzzle solving requires, whether it’s a simple push block or trigger puzzle to the more complicated, by fun mini games.
Each time you change the figure
over on the portal of power and bring a different Giant to life it brings a
different element to the game,
with differing voices and personalities you’re sure to have a favourite or two by the end of your very first gaming session – some of the
new ones even light up – cleverly when you put a character back on the portal it remembers where you took them off in the game and
places you back there. Also note that you can place more than one Skylander on the portal – up to three I think! As previously
mentioned each Giant has its own actions / powers - the Giants themselves are obviously graced with the power of strength among
others – so this time you can bash through doors and some of the blockades. But with a vast range of Skylanders on the market you’ll
be presented with an arsenal of weapons, attack moves and abilities by the time you have completed your collection.
with differing voices and personalities you’re sure to have a favourite or two by the end of your very first gaming session – some of the
new ones even light up – cleverly when you put a character back on the portal it remembers where you took them off in the game and
places you back there. Also note that you can place more than one Skylander on the portal – up to three I think! As previously
mentioned each Giant has its own actions / powers - the Giants themselves are obviously graced with the power of strength among
others – so this time you can bash through doors and some of the blockades. But with a vast range of Skylanders on the market you’ll
be presented with an arsenal of weapons, attack moves and abilities by the time you have completed your collection.
Aside from the standard storyline
game play and the afore-mentioned Battle Modes, there’s some Heroic Challenges
which are basically
the trophy achievements that are awarded to various characters. While the starter pack gave us three characters it’s clear that you do
need to expand upon your collection in order to complete the game as there are some areas that you need a specific ability to access.
The story mode seems to be a little short, but with the areas still to be opened (when I buy more characters – two for one with my
Mrs’s Tesco vouchers) and the online game there is still many hours to be enjoyed in Skyland.
the trophy achievements that are awarded to various characters. While the starter pack gave us three characters it’s clear that you do
need to expand upon your collection in order to complete the game as there are some areas that you need a specific ability to access.
The story mode seems to be a little short, but with the areas still to be opened (when I buy more characters – two for one with my
Mrs’s Tesco vouchers) and the online game there is still many hours to be enjoyed in Skyland.
I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed
playing Skylanders Giants and I’m certain that this isn’t the last piece I’ll write about it either –
with the interest from the kids regularly shouted in my ear, I think
I’ll get a kids view point of the game shortly. It’s just a shame
that you can’t play more than two player mode.
If you have a young family and
you’re wondering about a gift this
Christmas then I don’t think you can go wrong with picking this
up for them - available for the PS3, Xbox, Nintendo Wii etc, it’s a
good all round game with adventure, puzzles and some fighting required. If you’re still unsure, pop to your local gaming store or Toys
R Us with the kids and let them have a go, if nothing else they’ll enjoying annoying each other by removing the Skylander off the portal
while the other is playing.
Christmas then I don’t think you can go wrong with picking this
up for them - available for the PS3, Xbox, Nintendo Wii etc, it’s a
good all round game with adventure, puzzles and some fighting required. If you’re still unsure, pop to your local gaming store or Toys
R Us with the kids and let them have a go, if nothing else they’ll enjoying annoying each other by removing the Skylander off the portal
while the other is playing.
Games Booth Rating 9/10
PRODUCT INFORMATION
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Skylanders Giants
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