In 2009, Los Angeles based Activision gave developer Toys for Bob the opportunity to revive one of Vivendi’s old franchises. They chose Spyro the Dragon, and as anyone with gaming elementary school aged kids knows, the rest is history. After about six months of experimenting with a variety of ideas, the developer dusted off a previous idea of integrating technology with toys and games and went with it. Activision released the game at the end of 2011 and Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure was the top selling console game for the first half of 2012. The games and accompanying toys are expected to generate over $500 million this year.
Fast forward to a year later and Activision now has a new Skylanders game out. Skylanders: Giants expands on the first game fairly significantly, and of course adds a load of new toys to accompany it.
The basic premise is that the villain, Kaos, has been transformed into a toy on Earth but, uses a portal to send himself back to Skylands. In the process, he awakens an ancient Arkeyan Conquertron, which Kaos takes control of and uses to search for the Glove of Arkus. The glove is a powerful object that allows Kaos to control these giant ancient robots. Luckily, the first Skylanders, the giants, have also returned. Via an airship, called the “Dreadyacht,” the Skylanders and returning characters Flynn and Cali undertake various quests to stop Kaos.
If you haven’t played the Skylanders games, you’re probably wondering what kind of games they are. For the most part Skylanders: Giants is an action adventure game with some RPG elements. The game offers an isometric top-down view of the action and the player controls whichever Skylander has been placed in the real-world portal (it comes in the starter kit). The original Skylanders can be used and the original portal can be used, but, the new portal is USB powered instead of requiring batteries. As for the new characters, there are now giants and “lightcore” figures that light up on the portal. Giants does support drop-in and -out local co-op. Just place another figure on the portal and press X.
Skylanders: Giants, like its predecessor, is definitely geared toward kids but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun for adults to play, too. There is quite a bit of depth to the game, but there are features missing that are standard in other games. Each character has its own skill tree that can be purchased and hats that are found or purchased add perks and stat increases. The controls are also simple. The left analog stick is used for movement and the buttons control attacks or abilities and can be configured. There is, however, no jumping. To get somewhere at a higher elevation, players must find and use jump portals. New in Giants is a selectable difficulty scale.
Article comments
1 - Poly
My son received this Skylander game last year from Santa Claus. In all honesty, I rarely if ever see him play the game. However, he has numerous other games at his disposal such as world of warcraft, etc. This article is a good reminder of the game, I will ask him if he has interst in getting the Skylanders: Giants version. To me, it does look like a fun game.
2 - Nathan
I would love to get skylander giants I begged to get it but I didn't so please 0:)
3 - Jordan
I don't have skylander giants but when it was first ever on an ad I pegged & cried & did a little tantrum so pretty please 0:)
4 - Jordan
Pretty please I want it so baldly