Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Omnibus Review

By Jason Nimer

Author's Note: What you are reading is the FINAL version of our Skylanders omnibus review. We've been updating this piece over the past six months, and this revision will be the last. The buying guide is complete, as are all the reviews. Thanks for reading and happy hunting!

Over the past couple of months, I've been smack in the middle of a gaming crisis of conscious. I'm tired of the first person shooters, the roleplaying games, all of it. I'm tired of pointless online modes, DLC and multiplayer. Dark Souls was a bright spot in an otherwise so-so early fall, but I still felt disillusioned in a sea of sequels, spin-offs and a general lack of new ideas. Then I saw a commercial for Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure. The game/toy hybrid looked interesting enough to give a chance, and it's a chance I'm glad I took. In a gaming climate of recycled ideas and boring sequels, Skylanders manages to rise above the pack by providing gamers with tons of content and ways to play, toys to collect and worlds to discover.

Before we go any further, let's do a basic overview. Skylander's: Spyro's Adventure is an action game with a twist; all of the in-game characters are represented by collectible toys that, when placed on the Portal of Power peripheral, become playable on your TV, computer or 3DS. Spyro, the dragon made famous in the PS1 era, is technically the star of the show, but his influence and presence isn't felt much beyond the game's title. Instead, all 37 Skylanders share the spotlight, and it won't be long before you acquire a favorite or two. But if you think you can get by with just those favorites, you're dead wrong; each Skylander represents one of eight different elements, and you'll need at least one of each to fully complete this game (or games). The Skylanders each feature branching skill trees and purchasable upgrades, but the most amazing part is that your progress is saved in the figures themselves, meaning your Skylanders can be used across all three games with their data intact. It all adds up to a truly cohesive experience that both kids and adults can enjoy. So, without further ado, let's get to the reviews.

Author's Note: Since the world of Skylanders is so massive, I'll be breaking this review down into sections. Wanna know about the 3DS version? Skip right to that conveniently labeled section. Wanna talk Adventure Packs and new characters? Or the online game at skylanders.com? I'll be covering it all.

Skylanders: The Toys

We'll begin with the toys themselves. When you get your copy of the game, you'll get three individual Skylanders and a Portal of Power, the peripheral you'll need to play. Pop a Skylander onto the portal, fire up the game and you are ready to go. The 3DS and console versions of the game come with different Skylanders (Dark Spyro, Stealth Elf and Ignitor, Spyro, Gill Grunt and Trigger Happy, respectively), and both sets are more than enough to enjoy the game. Chances are good, though, that you'll end up wanting more. And as cool as the toys are, collecting them can be a little confusing.

Luckily, I'm here to help out. Once it is all said and done, there will be 37 individual Skylanders (38 if you count the completely useless translucent blue Bash variant), and four Adventure Packs which include a single Skylander, a special new stage and a power-up or two. The Skylanders themselves come either as single units or in packs of three, and there is some overlap between which Skylanders are available in sets and which are available by themselves. Even more confusing is Activision's decision to only release some of the characters in time for the game's launch. So, because I'm such a nice guy, I'm providing a quick checklist of the Skylanders' various retail toys. If you do decide to collect them all, this will help in avoiding buying the same Skylander twice, and it might even save you some cash (it is always better to buy three packs over single Skylanders packs).

Console game - Spyro, Trigger Happy, Gill Grunt
Item - Volcanic Vault (Best Buy exclusive pack-in)
3DS game - Dark Spyro, Stealth Elf, Ignitor
Single - Wrecking Ball
Single - Wham-Shell
Single - Warnado
Single - Camo
Single - Sonic Boom
Single - Legendary Trigger Happy (Toys 'r Us exclusive)
Single - Translucent blue Bash (Toys 'r Us exclusive, variant color ONLY)
Three Pack - Bash, Eruptor, Chop Chop
Three Pack - Drobot, Stump Smash, Flameslinger
Three Pack - Boomer, Prism Break, Voodude
Three Pack - Cynder, Zook, Lightning Rod
Three Pack - Zap, Hex, Dino-Rang
Three Pack - Whirlwind, Double Trouble, Drill Sergeant
Three Pack - Legendary Spyro, Legendary Chop Chop, Legendary Bash (Toys 'r Us exclusive)
Adventure Pack - Darklight Crypt with Ghost Roaster
Adventure Pack - Pirate Seas with Terrafin
Adventure Pack - Empire of Ice with Slam Bam
Adventure Pack - Dragon's Peak with Sunburn

Author's Note: This is it - The final list including all the Skylanders and Adventure Packs (updated 4/2/12). Happy hunting!

Attaching some kind of score to the toys themselves is tough. The fact that the characters' progress is saved on the figures themselves is already cool enough, but when you add their mostly amazing sculpts to the mix you get a pretty sweet product. I have to dock a few points for some of the lazier designs and sculpts (Bash, Ignitor, Eruptor, the Toys 'r Us exclusive legendary versions, the abysmal, mispainted Cynder and Zook figures), but overall, these things are well-made, attractive and technological marvels. I imagine some will forget about the game altogether in favor of just collecting these sweet little figures (that is pretty much where I'm at now).

If I've got one complaint with the Skylanders toys, it is how Activision chose to handle their retail release. I mentioned before that not all the Skylanders and Adventure Packs were available for purchase at launch (they should have ALL been ready on day one). By delaying the "second wave," and by extension the third and fourth "waves," Activision, for all intents and purposes, sold everyone an incomplete game at the high price point of $69.99. The manner in which the Skylanders are sold is another sticking point. By making the same characters available as both single purchases and in three packs, Activision risked people being forced to buy the same characters more than once. Even worse, the Best Buy exclusive Volcanic Vault level only comes packed in with the console version sold at those stores, making it a hot commodity (the half-dollar sized piece of plastic is already going for as much as $250 on eBay, though prices have been dropping). For a kid-friendly game, one would think collecting the toys would be a simple, straightforward endeavor. It isn't, but feel free to use my buying guide to make the process a little easier.

Also, on a personal note, parents: DO NOT pay aftermarket prices for these toys, no matter how loud your children scream. It only takes a little legwork to find these on store shelves, and the scalpers/resellers are ruining the market by purchasing stores' entire supply then turning around and selling them at a 500% (or even way more) markup. Save your money, keep searching and don't encourage this type of reprehensible, bottom-feeding behavior.

We also need to talk about the Portal of Power peripheral. There isn't much to say about it, other than it always works exactly like it should. The peripheral comes in two different versions: the console portal and the 3DS portal. The console one works wirelessly with a USB dongle, but the 3DS version is a different story. That portal uses the 3DS AR function to import Skylanders into your game. Unlike the console version, your chosen Skylander will remain in the game until you replace it, rather than disappearing the second it is removed from the portal. Either portal can be used with the online game via USB cable, and it is even possible to use the 3DS portal on the Wii game, and vice versa. Very cool stuff.

The physical part of Skylanders succeeds on almost every level. The toys are (mostly) well-designed, the Portal of Power always, ALWAYS works just like it should and collecting these little things will become an obsession for more than a few folks. Activision's retail strategy of double booking toys (some of the same ones are available in single and triple packs) and delaying the release of some of them makes about as much sense as a donkey eating a waffle, but overall, Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure's physical media proves to be more than just a cheap gimmick.

85%

Skylanders: The 3DS game

Multiplatform games usually fail when it comes to recreating the console experience on a handheld. Skylanders cleverly sidesteps that by providing a game that both stands on its own and works well with its console big brother (sometimes too well).

Skylanders on the 3DS is a gorgeous 3D platformer with some light puzzle and racing elements. Players choose two interchangeable Skylanders and get to work, collecting each level's five total gems. As it stands now, there are a total of 165 gems, over 40 hats to collect (though they are largely useless, unlike the stat-boosting hats in the console titles), a soul gem for each and every Skylander and plenty of extra challenges. So there is plenty to keep you busy, and none of it ever feels repetitive, thanks to constant changes in action and varied Skylanders selection.

This version even goes as far to create an entirely different storyline for the Skylanders to battle through. In this one, you work with Wendel, a little weasel in a robe, in constructing a Shattering Sigil, a device needed to beat back this game's villain, Hektor. In order to construct it, you'll need to find four different guardians and get them to lend a bit of power to the device. It's a thin set-up, but the fact that the developers took the time to create a standalone experience is the real story here.

For a handheld (albeit an advanced one), Skylanders looks and sounds pretty great. The graphics are among the best yet on the 3DS, featuring large environments and multiple enemies - all without a trace of slowdown. Another nice touch is the Skylanders themselves look every bit as good in this version as they do with their console counterparts. The sound isn't bad either; the game has a few catchy tunes and a good sampling of voice acting throughout.

But graphics and sound don't make a hit; gameplay does. And luckily Skylanders has it in spades. Like I said before, you'll be clearing four worlds, each with five individual stages. These alternate between arena fighting that is actually entertaining and straight up run and jump platforming. The constant change ups keep things fresh and the game is a joy from beginning to end. And with today's lackluster 3DS lineup, that pretty much makes this game a no-brainer.

92%

Skylanders: Spyro's Universe Online Game

Another tier in the Skylanders machine is the online game. To play this version, players have the option of using the Portal of Power peripheral to upload their characters OR they can be input using a code that comes with each figure. As players progress in other versions of the game, codes are provided to bring your online Skylanders up to speed.

I'll be straight with you: The browser-based online aspect of the Skylanders universe, well, it sucks. The whole thing has the feeling of a cheaply produced Znyga minigame collection and can't even manage to squeeze an iota of fun from the license (a feat I'm still not sure how they pulled off). And to make matters worse, importing all your Skylanders is going to take time, whether using the Portal of Power or not, and the content here just isn't worth the commitment/headache (and if you've got a Mac like I do, compatibility issues are going to make it twice as frustrating).

I appreciate what Activision was trying to do with this aspect of the Skylanders universe, I do. They are to be applauded for bringing the Skylanders to almost every single platform (the PSP never got a Skylanders game, though we've heard rumblings of the sequel being slated for release on the PSVita). One misstep out of so many isn't terrible, but I urge you to steer clear of this waste of time. Hitting every retail store in metro Atlanta looking for the last few Skylanders was not a fun experience, but I'd take that over having to spend any more time online in Spyro's Universe.

17%

Skylanders: Cloud Patrol iOS Game (Universal)

Before we get into the Skylanders' adventure in the world of Apple, I wanted to point something out: It has been nearly six months (at the time of this revision) since the console games hit stores and we are just now getting the iPhone/iPad version (yup, its universal). If iOS ever expects to be considered a viable gaming platform, both developers AND Apple need to get their act together. And quick. Imagine if the Skylanders had been a bust and thousands of unsold figures littered store shelves. Now imagine the Skylanders game hit the App Store, half a year later, in a market that had already rejected Activision's experiment. They would have put all that work into a late game that maybe four dudes in the midwest would be excited enough about to download. Lame. That's, of course, not how it worked out, but you see my point, right?

On to the game. Skylanders: Cloud Patrol couldn't be less similar to the games we've seen up to this point. Using the touch screen, players are to shoot trolls and ogres out of the sky after some kind of Skyland prison break. Though the gameplay isn't identical, if you've played Fruit Ninja or Major Mayhem, you should have no problem grasping this one.

Don't be fooled by the simple (yet always somehow kinda fun) gameplay; Cloud Patrol is a game you'll need to "complete" your Skylanders experience. You remember those little black barcodes that come with each figure? The ones you used in the online Spyro's Universe (or didn't, if you love your sanity enough to skip the browser-based disaster)? The ones that some of you parents no doubt threw away? Yeah, you'll need them for this game as well. Typing in the code gives you instant access to that character/power-up/world in the iOS game, though unlocking this stuff can be accomplished through normal gameplay as well.

FYI: The field to enter your codes can be a little tricky to find. You'll need to tap each specific object in the game's store, from items to Skylanders. Tapping that object brings up the option to enter the web code OR to pay for the item with in-game currency (that can be earned in-game or bought with real cash through a somewhat pricey IAP store). Between entering codes one-by-one in this and Kid Icarus (which you really should be playing), its a rough time to be a non-cramping hand.

Cloud Patrol's biggest fault is a trait it shares with tons of other iOS games: crashes. Oh my god, the crashes. Get too many enemies on-screen or move through the menus too quickly and the game will go dark and crash, usually erasing about 5-10 minutes worth of gameplay rewards. When going for some of the tougher goals or, I sincerely hope this doesn't happen to you, too, as you are entering that mountain of codes, the game will just die. I hope the iPad's retail value is high enough to keep you from snapping it in half when these crashes happen, because, I promise, you're going to want to.

Skylanders: Cloud Patrol is a fun distraction and its always nice to see how Activision will expand the Skylanders universe. If you've been collecting the toys, however, brace yourself: You've got 37 Skylanders, four Adventure Packs, eight power-ups and one level. That is FIFTY ten-digit codes for you to enter. Better clear your weekend. What makes this especially vexing is that each of the web code cards has a barcode on it. Why couldn't we use our iPod/iPhone/iPad camera to snap a photo and have the barcode read instantly? We have the technology, people. Make it so.

75%

Skylanders: The Wii Game

And we've come to the main event - the console game. The Wii version and the HD versions on the PS3 and Xbox 360 are nearly identical, save for some sharper graphics on the more powerful systems. Either way, this version of Skylanders is probably the best of all, despite a few warts.

This version of Skylanders has a similar plot to the 3DS version, only with a different villain. Bad guy vs. good guy blah, blah, blah. What sells this version's story is the villain himself, who is voiced by the same actor who gave life to Invader Zim and the hilarious Dragonball Z in 60 seconds soundclip. His dialogue and threat level may be of a very juvenile nature (this is aimed at kids, after all), but somehow it works, and the lackluster plot gets a new coat of interesting paint.

As I said, the only difference between the Wii version and the HD versions are the graphics, but thankfully, this version can hold its own - sorta. Skylanders is one of the better looking Wii games, but when the comparisons begin, things don't look good. This game has its share of presentation issues, ranging from massive slowdown to missing and/or low res textures, and all of them are pretty noticeable. Not that it really makes up for it, but this version does boast quite a few polished cutscenes and some above average voice acting. It's tough to remember that, though, when your character is slogging through a slowed-down hub world or waiting for textures to pop in.

Much like the 3DS version, it's the gameplay that propels this one forward. The Wii version of Skylanders plays more like an action RPG or dungeon crawler than its run and jump 3DS cousin, and it plays pretty well. Moving through the levels as you switch out Skylanders on the fly has a certain magic to it, and playing single screen co-op with a buddy is a blast. My main gripe with this version of Skylanders comes from playing the 3DS version first. In the Wii version, none of the Skylanders have a jump button, and coming from the platforming of the other one, this can really handicap your enjoyment of the action. It felt like I was constantly going for that imaginary jump button, and not having it dings a few points off the score.

Even with the no-jump problem and some sloppy graphics, this version proves to be the best. Yes, it is aimed at the younger set. Yes, it stars (sorta) a forgotten game character. Yes, it can be expensive to really get into the game. And still, this is the best. Why? The answer is simply this: Skylander's: Spyro's Adventure is a fun game for all ages, no matter how you slice it. And isn't having fun our goal as gamers?

93%

Skylanders: The Conclusion

In a cynical, violent gaming climate, Skylanders is a breath of fresh air. It's just one of those games you can't help but love, and the collection aspect of it all intensifies my affection for this ambitious title. From the cool toys to the myriad different ways to play, Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure is a treat you should really consider losing yourself in and, despite its younger skewed slant, is quite possibly one of the best games of 2011.

... and because it HAD to happen ...

Skylanders: The Sequel

There is very little info surrounding this planned new game, slated for release sometime this year. All we really know so far is that the name "Skylanders: Giants" is being tossed around, and there have been reports of the next game featuring super-sized Skylanders toys, hence the name "giants" (duh).

And before you have a conniption fit, it has been confirmed, by Activision, that all the Skylanders you've worked so hard to collect and build WILL indeed work with the next game. Hallelujah! But don't jump the gun just yet. The newest info leaking out says the new game will add a light element with four new Skylanders, four giants and, wait for it, resculpts of the characters you've already purchased. Sure your old figures will work with the new game, but if you want to beef them up past level 10, you'll need the new toys. Grab your pitchforks and torches, unruly mob.

Wait! The new Skylanders toys appear to have some light-up features that are displayed when they are on the Portal of Power. LEDs might not be enough to assuage an angry fan base, but it's something, right?

All the information in this section is tentative and shouldn't be taken as gospel truth. Keep checking The Gamer's Temple for more info on this new title as it becomes available. I'm excited, and you should be as well.

Note: You can find the Skylanders Giants Omnibus here.