Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure – Review

From our first look at Spyro at the Toy Fair to the game launch event, Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure has been a product we have been following very closely. You see, Spyro is such a different type of toy and game combination that I think I am going to try and treat this “review” a bit differently.

If I was asked to describe the game, I would give the simple answer of it being an evolution of the toy and video game market. This is not something that you have seen before and Activision made sure that they pulled out all the stops so that their first take was going to be a keeper. I do not underestimate how hard that is to accomplish and it is the reason why I am so happy that they succeeded. Sorry to all the other games my kids have played, they have officially called this their “favorite game ever invented in the world”! The graphics, controls, voice acting, storyline and characters are all top notch. I might go on to say that the characters and storyline were as near perfect as I have seen in a video game in a long time (Wing Commander is a tough to beat story). Each character is so different and alive it makes having a favorite difficult.

So below I will amaze you with just some random things that have come into my head about this game along with some quick little story blurbs on how my children have reacted to the Skylanders game. They will not be an any sort of order so that I apologize.

When I brought the kids into a Target store, we saw the Skylanders layout in the video game selection and started looking at the different character packs. What the heck! There was one with a Pirate Ship (with a good price point), that opened up a new area in the game! I thought this was such a great idea, not just the character but having that third interaction, and a Pirate Ship? Very cool. From what I understand there are also potions.

The Collectible Spyro Characters are great, we have already seen the one that is specific to Target (Whirlwind), but when we went back to get it, no more left. That is going to be a tough find this holiday season. Very cool concept though. I believe Toys R Us also has some exclusives as well as Walmart.

My children have never been so excited to try a video game. After the launch party all I would hear from my older boy is how he wanted to play again and from my younger son how he wanted to play for the first time. This is one of the only games that my children were actually watching the mail for.

When the game finally came, I was sick, poor kids they would not get to play for a few days. Well, what I found intersting was they got to play on Saturday and what do I hear at 5:45 a.m. on Sunday? Yup that is the two boys trying to sneak upstairs to play some Skylanders. I mean these kids just could not get enough. I was so tired, I told them sure go ahead just keep the volume down. I love how the game allows them to work together. You know the biggest thing this game has solved for us? If one of the children has to do something else, even something as simple as running to the bathroom, they can just take themselves off the portal rather then having the other boy wait for them. That is pretty cool. Plus the boys get to work together solving the puzzles to get the keys. They have also started to learn about the different elements that different characters are to help them through the story.

The Skylander pajamas are now a must wear item, even though they may be a size too big. They came from the launch event and my boy just loves them.

Some other random cool things. The portal does not have any wires, they actually made it wireless? So very neat. It is also super cool how the characters have a power down time, smart marketing move, smart way to have you kids get a break, and just overall neat idea. The kids love the different chapters and areas in the story, and my youngest just loves the key finding. They story has kept the kids interested, which, with my kids, is a hard thing to do.

You can also check out some no rehearsed gameplay footage of the boys below. It is almost like I cannot get their attention while they are playing If someone at activision has not already done this, let’s really make this one step better and get a great cartoon going, then we really know that they whole product cycle is wrapped up.

Again…top game and toy of the year for my kids.

Note: Skylanders Spyro’s Adventures provided for review by Activision