Skylanders Giants
SCORE: 84
Skylanders was one of the biggest things
little kids and big kids wanted for Christmas 2011. It did so well that
many families spent countless hours with the game and toys. This is the
masterful design that we called here at Family Friendly Gaming.
Skylanders is part video game and part toy. The figures that are
purchased go into the game.
Skylanders Giants is the next logical progression of the franchise. I am
reviewing the Nintendo 3DS version of this game. The portal and figures
hamper the hand held nature of Skylanders Giants on the 3DS. The portal
is smaller and we can only use two Skylanders at a time. Swapping is
done in the main area before we go into levels.
The Nintendo 3DS version of Skylanders Giants has one important thing
going for it - grinding. I can easily and quickly level up characters in
the 3DS version. Those working on the Wii version would come to me and
ask me to play a level with their character in the 3DS version to they
could get higher levels. So if grinding is taking too long in one of the
home console version, be sure to check out the 3DS version. Yes they are
still compatible.
The giants are huge in Skylanders Giants. So much so that only one giant
will fit in the portal for the 3DS. Please note that the portal on the
3DS is different from the ones that go to the home console systems. Same
with how the portal works. The portal for the home console is on as long
as the game is on (and you turned it on). The 3DS portal is on only when
the player presses down on it. This means that after a level is complete
the player must sync their Skylanders in the game with the toys or those
levels are lost. It can be a pain to remember to do that, but it is the
price we pay for not being constantly synced with the portal.
The story in Skylanders Giants is interesting as well. It is different
than what the home consoles have as well. A giant pirate in his giant
pirate ship has escaped. It is up to us to confront and defeat him.
Which works for me. I have never been cozy with pirates - especially
knowing their criminal history.
Parents need to be aware of a couple of things in Skylanders Giants. The
game carries an Everyone ten years and older only rating for a reason.
There is a fair amount of violent content in Skylanders Giants. We
shoot, smash, petrify, and generally destroy these creatures in the
game. There are undead kind of characters that we use, and some hideous
looking monsters.
The graphics look a little small in Skylanders Giants on the 3DS. I
anticipated this since this is a hand held version of the game, and not
the home console. The giants look decent in Skylanders Giants for the
3DS. It is when we go to the normal sized characters that things really
stick out.
The music in Skylanders Giants is fun. The same quirky humor comes
across from the first game. The attention to detail in the toys is
amazing. I love how good these figures look. There are enough of them to
put a major dent in your wallet. There are new Skylanders as well as
series two versions from the first game. The lightcore figures are
really neat since they light up. Every giant we have interacted with
here at Family Friendly Gaming has been a lightcore figure.
Skylanders Giants is like the first game in terms of bonus content.
There are a variety of side quests that can be completed in levels if
you have the right type. Presents are found, and they provide the player
a variety of different hats. These hats can improve the stats of the
Skylander wearing it.
- Paul
Graphics: 79%
Sound: 86%
Replay/Extras: 89%
Gameplay: 93%
Family Friendly Factor: 74%
System: Nintendo 3DS
Publisher: Activision
Rating: ‘E10+’ - Everyone 10+
{Cartoon Violence}
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