Title: Skylanders Swap Force
Format: PS4 (reviewed), PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, 3DS, Wii, Wii U
Release Date: October 13, 2013(current gen), November 2013(next gen)
Publisher: Activision
Developer:Vicarious Visions
Price: $74.99
ESRB Rating: E
I would have never pegged Activision's billion dollar franchise as something more than a kids game, but during my time with the game, I couldn't help but enjoy it myself.
Story and Presentation:As soon as you start up the game's campaign, you'll soon realize that the game is aimed at the younger audience. The dialog reminds me of something you would see on during the day on a children's network like Nickelodeon or the Disney Channel. Even with that said, I still found the game's charm endearing, and I quickly came to appreciate the game's excellent voice acting. Featuring talents such as Invader Zim's Steven Horvits and Family Guy's Patrick Warburton, they lead the cast with humor and flare. There performances alone make the cutscenes enjoyable to watch. Every character doesn't have the same personality however, you'll still get the meandering voice that comes off as patronizing, even though it's targeted at kids. The narrative consists of you, the Skylander, trying to stop Chaos' evil ways. It's as simple as that. The game looks really good. I played the PS4 version, and even though it won't be taxing the system by any means, but the game features a bevy of bright and vibrant environments to explore. The cartoony animation is great as well, and it really simulates you watching a day time cartoon.
Core Gameplay and Multiplayer:Skylanders has a good enough foundation that makes playing the game enjoyable from the start. The game's responsive controls makes it a breeze to mow down tons of enemies with your wide array of powers. The difficulty level gradually rises with each level completed, although it will never truly challenge you, the game wants you to finish the game and experience the story. The game introduces you to multiple enemy types, where you will need to utilize different attacks and stuns in order to dispose of each enemy you come across in an effective manner. With Swap Force, you can physically attach and detach the tops and bottoms of your Skylanders figures, making the combinations endless if you drop enough cash on the figurines of course. Warping in new Skylanders has never been more streamlined, as you simply remove and place new combinations onto the Portal of Power. This is what makes the game that much more enjoyable is the endless experimentation you can do if you invest enough. Role-playing elements deepen the experience, giving you the ability to level up and learn new attacks for your Skylanders. You can also equip numerous items that will make your characters that much more formidable. There are different modes outside of the single-player campaign including, Time Attack and Battle Arena which will prolong your time with the game. Battle Arena is a lot of fun, especially with another player fighting with or against you.
Final Thoughts:You might be turned off from the childish vibes that Skylanders Swap Force gives off, but underneath the juvenile aesthetics and audio lies a solid adventure title with satisfying combat. Even if you don't want to drop any extra cash on additional figures, the starter pack will get the job done just fine.
S&S Rating: 7.5/10 @whatsPlay
