This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
Skylanders is a flawed series. At times, it can be really creative with its game design. No matter how expensive the figures become, I still think the "Toys to Life" concept adds a lot of immersion to the experience. However, at this point of the series. Things become incredibly unbalanced regarding the price of the extra content.
Like past Skyalnders games, you're required to use certain figures in order to unlock side paths within levels in order to obtain all the collectibles. And this game is notorious for being the most unfair with those requirements. Not only do you need a Trap Master and villain of each element in order to find most of the hidden treasure, but you also need four adventure packs to access the final levels of the game. And the final drop of poison? All Skylanders from previous games can access any hidden areas, including the elemental gates. Making the attempt to obtain one hundred percent completion equivalent to a swift kick to the stomach.
Setting all that aside though, there are still a few things I really appreciate about this game. Such as the villain trapping mechanic. I still remember the excitement I felt watching the trailers for the first time. Being able to play as the villains you defeat is a really imaginative idea. It reminds me a bit of what the game "Crash of the Titans" was aiming for. Switching between the hero and villain characters feels really precise. I'm really glad I don't have to go through a long loading screen just to play as the captured villain. It adds a lot of variety to the combat and the switching mechanic even plays a big role in the final battle to add flavor to the clash.
Whenever I control a baddie, it never feels generic. Sure, most of the villains are just basic enemies turned into mini bosses. But what makes each one stand out is that each character is given a set of catchphrases and unique theme music that plays whenever they enter the battle. And the major boss battles against the doom raiders are all fantastic.
I mean "The Gulper" is a joke. He's easier than the Conquer-Tron from Skylanders Giants. But every clash against the head villains is fantastic. The music is energetic, the attack patterns aren't bland, and it just feels so good to hear them taunt you during the entire battle. It really adds satisfaction to the trapping process at the end.
Skylanders' boss fights have always felt hit and miss throughout the series. I mean in Spyro's Adventure, all the bosses are stale jokes. But even though this game has done some abysmal things, there are hints of drastic improvement in key moments throughout the game. It's just a shame to see the gaming cliches ruin most of the experience.
I want to clear all the challenges, but I"ll never be able to afford it. There are just better games to one hundred percent. If you ask me, a game isn't worth total completion, if the gameplay feels miserable. You could enjoy this as a fun multiplayer experience with friends, just bashing enemies, and reacting to the cute moments of the game. But this game was clearly designed for spoiled kids loaded with cash. If you're looking for an astounding beat em' up, pick up Smash Bros instead for the Wii U. This game will only obtain those with nostalgia for the series like myself. Its a blessing and a curse.… Expand