Skylanders: Giants

Download Skylanders Giants and continue the epic Skylanders adventure. As a Portal Master, summon powerful Giant Skylanders to battle the evil forces threatening the Skylands. With new characters, abilities, and challenges, can you save the Skylands once again? Play now!
a game by Toys For Bob
Platforms: XBox 360, 3DS, Playstation 3 (2012)
Editor Rating: 7/10, based on 1 review
User Rating: 7.4/10 - 14 votes
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See also: Action Adventure Games, Action Games, Skylanders Series
Skylanders: Giants
Skylanders: Giants
Skylanders: Giants

With the power to look back on Skylanders now, many of us view this as the franchise that threatened to ruin both the Spyro and Crash Bandicoot series forever. However, for those more in tune with the Skylanders universe, so essentially children of this era or their parents. This game series represents something much more than that. This game series was the first amiibo style game that brought toys to life virtually through gaming and as a concept, it was a home run. So with that in mind, was Skylanders: Giants successful in continuing this trend?

This game played like various other titles in the Skylanders series such as Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure, Skylanders: Trap Team and Skylanders: Battle Cast. However, do compare it to other similar titles, it also played like Disney Infinity, Lego Dimensions and has similarities to the features that Nintendo Amiibos would offer. However, despite this revolutionary format, was this game able to deliver a fun, family-friendly experience. We find out in our review of Skylanders: Giants

Not Need for a ‘Giant’ Overhaul

Now firstly, this is a trickier concept to review than most because, in reality, there is no new game to review. This is essentially an add-on to the previous experience. You’ll still be doing the usual beat-em-up and loot procedure while you explore the world you’ve become familiar with. However, this time, you’ll have new giant Skylanders figures to use. These characters have new abilities such as the ability to smash down walls, throw huge boulders and smash huge holes in the ground. Opening up new paths and possibilities for the player.

There is new ‘lore’ added to the games and new characters with their own stories to tell. However, this seems like an afterthought, with new cosmetics, upgrades and loot being the main upgrade in this expansion. You’ll have so much content to rummage through and spend your hard-earned in game currency on. So much so that you’ll likely forget that there is a story to uncover. Which is probably just as well, because it’s not all that interesting.

Fun For All The Family

If you take the various licenced Lego games as a prime example, they epitomise the need for co-op functionality in these types of games. Hell, we would wager that the games wouldn’t be half as fun without it. So Skylanders: Giants seems to double down on this fact. Instead of the two playable characters at a time from the original outing, the game now offers four players the opportunity to play at a time. Which is very much appreciated.

The Verdict

Then to support this, the game released four playable giants right off the bat. Each model looks really cool, meaning they double up as a fine-looking collector’s item.

Plus, these figures now light up when they are played on the power portal, which is a fun little bonus.

7

Overall, Skylanders: Giants adds more than enough content to keep fans of the series busy. With new characters, new abilities, tonnes of cosmetics and new story elements to get through. It means that you get value for money here. The only issues we have with the title is that there isn’t a tonne of new mechanics in the title, the story elements are very underwhelming and after a while, the whole fight, loot, repeat system can be a little boring. However, as a whole, this adds longevity to the series, keeps it moving in the right direction and can be considered a success.

Pros:

  • Tonnes more loot and features added
  • New characters are cool and so are their physical models
  • Sticks to the tried and tested format

Cons:

  • Doesn’t offer a compelling narrative
  • Brand new mechanics are in short supply

Download Skylanders: Giants

XBox 360

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
3DS

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Playstation 3

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Snapshots and Media

XBox 360 Screenshots

3DS Screenshots

Playstation 3 Screenshots

See Also

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