Skylanders

Skylanders
Genres Platform
Role-playing
Developers Toys For Bob (2011–2012, 2014–)
n-Space (2012–2013)
Beenox (2013, 2015)
Publishers Activision (2011–)
Square Enix (2013) (Japan)
Platforms iOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, OS X, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
First release Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure
October 13, 2011
Latest release Skylanders: SuperChargers
September 25, 2015

Skylanders is a toys-to-life[1][2] video game series published by Activision. Games in the series are played by placing character figures called the Skylanders on the "Portal of Power", a device that reads the figures' tags through NFC and "imports" the character represented by the figure into the game as a playable character.

A few of the Skylanders available for play include Spyro the Dragon and Cynder, both of which were previously included in The Legend of Spyro series. Skylanders is otherwise unrelated to the series.

Plot

The game's setting takes place in a world called Skylands, a realm filled with magic and floating islands. It is the very centre of the universe where it is constantly threatened by dark forces who seek the rule Skylands and gain access to all worlds.[3] Luckily, a band of heroes called the Skylanders use their magical weapons and machinery to defend their world from various threats, which they have done so for generations. They worked with the Portal Masters in keeping peace and balance in Skylands, battling the forces of darkness, and protecting the Core of Light. The Skylanders have an unbreakable bond with their Portal Masters. Though they are not servants, the Skylanders chose to serve their Portal Master and do so eagerly. Each Skylander is associated with one of the ten elements of Skylands: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Magic, Tech, Life, Undead, Light, or Dark.

The main plot is the Skylanders going through levels to prevent Kaos, the series' main antagonist, from ruling over Skylands.

The console versions of each game follow identical storylines, while the Nintendo 3DS versions follow stories different from those of the console versions.

Games

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure (2011)

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure is the first installment in the Skylanders series. It serves as the introduction to the Spyro character in the Skylanders franchise as well as a cast of playable characters. In the story mode of the game an evil Portal Master named Kaos and his servant Glumshanks blow up the Core of Light, bringing darkness over Skylands. While that happens Master Eon, s

Skylanders: Giants (2012)

Main article: Skylanders: Giants

Skylanders: Giants is the second installment in the Skylanders series set as a diret sequel to Spyro's Adventure. It introduces a new team of Skylanders called the "Giants", massive creatures who were the first Skylanders assembled to stop the reign of Arkeyans.

Skylanders: Swap Force (2013)

Skylanders: Swap Force is the third installment. Taking place in another part of Skylands called the Cloudbreak Islands, the player takes control of a new group of Skylanders called the "SWAP Force", who hold the ability to swap halves and abilities.

Skylanders: Trap Team (2014)

Main article: Skylanders: Trap Team

Skylanders: Trap Team is the fourth installment. The player takes control of a new team of SKylanders called the "Trap Team", who use Traptanium weaponry to defeat various villains. The game also introduces Traps, small Traptanium crystals that allow the player to capture the villains in the game and play as them.[4]

Skylanders: SuperChargers (2015)

Skylanders: SuperChargers is the latest installment in the series. Introducing a new group of Skylanders called the "SuperChargers" who pilot special vehicles that allows the Skylanders to create rifts to travel through like portals. Two characters included are Nintendo characters Donkey Kong and Bowser, who are only playable on Nintendo consoles.

Skylanders 6 (2016)

The sixth game was confirmed by Activision on February 12, 2016, and will be released in Fall 2016. [5]

Spin-offs

Activision also released six Skylanders spin-off games on mobile devices. These titles include:

Source:[6]

Figures

In addition to the standard figures, there are variants such as "Dark Spyro" for Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure and "Punch Pop Fizz" for Skylanders: Giants, both exclusives for the Nintendo 3DS versions of the respective game, "legendary" variants (exclusive to Toys "R" Us in the US) "Nitro" variants (exclusive to Target in the US) and "chase" variants which are just an aesthetic difference on the figure with no in-game difference.

The second game introduced the "Giants," larger Skylanders who can lift trees and boulders, move islands, and other stuff normal Skylanders can't do. There is also Series 2 versions of the returning characters that featured a new exclusive upgrade called a Wow Pow Power as well as the ability to switch upgrade path, and "lightcore" figures which light up while on the portal and have a light bomb attack when first entered into the game level.

The third game of the series, Swap Force, introduces the "SWAP Force" figures with the ability to switch top and bottom halves, as well as returning characters featuring an additional Wow Pow ability.

Skylanders: Trap Team, the fourth game of the series, was officially announced on April 23, 2014, on the Skylanders Game Facebook page with a new official trailer, and it was released on October 5, 2014. This installment introduces the Trap Master Skylanders, characters who wield big weapons made of traptanium, and traps that allow capturing of enemies in the game and playing as them.[4]

On February 5, 2015, Activision announced that a fifth Skylanders game was in development. It is currently scheduled to be released in the fall. It was later listed on Amazon as 'Skylanders: Superchargers'. On June 3, 2015 Activision announced Skylanders: SuperChargers release date was on September 20, 2015.[7][8] This installment introduced the SuperChargers where they ride special vehicles and its members consist of past Skylanders who are reimagined and SuperChargers Skylanders who are new to the video game series. Two characters included are Nintendo characters Donkey Kong and Bowser. They have announced with it a card game called Battlecast for iOS and Android where battle cards of Skylanders and villains can be scanned into the game and fight. It will have PVP. In 2016, it will be released with starter card packs along with small booster packs.

Universe

Characters

While the Skylanders are the main playable characters in the series, they are aided by many supporting characters and face many villains throughout their adventures.

Locations

Skylands is the main setting of the series, a world lying at the very center of the universe. It consists of many floating islands; each with its own world.

Innovation

In 2011, Skylanders Spyro's Adventure was the first video game to introduce the "Toys to life" concept, With each new release, Activision added new innovations to the concept. With Giants, Lightcore figures were introduced. These toys light up when they are placed over the Portal of Power. With Swap Force, the new characters can separate their body and legs and mix with other characters to create unique combinations. With Trap Team, you can trap the villains of Skylands (including Kaos) and play as them to fight the forces of Evil and two new elements called Light (shaped like a sun) and its opposite, Dark (shaped like a crescent moon). With "Superchargers", Vehicles were introduced to the series. Players could also do online racing and online co-op adventure mode.

Music

Lorne Balfe has composed the soundtracks to all the Skylanders games thus far, while Hans Zimmer composed the main theme.

In other media

Novels

A series of books in the Skylanders franchise started with Skylanders: The Machine of Doom that takes place before the events of Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure. It was written by Cavan Scott, who would later write sequels to the novel under the Skylanders: The Mask of Power series, which also serve as prequels to Spyro's Adventure.

IDW Publishing

IDW Publishing created a comic series associated with the Skylanders franchise that has events that take place in between the games.[9]

Possible film

Activison has commented on the possibility of a movie and TV series based on the Skylanders reboot as something that they could look into in the future.[10] On May 6, 2014, Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg announced that the Activision team had an interest in "jumping on the film adaptation bandwagon" and adapting Skylanders into a film.[11]

TV series

At an Investor Day presentation on November 6, 2015, Activision Blizzard announced the formation of Activision Blizzard Studios, a film production subsidiary dedicated to creating original films and television series. Headed by former The Walt Disney Company executive Nick van Dyk, Activision Blizzard Studios would look to produce an adapting Skylanders into a film and television series; the latter being called Skylanders Academy, which is set to air in fall 2016.[12]

Reception

Aggregate review scores
As of October 1, 2013.
Game GameRankings Metacritic
Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure (PC) 93%[13]
(3DS) 84%[14]
(X360) 81%[15]
(Wii) 80%[16]
(PS3) 79%[17] 		(3DS) 82[18]
(Wii) 81[19]
(X360) 78[20]
(PS3) 77[21]
Skylanders: Giants (X360) 82%[22]
(PS3) 79%[23]
(WIIU) 78%[24]
(Wii) 78%[25]
(3DS) 63%[26] 		(X360) 80[27]
(WIIU) 80[28]
(Wii) 78[29]
(PS3) 77[30]
(3DS) 59[31]
Skylanders: Swap Force (WIIU) 88%[32]
(Wii) 88%[33]
(X360) 85%[34]
(PS3) 84%[35]
(XONE) 80%[36]
(PS4) 80%[37]
(3DS) 73%[38] 		(WIIU) 89[39]
(X360) 83[40]
(PS3) 83[41]
(PS4) 79[42]
(3DS) 68[43]
Skylanders: Trap Team (WIIU) 84%[44]
(XONE) 80%[45]
(PS4) 78%[46]
(3DS) 60%[47] 		(WIIU) 86[48]
(XONE) 78[49]
(PS4) 78[50]

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure received generally favorable reviews, many praising the technological use of the "Portal of Power". Although some reviewers criticized the absence of online multiplayer, the toys for the Skylanders were widely praised. Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure was nominated for two Toy Industry Association awards: "Game of the Year" and "Innovative Toy of the Year".[51]

Skylanders Giants was released to generally positive reviews. However, the reviews from GameRankings and Metacritic were slightly lower than that of the previous game on some platforms. Cheat Code Central gave the game 9.2/10 and commented that "it feels like someone finally got everything right when creating a sequel," and praising the ability to use the Skylanders toys from the first game in the second.

Skylanders: Swap Force was released to very positive reviews, with the reviews from GameRankings and Metacritic being the highest and most genuinely positive of the series so far across all platforms. Gaming website Quarter To Three gave both the Wii U and Xbox 360 a perfect score of 5/5. Video Game website Gaming Age gave the PlayStation 3 version the highest grade of an "A" and further commented that "Whether you’re a Skylanders fan or a gamer who’s looking for a charming and unique family-friendly game series to get into, Skylanders SWAP Force comes highly recommended."

Skylanders: Trap Team was released to positive reviews. However, the reviews from GameRankings and Metacritic were slightly lower than that of the previous game on most platforms with only the IOS/Tablet version receiving the highest score.

As of February 2015, the Skylanders series has crossed the threshold of $3 billion in sales, with 175 million toys sold since 2011, making the series one of the top 20 highest-selling video game franchises of all time.[52][53] As of 2015, over 250 million toys were sold.[54]

References

  1. ↑ Martens, Todd. "Toys-to-life gaming at E3 is set to land big, but t all child's play". LA Times. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  2. ↑ Williams, Katie (May 4, 2015). "Toys-To-Life Are Gaming's Hottest-selling Accessory of 2015". IGN. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  3. ↑ Skylanders: The Machine of Doom, page 43
  4. 1 2 "Official Skylanders Trap Team: "The Discovery" Trailer". YouTube. April 23, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  5. ↑ Scalzo, John. "Activision confirms Skylanders 6, new Call of Duty from Infinity Ward, Destiny expansion in 2016; Destiny 2 coming in 2017". Warpzoned. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  6. ↑ "Skylanders Tablet Mobile Games and Apps". Skylanders.com. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  7. ↑ "'Skylanders SuperChargers' Innovates With Land, Sea And Air Vehicles". Forbes.com. July 14, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Activision confirms Skylanders 5, Call of Duty 2015, "unannounced intitatives" during quarterly presentation". Warp Zoned. February 5, 2015. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Skylanders". IDW Publishing. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  10. ↑
  11. ↑ "Activision Is Interested in Making a Skylanders Movie". Nintendolife.com. May 6, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Activision Blizzard Launches Activision Blizzard Studios to Create Original Film and TV Content Based on Iconic, Globally-Recognized Franchises". BusinessWire.com. November 6, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Skylanders: Giants Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Skylanders: Giants Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Skylanders: Giants Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Skylanders: Giants Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Skylanders: Giants Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Skylanders: Giants Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Skylanders: Giants Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Skylanders: Giants Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Skylanders: Giants Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Skylanders: Giants Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  32. ↑ "Skylanders: Swap Force Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Skylanders: Swap Force Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Skylanders: Swap Force Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  35. ↑ "Skylanders: Swap Force Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Skylanders: Swap Force Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  37. ↑ "Skylanders: Swap Force Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  38. ↑ "Skylanders: Swap Force Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Skylanders: Swap Force Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  40. ↑ "Skylanders: Swap Force Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  41. ↑ "Skylanders: Swap Force Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  42. ↑ "Skylanders: Swap Force Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  43. ↑ "Skylanders: Swap Force Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  44. ↑ "Skylanders: Trap Team Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  45. ↑ "Skylanders: Trap Team Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  46. ↑ "Skylanders: Trap Team Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  47. ↑ "Skylanders: Trap Team Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  48. ↑ "Skylanders: Trap Team Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  49. ↑ "Skylanders: Trap Team Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  50. ↑ "Skylanders: Trap Team Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  51. ↑ Appell, Adrienne. "Toy Industry Unveils Nominees for 2012 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards; Announces Inductees into Toy Industry Hall of Fame". Toy Industry Association.
  52. ↑ Dyer, Mitch. "Skylanders in 'Top 20' Game Franchises Ever, 175 Million Toys Sold". IGN.
  53. ↑ Futter, Mike (February 5, 2015). "Skylanders Is Now A $3 Billion Franchise". GameInformer.com. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  54. ↑ Makuch, Eddie (June 3, 2015). "Skylanders Reaches 250 Million Toys Sold, New Game Announced". GameSpot. Retrieved June 3, 2015.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, May 05, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.