The Verdict
As is evident by the previous page, I had a hard time coming up with negatives for Skylanders SuperChargers. It seems like Skylanders is one of those anomalies where a yearly release doesn't hamper the franchises creativity. I'm genuinely surprised at just how different and, not to mention, fun SuperChargers is compared to its predecessor.
It's a game for kids, sure, but adults can easily find a lot to love about this game, and the franchise as a whole. It's nice that this time around players aren't expected to buy every single vehicle to unlock everything in the story mode, but seriously, how can you resist Shark Tank?!
The Positives
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Skylanders SuperChargers is a gorgeous game. Both on a technical and presentational level. Each character is absolutely brimming with personality, both the NPCs that are brililantly voiced and even the Skylanders and their animations. How is this not a kid's TV show yet?!
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The vehicle sections are extremely fun. Admittedly, the Air and Land sections are much more satisfying and easier to control than the Sea sections.
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Younger players can take advantage of an alternate control scheme which allows the movement of each vehicle with a simple tilt of the analog stick, instead of having to hold down the Right Trigger or R2.
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It's a pretty meaty game. With 13 levels spread out across 51 chapters, this is certainly a game that lasts a while. Add to that a slew of races that are completely separate from the main campaign.
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The racing mechanics are top notch, at least as far as Kart-racer games go. The handling is fairly uncomplicated and easy enough for younger players to pick up and master in just a short time.
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Skylander variety is nice, even though many are still unreleased, and are coming in future waves. The three I played the game with, Stealth Elf, Gill Grunt and Spitfire are all very unique to one another, as well as their respective vehicles.
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Much like Skylanders, their SuperCharger vehicles can unlock mods for upgrades, which means you'll be able to switch various parts out for others, giving various boosts in stats. For example, one set of wheels for Hot Streak can improve its weight and thus its handling, while another set of wheels gives it extra speed. Upon pick up, they can immediately be equipped in a sleek upgrade menu.
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It's convenient that this time around, you only really need just one vehicle type (Land, Sea and Air) to unlock all of the challenges found in the main campaign. You won't get access to every single individual Skylander challenge this way, but that's outside of the main campaign. It is important to note that you can finish the entire game with only just the starter pack, as the Air and Sea portions are optional.
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Skylander Academy is once again an amazingly put together hub that weaves all of the various gameplay elements together. Here you can continue the story, compete in races, upgrade your Skylanders and vehicles, play Skystones, and much, much more.
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Skystones are back! There are over 100 Skystones, some of which can be unlocked through gameplay, while others through Traps from the previous game. This time there's an addition of Vehicle Skystones, which can be summoned once a gauge completely fills up, and each one has some sort of special ability that can turn the match in your favor, or vice versa.
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Voice acting is still top notch, with Patrick Warburton reprising his role as Flynn and Richard Steven Horvitz once again as the annoying Kaos. Again, why isn't this a TV show yet?!
The Negatives
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Locking some of the cooler races, against or as villains, behind trophy packs that you can only get by buying the $35 adventure pack is silly.
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Why do the vehicle designs have to be so awesome?! I'm supposed to be content with only one vehicle of each type Activision, and now you're making me spend more money! Seriously, Crypt Crusher?! How could I resist?!
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It's not a TV show yet! Seriously, make it happen guys!
The day Disney Infinity was announced, I immediately thought "Stick a fork in Skylanders, they're done." After all, how would a series with completely original characters that no one has ever heard of (unless they played the games of course) compete with the likes of Mickey, Woody, and Elsa. Hell, even the Marvel and Star Wars crew is on board now. And yet, year after year, Skylanders continues to impress me with its innovations and tweaks to gameplay.
Whereas Disney Infinity has the star power, Skylanders possesses superb platforming and action gameplay. Even this year's Star Wars themed Infinity, which I was extremely excited for, simply can't hold a candle to SuperChargers' gameplay, and that's saying something.
This year's gimmick are the SuperCharger vehicles. They're no longer just figures on a base, but this time they're actual toys. I immediately channeled my inner five-year old and played with the included Hot Streak on my desk upon opening the starter pack (which was supplied by Activision). If that's not a good sign of things to come, then I don't know what is.
I then went out and spent an additional $50 or so on one of the action racing packs which included Gill Grunt, his vehicle as well as a trophy which unlocks additional races in the game, and I also bought the Stealth Stinger helicopter since Stealth Elf comes in the starter pack. This way I had access to every challenge in the game (Land, Sea, Air) and was able to experience most of what the game has to offer.
The game begins with a pretty cool twist. Unlike previous games where Eon summons you because Kaos is trying to take over Skylands, in SuperChargers, Kaos has already achieved this, kidnapped Eon and the rest of the characters, and completely shut off the Skylanders network. It's a unique approach to the story, that finally mixes up the same formula of games past.
Let's look at what makes SuperChargers so great, what's not so great, and our final verdict.
