Skylanders: SuperChargers Reviews

Skylanders has always been considered the undisputed ruler in the world of toys to life, the game started the whole concept and has continued to do well among its fans for quite some time. The question that has always come to mind is where can it draw the line? There are only so many stories, there are only so many ideas that they can use, the franchise has already set so many feet wrong over its first four installments including releasing what is basically the same game. I personally quit halfway through Swap Force after being bored by the sheer lack of innovation and the need I felt for a much greater idea and this is what is offered with Superchargers.

Skylanders Superchargers is another solid entry in a franchise that has done gangbusters for Activision, and fans will enjoy the new vehicle gameplay and adventure-strewn story.

“Skylanders: SuperChargers ups the ante with interactive vehicles, multiplayer action, and endless fun.”

The thing I’ve always liked about the series is that there’s a lot to do in the games and this one probably has the most with the inclusion of races for the vehicles and side-quests you can undertake. The card game Skystones is back with a minor change (each turn charges a vehicle card you can then use) and it’s still hilariously easy. It’s decent enough when you want a little break from the usual punching but there’s not really much depth to it which is okay considering the game is for children. This is also the first game to include online co-op which is pretty awesome even if it’s another feature that should have been included years ago. Unfortunately the downside of a series being released yearly has finally shown its ugly face with some content that was a series staple being cut out. The arena modes are no longer here, instead replaced with a half dozen race types like boss chases and your more typical stuff like time trials. The tower defense Kaos Mode from Trap Team has also been removed which is unfortunate since I thought it was a fairly decent addition to the series. We’ve seen this sort of thing happen with Call of Duty and it was only inevitable that it happens here as well.

Now, the tricky matter of a conclusion. This, when you boil it right down, is another Skylanders game with the good and bad points that entails. When the game gets it right, it's a genuinely enjoyable romp, with good characterisation in the NPCs and a decent story to keep things ticking along. Then, along comes a vehicle arena combat based level, and suddenly it isn't so much fun. It's no exaggeration to say that the list of things we'd rather do than play the vehicular arena areas include laundry, gardening and root canal work. This one style of play spoils a lot of the good work that's done here, sitting in the mix of levels like an wasp's nest at a picnic. Skylanders Superchargers could have been a contender, but the enforced arena vehicle sections mean that it only sputters along in the middle of the pack.

Assessing a game like Skylanders is always difficult. Different players will get different things from it. This year the combination of the articulated vehicles, the kart racer mode and the sensible approach to backwards compatibility create a game that is a lot of fun and great value. This isn't just another update to the Skylanders series, it's the moment the game properly comes of age both from the perspective of top notch gameplay as well as offering families exactly what they want in terms of value. Also, those amiibo-Skylanders are fantastic.

Skylanders: SuperChargers is a great family game with replay value, as long as you're willing to keep buying figurines.

‘Skylanders‘ is a word that’s as likely to inspire joy in the eyes of children as it is to send adults scrambling for cover.

Overall, SuperChargers is a competent sequel and one that’s bound to keep the Skylanders fandom transfixed for yet another year. Where previous iterations have kept the series afloat using fun albeit superficial gimmicks, this latest edition feels more like a genuine step in a new direction. It’s great news all around, yet the developers at Vicarious Visions and Toys For Bob will definitely be feeling the pressure in trying to top this latest effort next year.

Adding three different and fun vehicles and extremely creative level designs to the series’ simple but reliably enjoyable action platforming gives Skylanders SuperChargers a healthy boost. Every level has you switching between approaches based on the vehicle you’re piloting, which is great for variety. That said, both the story and the approaches to boss fights are very predictable, and some things - like vehicle customization - are overly-simplified, even considering the young target audience.

Easily the best toys-to-life game so far, with a great new gimmick that makes for one of the best family friendly titles this year.

Variety is the spice of life.

A solid outing for this year's Skylanders, SuperChargers is a lot of fun to play and you can now do it online with friends.