| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that Skylanders Spyro's Adventure is an action adventure game set in a colorful fantasy/sci-fi universe with frequent cartoony violence. The game is connected to a portal-like device where kids place real toy figures to play. The characters that appear in the game are dependent entirely upon the Skylanders toy figures that you own. Parents need to know that there is a discrepancy between the targeted age of the toy figurines (the starter pack says age "6+") and the age appropriateness of the video game packaged with those toys which is for age 10 (ESRB rating of E10+). The starter pack comes with three figures, but the game encourages and entices players to purchase additional figures. Any of the figures/characters can also be used in a connected online multiplayer game, Skylanders Universe, as well as in other version of Skylanders Spyro's Adventure (for example, your best friend's game). That web game offers a monitored environment and only limited, pre-selected chat between players.
Kids can learn to investigate problems and logically figure out solutions, either alone or acting as a team. During this adventure, they observe clues that may later have utility, try different possible solutions, and figure out how items work together to be helpful. The cooperative multiplayer aspect of Skylanders is a blast, and it can help kids discover that problem-solving may be more fun with a partner. Action and cartoony violence mesh with great team puzzle-solving and strategy.
Skylanders Spyro's Adventure takes place in a world where vast islands float among the clouds and the creatures who inhabit them travel by balloons or flying ships. The center of Skyland was the source of the world's light and goodness, but it was destroyed by Kaos, a villain who sought to bring darkness to the land. Now, the heroic Skylanders must find the pieces to rebuild the Fountain of Light and save the universe. However, they've all been turned into toys and blown to Earth. Players must find these toys and send them back to their world to fight the villains. They do this by placing a toy on a special portal that comes packaged with the game.
Skylanders Spyro's Adventure is an absolute blast to play. It has all the fun, challenge, and excitement of classic adventure games like Banjo-Kazooie, Ratchet and Clank, and even Super Mario 64. The game looks great graphically, has a clear and simple a control scheme, and offers a load of variety that goes far beyond just the changeable characters. There's some great writing in here, too, especially when it comes to the humorously creative deathtraps that Kaos comes up with (like a waterfall full of sharks).
There's a legitimate gripe about having to buy extra characters in order to fully experience all the areas of the game world, but if you take that out of the equation and rate the game on its merits as a game, it's definitely a great one. Plus, the toy characters can be used to play in a friend's version of the game, and they bring their gaming history with them whenever they are inserted into a game.
Families can talk about the concept of buying characters to use in a video game. Do you think this is a fun innovation that allows you to customize your experience? Or do you look at it as a way for game publishers to simply make more money?
Parents can also discuss video game violence with their children. Does the cartoony nature of the fighting in this game make the violence here more palatable? Is there a difference between characters like Spyro, a fire-breathing dragon, and Trigger Happy, who shoots laser guns at enemies?
Kids can learn to investigate problems and logically figure out solutions, either alone or acting as a team. During this adventure, they observe clues that may later have utility, try different possible solutions, and figure out how items work together to be helpful. The cooperative multiplayer aspect of Skylanders is a blast, and it can help kids discover that problem-solving may be more fun with a partner. Action and cartoony violence mesh with great team puzzle-solving and strategy.
Kids explore labyrinthine levels with areas and objects that are accessible only by hidden means. For access, players may need to locate a hidden portal, press a series of buttons in a certain order, use a specific tool to destroy a wall, or solve a similar puzzling situation. Many of these puzzles can be solved more easily when players cooperate. Puzzles often have logical solutions, but trial-and-error experimentation may be the best path to success.
| Topics: | magic and fantasy, superheroes |
| Platforms: | Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | Activision |
| Release date: | October 16, 2011 |
| Price: | $69.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E10+ for Cartoon Violence |



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