 | 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. |
Skylanders Spyro's Adventure
- Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS
- Price: $69.99
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Toy figurines become characters in exciting action game.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What kids can learn
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.
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoningdeduction, investigation, problem solving
- Creativity
- Self-Direction
- Emotional Development
- Communicationfriendship building
- Collaborationcooperation, teamwork
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Tech Skills
- Health & Fitness
What's it about?
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.
Is it any good?
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.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
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?
What kids can learn
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.
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning: deduction, investigation, problem solving
- Creativity:
- Self-Direction:
- Emotional Development:
- Communication: friendship building
- Collaboration: cooperation, teamwork
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Tech Skills:
- Health & Fitness:
How kids will learn
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.
How parents can help
- Play with your kid as a two-player team, solving puzzles and making your way through maze-like levels.
- Encourage kids to use the game's toy figurines to create make-believe worlds outside of the game.
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- Teens & kids
Parent
December 15, 2011
AGE
Fun action game.
My 7 yr. old got this for his birthday & REALLY loves it. Even his 4 yr. old brother can play with him. There is definitely fighting violence, but not "blood & guts" type. Be aware, however, that there are 32 figures to buy if you want the "full" experience. The starter kit comes with 3 figures, but my son is already requesting additional characters.
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Kid, 8 years old
December 22, 2011
AGE
FUN
It's a great game for 7 & up people
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Teen, 15 years old
December 29, 2011
AGE
A fun romp, with a price.
Skylanders was very much made as a marketing ploy, but it pulls it off by such a degree that people will instinctively buy more. It's highly addictive buying the little plastic figurines and receiving them as gifts, as each one is another life, and as such, another three or four hours just spending time training your new figurine. The game itself can be played by mostly all ages, but it is one of the most expensive kid's games on the market right now. At the time I saved up enough money to buy it, it was around 70 dollars for the Portal of Power (the plastic tool used to send Skylanders into the game) the game itself, and the first three Skylanders (Spyro, Trigger Happy, and Gill Grunt.) It's quite the hefty, expansive package, but there's more to come. I received four Skylanders for Christmas, and bought three more with the money from the holiday, and the figures themselves are about 8-10 dollars apiece. With 32 to collect, that could eventually average out to around 300 dollars in total if you want the whole collection. It's a very popular title, and although I know it's a ploy, it's a very well done one, and I still am saving up my pennies to buy more figures. If you buy this for your children, be prepared for begging. Kids everywhere are scrambling for these game characters, so if you want more, act fast. Let time pass, wait until the Skylanders are cheaper, and then buy a whole bunch of them. With time, this game will be cheaper for the masses. It's going to be expensive, but it will most likely keep Little Johnny happy for a long while.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 10 years old
November 24, 2011
AGE
*Claps*
I have the game, and I bet it would be awesome! It's pretty entertaining to play, too. My favorite ones right now are Spyro, and Zap.
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Kid, 8 years old
December 20, 2011
AGE
8 Year Old Boys Point Of Veiw
skylanders spiros adventure is awesume! you put the toys on the portol and thay come to life! gesss what! you can swich toys when ever you want!
What other families should know:
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Teen, 14 years old
October 24, 2011
AGE
Skylanders is awesome!!
This game is pretty cool. With the game controls being so easy to master, even noobs to the game will be good at it in no time. Oh there are glitches, but the gameplay isn't to bad.
My favourites are Chop Chop, Warnado, and Cyder
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Kid, 11 years old
January 2, 2012
AGE
awsome!!!!!
this game is amazing,with out a doubt this is one of my favorite video games.
What other families should know:
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Educator and Parent of 6 and 8 year old
January 13, 2012
AGE
Great Family Fun
I'm a 41 year old with daughters 6 & 8. None of us typically play this type of game, but all of us love Skylanders. The gameplay is easy enough for my youngest to enjoy up to a point, but halfway through the game we're already encountering some tough battles that require my help. Highlights are the co-op mode, which forces my daughters to work together (major achievement), and the variety of characters. As a toy collector, I love the challenge of finding new figures in stores, and each one allows you to replay the game using a very different style. Beware: this can be a pricey undertaking if you have a "gotta get 'em all" attitude.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 16 years old
January 2, 2012
AGE
BEST GAME EVER!!!! SPYRO RULES!!!
i have played it before and i think that it is a very good game, not very violent either and quite educational. out of ten i would give it 9 and a half. the half was missing because i dont like the hard bits
name:flame darkstar
age:14
favourite caracter:spyro
favourite badguy: mages
most funny people: kaos. why?:though he is very evil he is very young and short. he is only a child.
i love this game.it is my favourite
thanku very much for reading this.
love flame darkstar
What other families should know:
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Parent of 6, 8, and 12 year old
January 27, 2012
AGE
Helpful tool in teaching myth and story structure (boring mom stuff)
My son received as a gift from his grandparents for his 8th birthday. He loves it and is obsessed, of course, as he is with all storyline media. I however, usually can only take so much of anything but this adventure is different. Perhaps it is the novelty of placing a different character on the portal and watching it "come to life" or perhaps it's the "mythical style" storyline or perhaps it's the way my kids must play as a team but I really enjoy it. There are heroes and villians and we've talked about the origin of many of the names. The figures are "expensive" at $8 (most stores) & $10 (toys r us) for a "treat gift". However they are inexpensive birthday gifts which I appreciate. And they are a very attainable "save your own $" goal. The entire issue of violence is a confusing concern for me. I am extremely concerned that my boys are limited in there exposure and yet I know that boys need to wrestle and "battle" as milestones to growth physically, emotionally and intellectually. I guess I'm less concerned about this game as it has obviously mythical creatures with pretty much no actual people. The main guide is a talking mole. How do you determine what is "developmental" violence versus detrimental violence? I see this game as appropriate and fun and possibly educational as we've talked a lot about mythology and basic structure of myth and story while playing it.
What other families should know:
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| 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 (Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360) |
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