Skylanders Giants {Review} – Giants Oh My!

Skylanders Giants Starter Kit

Developer: ActiVision

Released: October 21, 2012

When I first heard about Skylanders I thought it looked like a cool game.  I mean a game where there are little action figures that pop up in your game just by placing them on a portal, that takes video games to a whole new level.  We have tried other ways of interacting with games, such as musical instruments, a mat, and even fitness equipment, but Skylanders is so different.

While my boys (4 and 5) haven’t really gotten into video games yet, when I broke out New Skylanders Giants, they immediately were attracted to it.  I mean action figures and an interactive tv experience, my boys were in love.  Now I know video games are not necessarily something that you want your kids to be into, but I feel that they can be good in moderation.  I feel they teach kids patience, decision making, teamwork, focus and responsibility.  We of course allow video games in moderation and as rewards.

Skylanders Giants Starter Kit is what you’d get when you are new to Skylanders, otherwise you can buy the Portal Owners Kit (which is cheaper because it doesn’t include the portal.)  Since we are new to Skylanders, the Starter Kit was everything we needed.  It includes the Skylanders Giants Video Game Disc, Portal of Power, 3 Skylanders Figures (including a Giant), Character Collection Poster, 3-Sticker Sheets with Secret Codes and 3-Trading Cards.  Skylanders Giants are warriors that fought epic battles in Skylands, but were banished to Earth.  You play as the different Skylanders character to defeat the Kaos.  When I say you play as different Skylanders, you literally do as each character has their own special powers and once you  die in the game you need to let your character “rest” and put on a new Skylander.  While this can be frustrating for kids, they do learn patience and since we only have a few Skylanders they actually take a break since their Skylanders are resting.  You can of course reset the level but then you start from the beginning of it and lose any saved progress.  It is of course more fun if you have more Skylanders pieces to keep playing if you keep dying, but it is just as fun with a few (we have a total of five Skylanders right now.)

The Skylanders figures can be purchased individually or in 3-piece sets and they each have a different element symbol.  You do not need to have owned the previous Skyalnders game to enjoy this one, but I admit we now want it.  We also want all the new Skylanders figures to collect and play with!  Yes they are fun little collectibles that my boys proudly display.  They even sell cases to carry them in and store them, but we just line them up on the tv shelf.

As far as difficulty goes, there are definitely some challenging parts but that is where the teamwork comes in.  You can play two Skylanders at a time and you are tethered together in the game so you have to work together to succeed.  This is probably the only time my sons work together!  My boys are 4 and 5 years old, and they love playing this game as do my husband and I.  It really is a game for all ages.  You do fight in the game, but I taught my kids that its just the game.

Throughout the game you travel the land, talk to people, earn coins to buy items/powers, and fight in battles.  My boys figured out secrets all on their own and there really is a lot to do.  By playing with different Skylanders you can build each one up and earn different things.  For example, my boys have been playing for weeks at are at like 20% complete only.  I can’t attest to how quickly older kids would beat this but for my young kids they love it and don’t mind playing it day after day.  My sons are already asking for new figures and want Spyro’s Adventure next.  This was a perfect first game for them and like I said its great for all ages as we love it too!

BUY IT: Look for Skylanders Giants Starter Kit online or wherever video games are sold!

Mom and More Disclosure: I was sent this game to review in exchange for my honest opinion. Please see my Disclosure Policy.