Skylanders SWAP Force, the Season’s Hottest Toy! – Review

It’s Cyber Monday!

In the midst of your online hunt for the best deals, take a moment to check this out. We’re all on the lookout today for the same reason – to find the best gifts at the lowest prices possible for all of those lucky enough to make it on our gift lists. Every year there are the few most requested and highly coveted items. This year, much like many others, video games are atop that list. One of the top items in that particular category actually made its way onto my own shopping list this year.

That’s right, Skylanders. Now, before I get into everything, how many of you parents remember Spyro? Ages ago there was a video game with an adorable little, fire-spitting, purple dragon. Well this, Skylanders, is the new generation version of that game. When the first installment, Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure, came on the market it was huge hit with audiences, both, young and old. Just ask my little ones. They got it as a gift and ended up convincing Daddy to buy additional characters so he could “help” them beat a level. That, of course, turned into Daddy playing multiple levels while the kids were in bed. After quickly gaining popularity with its initial launch, they followed up with the second edition – Skylanders Giants. This edition followed suit in matching its predecessor’s popularity. Now, Activision has done it again with its most recent launch of Skylanders SWAP Force.

Skylanders SWAP Force is somewhat of an interesting combination of its forerunners. The third installment in the highly popular franchise now offers players the new ability to, in essence, create their own characters. This “swapability” lets players freely interchange the top and bottom halves of sixteen special characters. This mixing and matching gives the newly formed character a unique combination of powers and moves. With more than 250 character combinations possible, the options are plentiful and the play limitless.

The gameplay takes kids on an adventure throughout Skylands and on a mission to defend the Cloudbreak Islands against the evil Kaos and now… his mom! Set in an elaborately detailed next-gen world, Skylanders SWAP Force and the city within is based upon the real-life version of the Isle of Skye in beautiful Scotland.

Here, and with the Portal of Power, players can bring the game’s (and their own) characters to life like never before. With brand new abilities and powers like climbing, flying, and – yes! – even teleporting, protecting their world from the evil doings of Kaos will, surely, be easier than ever.

Played in either solo player, drop-in/drop-out cooperative mode, or Battle and Survival modes, Skylanders SWAP Force is a great game for the whole family. Just look at how much fun we had with it!

Buy:
You can purchase Skylanders SWAP Force for a variety of platforms – Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii U and Nintendo 3DS (coming soon for Xbox One & PlayStation 4) – from gaming retailers online and in-store nationwide. Each starter pack sells for an ARV of $75, but considering the Cyber Week celebration, many deals can be found.

Connect:
Be sure to keep up with Skylanders via their social media networks on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on all of the latest news, most interesting character swaps, newest characters and products, sales, giveaways, and more!

My little ones absolutely love the Skylanders trilogy and many of their friends, young and old, are right on board. As this season’s hottest toy for the holidays, Skylanders SWAP Force is a great addition to your shopping list for just about anyone. Get out and get yourself a starter pack and have at it. It will certainly be the most fun that you’ve had in quite a while. Hands down, this game is an absolute blast!

 

*Randi received the above product(s), free of charge, to facilitate this review. All opinions are those of the reviewer only.