Toys to life – it’s not a phrase I like, but it’s the one that’s been pinned to games associated with physical objects. Skylanders was the pioneer in the genre, starting with Spyro’s Adventure back in 2011. Others have tried to jump on the bandwagon with varying success – Disney has done well, Lego less so – and innovation is the key to staying relevant with kids and grown ups alike. How is the team at Vicarious Visions going about that?
It’s a two-pronged approach –refining the traditional Skylanders experience on one hand, while adding a bunch of new stuff on the other. It’s a tried and true method designed to keep existing fans happy while dragging others in from the fringe, and I think there is a lot for fans to look forward to with the release of Skylanders SuperChargers looming.
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“Each of the levels in SuperChargers has a unique theme visually, and most contain a gameplay mechanic that won’t be found elsewhere in the game.”
Fear not fans, the core Skylanders experience you’ve come to love is firmly intact in Superchargers, and has been enhanced in some meaningful ways. Perhaps most important is the game’s heightened storytelling experience. VV Showed off their first ever Skylanders cinematic trailer – an in engine plot device that provides a more robust backbone for the gameplay. It was whimsical in a Rare/Pixar sort of way: the kind of exposition that hits home for all ages. In fact, older Pixar movies such as Toy Story are the blueprint for storytelling in the Skylanders franchise, according to Senior Animator John Paul Rhinemiller. That narrative tilt is present throughout the game, giving the Skylanders more purpose than ever before. Parents and kids alike should find something of value in the Superchargers story.
The new narrative elements don’t impinge on the hallmark of the Skylanders series: compatibility. All 300+ Skylanders will work in SuperChargers, an impressive feat considering the vast ranges of creations currently available.
Each of the levels in SuperChargers has a unique theme visually, and most contain a gameplay mechanic that won’t be found elsewhere in the game. This, according to president Guha Bala, has driven obsessive replay options during play tests. Kids love seeing how differently areas play with different Skylanders – whether they are new creations or old favourites.
The bunch-of-new-stuff portion of the equation is simple: vehicles. Players will be able to pilot land, air, and watercraft throughout SuperChargers, providing a wild amount of replayability and flexibility in approach. After sitting down with Brent Gibson, Senior Artist, it became obvious that vehicles are not a half-baked addition to the franchise. In fact, they’ve been on the franchise wish list for many years. Why? Put simply, Skylanders is a world of fantastic imagination, and vehicles are the objects of endless over the top fantasies. Jet boats, tanks, rockets, planes; the options for vehicles are endless. To that end, the team approached design like a game jam. Team members built wacky ideas and mechanics, and lots of them made their way into the final product.
Racing is the obvious implementation for vehicles, but the team has included many other vehicle based objectives such as rescues, puzzles, stunt tracks, and stealth missions. Vehicle use is incentivized by a progressive growth system for vehicles – mods can be implemented to fine tune a vehicles handling or speed (among others), while also upping the cool factor. Believe me when I say kids will go nuts for this.
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“In all, Skylanders SuperChargers is shaping up to be the most ambitious and well-realized entry yet seen in the series.”
Back on foot, the Skylanders Academy is starting to look like Disney’s Toy Box mode. Items can be plunked down and played with throughout the hub world, and spawned intriguing diversions such as Skylander soccer. It’s a balanced way for players to feel creative without becoming overwhelmed as they might with Infinity or Little Big Planet.
So how does this all feel to play? For those who’ve never played the franchise, I’ll make the comparisons very direct. On foot, the game plays and feels like the Ratchet and Clank series, albeit with 300 characters to choose from. This is definitely a good thing, as the methodical speed maintains accessibility for youngsters while being precise enough for those with more developed motor skills.
Behind the wheel, there’s a very specific Mario Kart feel to things. However, weapons can be used almost constantly, and the variety of vehicles is much broader. For example, playing as a submarine rather than a boat might grant access to the shortcuts or boost platforms. Don’t expect the sense of speed to blow your hair back, but do expect to get unnaturally invested in races, especially against friends. VV has really nailed that kart racer feel – you know the one, where you get wiped out JUST before the finish line.
In all, Skylanders SuperChargers is shaping up to be the most ambitious and well-realized entry yet seen in the series. The addition of vehicles alone ought to bring in new fans, while the solid gameplay continues to make Skylanders the mark to shoot for in the toys to life realm. Stay tuned to COG for more on SuperChargers, which sees release September 20, 2015.
