darkSpyro

I'm just going to leave a question that has been "haunting" my thoughts and dreams for quite a bit:
is a long game necessarily better than a short one?

I'm not talking about things to do AFTER you completed the game (leveling up, sidequests, minigames and so on). I'm talking about the actual lenght of the Story Mode.

Is SWAP Force better (Story wise) only because it has longer levels?

To me, Trap Team is better than SWAP Force, even if the lenght is more or less the same (if not a bit shorter, SWAP Force's longer levels tend to be quite disorientating), because all the levels are actually FULL of things to do, and because the storyline is better.

Once again, I would like to remember that I'm not talking about side quests or even Elemental Gates.
A Trap Team level has, in my opinion, no dead moments.
It always keeps its rythm, and challenges you with different tasks.

That is why, to me, Trap Team is waaaay better, story wise.

When you play a 5 levels game, and enjoy it more than a 50 one, you understand that sometimes more is not more.

This is one of the things I'm not 100% on. As each game (as stated multiple times) have it's pros and cons for me. I can go through them and say what I liked about them and what not. But I do say I have a favorite out of the 3DS versions. But I'll do console versions first.

Console versions
Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure: The flag ship of the series and what not. Honestly this had alot of the things I like about the games, and a few features I do miss. Though honestly I never had my own copy of it til last month and only today opened it ... I mainly played it with my nephew as I had originally gotten into the game with the 3DS version. (imagine my suprise trying to play as Stealth Elf when their moves set are different. Jumping wasn't working (didn't know you couldn't) and pressing the X button caused me to get sutck moving in a direction, and I thought it was a glitch.) Anyways, The game itself was fun, I did enjoy the 'find all the pieces to this machine' quest as others have stated before, caused each chapter to have a meaning to it. (get into the others later) I also loved our the elements actual had those other traits in the game... which sadly they took off. Swimers and fliers were my favorite as it just made sense that they could travel over water. (Granted didn't have my first water Skylander til Giants) But it was enjoyable. The hub world was fun and you could even explore it and it did have a SL reason to why you'd allways return to it whenever you finished a mission (had to put the piece in )

As for Co-op honestly I didn't really have that much problems with it. But in Versus I enjoyed the vast aray of arena's to fight in... and Adventure packs giving even more. I can't tell you the countless hours me and my nephew played in them. Granted we mainly stuck to battle but the others were interesting as well.

Replayability wasn't as high, in the sense of things to do without restarting it. I mean single player wise, once you've 3 stared the levels (only possible with 2 playthroughs due to time challenge) you can level up your skylanders and upgrade them... then that's about it in single player.

another thing about the SL that I enjoyed was something they completely removed from the other games. That was the fact that it protrayed you as a 'character' in the series. Litterally Kaos would be talking directly to you and it was pretty much, You and the Skylanders save the day. Now it's more "The skylanders saved the day." Only Eon seems to know you're apart of it.

Truely a classic in the series which makes it fun to return too.


Skylanders: Giants: Sadly it did have a 'sequel' vibe to it, even though it wasn't as good. (like how lots of classic's the sequil's not as good.) They removed all the specialties of the elements.. only Flying kept itself but that was only for slippery terain and things. Giants were fun as I enjoyed their special abilities to unlock new places, they really fit who they were. Series 2 to me I liked as it gave them the ability to switch upgrade paths. Something I like when I can't deciede between the two and don't want to reset the skylander. And this game did bring about alot of my favorite skylanders, including Sproket and Chill.

However SL wise was a bit lacking. Sure they had to have a new goal, but what I hated was that half the levels were pratcially stall tactics and almost 'useless'. I mean it was mostly (the half I'm refering to) was that something happened and you have to make a side trip to do something unrelated to the main goal/objective (fix flynn's ship, fix flynn's ship... save flynn's ship.) to fix the problem. Granted it does give a bit more flare for adventure.. but to many needless levels imo.

The Hub world I actually liked. Didn't bother me it was two small. And SL wise it continued to make sense, as it was like a continued adventure where you went to the ship. (unlike some games where you wonder why you're returning to the hub and not just keep on going. *not just skylander games.*) And it gave me a more sense of adventure and what not.

Last was the multi-player which actually added arena modes, which were fine til you played through them once... I mean seriously me and my nephew played through them like once... then I and him a bit too were bored of them. No fun having to replay what you allready did.

And there were Quests, which they did extend gameplay but were also annoying. At one Point I had all the ones I owned caught up... then I got new ones and Swapforce came out.

All in all, Giants was a nice 'continuation' but not my favorite of them.


Skylanders: Swap Force:When it came to feature changing, this really started the down hill climb. I mean sure we still had Vs mode, and some new arena's. But they limited to 2 modes. Granted only ones I ever used but still. Just about all the old arena's were gone, but I kind of could see that, after all with the new jump mechanic, the old stages may not of worked. However, with just like a total of what 5? that seemed terrible. Not to mention I hate how the old adventure packs didn't do anything, except was used as a magic item. I mean yeah I got that the old stages wouldn't match the new game, graphical wise and with the added jumping. But they could of easily redid the stages, or even made new stages based on those places. Would of been good. Or at the VERY least, had them unlike battle arenas. But no. Not even the new adventure packs unlocked battle arenas.

Like with the others, I was annoyed by the 'Rufus intro's Rufus: Hello Hero of cloud break islands, what can I do for you today? Me: Shut up. Rufus: *Continues to talk* Me: *Facepalm* yeah. it was that bad. Also I didn't care to much for the Cloud break island chompies (someone said about this and honestly I like that those chompies are just a special species of chompies.) But I still prefered the original.

Things I did like about that game was the Storyline I enjoyed a bit more than Giants. Sure it seemed to take a bit longer but we seemed to have less 'useless' missions. The Storyline wasn't to bad and Tessa was a fun character. However, The game does tend to get long as I start getting bored. Wondering when it'll end. But some of those cutscene's help

Another thing I disliked as that all the quests had to pretty much be regotten. Sure some of them were adjusted... Like Drill Sergent defeating that Drill boss, (For obvious reasons) but others like win 10 Vs mode and defeat X amount of enimies... that was just an annoying cop out in my book.

As for the swap force, I did really like them, and I can't say the game put more into them than the others... well, in SL wise they didn't. Though they further demeanered the Core characters and what the elements can do. As for the new controls, well see jumping is fine, and primary attack is fine... just honestly the 2nd and 3rd ones are harder now. Not to mention with some of them, like Chop Chop's shield bash... nearly impossible without the trigger buttons.

So yeah this one it had some of my new characters and it was enjoyable but alot of the features and things made it not as fun.

(Continuation)

Skylanders: Trap Team:Now we get into the curent game. Honestly, it did have some fun to it, and the storyline was a bit more interesting.... well not to spoil things, but there was some things that didn't really seem imporant to the over all goal. Another thing I didn't get was...



However the one thing I REALLY loved about the story line is...



Storyline aside, they made a terrible move in removing Vs mode, imo. I completely hated it. I mean my nephew and I spent countless time in that mode... and it was the one we'd allways come back too. Sure the other modes are fun... but after playing through the other modes I can garuntee will get board just like last time. As in we'll play it once and be like, eh don't care to do it again.

Then there's the new Trap Masters... honestly it's like they just forced them to be special. Sure the shiney traps are pretty neat looking, but that's it. But what I hated is how they further made Core's even more, not as useful, but making ONLY trap master able to unlock Element gates... Ugh That annoys me so much. After all being forced to collect 8 new skylanders to complete the game. (6 if you count the ones in the starter pack, 5 if you get the dark one) Just as said it seems more like a cash grab then anything. yeah I'm going to buy skylanders, but forcing me to have 8 new ones is stupid gimick o buy more. I mean Giants you only needed one. Swapforce did make you have 8 but honestly even they had more of a reason for it... as each one unlocked a special unigue minigame for you to play... Trap Masters just were forced. Sure the traptanium area's were there, but Giants did that too. Not that it was bad they did it but didn't make them 'special' The more or only unigue thing about them was the increased damage they did to villians. Which did set them apart, and not forced. But forcing you to use them for something you could do without them in the past, was a bad mistake.

Then there's the traps which is fun. Playing as Khaos is fun too Wonder if using Koas during the story mode will have him or the others say something differnt. Don't know and have't looked, be funny though. Anyways, the only thing I dislike about the traps is Magic and Fire don't have that many villians for them... and well more of a I don't get it... but seriously, why is there 2 Kaos traps? I mean they catch only 1 guy. so why do we need 2 traps for 1 guy? Or forgot the other thing... Though have no idea if it does something else but I dislike how upgrading a Villian changes their color scheme.. and seems like that's all it does. (could update their stats, I dunno but still) some Look cool, others I hate. Gulper is one of them.

Anyways, so Trap team had some major leap forward in some parts, but was wieghed down by alot of problems. Levels weren't to long either so that was nice And in some way it seemed like a 'finale' of some sorts.



Granted not nessirily an end to the series but like an end of an era perhaps.

Also I do like the not as many reposes Even if Mini's could count was one. But I liked the mini's their fun small and adorable. Granted I wish some of them they'd of adjust their phrases... Like them refering to themselfs as their bigger counterparts than themselfs... Like Spyry calling himself Spyro, and ext.


So that's about it. As said I'm usually always playing the most recent game, unless I'm marathoning it, but I like playing with my favorite characters. Each of the console games have things I like, and things I don't like. So hard to pick an order or favorite.

(continuation)

As for the 3DS games. I can tell you right now which is my favorite. Maybe even in order. Though I want to tell about them in Chronological order but I'll give you my list first.

3DS Games

1) Skylanders: Spyro's adventure

2) Skylanders: Trap Team

3) Skylanders: Giants (Could switch with Swap Force)

4) Skylanders: Swap Force (could switch with Giants


Now to discuss them in chronological order.

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure: By far my most favorite of the games. This one had my favorite gameplay as it's more action platformer and based on speed a bit more. I found it fun that each of the 'missions' actually helped you along in completing the game... alot like the old Spyro games. Not to mention when completing them all it awarded you with a bonus mission, or the time challenge, mission. Not just a star that said 'you beat the mission'. Not to mention the missions were more unique, unlike pervious games.

Plus I also enjoyed how there were 2 types of levels, 1 being a normal level while the other being radiance challenges where you tried to collect alot of radiance.

Honestly there are only 4 (and two are small) things I don't like about this game, though was techincally 'fixed' in the previous games. The first was that once you unlocked the 'timed challenge' you could only play it. So if I wanted to just casually play through the level or explore, I'd have to start the game over (or in another save) So I wish they'd of made it the option like now, that you could Select rather you wanted to do it or not.

The second was that in order to change my two primary skylanders, I had to have the physical toy with me. Which made it hard to play on the go. However I love using only two skylanders to play through a level, made it more challenging and it was like finding a fun team up with my skylanders. And it made switching more fun.

The third thing was that there wasn't any multiplayer. Honestly, something that would of made it even more fun. Even like teaming up for a special radiance challenge or even VS to try and collect more than your opponent. Though it's minor because I can still see it as a solo adventure, but still would of loved some multi-player.

The final thing was also small, as this game didn't have my more favorite Skylanders, as my all time Favorite is Stealth Elf, but for a full team of each element... needed atleast Giants, if not Swap force. However, I do find it fun just using the 'classic' skylanders. And hey as I said, atleast my favorite's in the game


Skylanders: Giants: So this one was a sequel and fixed a two of the big problems I had with S:SA. Only thing was it had it's own list of problems. For starters it changed the gameplay to closer to the Console versions. There were lots of glitches espcially with the Adventure packs. Though I guess SL wise it wasn't as bad. Some of the problems I could over look, though the areas still got larger and less active. not to mention the missions got closer to alot of the same ones and you had to do. Just different numerical values. Sure the other had the same but it was still more unigue to the place and not just "X amount of giant areas, x amount of coins and only 1 unique one If I remember right." Plus they were just a side, bonus' thing to do and didn't effect the story completion.. one of the fun things about S:SA. Not to mention they took away the bonus mission for it and just made it unlockable after beating the level. Not their best moment.

Aside from that, the levels did have some intersting parts to them, my favorite being the one where you're in some kind of rusted swamp area. Really ejoyable.

Also this game was the start of the final boss fight grinding for levels. Because I mean, you have like 3 or 4 waves of enemies, then finishing the boss also gave you a ton of EXP too. COmbine that with The element of the day and time challenge, you got alot of EXP.

Granted S:SA had fast levels and the time automatically was added, no time challenge added, which made it faster and not having to do more than the one level but eh it's fine.

As for the SL it wasn't bad. I think they could of done a bit more with the map thing but it was what it was. So enjoyable.

Skylanders: Swap Force: Well I did have it as 3rd but the more I thought about it the more I'm like... Giants was better. Anyways, this introduced the virtual collecton which... was good and bad. See I loved not having to lug around all my skylanders... but it also made it more of a virtural version of how it works in the main game.. which with the terrible load time (from instant to waiting for the menu to load then waiting for it to do the catchphrase and stuff.) which that alone made switching annoying so I just prefered not to do it. Though the SL was interesting but not as fun... and Levels were interupted in some of them by unskipable cutscenes. But it was ok. Also say they should of kept the virtual collection but still allowed you to chose form those the 2 you used in the level.

Anyways, The game had alot of things need adjusting in my mind and tired to make it more like the console version...and didn't quiet make it (even had a crude and more annoying version of the lock puzzle) I mean seriously, my first take on it ws that it was fun that they added it.. but after that it was just seeming more as an annoyance and takes away from the level. Not to mention how easy it is thus even more takes away from it.

The SL was ok and things as it was a step up I guess. Though I thought adding a street pass feature was fun. Granted wish it did a little more but eh, it was a start. All in all not my favorite and Roller BRawl was probally the biggest reason I still played it... and it was the newest one.. over the other two.

(continuation)

Skylanders: Trap Team: Last but not least. Honestly, I really enjoyed it as it had a different feel to it. Evne had a more 'console version' vibe to it, but not in a bad way. Traping was done without traps and you trapped avillian each level, even had a few minigame like things which personally I didn't think hurt it. This included opening chests and presents.. though the present one was harder to do. The chest one not bad.

Though it also brought in skystones which I found fun, espcailly having a great deck. It was fun to seek out the skystones player in the levels. It even allowed online play of skystones... thus the multiplayer.... not the best but hey it worked. Not sure about local VS though. so Eh.

The SL wasn't bad as it was fun to play through. Missions still didn't work the way they used too.

I did enjoy the villian boot camps, playing as the villains (which otherwise worked as a 1 special attack before disappearing back to the trap) However the Storybook of some of the cut sceens was a bit disappointing... but perhaps a programing decision to help make the rest of the game look good. (Due to memory usage and what not.)

The only thng I don't like about the game (besides the storybook cutscene and not gameplay like the original... two things I can overlook) is that unlike Giants and Swap force... well better put it in a spoiler just in case



So in all a fun game with little I disliked about it... and would take the cake as my favorite... oh, and while loading the menu was a bit easier for switching skylanders, still was seemed more of a hassle to mess with. Oh and I loved how element gates could be opened by any skylander of that element... despite the disappointment of only like 1 per level.

So yeah. All in all, a fun and great game and little I disliked about it... Just the first one I liked better. Otherwise Trap Team would steal the spot of my favorite Skylanders 3DS game.

And that wraps it up.. well unless you ask me if I like the Console versions better than the 3DS versions... then I'll say that honestly neither I can say I like more than the other.

though I do enjoy switching the physical toy on the portal with the console version, but sometimes I just prefer not to have to mess with it

And gameplay wise they're both ok and two different to compare entirely.


EDIT: Sorry for the triple post... but typed this all up offline and ran out of characters while posting.

Loved SSA, epic boss battles. Until today, I think I would have said Swap Force was my favorite.

No love for Giants, the only one I have not played through complete.

Trap Team rocks, lots of modes, lots of characters return. After playing through 5 Chapters, it is my favorite. I would love to see PvP, especially PvP online, but this is a great game.

SSA by far