Quote: BigNandOne thing a lot of people don't realize about the 3ds version is that while the characters' abilities are mostly analogous to the consoles, some characters have abilities that somewhat differ or are entirely new altogether. Slobber Tooth is an excellent example - while he plays similar in both versions, the 3ds Slobber Tooth features two unique abilities.
Personally, I find those variations on gameplay a bit refreshing.
I've actually noticed this the first time I put Stealth Elf on the Console version back in S:SA. I was so confused that I thought the game was glitching or something. Cuase when I pressed the 2ndary attack button she'd suddenly not work. *first time I used her was battle mode so no I didn't get to see the eyes.
So yeah I actually do alot of the time enjoy finding out the different play styles of the characters. Some, like Stealth Elf, I like their 3DS version more than the console versions. Others, it's the opposite, and some are split down the middle. Ofcourse this doesn't mean I like one and hate the other, just I like the one side more than the other.
Now, As I said, I'm gonna post on here some things that I've found out about SwapForce 3DS. Granted I'm on the 3rd level as I type this but yeah.
PS: this includes 'spoilers' of game mechanics in the game. I'll try not to mention Story spoilers or things like that.
First thing I wanted to note was some of the 'questions' I've mentioned previously. One of which was how the 'load all skylanders' work in certain aspects. So, first off in the hub world, there's an area where you load the skylanders into the game. Like they've said, all skylanders are loaded into the game. One of the questions I had was how they would do Duplicates? The answer is simply they are doing it similer to the older games where you replace the skylander in the game thus you can only have 1 copy of a skylander in the game. (This referes to exact copies. You can have a Series 1 skylander and Series 2 skylander in there at the same time.) The second question I had was how they were doing Special Variants. In Giants, Special Variants were not registered in the 'collection' but they were still playable. (though never tested it to see if it still kept the level/exp of not.) What I found out, is that the game treats the 'special variant' as the original. (Rather they still say 'special variant' i don't know.) Example: Putting S2 Cynder on the game will load S2 Cynder. If I try to place GITD S2 Special Cynder, it tries to put it in the slot of the normal S2 Cynder. In this case, if there's allready one there, you'll have to replace it. Also, when a skylander is defeated, he's done for the level (like in the console version) you can't revive him with X amount of coins now.
Magic Items: Sadly, all the magic items are not stored on the game like your skylanders. And you can only use 1 at a time (unlike the others where you could use 1 per active skylander.) As for old adventure packs, sadly they don't unlock levels (that I know of) but they do however are finally treated as magic items. So they aren't completely useless in Swap Force. Last, is that from what I can tell, all magic items are 30 gold each to use. Oh and if you have a Swap force active, you can't use a magic item** for a reason I'll explain later.
Street Pass: Yes I said it, this game does have a street pass function. True it's not like one of the ones I've mentioned. (that I know of at the moment.) But, it does have an interesting feature. Basically, what it does is it'll take a skylander from the person you're passing by's game. I can't remember if it said how that skylander is determined, (like could be current active or just random) but it places them in a special section. Then you can borrow that skylander and use it for 1 level. The Skylander also don't gain EXP and stays at the level you got them. With this in mind it is a nice feature that'll perhaps help you get some of those movement areas out of the way.
Challenges: So far I've only played the 1st 3 levels, but from what it looks like is it's got 4 challenges that are.... similer. The only difference is the exact element/movement type, and the number of coins/chests that need to be collected. While it's true we don't get much various in types of Challenges. Though each movement type area has they're own type of challenge. So I guess for me... that short of makes up for it. So it actually doesn't bother me. (strange I know cuz this was one of the problems I had with Giants.)
Giants: They're playable obvisouly, but as mentioned above their aren't any 'giant area challenges.' Unless from what i've seen is off. However, there are times, where you can use a giant to get past something, like instead of finding a bomb you can just break it with a Giant.
Swapforce: We all know how they work and what not. The controls are like primary and secondary attacks are for the top half. The lower half has the movement and dash abilities and anther thing. As I said before, swapforce skylanders can't use magic items. This is because that button activates their movement ability. These are a kind of ability/attack that has a certain amount of time in which they're active. I've only seen 4 out of the 8**.
Other neat features: Well this are just some 'interesting' add ons/take aways in the game. First off, the ending Level EXP, is given to the active Skylander only. And, sadly, there's not a daily bonus anymore***. But I guess it would be a little hard to implement. next, which I really enjoyed, was that... Well, in Giants and S:SA they had like 3 'fancy' cutscenes. That was the only time they used actual voices, the rest of the time you had to read the text that was given. Well, Swapforce is still similer to that.. but instead of having to read the text... it'll be read to you.
I really like this.
Well those are the things I can think of at the moment. It's still a great game and i'm enjoying it thus far.
[EDIT] Putting these in here for future reads of this post.
** I found out later that **** is incorect. I was trying to use the wrong button for the magic item. But they can't use that button to do a dash.
*** Also found to be incorrect. Though it's not unlocked until after you beat the game. More details see further posts.
Just remembered 2 more things.
1) They actually show the Wow pow in the upgrade menu. Finally, no hunting for it.
2) well forgot the 2nd one.. but I've been expirencing a glitch. Just now. If I went to the menu to change my active, but then I canel... then my active disappeares... as in he/she's there just you can't see her/him.
... Hmmm... it stopped.... well good then I guess.
Wow... they even have a version of the lock puzzle.... though makes me wonder why they didn't use the gyro system.... or is that an option or something?
Oh, forgot to mention, the game includes a difficulty setting. which is the first time for the 3DS version. Though, currently I'm not sure if you can change it after you've started.
I also found out that the 4th mission is not allways 'bash the chests' Since the current level I'm playing through includes a different challenge.
Another note, Time challenge is still unlockable after the Story mission is complete. I still miss how it used to be in a way, an award for completing the other missions. But awe well.
Ok, so Swapforce Skylanders can use magic items. must of confused myself.
Ninja Stealth Elf's wow pow on 3DS is a little to get used to... I'm used to dashing around and smashing the thorn throw... now it goes into tiger mode so... yeah.
Also, from what I understand, is that normally the 4th mission is 'bash X amount of chests' but some have more specialized, 'bash X amount of something'.