darkSpyro

Well I just defeated Moneybone, and while still early in the game, I think it's a fair point to give my first impressions. I don't know what it is, I can't place my finger on it, but I'm just not feeling Superchargers, and I don't know why. This game has the best combat in the series, most of the characters work better in this than what game they came from. I love how you can decorate the Academy with your legendary treasures. I love how you can unlock just about anything, regardless of what figures you have. Even the vehicle segments work beautifully and don't feel cheap... so what am I missing? Why am I not feeling this?

It may be important to quickly say how I feel about the previous four games. I started the series with Swap Force, loved every second of it. I only started Skylanders because Swap Force was cheap, and I got it with eight figures for only $30... I didn't intend to get into the series... then a few weeks later I already have over thirty figures. I then went to Giants, and honestly hated it. Spyro's Adventure was dated but I actually loved it. Now before Trap Team, I called myself a Vicarious Visions fangirl, and from what I heard, I expected to hate Trap Team even more than Giants. I am not denying Trap Team is heavily flawed, but it just have this feeling throughout which makes it feel so great, and it is my favorite in the series so far. The level design really pulled Trap Team through.

Is Superchargers just stupidly low on content and only offering story levels? Is it going to open up more options soon...? Superchargers plays really well, but if it's just story levels with no reason to go back, then I can't love it as much as I want. These levels don't have the same jazz Trap Team had, and they seem just about as bland as Swap Force's levels (S.F.'s biggest flaw). What am I missing here?

Not enough of that good combat, maybe?

For many, the "flow" between the gimmick and combat interrupts it, feels "forced" with vehicle use as opposed to optional. The level design and locations is actually pretty good, but I find all of the vehicle areas underwhelming. I'm with you that the game isn't "bad" per se, but we're still missing TONS of stuff to do post game. we didn't really have that problem on Swap Force, even if some of the content was "cheap". I was hoping for more Bonus Missions and one two player arenas, and I absolutely loved scoring mode. Granted we have racing, but there's no gobal stats or things we can work to. Graphics, story, etc...all top notch for me. Important to note.

Good thing we only have 3-4 people left, cause I don't see myself hitting the game much more really. And I'm a big VV fan, but the "balance" of the last two games has been very much off for me.

@TakeYourLemons Actually, I don't quite mind the vehicles. Granted, I only have Hot Streak right now, but it seems good so far. The linear Ground vehicle segments remind me of my favorite Swap zone in Swap Force, the Speed zone, but vastly improved on. I am half expecting the Sky segments to resemble that one part in Trap Team which felt like Star Fox, where Mags and Flynn have upgrades on their ships that you fly to and collect. I always thought parts like those in the previous games were filled with potential, and I've wanted to see them really focused on, so for the most part, I am liking these vehicle segments.

I'd say my complaint with the vehicle segments is there isn't enough. Just finding a spot and having a small segment, while there's a lot of them, it isn't quite as focused as it could have been. Much like my problem with Trap Team's villains, I wanted a huge focus on them. Trap Team should have had bonus story stages where you play only as villains, as well as villain only arenas. Superchargers too should have had vehicle arenas or such... and the racing stages just aren't enough. Two (without the trophy) isn't just small, it's abysmal. I can only race so many times in two tracks before I am sick of it.

@Bifrost Honestly I am unsure. I've never really spent too much time in the arenas anyway, and I must be the only person who couldn't wait to finish the Kaos challenge in Trap Team, as it was (to me) the worst part of the game.

beat me??.. never, lol...

That's the thing. The vehicle segments aren't innovative enough, and they've already given us battles via air and robots without the need for toys...and there aren't enough vehicle AND combat sections. I thought Trap Team was bad but it was an absolute gem content wise compared to this game. The Bandit Train mission TOTALLY broke both the flow of the story and the game...it is very much odd. I'm guessing they were looking for 2-3 more levels and simply ran out of time.

Have you only been playing Skylanders games recently and not much else? Maybe you might just need a break from Skylanders for a few days.

SuperChargers has many qualities but also many big problems.
The main problem I have with it (except for the weak toy line) is that it focused too much on vehicles.

Not that what regards those isn't enjoyable or was badly executed... But I bought Skylanders to play Skylanders.
That was my first concern once this year's gimmick was revealed and I'm sorry to see I was right.

Some things are just extra features (racing, Elemental Challenges, some quests) but others are plain unacceptable, like the mandatory vehicle you need to have on the Portal to simply play the game or the fact 3 out of 3 Expansion Packs revolve around racing.

Couple that with the fact I cannot even play as my villains anymore (one of my favorite Trap Team features), the removal of cards which I personally liked to collect and the other bad choices and I cannot help but agree with you this isn't the game I was waiting for.

Trap Team is still my favorite.

There is a lot to do in Superchargers, no one can deny that. But, except for story mode, how many areas of the game need you to go on foot? Here's the answer: None, unless you count the little side missions given to you by Buzz, Tessa and Hugo, but those require you to go into the Story anyway, so they don't count. If there was an arena, or even some Bonus missions, just something that would let us feel that upgrading our characters is worth it, that would have improved the game for me. Elemental Zones, Supercharged Challenges, Racing, the only extra content we have are vehicle, vehicles, and yet again, vehicles.

Quote: Drek95

SuperChargers has many qualities but also many big problems.
The main problem I have with it (except for the weak toy line) is that it focused too much on vehicles.

Not that what regards those isn't enjoyable or was badly executed... But I bought Skylanders to play Skylanders.
That was my first concern once this year's gimmick was revealed and I'm sorry to see I was right.

Some things are just extra features (racing, Elemental Challenges, some quests) but others are plain unacceptable, like the mandatory vehicle you need to have on the Portal to simply play the game or the fact 3 out of 3 Expansion Packs revolve around racing.

Couple that with the fact I cannot even play as my villains anymore (one of my favorite Trap Team features), the removal of cards which I personally liked to collect and the other bad choices and I cannot help but agree with you this isn't the game I was waiting for.

Trap Team is still my favorite.

TT is still your favorite game in the series or favorite toy line wise?

Well, they tried something new this year - which I think was necessary. We've had five games (and associated figures) over five years. It didn't pan out for some people, and I think in general, retail is also suffering on them. For them to make the MSRP change to $39.99 before Black Friday it is fairly obvious they are feeling the pain.

It would not surprise me at all if Skylanders took a year off next year. Retailers get skiddish if they have shelves full of stuff that isn't selling during the holidays, and that translates to lower orders for the next time. They may need to take some extra time to make the next entry the best it can be rather than trying to capitalize yearly.

What might be interesting is rather than a new entry next year we get a collection of the older games (one or more) that adds the ability to play as all of the currently released characters and bumps up the graphics and features (add jumping, etc.) and maybe adds a few levels. On top of that, re-release a few of the harder to get figures. They are wearing people out with the large amount of figures, and retailers aren't happy. A collection keeps the franchise fresh in people's minds without killing it with a whole line of new plastic to buy. Then the year after drop a new game to renewed interest.

But, who are we kidding, Activision drains the blood of all of their franchises until they are good and dead.

Quote: CelesteInk

Well I just defeated Moneybone, and while still early in the game, I think it's a fair point to give my first impressions. I don't know what it is, I can't place my finger on it, but I'm just not feeling Superchargers, and I don't know why. This game has the best combat in the series, most of the characters work better in this than what game they came from. I love how you can decorate the Academy with your legendary treasures. I love how you can unlock just about anything, regardless of what figures you have. Even the vehicle segments work beautifully and don't feel cheap... so what am I missing? Why am I not feeling this?

It may be important to quickly say how I feel about the previous four games. I started the series with Swap Force, loved every second of it. I only started Skylanders because Swap Force was cheap, and I got it with eight figures for only $30... I didn't intend to get into the series... then a few weeks later I already have over thirty figures. I then went to Giants, and honestly hated it. Spyro's Adventure was dated but I actually loved it. Now before Trap Team, I called myself a Vicarious Visions fangirl, and from what I heard, I expected to hate Trap Team even more than Giants. I am not denying Trap Team is heavily flawed, but it just have this feeling throughout which makes it feel so great, and it is my favorite in the series so far. The level design really pulled Trap Team through.

Is Superchargers just stupidly low on content and only offering story levels? Is it going to open up more options soon...? Superchargers plays really well, but if it's just story levels with no reason to go back, then I can't love it as much as I want. These levels don't have the same jazz Trap Team had, and they seem just about as bland as Swap Force's levels (S.F.'s biggest flaw). What am I missing here?

Two things, the obvious one voiced by most is the break in play due to vehicle sections. I do NOT look forward to them, and find owning multiple vehicles a bore as they play pretty similar overall.

What I will say from my experience though, the game didn't start to become fun for me until AFTER where you are. I felt I had wasted my money frankly. My wife played that level, guessed it was made by VV (she hasn't liked anything made by them...she can 'feel it') and we stopped playing for a few weeks. I fired it back up though and the game just 'picked up' at that point. MAybe the lack of overly gimmicky boards - the whole 3D nature of that level was one of those terrific ideas that was ... unwelcomed in practice.

But stick with, the game starts to get funner moving forward.
- Unreall

Quote: HeyitsHotDog

Quote: Drek95

SuperChargers has many qualities but also many big problems.
The main problem I have with it (except for the weak toy line) is that it focused too much on vehicles.

Not that what regards those isn't enjoyable or was badly executed... But I bought Skylanders to play Skylanders.
That was my first concern once this year's gimmick was revealed and I'm sorry to see I was right.

Some things are just extra features (racing, Elemental Challenges, some quests) but others are plain unacceptable, like the mandatory vehicle you need to have on the Portal to simply play the game or the fact 3 out of 3 Expansion Packs revolve around racing.

Couple that with the fact I cannot even play as my villains anymore (one of my favorite Trap Team features), the removal of cards which I personally liked to collect and the other bad choices and I cannot help but agree with you this isn't the game I was waiting for.

Trap Team is still my favorite.

TT is still your favorite game in the series or favorite toy line wise?

The former.
I do think its toy line is awesome but so was SWAP Force's (at least gameplay wise).

I see it this way:
- Trap Team = great game, outstanding toy line
- SuperChargers = fantastic game, disappointing toy line

Okay, after playing more, and just finishing the vehicle "arena" level, I can reply a bit.

@Zookinator Honestly, I don't see this replay value people are talking about. Maybe after I get the two vehicles on Thursday, but right now... not really. There are all the things for vehicles, sure, but most of them require specific elements or specific Supercharged combos. People hate Trap Team for all the money it requested, but that didn't require you to own specific things to enter the arena or Kaos challenge, and tese vehicle modes are pretty much Superchargers' version of that. Where is this replay value? The Tessa missions take all of five to ten minutes a day, the Buzz missions require new characters, and as said, the vehicle missions need either specific elements or combos. With the Starter, I have absolutely no replay value, and I doubt an extra Sea and Sky vehicle this Thursday will open much up.

@Drek Yeah, Trap Team is my favorite too, and I agree about the villains. I am going to be an ignorant fangirl and just say I don't care what the excuse is, V.V. should have allowed us to play as our villains. It would be no different than transferring core characters and gimmicklanders over to the current game. Honestly, not only am I ticked about not being able to play as our villains, but I'm even put off that we can't trap other villains, as typical fan as that is to say. Superchargers has some wonderful villains, namely Cap'n Cluck and Spellslamzer, and I hate that I can no longer say "Oh I can't wait to play as this one!" once encountering that fight. Also... it just isn't the same without the talking portal. That thing brought Skylanders up an eleven. I'm already missing the silly stories Chill Bill and Broccoli Guy tell you when speaking through the portal. D:

@Unreallystic Yep, for the most part, you were right. I still like Trap Team more, and I still wish Superchargers just had more. I mean, people hated the content in Trap Team, but it didn't bother me. I really felt like the game was full, and I loved every second. I'll be going back to it soon to get that platinum trophy on PSN, and I'm looking forward to it. Superchargers just feels like so much is missing. The one arena level... it almost told me that V.V. was preparing an arena and didn't have enough time. It had the food thief, it felt like a proper arena... and it even had these buffs you can buy, or the ability to change the strong element.... sigh. It doesn't make me love that level, but it bugs me that this wonderful take on the arena was never taken advantage of. This would have been the best arena mode yet. On the bright side, though, yeah a lot of these levels were great. Gadly Glades, Cap'n Clucks place, and most brilliantly, the library. I'm loving the game, but I wish I could just love it as much as Trap Team.

Well, Trap Team had required purchases for collectibles, which is a sort of replay value,but you could enter the postgame with anyone. It's the opposite here, mostly.

Quote: Bifrost

Well, Trap Team had required purchases for collectibles, which is a sort of replay value,but you could enter the postgame with anyone. It's the opposite here, mostly.

And that's a problem for me. Unlike most others, I liked the ridiculous number of figures for Trap Team and Swap Force. I want a large selection, so there's a character for everyone. I honestly feel like Superchargers has the least replay value in the series, and I include Spyro's Adventure in that. At least Spyro's Adventure had a lengthy story mode, whereas Superchargers feels puny in length.

SSA had the Heroic Challenges, which kinda compensate for being a first game where they just wanted to show how it'd work and not expand on mechanics other than puzzles.

Well, maybe racing/vehicle gameplay is not your type of game? Or maybe you don't have much to do because you don't have a Sea or Sky vehicle. SuperChargers is VERY short for those who don't like much racing.

I was only listing the replay value you could have. For people like me, and you, it requires you to buy more figures if you want it to be worth it. I wanted a Skylanders game, not Skylanders Kart with Actual Skylanders Gameplay on the Side. This game revolves too much around vehicles. So, I am still considering selling Superchargers and getting some fun board games that at least don't require you to buy expansions. I have plenty of SKylanders at the moment anyways. Four games worth, and combine that with my plan to reset my game and replay through it? I don't need Superchargers.

I agree with you that Trap Team was the best game.

I wish I hadn't bought Superchargers. I'm hoping the next one will be good, but I will be more wary this time. A lot of the magic is dead to me now.

Quote: samuraituretsky

I agree with you that Trap Team was the best game.

I wish I hadn't bought Superchargers. I'm hoping the next one will be good, but I will be more wary this time. A lot of the magic is dead to me now.

It just goes to show how important arena mode was. I mean, they introduced online gameplay, but the arena was gone. This would have been the gamechanger, to have arena and PVP back... yeesh.

Yes, for me personally, online co-op arenas would have gone a long way to make up for the other bad decisions (vehicle gimmick, re-using old characters as new characters, Skymiibos, shoulder buttons, broken characters).

To V.V's credit, they fixed some broken characters. Torch and Tread Head were almost unplayable in Trap Team, and they were fixed and balanced so well, and now work like Swap Force core characters. Although Enigma and Head Rush got undeserved nerfs, some characters were fixed.