Skylanders Imaginators Preview: Make Your Own Skylanders
There’s one thing that was clear about Disney Infinity and LEGO Dimensions, they were bringing the toys-to-life game genre to older players and not just chasing the younger audience. That’s why Skylanders has continued to find success – the game is geared more toward kids and admittedly I’ve looked at it as such with each new version that has come out. Not anymore though, as I was blown away by the latest in the franchise, Skylanders Imaginators.
Each year the Skylanders franchise has to find a way to reinvent itself in a way, not only to justify fans’ interest in buying another game and more toys, but to keep things fresh from a developer perspective. With Imaginators, the game introduces a customization option to the franchise and allows players to do what they’ve dreamed of since they first put a toy on the Portal of Power, make their own Skylander.
The menu for creating your own character offers an endless variety of options to truly make your character your own. Primary categories for customization include the Body, Gear, Color, Powers, and Personality, with each categories having subcategories for even further customization. Players will have the pick of their choice not only for the head their character has but their eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and countless other body parts. There’s also plenty of choices for each. We noticed upwards of 60 different options just for the custom character’s head.
As you continue to play the game, you’ll continue to unlock items for the customization, from gear and body parts to your character’s catchphrase and music. Even the option of customizing the colors allows players to choose a sweeping palate or micromanage every aspect of their character and all of its colors. Even the way your character speaks can be modified, with any number of catchphrases and voice changes.
Players are given the option in choosing one of the ten battle classes for the character which effects the play style they want out of their new Skylander. You can choose between Smasher, Knight, Ninja, Bazooker, Quickshot, Sorcerer, Brawler, Sentinel, Swashbuckler, and Bowslinger. Each comes with their own advantages and with ten different ways to play there’s an unending ability of customization and reasons to keep playing. The drawback is that the custom crystals that these characters “live in” have elemental locks (one of the ten character types in the series) and can’t be reset.
Gameplay for Skylanders Imaginators is comparable to other platforms and beat ‘em ups, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less fun or interesting. The big change in gameplay comes from the Senseis. Each Sensei is a master of one of the battle classes and as a result has a master-apprentice relationship with the players newly created Skylanders. There’s also the addition of Crash Bandicoot to the game, who functions just as he would in the new game as he has in his countless other self-titled video games.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Skylanders Imaginators looks like a blast. It’s visually stunning and the customization options put it far and away from other games of the like. The series has long had the viewpoint of being “for the kids,” but I dare you not to get sucked into making your own character.
Skylanders Imaginators debuts on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Wii U on October 16. You can pre-order the game by clicking here.
