Is Skylanders really just for kids?

Hello all!

So I've recently picked up a Wii U and so far I'm loving it. I primarily bought it for Mario Kart (and eventually Smash Bros.) and so far it's a blast. But now I'm starting to look towards other games.

I've always been a big Pokemon fan. I know a lot of you other 20-somethings are in the same boat, playing since you were kids. Skylanders more or less looks like the next-gen version of the pokemon archetype. But I've heard it's really just for kids. Is this true?

For you Skylanders players out there, give me a shout! Is this in the same vein as Kingdom Hearts, where it can be enjoyed by any and all, or is it really just for the 10 and under market?

Thanks!

I know nothing about skylanders except that the toys have special swap comboss but Afterplaying several arcade games I've come to realise just how poorly designed these "realistic" and "mature" games really are... So I say go for it ! I for one Plan on getting Disney Infinity, its also got the Toys... ;)

If you enjoy Skylanders then why worry who their target age might be?

It seems like a fun game series. If you're interested give it a try.

I've been wanting to give Disney Infinity a try for awhile now.

@Allicrombie

Me too, and just when I was about to go out and buy it, Disney Infinity 2.0 gets anounced. Now I have to wait until october... :(

So long as you get enjoyment out of it, then it's really not "just for kids".

I watched my kids play Skylanders Swap Force. I think it's a quality action/platformer/collect-a-thon. That being said, I do think it's quite easy, and if you're a skilled player, you'll find no challenge in it. But if you were to play it just to enjoy a fun game, this may be of interest. The dialogue is written for a young audience - think Saturday morning cartoons.

I don't think collecting the figures is as deep as Pokemon, though. I've never played Pokemon, but it looks like there is a somewhat deep elemental and stats system that goes into the battles. The Skylanders figures have elemental powers and special abilities that open up optional parts of levels. So, you may be working your way through a level and a little off the beaten path there is an area that can only be accessed by a figure with a fire element. So you'd need a fire character to get there. That's about as complicated as it gets. There are also areas where that fire element will deal more damage to enemies. But my kids liked specific figures and played through the whole game with them, so again, there was no real drawback to using any character.

The physical figurines are the most interesting part if you like collecting toys.

TL;DR - it's a quality and fun game that's light-hearted and easy to get through. Based on your personal likes, your mileage may vary.

It's an Activision cash grab, which is their motto. Give us money and we'll give you repetitive casual games.

Anytime you want to add actual info to that response you'll be taken seriously

I'm okay with this.

I avoid the term, "Kid's Games", To be more accurate, they are actually Family Games or Games for Everyone, and yes, its still HARDCORE ! :p

A 20-something Pokemon fan?

Umm...okay.

0/10 for trolling, go back to CoD

As for the other replies, thanks for the reponses. For those of you asking "why not just try" the big reason is that this game is a pretty expensive investment. I mean, it's like 70 bucks for the game + portal, and then additional money for each toy.

Might wait for now and try Disney Infinity.

Like I said in that other thread... the only games that are solely "for kids" are those that teach spelling and math for very young children (i.e. just starting school).

I played Doom II and Pokemon at the same point in my life, and would have no trouble picking up either today and having fun with them (the new Pokemon games are just too far out of my league in terms of complexity and time investment required, which is why I don't play them).

the main demographic is for kids, but like plenty of games there is some fun to be found in playing the games and collecting new characters. However I'd recommend Disney Infinity over it, mainly because it offers alot more content, including map editors and a online community supporting this feature. On top of that its important to note that unlike skylanders which just offer more characters, the Disney infinity toys actually give you new campaigns. And lets be honest, Disney infinity offers more beloved and recognisable characters!

They're both good game series's but not great or amazing by any measure

Dont be an idiot mate.

@mesomorphin:

Practice what you preach.

Think I'm going to pass for now, just doesn't seem worth the colossal investment for what sounds like a "good but not great" game experience.

@Essian

Yeah, its a pricey game. And the price never seems to go down, its actually $79 here.

The game is made for all ages.

Well...I dont really have to considering I'am not the one dissing pokemon.

@mesomorphin:

I dissed Pokemon?

News to me.

hence the "idiot" part ;)

@mesomorphin:

This isn't going well for you. *facepalm*

what isnt? ;)

@mesomorphin: You're making an ass out of yourself man. I didn't badmouth Pokemon.

Not really making an ass of myself considering you seem to be taking this alot more serious than I'am haha

So tell me, what did this imply then?

@mesomorphin:

How's that? I'm just amused you reacted in the somewhat of a fanboy way you did.

It implies that I don't think it's healthy for someone of that age to be playing Pokemon.

That's my opinion and please don't ask me to give my reasoning because I'm not going to sit here and waste my time arguing back and forth about a game let alone Pokemon.

Thats a cool opinion man RESPECT YO! Now heres mine, hehe you ready? ;) Now I dont think its healthy for someone to be judging anybody about what they do, let alone what they play ;)

What are you meant to judge people by if not by their actions?

your not ment to judge people at all. If you want to live your life in pursuit of the idea you're above everyone else and its your right to judge them go ahead, but all that would make you would be a peasant.

English, do you speak it?

Oh! how convenient is that! peasant ;)

@Essian: Yes, Skylander is tough for an adult to even sit through. It's down right painful. Disney Infinity however is great for both. It has the simplicity for young children to enjoy but much more depth and complexity for an adult to dive into.

@mesomorphin: State your point in a comprehensible way or don't bother.

Cheers.

Star0=Peasent <-- The point ;)

@mesomorphin: In that case, good day to you.

Pokemon first came out, what, 16 years ago?

So the 20-somethings were...say, 5-14 when it came out. They were the perfect targets for Pokemania, and many of them still play them today - either for the nostalgia factor, or because new content keeps appearing with every iteration..

So yeah, absolutely nothing wrong with 20-somethings playing Pokemon. Hell, they're probably one of the core groups buying the games.

@Planeforger:

Breaking news. People play games! -__-

I didn't dispute that people aged 20 or thereabouts play Pokemon games. I played Red/Blue/Yellow when they first came out. There is no nostalgia for me. The games plain suck from an adult perspective.

Anyone above 16, 17 at a push, should not be playing Pokemon. Else they lack maturity, in my opinion. I played Pokemon X recently and the story is so vacuous and the cringe worthy stereotypes need to be teleported back into the past. The gameplay isn't truly challenging either. If you play the games regularly then you'll quickly pick up the mechanics to a considerable level. It relies on basic mind-numbing repetition and that illusion empowers youngsters, especially teenagers. It's not exactly a deep RTS like Paradox or Total War where you have to take in and process hundreds of variables now is it? Take someone who plays a series like those and put Pokemon in front on them. They'd laugh in your face.

I'm sure you will probably disagree with me, but I don't care on this one.

I played a little of the first one with a friend and found it pretty dull. The figures are well made though.

Oh really? what fucking surprise! holy shit

And yet by the way you crap on, it sounds like you are anything but mature....

In all fairness I can agree with you on Pokemon X/Y as they where incredibly dumbed down to fit an audience. But you have little to no idea how in-depth and complex online battles are! hence the reason they host so many live competitions world wide! its one of the most competitive video games next to League Of Legends! Now whilst X/Y failed horribly at trying to serve up any real good story, it strives in its online competitive tournaments. Every player who enters has to build a team of their own, with each pokemon having their own individual set of stats, on-top of that you have to be wise and strategic with the items you use, and the breeding inorder to get the right pokemon for the plan. The complexity of its online makes Total War look like a preschool toy. Ask anyone who plays online.

And when people say that they play pokemon, it doesn't have to be X or Y! it could be any of the older games that had incredibly single player campaigns! Want to play a good pokemon game!? hit up Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire or wait for the 3d remakes later this year. Dont be blind man.

If men in their 30s can like My Little Pony, and be proud of it. I'd say you are just fine playing Skylanders.

Apparently, many many people are as well.

@firefox59

Repition is not a bad thing though, so long as the gameplay has got a butt load of depth.

If people enjoy it, then I don't see the problem.

Cool your jets people, its fine to debate but lets not drop to name calling because people disagree with you. If you don't agree with the opinion back up why you don't with your opinion or facts, don't attack others for the sake of trying to win an argument. Thank you.