Skylanders has become a very popular and profitable franchise from Activision and Vicarious Visions. This is a game that takes physical figurines and combines them with the adventures in the game, taking gaming to a whole new level. So after the release of Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure and Skylanders Giants, you may ask what could the franchise actually come up with to keep the interest level of this game soaring?

This years new release, Vicarious Visions brings us Skylandres Swap Force with 16 Swap Force figures that can have the torsos and legs mixed and matched offering us 256 different characters. This gives the player more control and imagination during game play. Also, if you have purchased other Skylanders games the old figurines will work as well giving you hours of game play.

Many may see the fact that you will have to buy other figurines to unlock every area of the game. Still you can play through the whole game with just the starter pack. There are some areas of the game that some Skylanders work better than others. Each Skylander has a certain elemental power (magic, life, undead, earth, fire and tech) giving them an edge in some levels or against some enemies. The added feature of swapping legs and torsos also gives the player a special edge and the challenge of trying to figure out what combination works for defeating the tougher enemies.

Swap Force doesn’t only bring us a new line of figurines but also a great story and improved graphics. Even the enemies you face have a variety of abilities, like being able to create more monsters or being able to heal other enemies. As far as game play it’s an easy game to play. There aren’t too many hard challenges. You can pretty much play through a few levels without losing a life but that still doesn’t take away from the hours of enjoyment that you can have playing on your own or with your children.

As far as the mechanics of the game, Swap Force gives us a few differences than its predecessors. Skylanders can jump and don’t have to use jump portals or elevators to get to vertical levels. Each Skylander had three basic attacks which can be upgraded for a price, so picking up as many jewels and coins is a must. Also each figurine holds upgrades within the figure and not the actual game so the older figurines bring in upgrades received in older games. The single player campaign is at least twelve hours and can extend beyond that if you purchase the rest of the collection of Skylanders. The game does not offer mid-level game saves and each level can take up to a hour to complete. If you don’t finish a level and have to quit playing, you will have to start the level over again.

All in all, Swap Force is a great game, not just for children but for any gamer looking for a different kind of entertainment. It’s something the whole family can enjoy together for hours of game play. This game was defiantly a surprise at how easy and fun it is to play even in the single player campaign. Swap Force will defiantly be a favorite and sought after game this year and for months to come.

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