Getting hands on with Skylanders Imaginators at E3 was something of a revelation. We had heard a lot about the character creator before the event but it wasn't until we tried it for ourselves that it became apparent just how in-depth and flexible this is.
The interface works well at balancing all these options with the simplicity important for younger players. With a few presses of the buttons and sliders you can create your own Skylander and then hone how it looks to your heart's content. As you progress through the game you can then unlock more parts and gear to further enhance your creation.
There's a real sense of RPG-style to all this as players hone both the look and performance of their character. Perhaps what's most impressive about all this is that all the characters we created at E3 felt like genuine Skylanders; they have the familiar sense of style and personality, right down to a specific catchphrase and even theme tune.
Also on show at E3 was the Crash Bandicoot character, which has perhaps stolen much of the game's hype. He will be available (initially at least) in the PlayStation Starter Packs for Skylanders Imaginators. However, unlike the amiibo-Skylanders last year, Crash will work across all platforms. This brings the character to the Wii U for the first time and on-screen, he looks every bit the part.
The figurine is also impressive with a close attention to detail, and is a toy that will work as well on collector's shelves as well as a play thing on the living room carpet. Putting Crash side by side with Spyro, you can see how far the character design has come since the initial launch of the game.
While there is likely more to discover about Skylanders Imaginators, it roundly impressed at E3, and having Crash on Wii U is certainly a nice cherry on the top.
Comments (24)
My son is beyond excited for this game. Might have to buy the PS4 version so we can get Crash and see about getting a portal owner's pack or download it digitally from the eShop so we can play it on both home consoles.
They messed with Spyro, and now Crash I know Crash had some E3 presence, but where are the good old days of Spyro?
And last time no doubt...
Yup, they've ruined Crash as well..
That was an interesting, yet painful demostration.
So, for make my own Skylander not only I need a Crystal for each creation, but I also need as many Sensei as possible for raise the Level Cap and unlock special skills?
I'm so hoping I misunderstood a part or two, the game looks interesting, but using my imagination never sounded so expensive XD
@TheDavyStar
I get you're mad, but please refrain from using profanity.
@Octane I dont know why ruin it, they are testing the public, is crash still relevant? is it worth it to invest in a new game? (really invest, not license the IP to a small studio that makes an average platformer). Thats why they are making the remasters, if people buy it a lot it means this generation is looking for more platformers. Having crash in Skylanders is totally optional, if you dont like Skylanders simply dont play it, if you like it but dont like Crash, simply dont get that figure, if you like both, enjoy...
@BakaKnight I have tons of skylanders and I paid 1/3 of the price on most of them used or on sale, the games are super long so you will eventually need many of them to keep up with the challenge (thats if you are playing on the harder dificulties of the game where it gets fun as you have to dodge attacks and use strategy instead of button smashing your way to the end).
And I thought his more 'Modern' design that was shown in the late PS2 era was horrendous.
I think that considering the type of game Skylanders is, Crash couldnt feel more like he belong to any other game.. people have to realize that you have to embrace the new as something positive, give it a chance, people complain all the time that they want their favorite franchises back, for what? complaining about everything they can instead of looking at the new opportunities this might bring? If you like the old design simple, play the old games, thats it. The internet is being used like a purgue for all the negativity... People keep having fun with what happened with the latest CoD or Mighty No9 games, that ar ent even out yet and already are a failure do to the contagious negativity.. people think is so funny, but what are we getting in the end? less and less confidence from the big studios to invest in new games, good job internet...
@Seacliff
Honestly, I think this design is preferable to the Titans design.
Looks at crash and spyro.....it seems like it was only yesterday(I hope the remake of crash is successful, because it could mean spyro might have a chance for a remake to)
@MrWarner14 Eh... I hate both almost equally for different reasons. Titan's Crash looks a bit too... humanized, I guess? While this one looks a bit too beast like. They're complete opposites going too far on one end of Crash's older design.
That said, I can understand your stance.
I'm so happy Crash is back... but it's barely even Crash anymore to me, with his design change. Same goes for Spyro. I'm REALLY hoping the remasters will be amazing, and hopefully influence Activision to make another Crash (or Spyro) game, with the old, classic designs, and not have it cancelled.
Whoa..... Crash looks like someone in a really bad costume... like, worse than those 90s commercials for Crash games with the dude in a costume. What even...?
I don't see why people think that when a character guest stars in Skylanders, they are "killed." Everyone is just salty because Spyro's design got botched when he guest starred and have probably not even tried the actual game out, which, when played on harder difficulties, is very fun and addicting. Just because Spyro makes a cameo Skylanders doesn't mean they will never go back to the Spyro series with the old design. Same goes for Crash! They remastered the first 3 games to give him to older players again, and put him in Skylanders (with his old design) to introduce him to a new generation. Heck, Crash even unlocks his own bonus level in the game, which is entirely Crash themed and looks to be based off N. Sanity beach and Cortex's Castle. Plus, we now have a game where you can have Spyro, Crash, Donkey Kong, and Bowser all together. Remind me why this is a bad thing again?
The fact that Crash got the Skylanders treatment completely destroyed the little interest I ever had in this game. Thank god he's getting these remasters. That might safe him from poor ol Spyro's fate and might actually give him new games.
Hmm, interesting. I thought the first previews said Crash was exclusive to PS, but that's not exactly the case if this is true. I do like that they gave Crash unique mechanics (the dude counter) instead of just different moves. I will seriously consider buying in to this edition of Skylanders. I've only picked up a couple of the games so far. People saying Skylanders ruined Spyro are delusional. If anything 'ruined' him, it was the earlier triligoy (1 on gc and 2 more on Wii) that landed like a wet blanket in the game market. How did the new Sly 4 do a couple years ago? People just aren't buying new 3d platformery games unless they are incredible or novel.
@BakaKnight The crystals are pricey, I agree, but the senseis just provide optional boosts. You could probably use weapons and armor with extremely high stats and get similar benefits.
@TheDavyStar
On PS4, it seems. There's seemingly a trilogy remaster in the works.
Am I the only one here who likes the way he looks in Crash of the Titans? For me it looks better than he does here.
@Seacliff It's fine to not like either but I honestly cannot stand the Titans design. I thought it went against what Naughty Dog thought when they created the character and what I liked about him.
I wonder if the Crash remakes will also head to other consoles than PS.
And it'll be the last time unless the next Skylanders game is also released on Wii U. That will propably happen but everyone's attention will be on NX. At least the Nintendo fan's.
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