Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure announced, incorporates augmented reality]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/skylanders-spyros-adventure/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/skylanders-spyros-adventure/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/skylanders-spyros-adventure/#comments Augmented reality dragons. Have you ever heard such a completely radical combination of words in your entire life? Activision and developer Toys for Bob are banking on the novelty of that concept to make their recently announced franchise reboot, Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, a hit. Here's the pitch: The game includes a "Portal" mat, upon which players can place one of over 30 toys modeled after characters, including the titular dragon. This drops the character into the game, where its unique set of skills helps the player ... you know, do platform-y stuff.

Though it sounds like a lot of love is going into the actual game -- with a script penned by the writers of Toy Story and a score composed by Hans Zimmer -- the toys actually seem to be the focal point. Each figure includes some sort of internal memory, which saves the experience, gold and improved skills of their in-game counterparts. From there, players can drop their toys on other players' Portals to use their customized characters in one of the game's cooperative or competitive modes. Oh, and to make these little guys even more collectible, each toy adheres to an element (fire, water, earth, etc.), augmenting its abilities and giving it access to exclusive areas of the game.

Skylanders is set to launch this fall for $70, which nets you the game itself, a Portal mat, three toys and some trading cards. No platforms have been announced, though the game was demonstrated on Wii during its debut presentation at the 2011 American International Toy Fair today (that's right -- mystery solved).

Man, if we were 12 again, we'd go absolutely nuts for these things. Heck, even in our jaded mid-20s, we're having a difficult time tempering our excitement. Check out the galleries below for a look at the game and its importable statuettes.

Gallery: Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure


Gallery: Skylanders (Toys)

Continue reading Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure announced, incorporates augmented reality

JoystiqSkylanders: Spyro's Adventure announced, incorporates augmented reality originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionnintendoskylanders-spyros-adventurespyro-the-dragontoytoy-fair-2011toys-for-bobwiiFri, 11 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lead and Gold, Spyro come to PlayStation Plus in January]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/lead-and-gold-spyro-come-to-playstation-plus-in-january/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/lead-and-gold-spyro-come-to-playstation-plus-in-january/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/22/lead-and-gold-spyro-come-to-playstation-plus-in-january/#comments PlayStation Plus subscribers growing weary of the DC Universe Online beta will be glad to read that a new trio of free games awaits them in the coming calendar year. PSN multiplayer game Lead & Gold: Gangs of the Wild West, PlayStation classic Spyro the Dragon, and PSN Mini Pipe Madness will unlock for free to all PS Plus members as of January 4, 2011. A handful of discounts will also become available, as well as a duo of featured themes and avatars.

For those of you not yet enjoying December's PS Plus spoils, you've got until the aforementioned January date to snag 'em -- Dead Nation for $12 instead of $15? Yes, please! That said, at this point, you'll likely be the third or fourth person queuing up to speak with Superman in DCUO, but hopefully it'll be worth the wait.

JoystiqLead and Gold, Spyro come to PlayStation Plus in January originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fatsharkinsomniacLead-and-GoldLead-and-Gold-Gangs-of-the-Wild-Westpipe-madnessplaystationplaystation-plusps3psnspyro-the-dragonthe-bearded-ladiesWed, 22 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon (360/PS3/PS2/Wii/DS)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/joystiq-impressions-the-legend-of-spyro-dawn-of-the-dragon-36/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/joystiq-impressions-the-legend-of-spyro-dawn-of-the-dragon-36/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/joystiq-impressions-the-legend-of-spyro-dawn-of-the-dragon-36/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Few games appeal to adults and kids, but The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon could please both audiences. The younger group gets its beloved purple dragon and familiar platforming. The older crowd will like the depth in gameplay; among other changes, Spyro can now fly at any time.

After recently seeing a demo of the game, I was most impressed by its style and art; adults will find a lot of nuance here, too. Spyro mixes a lot of brightness and darkness in its style, reminding me of Fantasia or other old-guard Disney animations. Grasses leaned back as the wind raked over them, in a saccharine outdoor scene. But in another moment, sharp, muted stones matched the danger from an attacking monster.

Due in Fall, 2008 for 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, and DS, Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon could even interest players who know nothing of the character.

Gallery: The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon

Continue reading Joystiq impressions: The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon (360/PS3/PS2/Wii/DS)

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon (360/PS3/PS2/Wii/DS) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dawn-of-the-dragonDSPS2PS3sierrasierra-spring-event08spyrospyro-the-dragonthe-legend-of-spyroWiiXbox-360Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:00:00 EST