Review of Skylanders Hub Worlds

Importance of Hub Worlds

• Hub worlds provide stability and familiarity in the game.
• They serve as a place to return and feel comfortable between levels.
• Often overlooked in favor of gameplay, characters, and levels.
• Different hub worlds create unique vibes and add distinction between games.

Spyro's Adventure - The Core of Light

• Initially seen as average, but surprisingly good upon revisiting.
• Fun layout with various spots to explore and activities to do.
• Different parts with unique environments and characters add originality and personality.
• Scenic location: cliff overhanging the ocean.
• NPCs from the game are visible throughout the hub world, maintaining connection with story characters.
• Well-sized, not too big or small, enhancing exploration.
• Rating: 9/10

Giants - Flynn's Dread Yacht

• Smaller hub world compared to Spyro’s Adventure.
• Feels cramped, especially using the larger Giants characters.
• Lacks diversity; rooms and environments look similar.
• Same NPCs appear throughout the game; no new characters by the game's end.
• Limited space to explore, feels condensed and uninspired.
• Rating: 6/10

Swap Force - Woodburrow

• Middle of the road hub world; neither the best nor the worst.
• Resembles Spyro's Adventure more than Giants, which is positive.
• Plenty of areas to explore, NPCs to interact with, and activities to do.
• Shops available for hats and trinkets, enhancing gameplay.
• The bigger size accommodates various Skylanders comfortably.
• Elementals appear in the hub world as you progress, adding visual representation of progress.
• Unique tree-top location with distinct NPCs such as the Chieftess and Tessa.
• Rating: 7.5/10

Trap Team - Skylanders Academy

• Expansive but feels condensed; large number of rooms but similar visual style throughout.
• Straight-line layout, making exploration less open and more level-like.
• Includes side-scrolling sections, training dummies, NPCs, and access to different game areas.
• Villain Vault is a central and well-designed feature, integrating the game’s main gimmick.
• Villain Quests for characters like Hood Sickle and Chaos.
• Despite layout issues, offers plenty of content and hidden areas to explore.
• Rating: 8/10

SuperChargers - Skylanders Academy

• Feels like a less magical version of the Trap Team hub world, leaning more towards technology.
• Addition of placeable items in the hub world is underused.
• Features like computer stations and cutscene monitors feel out of place for Skylanders.
• Half the hub world is focused on vehicles, reducing traditional Skylanders gameplay content.
• Some redeeming features, like interacting with Chaos and Glumshanks post-game, and the greeble shop.
• Overall less enjoyable than Trap Team's hub world.
• Rating: 5.5/10

Imaginators - Skylanders Academy

• Controversial; vastly different from previous hubs.
• Levels must be accessed physically in the hub world, not from the menu – liked by some, disliked by others.
• Expansive layout with multiple vertical levels; feels like authentic Skylands with floating islands.
• Fast traversal speed may feel odd but isn't detrimental.
• Limited activities beyond surprise attacks, though hidden areas do exist.
• Brings back some magical feeling lost in SuperChargers, avoiding over-reliance on technology.
• Rating: 8/10

Conclusion

• Hub worlds in Skylanders are diverse, each offering unique elements and enhancing the game’s overall feel.
• Scores reflect personal opinions and feelings towards how well each hub world was executed.
• Overall, hub worlds contribute positively to the Skylanders franchise.

Summary Ratings

• Spyro's Adventure: 9/10
• Giants: 6/10
• Swap Force: 7.5/10
• Trap Team: 8/10
• SuperChargers: 5.5/10
• Imaginators: 8/10