Spyro the Dragon

The Good
While I was growing up in the Nineties, I was still playing PC favorites Commander Keen, Xargon, and Jill of the Jungle. These are all 2-D platform games in which you have to run across the screen, fighting wildlife and using a series of colored keys to open locked doors. However, it was Spyro the Dragon that introduced me to the world of 3-D platform games.

The five dragon families lived in peace and harmony, until Gnasty Gnorc came along. He made a nuisance of himself, that the dragons had to banish him to a faraway world, which Gnasty renamed “Gnasty's World”. He didn't like this one bit, so he decided to use one spell he discovered to turn all the dragons into crystal, and another to transform all the radiant jewels into Gnorc soldiers. Fortunately, Gnasty failed to turn one dragon into crystal – a cute purple dragon named Spyro.

The game has you visiting up to six worlds consisting of six levels each. Most of the worlds, particularly "Artisans", "Magic Crafters", and "Dream Weavers" contain the most beautiful environments that are worth exploring every inch. To get through the game, you must explore to collect as many jewels as you can and freeing dragons to get hints on the level you are in.

Unlike platform games of old, you must learn some advanced moves other than just jumping and flaming, and these moves will more often than not help you in getting what you want. If you see one dragon and lots of gems around on a distant platform, it makes sense to "glide" over to it, and to destroy metal boxes that can't be opened simply by flaming or "charging" at them, perhaps you should "super-charge" at it. I enjoyed performing this last move as it provides more of a challenge, especially when combined with jump. You also have to avoid smashing into walls by accident.

As I said earlier, the environments in each world are rich and beautifully drawn, but these vary for the different portals that you enter. One way to determine what the environment will look like is just stand near the portal and check out the scrolling background. I enjoyed walking around the lush, green meadows in the “Artisans”, with its bright blue skies and water flowing into pools. To demonstrate how beautiful that “Artisans” really is, chirping birds can be heard in the backgrounds, giving you the feel that you are actually there. I also enjoyed gliding in mid-air, turning corners to reach an area that cannot be done by jumping.

Speaking of sounds, I enjoyed the excellent soundtrack that occupies each world and level, and the different pieces of music reflect what situation you are in. Levels that have that 'Pretty' theme to them have that easy music, while levels that have you defeating a boss have music that is of high impact. More than one piece of music can be played in most levels, giving you a variety of tunes to listen to while you are trying to complete the level. The sound effects are superb as well. You can always tell what's around you, whether it is the blue thief mocking you or the trapped dragon shaking. I enjoyed listening to Spyro's voice, especially when he says “Where's Gnasty Gnorc? I'm going after him.” at the very start of the game. It makes him sound like a little brat. I also enjoyed him licking himself like a cat or dog when you decide to stop playing Spyro for a few seconds.

You can rotate the camera to see what is left or right, not just straight ahead. This is useful if you want to know what Gnorcs are coming toward you. There are two camera types. Active camera moves right along with you everywhere, while Passive lets you get a good look at the scenery. There are disadvantages in using these cameras, so you need to work out which camera is best to work with. I enjoyed using the Triangle button to bypass the cameras, giving me a good chance to look around.

When you reach a pedestal with a fairy floating above it, you are given an opportunity to save a game onto your memory card, or replay the dragon's message if you had lost track of what he said. I saved whenever I find a pedestal, just in case I happened to miss one. A different fairy kisses you, causing you to turn red and you can deal with much stronger enemies that you cannot do with your flame or charging at them.

You only have a limited number of lives, but you can revisit levels and stock up on pearls by defeating enemies. Form a circle of these pearls and you earn an extra life. You also get lives by flaming purple coffins, where a set of eyes pop up from inside.

In Crash Bandicoot, your overall percentage is listed in the stats screen, and achieving 100% of the game givs you access to an alternate ending and a few other goodies. The same can be said with Spyro. But does it matter if you reach 100%? No, because all it does is give you a bonus level after you defeat Gnasty.


The Bad
As a person who likes to explore every level, I really wanted to have access to this bonus level but I couldn't master the flight levels which are essential in getting 100%. Basically, in these levels you have to get ten of the same object as well as getting them all at once. This, and even flying, is hard to do, because if you fly too low or smash into a wall, you end up falling in the drink.

The Bottom Line
Spyro is just another platform game for all ages. It was only released for PlayStation, and came out two years after Crash Bandicoot You basically go around releasing dragons from crystal structures and flame or charge Gnorcs. Most levels are easy, but the more difficult ones are near the end of the game, where your thinking cap becomes compulsory. If people have difficulties completing these levels, all they need to do is practice, and make sure that they get their timing right.

The Good
The graphics engine of this game was actually pretty unique. It makes sure you can see items glittering in the background and there's no buildings suddenly disappearing. Instead, faraway places just fade away, making it feel much more realistic. Overall the graphics are detailed and colorful, and make this game attractive. The levels just ask to be checked out carefully if you want to collect every item and save all dragons. The levels have a lot of secret area's making them extra rewarding if you collect everything. There are six rather unique worlds to explore each with one homeworld which has portals to the other levels in the world. The story tells the tale of Spyro, a little dragon with attitude. If the evil Gnasty Gnorc turns all the other dragons into stone, it's up to little purple Spyro and his pal Sparx the dragonfly (who is your health meter, really) to restore all of the dragon treasure, free all dragons and collect the dragon eggs. This will take you through all dragon realms. They include the Artisans, a world with lush hills, the Peacekeepers, a desert, the Magic Crafters, a mountain world, the Beastmakers, a jungle, the Dreamweavers, a dream world and finally Gnasty's World where Gnasty and his Gnorcs reside. Each world also has a challenging flying level, which will require you to hit everything in time with your fire breath. This collecting and exploring formula is very addictive. You'll be busy a while collect everything. Sound is great, too. The music is made by Steve Copeland, the drummer of the legendary band "The Police". It's very funky and enjoyable. The voice acting is excellent too.

The Bad
There are no much sidequests besides the normal game. This was solved in later games but in this very first Spyro there are none to be found except for the flying levels.

The Bottom Line
Very addictive platformer that seems to be made for kids but if you want to collect everything it will also please older players. If you just find it to be missing a few things, try both PSX sequels, those are brilliant and even more challenging.

The Good
First, the graphics were quite good. Technically, there are better games out there, but spyro the dragon's graphics are done with a lot of style. The controls work great, with a dual shock controller and more than decently without one. The game play is typical 3D platform game, with nice little touches the frustration factor is kept to a minimum. Unlike crash bandicoot, you have a good freedom of movement, the environment is non-linear.

The Bad
It is quite short and easy. Don't expect to play this game for months The gameplay is far from original (but still very pleasant). The story is very thin


The Bottom Line
Because it's now available on budget release, I recommend this game for every 3D platform enthusiast. Good graphics and smooth gameplay make it for the quite short life span of Spyro. Definitely better than Crash bandicoot !