You might be surprised at how long ago you first experienced X and Y. Like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro The Dragon debuted almost 20 years ago as one of Sony’s exclusive platforming heroes; a game familiar to most PSX owners. Similar to Crash Bandicoot, whose three classic platformers were remastered last year (see Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy), Spyro is now receiving the same treatment with Spyro The Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! (known as Gateway to Glimmer in Europe), and Spyro 3: Year of The Dragon. This release, however, isn’t a PS4 exclusive. Activision, the trademark owners, are releasing it for PS4, Xbox One, and PC, mirroring the eventual release of the highly successful Crash remake. While Naughty Dog developed Crash Bandicoot in the 90s, Insomniac Games, the studio behind Ratchet & Clank, originally developed the Spyro games. And yes, Activision’s remakes of classic PSX games continue. In June 2019, Crash Team Racing, their answer to Mario Kart, is expected. The original Playstation was a true cult console with a plethora of excellent games. Spyro – Reignited Trilogy is once again handled by Toys of Bob, previously known for Skylanders, and the result is largely positive, with only minor criticisms.
Spyro the Dragon is set in a fantastical realm inhabited by dragons. A terrible curse befalls the larger dragons, leaving the small, purple protagonist unaffected. The gameplay revolves around finding treasures, freeing petrified dragons, completing bonus stages, and mastering the controls. In the second game, Spyro ventures to the land of Glimmer to liberate its inhabitants from Ripto. The third installment focuses on recovering stolen dragon eggs from a new arch-villain. Similar to the Crash remake, the presentation boasts stunning, significantly enhanced graphics. The controls have been refined; they are both more intuitive and, at times, more challenging. Notably, the often criticized camera rotation, previously mapped to the R and L buttons, has been reassigned to the right thumbstick, a more logical placement.
The graphics have seen significant improvements in the last 20 years.
The game’s difficulty has been adjusted, with noticeable fluctuations. Certain aspects have been simplified, allowing players to dispatch enemies with ease using fire attacks or charging. This might create the impression of a children’s game, partially due to the vibrant, Skylanders-esque visuals. However, be prepared for challenging segments. Flying and skateboarding sections, found in bonus courses, can be brutally difficult and frustrating. Certain boss encounters will require multiple attempts. Furthermore, the absence of a modern map feature can make navigation ambiguous. While this “exploring” trend is gaining popularity, it can be frustrating when players are unsure of where to proceed despite collecting all visible items.
For those who experienced the original games, this is a nostalgic and enjoyable reunion. Perhaps longtime PSX fans will appreciate this remake the most. However, the game is still highly recommended for all platformer enthusiasts, particularly given its technical polish, charming aesthetic, and reasonable price for three complete games. While the trilogy’s individual games share similarities, each installment, like the Crash games, becomes progressively more enjoyable, versatile, and modern. The loading times can be quite lengthy (especially in the first game), so installing and running the game from an SSD is highly recommended.
We anticipate further remakes of PSX (and potentially PS2) classics from Activision’s catalog. This isn’t just nostalgia; these games possess a quality and playability often absent in contemporary AAA titles. However, the absence of a Spyro collection for the Nintendo Switch is notable. The console is ideally suited for these games, both in docked and handheld modes. With approximately 20 hours of gameplay across all three titles, they would be perfect for on-the-go play. Interestingly, a Switch version was initially announced but later removed from listings. While Activision hasn’t confirmed releases on additional platforms, considering the Crash trilogy’s eventual Switch release (and its strong sales), we expect the Spyro trilogy to follow suit in the near future.
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