Joystiq impressions: The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon (360/PS3/PS2/Wii/DS)
by Zack Stern 
{ Apr 28th 2008 at 6:00AM }
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.
A strong voice cast should attract some gamers. Elijah Wood, Gary Oldman, Cristina Ricci, Blair Underwood, Mark Hamill, and Wayne Brady play roles. Ricci voices the second dragon, Cynder, who is always alongside Wood's Spyro.
When playing alone, gamers can swap between the two dragons, letting the AI control the second. But another player can drop in at any time on the same console to join in. The two dragons solve puzzles together, although they're always linked by an inviable tether. While a convenient mechanic to keep players from wandering too far apart, the link also allows some team-based moves, such as the ability to swing along its radius.
The game's scale makes it much more than a cheap cartoon pitch to kids. I saw a boss battle with an epic, molten monster. The low-angle, third-person perspective showed the dragons in front, but much of the rest of the screen was filled by this glowing beast. The enemy swung a huge fist at the dragons, trying to crush them. Then another scene showed the more typical follow-camera of their escape. Hopefully the rest of the game will match this variety.
Spyro doesn't have the name recognition of other platform characters, but this final chapter in the trilogy might make players wonder what they've been missing. I wouldn't have given a Spyro game a second look, but after seeing the great visual direction, variety in scale, and cooperative gameplay, I'm looking forward to its release later this year.
When playing alone, gamers can swap between the two dragons, letting the AI control the second. But another player can drop in at any time on the same console to join in. The two dragons solve puzzles together, although they're always linked by an inviable tether. While a convenient mechanic to keep players from wandering too far apart, the link also allows some team-based moves, such as the ability to swing along its radius.
The game's scale makes it much more than a cheap cartoon pitch to kids. I saw a boss battle with an epic, molten monster. The low-angle, third-person perspective showed the dragons in front, but much of the rest of the screen was filled by this glowing beast. The enemy swung a huge fist at the dragons, trying to crush them. Then another scene showed the more typical follow-camera of their escape. Hopefully the rest of the game will match this variety.
Spyro doesn't have the name recognition of other platform characters, but this final chapter in the trilogy might make players wonder what they've been missing. I wouldn't have given a Spyro game a second look, but after seeing the great visual direction, variety in scale, and cooperative gameplay, I'm looking forward to its release later this year.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
EMaster @ Apr 28th 2008 6:04AM
Oh for fuck's sake! Let Spyro Die already!!! Spyro is NOT Mario or Sonic... just let this franchise die!!!
milestailsprowe @ Apr 28th 2008 6:15AM
Sypro Used to be good I remeber his first games :) then it went to :( after he went sonic and went bad after the third game
PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Apr 28th 2008 10:09AM
Spyro was great before Insomniac sold it. same deal with Crash and Naughty Dog. i viewed Spryo and Crash as the Playstation mascots back in the PSOne days (maybe throw Croc in there too) but it seems Sony didnt feel the same way since they let them sell these IP's to be whored out by the pimp that is Sierra. i honestly cant remember a Sierra game i liked.
NukeAssault @ Apr 28th 2008 12:53PM
First 3 games IMO were awesome. But yeah....I agree with KornBread.
Tiptup300 @ Apr 28th 2008 3:16PM
Spyro Co-op sounds like it would be fun.
fred @ Apr 28th 2008 5:57PM
For some reason when I voted you down my screen blacked out.
Chase @ Apr 28th 2008 6:32AM
He looks less cuddly and more ugly-lucky-dragon-a-la-Neverending-story. Give him to a yeti hair stylist and tack on a won ton beard, and you pretty much get Falkor.
Chase @ Apr 28th 2008 6:23AM
He looks less cuddly and more ugly-lucky-dragon-a-la-Neverending-story. Give him to a yeti hair stylist and tack on a won ton beard, and you pretty much get Falkor.
Simon @ Apr 28th 2008 6:48AM
Can't say Spiro's new art style does anything for me. That old blocky PS1 Spiro passed many a lazy Sunday afternoon, I wonder if these games carry that same charm for youngsters today.
also, 'inviable tether' was a pretty cool typo to make.
Maverick Saturn @ Apr 28th 2008 7:13AM
The new graphics do Spyro no justice, looks horrid :S
Saying that, I loved Spyro back in the day, good memories....
Although it makes me wonder how long a Dragon takes to grow up ¬_¬
Poisoned Al @ Apr 28th 2008 7:34AM
Meh, I like this better then the uber cute look.
Evan @ Apr 28th 2008 8:55AM
@Zack Stern: "The younger group gets its beloved purple dragon and familiar platforming. The older crowd will like the depth in gameplay"
I think you have it backwards. The "younger group" is too young to have played Spyro back in '98 on the PS1. It's the older crowd who grew up with Spyro's best games. It's the older crowd that experienced the height of platforming's popularity.
StrangeBum @ Apr 28th 2008 10:06AM
Good ol' Spyro. I really used to love playing those games back in the day, before they rehashed it over and over. It was one game I would let my younger brothers play too, good wholesome fun for everyone.
But like it's been said, they drove Spyro into the ground a few years ago, I'm kind of hoping this one will turn that around. The new graphical style isn't too bad and if the gameplay is simple and fun, I might just pick this up.
PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Apr 28th 2008 10:18AM
its because they sold the IP. i think it has been sold more than once too. Sierra has it now but its originally an Insomniac game. i had all the Spyro games on PSOne and bought the first one after the sale and knew immediately Spyro was over for me. they ran it to shit in no time.
same thing happened with Crash Bandicoot which was originally a Naughty Dog IP (which Sierra also owns now, see a trend yet?). i had all of them and then bought the first one after the IP sale and it was done for me. its amazing how fast a game can go to shit when you take a good team off of it.
Alex @ Apr 28th 2008 11:02AM
I loved the first Spyro on PS1. One of my favourites along with MGS1, Heart of Darkness and the first Driver.
4MyFriends @ Apr 28th 2008 11:14AM
WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO MY CUTE AND CUDDLY SPYRO? THOSE BASTARDS.
Joe Smith @ Apr 28th 2008 12:07PM
I jsut hope the camera in this one is better htan on the old PS games. I couldn't play the first SPyro more than 5 minutes with my kid without getting motion sick.
LAWL @ Apr 28th 2008 1:45PM
SO Spyro,i couldnt get any Spyro games on the begining,i wanted tho the dragon style seemd fun back then.
Later i do try one and i didnt like it at all,lame i thod and thats the impresion ive had until now(and aparently,others share it too),i hear new spyro game ,MEH IDC.
But these one,it kinda seems OK,still we can just wait to see how it really ends but it looks good.
Still,after SMG idk if i can like any simple platform anymore lol.
Da Man @ May 2nd 2008 1:36AM
This game looks much better than any Mario or Sonic. Personally, I love T.L.o.S. The old Spyro...he lost his charm. Sorry if I'm harsh but I hate it when people bag Spyro. Can't you just let it be?