Spyro The Dragon
Spyro The Dragonby Sony Computer Entertainment
Platform: PlayStation
ESRB Rating: Everyone
ASIN: B00000I1BF
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Editorial Review: Spyro is a cute purple dragon in a bit of a pickle. Each of Spyro's dragon friends has fallen victim to the nefarious Gnasty Gnorc, who has turned them into crystals. Accompanied by Sparx the dragonfly, Spyro sets out to free his buddies, while collecting gems and dragon eggs. Sparx also serves as Spyro's health-o-meter, glowing gold when Spyro is healthy and turning dusky green as he tires. To boost his energy, Spryo can blast docile creatures with fire, turning them into butterflies, which Sparx transforms into much-needed fuel.
This title has bright graphics in six well-developed worlds, each with several subworlds, including bogs, deserts, and ice worlds. Unlike some action games, in Spyro the Dragon the enemies are more fun than frightening. In the Peace Keepers world, for example, Spyro must burn down the monster soldiers' tent, sending one of the minions running out, quaking with fear or, if you're lucky, dropping his drawers and shooting a moon.
Spyro's movements (fire breathing, gliding, jumping, and climbing) require entry-level gaming skills. For this reason, Spyro the Dragon is an excellent title for youngsters or less experienced players, who want to play without having to master complex movement combinations. --Kasty Thomas
Pros:
Large worlds provide hours of game playing
Variety of scenarios
Engaging graphics
Cons:
Low game skill requirements may prove less challenging for expert players
GameSpot Review: Yes, it's taken some time, but there's finally a proficient, fully 3D platform game for the PlayStation. It's impossible to escape not mentioning the last attempt at this, SISA's Blasto, so let's get that out of the way right here in the beginning: Insomniac's Spyro the Dragon excels over Blasto in every way imaginable. It has better graphics, a far more useable camera setup, tighter control, it isn't incredibly difficult, and is much, much more fun.
Spyro lives in a brightly hued realm of magic much like that of a Disney cartoon, except without the severe toothaches that would provide. It appears that the dragons had been talking trash about the evil Gnasty Gnorc on TV, so, in retaliation, he casts a spell that imprisons them all in crystal. As the one dragon that must have come up under the spell's height/weight requirement, you travel the six worlds - which, incidentally, have six levels each - freeing the dragons and claiming stolen treasure and dragon eggs as you go.
The gameplay in most levels of Spyro the Dragon is much like that of any other 3D platform game you've ever played, but this time you get a few extra moves beyond the standard. As a dragon, you can breathe fire, charge enemies using your horns, and glide with your short, stubby little wings. There are several flying levels too, which are similar to the arcade game Prop Cycle, save for having to pedal. In them, Spyro must collect a number of different items before the time limit expires, with each of the items providing him with an extra few seconds to grab all the rest with. Each of the worlds has a balloonist who will take Spyro to the next once a requirement has been met, such as freeing five dragons, collecting 2000 gems, and so on. Once to a new stage, the balloonist will always be willing to take you back.
There's a lot to like about this game. The soundtrack, done by The Police's Stewart Copeland, is wonderfully atmospheric. The graphics are fantastic, with their dynamic lighting effects, a near-complete lack of pop-up, and well-designed great-looking characters. The level design is also exceptional, providing nice big worlds for you to roam around in and get enveloped into. This is really the first title to ever successfully pull off the whole video game adaptation of a cartoon world, and we all know there's been plenty of tries.
On the play side, the level of control is excellent. It's supersmooth even without the analog pad, and a dream with it, especially when charging or gliding. Spyro also has the best camera setup since Rare's Banjo-Kazooie on the Nintendo 64. It begins with an intelligent chase perspective (which can be set to either passive or active modes) - the R2 and L2 buttons move your overall view left or right, and the triangle button is a tight behind-the-back look control. With all of these working in conjunction, the camera problems found in most 3D games are almost entirely gone in Spyro.
Unlike Banjo-Kazooie, it's easy to tell how many items you're missing, both within a given level and all the worlds, through the use of the inventory screen. This is especially useful because accessing the game's bonus level requires that you free every single dragon and reclaim every bit of stolen treasure and egg, and it'd just be impossible without it.
The only things that take away from the gameplay experience are that the levels begin to feel a little formulaic towards the end and that the game is really quite easy. The first time you will probably feel your skills have really been pushed in the game is when you confront the final boss (the sub-bosses are about as tough as the first boss in Super Mario 64). The extra level beyond the boss requires a lot of work to get to, but the main brunt of Spyro feels like it was aimed at a younger or broader audience, as there are so many free lives to be gotten in the game that it's rare that your number will drop below eight. Still, it's an extremely well-made game that offers a lot of fun to the player, but these few factors cause it to score right outside the class of Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie, so it only gets very, very high marks, instead of outrageously high marks. -- Joe Fielder
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful!, December 10, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer from IL United States
This is a great game for the non-gamers. It is just challenging enough, but not impossible to beat. I Love it and little Spyro is adorable!
Three words: Fun, Fun, Fun!, November 29, 2002
Reviewer: A 12-year old gamer
This game is fun, adventurous, and challenging. When you free a dragon, it gives you tips on how to do things or just a "Thank you." The tips are usually about how to defeat an enemy, or how to get someplace, like to a cliff. It's way worth your money. I love this game.
Spyro the Dragon Review, November 24, 2002
Reviewer: Richard
Do not be fooled by the fact that dragons are more suited to little kids and that the game appears like a cartoon. This is a very fun game in which an evil creature called Gnasty Gnorc scatters gems all over the dragon world, turns some into his minions, lets blue thieves into the dragon world to steal their precious dragon eggs, and encases all the dragons in crystal. He missed Spyro, so it's his job to turn the dragon world the way it was. The graphics are colorful and the sound and music are also nice, and as for replay value, it has a fairly good amount. If there is one thing to complain about, it is the difficulty level. The enemies don't put up too much of a threat, and finding gems and dragons is usually fairly easy, and even the bosses are pretty easy to toast. But it can prove quite a challenge to some people, and may include some testing with some things. But besides these two facts, Spyro the Dragon is a nice, colorful game that is well worth the money.
SPYRO THE GYRO DRAGON!, November 19, 2002
Reviewer: mac8a from Far Rockaway, New York United States
Everything changed in video games when we were introducted to Spyro the Gyro Dragon, as we call him in our house, was found by my eldest son who is (eight) 8 years old. No longer would my seven (7) year old wait his turn. My youngest son who is (six) 6 years old would grab the joystick to show his brothers that he could be as cunning and smart as they are. Spyro is exciting, amazing, reveting, HE IS THE DRAGON. Since we met Spyro we decided to collect every Spyro game that is sold. Now everybody's turn is put on half-hour increments. We are now so satisfied and so happy to know our dragon, who is good enough to eat!
I love this series!, October 8, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer from Ione, CA United States
Spyro is the best! I'd say this is the easiest so far. I'm already near the end! And I stink at games! Of course I usually die like a million times before I finish a game, but it is so fun usually! I highly recommend this game!
No cuteness, just kickin' ... !, October 1, 2002
Reviewer: Christian_Brat101 from The City Of Townsvile
The first time I saw Spyro, all I thought was, 'Aww, how could a game be so hard with a character like that?' I was wrong. Spyro The Dragon is a fast paced, adventure, roll playing game. When I started to play Spyro I realized how cool it really was. Spyro The Dragon, starts off as a normal easy game, but over the course of 30 levels it does get much harder. The basic plot is explained by the dragon Nestor. He explains that your job is to go around the dragon world and free all of the dragons. A dragon looks like a sculpture that has an outline of a dragon. The structure is made of crystal. To free a dragon step, or flame the figure, then the dragon will come alive and talk to you. The second most important thing in the game is the treasure, which I call gems. To get gems go around the worlds and you will see them everywhere! Also there are dragon eggs, they look nothing like the eggs in Spyro Year of the Dragon. The eggs have been taken from the dragons, therefore thieves have them. You must catch the thief to get the egg. Your ultimate goal is to get everything in the game. But for the rest of the game here are some tips and some recommendations. In this game it is really different then the other two in the trilogy. For instance in this game, you don't have special powers. You have basic controls. As Spyro you can flame, charge, walk and glide. You cannot fly, anyone who has told you that is crazy. All of these attacks you will learn as the game goes on. Remember, in Spyro you must think things through before you do your task. There are many hard tasks in this game and if you can't think fast and logically, I don't suggest you play this game. It will be extremely hard for you. Spyro The Dragon is different kind of game. Don't miss out!
Cute Purple Dragon, September 29, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer from Louisiana, USA
This game is challenging and fun. While being the easiest out of the PSX Spyro trilogy, it will help you conquer the other games.
While the "mooning" (yes, some characters moon you, but you don't see anything) is uncalled for, (it's funny anyways though)
I give this 5 stars!
One of the BEST games ever!, September 6, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer
This is one of my favorite games ever. I highly recomend it. I spend about 2 hours everyday playing Spyro. I'm a big Spyro fan. Its the hardest Spyro game but its fun.
Spyro the Great., August 31, 2002
Reviewer: Tristan Rimbaud from Los Angeles, CA USA
I must admit, Spyro the Dragon is one of the main reasons I am still holding on to my Playstation system. In my opinion, Spyro is one of the greatest gaming characters to come along since Mario and the Mushroom Kingdom Gang. He is cute, easy to operate once you get used to the controls, the graphics are lavish and well done, and this particular game proved a great intro into the future franchise that is Spyro.
THE BEST PS GAME OF ALL TIME!, June 22, 2002
Reviewer: A 12-year old gamer
This is, according to me, THE BEST PLAYSTATION GAME OF ALL TIME! It's wonderful, and hours of magical, flame-filled fun! BUY IT!!!
This was the third game I ever got for Playstation, and it was for my birthday. I remember sitting in school all day waiting to play it when I got home. I literally ran through the front door to the Playstation!
I never get tired of this game. Every time I play it I remember that captivating music and cute, (though not the best,) good graphics. I showed the game to my dragon-loving friend recently and she was hooked! She kept asking to play.
If you ask me, the second and third Spyros are good too, but not as good. If you don't really care about music, and would rather Spyro is able to headbash, swim, and do other stunts, buy the second and/or third.
I recently bought the Spyro Gameboy Advance game and was pretty dissapointed. It's, to say it straight, too HARD!! But buy it if you want, doesn't matter to me. :)
So... er.... BUY SPYRO THE DRAGON! Beleive me, it's GREAT!!