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On this page, you'll find reviews of some of my favorite games. I will highlight such aspects as gameplay, graphics, and story quality. SPOILERS MAY ENSUE. These reviews are purely for enjoyment purposes and do not involve any sort of monetary gain. Please support the official release of these titles!
Overview
Strengths
The original Spyro the Dragon is a single-player game, in which the player controls a small yet feisty purple dragon. Encompassing a brilliant blend of fantasy, adventure, and comedy, the game allows players to explore copious unique worlds in the Dragon Realm--all while battling quirky monsters and rescuing other dragons trapped within crystal. Despite its basic controls and simplistic gameplay, this classic provides hours of entertainment through its enjoyable story and whimsical environment.
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Easy controls
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Well-balanced player character hit points compared to enemy hit points (i.e. 4 vs. 1)
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Beautifully crafted environment--particularly for the PS1)
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Entertaining storyline
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Unique enemies/NPCs
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Quality protagonist voice acting
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Compatible across multiple Playstation platforms (i.e. PS1, PS2, PS3)
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Enjoyable soundtrack
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High replay value
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Rated E (allows for a large audience)
North American Release Date: September 9th, 1998
Weaknesses
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Limited player actions (i.e. no swimming, climbing)
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Small amount of story cutscenes
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Repetitive voice acting for NPCs
Why I love this game
Spyro the Dragon holds significant sentimental value for me as it was the "gateway game" that pulled me into the world of gaming. As I reflect upon the day that 7-year-old me received her very own PS1, I recall pulling a few games out of the box and playing each one for about 10 minutes at most. When I began Spyro the Dragon, however, I could not tear myself from the screen.
I was captivated by the magical, colorful worlds of the Dragon Realm--my favorite being the Dream Weavers world, which constantly shifts between dreamlike beauty and twisted, grotesque darkness, both in its atmosphere and in its inhabitants.
As a brand new gamer, I had only the most rudimentary of gaming skills from playing games with my only friend who owned a system. Even then, my abilities were further limited since, every time I started winning, he would restart the level claiming that I was "somehow cheating." It's okay; I still love him...and he's a much better sport now that we're older :).
When I played Spyro the Dragon, however, I was able to easily pick up the skills I needed to play. My tiny hands could scarcely fit around the controller, yet I could handle having only 4 hit points since the enemies were "1 hit kills." Navigation was equally simple as I had only to run and glide to make it through each world. The actions are certainly limited in the game. I often wish that falling into water does not equal instant death...but it somehow still allows for thorough, satisfying exploration.
I also adored the sassy protagonist, whose large personality defied his tiny size. He quickly became one of my favorite fictional characters. My most prized possession was a Spyro plush toy I received during Christmas of that year...he's a little beat-up now, but I still have him fifteen years later.
Overall, this game continues to hold its value for me. In fact, I often think that I value it more now than I did as a 7-year-old. It brings me great joy to take a break from the hyper-realistic graphics and complex controls of more modern games every so often and return to a time when there were no gauges or inventories on-screen. Although I am not 100% certain of the truth to the claims, I have heard news that a Spyro the Dragon remaster for the PS4 is in the works...if this is true, I know exactly what I want for my birthday.
North American Release Date: November 2nd, 1999
Overview
Spyro: Ripto's Rage is the invigorating sequel to the original beloved Spyro the Dragon. The story departs from the Dragon Realm, instead venturing into the magical, outlandish-NPC-filled land known as Avalar. Summoned by 3 of his most iconic companions--Hunter the Cheetah, Elora the Faun, and the Mole Professor--Spyro must traverse the myriad of Avalar worlds, stopping enemy invasions, collecting mystical items, and putting an end to the villainous Ripto's conquest. This game utilizes all of the simplistic control and beautiful landscape strengths of its predecessor while correcting problems such as unfitting voice acting and limited exploration. Players feel far more immersed in the story as they are gifted with a healthy number of cutscenes and character interactions. Lastly, collecting all of those glittering gemstones finally serves a purpose--paying the infamous Moneybags the Bear to open bridges, activate portals, and teach the little dragon new and helpful skills.
Strengths
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All strengths from the original Spyro the Dragon continue to apply
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Expanded player character abilities (i.e. swimming, climbing)
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Stellar NPC voice acting
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Increased character interaction
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Entertaining mini-games
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Challenging use of currency added to gameplay
Weaknesses
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Smaller number of home worlds (i.e. 3 vs. Spyro the Dragon's original count of 6)
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Some minigames are repetitive
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NPCs often break immersion by discussing gameplay controls
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Final level (Dragon Shores) tricks players by appearing to be unlocked once the final boss is defeated; however, upon entering the level, the player is informed that it cannot yet be accessed
Why I love this game
I can still recall the day I ran across the Spyro the Dragon collection--in a RadioShack, of all places. I was still below a double digit age at the time and the internet was enough of a novelty that I had no idea how to look up gaming news. Thus, the discovery that my favorite game had been made into a series came as a thrilling surprise.
Setting aside the copy of the original Spyro the Dragon that came with the collection (the third copy that had come into my possession), I delved into its sequel, Spyro: Ripto's Rage with great enthusiasm. When the game opened with a cutscene, ripe with dragon sass and character interaction, I was ready to burst with excitement. Right away, I could tell that the story was bound to be far more immersive than its predecessor.
As I began the first level of the game--Glimmer, the world of jewel-mining jerboas--I was overjoyed to see that the environment still harbored a vibrant color scheme and heavy elements of magic. When I came across a river that ran through the paradise-like Summer Forest world, I noticed that it looked quite different from the opaque, deadly water that surrounded worlds from the original game. I took a chance and dove in. My excitement was further amplified when I discovered that Spyro now had swimming abilities (with no breath limit)--an addition that opened up an entirely new world of exploration possibilities.
Continuing through the game, I adored the number of NPCs I could talk to and assist through minigames or deeper exploration of their worlds. While a few of them broke the fourth wall by telling me how to change my game camera from "Passive Mode" to "Active Mode" (don't do it; it'll make you seasick), all of the characters served to progress the story while providing a crucial essence of comic relief. I appreciated that comic relief when I defeated the final boss and was transported to the final world that was a "just for fun" level...only to find that I could not access it until I had found a lot more gems and orbs. Admittedly, I would have rage-quit if not for the good-natured NPCs calming me down.
Wrapping up yet another playthrough of this game, I find that I do miss the larger number of home worlds from the previous game. Spyro: Ripto's Rage only features Summer Forest, Autumn Plains, and Winter Tundra. Why not include a spring world in the seasonal theme? Even so, the levels within the home worlds are all so unique and beautifully-crafted that it hardly makes a difference in my enjoyment. Moreover, the characters feel far more lifelike with passionate voice actors that suit them perfectly. This is yet another PS1 classic that I continue to replay despite having owned it for over a decade.
