As we may know by now, the 5th generation of consoles really saw the beginning of a new era of gaming. With the ability to finally play in legitimate 3D worlds with complexity never seen before, it was certainly an exciting time to be a gamer. With the likes of "Super Mario 64" and "Crash Bandicoot"; both of which releasing in 1996, it was very clear that this was the direction gaming was, and should have been heading, as both games (especially the former) would become forever classics. Sure, the visuals may not quite hold up as well as games released on 4th gen consoles like the Sega Genesis or the Super Nintendo with their wonderful 2D sprite works and backgrounds, but the gameplay was way more immersive and inventive than ever before; and some could make the argument that the blocky visuals from games on the 5th gen consoles have an undeniable charm to them.
Just about two years later, both Nintendo and PS1 game developers have cemented the 5th generation of game consoles as a roaring success with hit after hit, like "Final Fantasy VII", "Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back" (though "Warped" would release a few months later after this game), "Diddy Kong Racing", "Banjo Kazooie", among many others that still, to this day, are a blast to play. Things were already looking great for the first true 3D gaming experiences, but Insomniac games would not only throw their hat in the ring, but do such a good job at it over the next few years, that they often either match or outshine everyone else.
And they already get pretty close to that with this: "Spyro the Dragon". A 3D collectathon that manages to feel incredibly balanced and consistent from start to finish, and while it may suffer a tiny bit from a couple of minor first-time drawbacks, this is still one hell of a first game that is still fun to this day. Mix all of that with the overall wonderful presentation that hasn't aged that badly thanks to it's lively landscapes, as well as some of the best music in any PS1 game from Stewart Copeland from The Police no less, and it's no wonder why this game is still remembered so fondly.
One big reason is just how well everything is designed. Each level and hub world are all so thoughtful and an absolute joy to try and complete, and the way each of them use the move set given to Spyro is genius. Same goes for the speedway levels where Spyro flies and has to flame 4 groups of items or gnorcs before the time runs out. They're not only creative, but also sometimes makes the player think outside of the box, which makes them fantastic additions to the game. Overall, there's really not a single level in the game that I don't remember, as they're not only well designed, but also very rewarding.
I can't sing the praises for this game enough. However, while that's all well and great, the game isn't quite perfect. For one, the camera system is a touch awkward and hasn't aged all that well. Here, unlike any other 3D platformer you may think of, you can't use the right stick to move the camera. Instead, you must use the L1 and R1 buttons. I understand that it's so that people with non DualShock controllers could still move the camera, which is good, but when the game still has analog movement with the left stick, it's a bit confusing as to why the game doesn't have the option to use the right stick for camera movement at all. It doesn't necessarily ruin the game by any means, but it's still worth noting.
Another thing worth noting are the bosses in this game; which is the game's only true low point. While the levels each boss (or "boss" in quotation marks) is in are well designed and great, the so-called bosses themselves are pathetic and not that harder than regular enemies at all, as they don't have really any creative ways of taking them down. I appreciate them adding depth to the game and the levels they're in, but when everything else about the game is so close to perfection, it's hard to not wonder why the bosses are so lackluster. They're not hard or threatening. They're just kinda there for you to take down without much of a fight. And it's a shame because it makes the villain Gnasty Gnorc not have that much integrity since his boss fight at the end is also pathetically easy. The bad boss battles don't necessarily ruin the game as a whole, but it's clear to see that this was where Insomniac games really needed to step things up for the inevitable Spyro 2.
Aside from that, this game is still fantastic to this very day. Whether it be the wonderfully designed levels with gems to collect and eggs to take back from snarky running thieves, the very good execution of Sparx the dragonfly, the charming dragons to free after them being crystallized by the egotistical Gnasty Gnorc, fantastic speedway levels, atmospheric presentation that's still lovely to this day for the most part, and a soundtrack that still kicks butt to this day, there's no way this isn't a forever classic. It may not quite be the very peak of the series, but for a first game in the series, it gets WAY closer than you think it would. If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and check this one out. There's a reason why the iconic purple dragon caught on quick, and it's because of this game right here.
Just about two years later, both Nintendo and PS1 game developers have cemented the 5th generation of game consoles as a roaring success with hit after hit, like "Final Fantasy VII", "Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back" (though "Warped" would release a few months later after this game), "Diddy Kong Racing", "Banjo Kazooie", among many others that still, to this day, are a blast to play. Things were already looking great for the first true 3D gaming experiences, but Insomniac games would not only throw their hat in the ring, but do such a good job at it over the next few years, that they often either match or outshine everyone else.
And they already get pretty close to that with this: "Spyro the Dragon". A 3D collectathon that manages to feel incredibly balanced and consistent from start to finish, and while it may suffer a tiny bit from a couple of minor first-time drawbacks, this is still one hell of a first game that is still fun to this day. Mix all of that with the overall wonderful presentation that hasn't aged that badly thanks to it's lively landscapes, as well as some of the best music in any PS1 game from Stewart Copeland from The Police no less, and it's no wonder why this game is still remembered so fondly.
One big reason is just how well everything is designed. Each level and hub world are all so thoughtful and an absolute joy to try and complete, and the way each of them use the move set given to Spyro is genius. Same goes for the speedway levels where Spyro flies and has to flame 4 groups of items or gnorcs before the time runs out. They're not only creative, but also sometimes makes the player think outside of the box, which makes them fantastic additions to the game. Overall, there's really not a single level in the game that I don't remember, as they're not only well designed, but also very rewarding.
I can't sing the praises for this game enough. However, while that's all well and great, the game isn't quite perfect. For one, the camera system is a touch awkward and hasn't aged all that well. Here, unlike any other 3D platformer you may think of, you can't use the right stick to move the camera. Instead, you must use the L1 and R1 buttons. I understand that it's so that people with non DualShock controllers could still move the camera, which is good, but when the game still has analog movement with the left stick, it's a bit confusing as to why the game doesn't have the option to use the right stick for camera movement at all. It doesn't necessarily ruin the game by any means, but it's still worth noting.
Another thing worth noting are the bosses in this game; which is the game's only true low point. While the levels each boss (or "boss" in quotation marks) is in are well designed and great, the so-called bosses themselves are pathetic and not that harder than regular enemies at all, as they don't have really any creative ways of taking them down. I appreciate them adding depth to the game and the levels they're in, but when everything else about the game is so close to perfection, it's hard to not wonder why the bosses are so lackluster. They're not hard or threatening. They're just kinda there for you to take down without much of a fight. And it's a shame because it makes the villain Gnasty Gnorc not have that much integrity since his boss fight at the end is also pathetically easy. The bad boss battles don't necessarily ruin the game as a whole, but it's clear to see that this was where Insomniac games really needed to step things up for the inevitable Spyro 2.
Aside from that, this game is still fantastic to this very day. Whether it be the wonderfully designed levels with gems to collect and eggs to take back from snarky running thieves, the very good execution of Sparx the dragonfly, the charming dragons to free after them being crystallized by the egotistical Gnasty Gnorc, fantastic speedway levels, atmospheric presentation that's still lovely to this day for the most part, and a soundtrack that still kicks butt to this day, there's no way this isn't a forever classic. It may not quite be the very peak of the series, but for a first game in the series, it gets WAY closer than you think it would. If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and check this one out. There's a reason why the iconic purple dragon caught on quick, and it's because of this game right here.