Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!
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| Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! | |
|---|---|
 North American box art |
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| Developer(s) | Insomniac Games |
| Publisher(s) | SCEA |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation, PlayStation Network |
| Release date(s) | Sony PlayStation: JP March 16, 2000 NA November 2, 1999 PAL November 5, 1999 PlayStation Network: NA May 7, 2009 |
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | CERO: A ELSPA: 3+ ESRB: E OFLC: G8+ |
| Input methods | DualShock controller |
Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! is a video game for the PlayStation video game console. It was released in the United States under this title on November 2, 1999, in Europe and Australia as Spyro 2: Gateway to Glimmer on November 5, 1999,[1] and it was titled: Spyro X Sparx Tondemo Tours in Japan on March 16, 2000.
Ripto's Rage is the second game in the Spyro the Dragon series, which started with Spyro the Dragon in 1998. The protagonist of the series, Spyro, is placed in the land of Avalar, rather than the Dragon Worlds, where the previous installment was set. A dinosaur-riding sorcerer, known as Ripto, has invaded the world of Avalar, and is wreaking havoc on its citizens with his magic. The player, as Spyro, must travel through the world of Avalar and undo the damage done by Ripto.
The game became available for download on the PlayStation Network on July 26, 2007, even before its predecessor was released to the same market. Less than a week later, however, it was removed because Colossus and Idol Springs levels failed to load.
On May 7, 2009, a corrected version of the game became available for download from the North American and Japanese PlayStation Store.[2]
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[edit] Gameplay
Gameplay flows in a similar manner to the original Spyro, with few variations in control and Spyro's main abilities intact. Spyro can attack enemies with his typical dragon-breath, or charge through them in a charge attack, though different varieties of enemies may require a specific attack to defeat; metal-armored enemies are impervious to Spyro's flame, and enemies much larger than Spyro himself are immune to his charge attack. By using his wings to glide, Spyro can extend his jumping distance to a considerable reach, depending on the elevation the player begins gliding from. Levels are designed to take advantage of this, featuring large gaps that require Spyro to glide across them. As the game progresses, the player can buy new abilities for Spyro, such as the ability to swim or to climb ladders. In addition to Spyro's new abilities, many levels in the game feature powerup "gates" which temporarily give Spyro enhanced abilities that allow him to defeat certain enemies, reach new areas, or complete certain missions. Powerup gates are at first inactive, but become available once the player has defeated a certain number of enemies within the level.
[edit] Powerups
Powerups help Spyro defeat his enemies and also helps him to complete some puzzles in the game. In the game they appeared as two stone pyramids extending from the ground with floating sparks between them and a floating symbol indicating which powerup it was. This new system allowed the developers to put elements from the original Spyro, like the Supercharge pathways and special flying levels, into the regular levels.
[edit] Synopsis
[edit] Characters
The only characters from the original game to return as main characters in this game are Spyro (character), the game's protagonist, and Sparx, his dragonfly sidekick. Sparx functions as the players health meter, and assists the player in gathering gems. This game introduces new characters into the Spyro series, many of whom would appear in later. Both Hunter and Mr. Moneybags would appear in all Spyro games up to Spyro: Shadow Legacy, while Ripto would make more series appearances than any other antagonist, making him the key villain of the original series. Ripto has two main cronies called Crush and Gulp who are the most used sidekicks (enemy wise) in the whole series, the most frequent games they turn up in is Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage (or Spyro 2: Gateway to Glimmer which is the British version), Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly and Spyro: Shadow Legacy.
[edit] Setting
The dragons of the previous installment have been replaced with an entirely new cast of characters, including fauns, satyrs, anthropomorphic animals, and robotic businessmen, among others. The world of Avalar is divided into three realms: the Summer Forest, the Autumn Plains, and the Winter Tundra. In every realm, there is a castle that, during the course of the storyline, is captured by Ripto and his cronies. Each realm features a number of different worlds, a speedway world, and a dungeon in which Ripto or his minions are hiding in. Avalar's name may have been derived from the legendary island Avalon.
[edit] Plot
In the distant, fantasy realm of Avalar, local residents Elora, Hunter, and The Professor have been working on their latest and largest portal. During a test of it, Hunter enters his birthdate (22475, which could mean February 24, 1975 or April 22, 1975) as the portal's target coordinates, inadvertently activating it and allowing a small wizard named Ripto into the realm along with two large and dimwitted dinosaurs, Crush and Gulp. Identifying that the land has no dragons, Ripto declares that he is going to "move in" and take it over; however, Elora is able to de-activate the portal by instructing fairies to remove the orbs powering the portal. As Ripto begins to terrorize Avalar, Elora and the Professor plan to 'catch' a dragon in order to drive Ripto off.
Meanwhile, the Artisans have been under rainy weather for some time; Spyro, declaring he needs a vacation, locates a portal to the realm of Dragon Shores. However, after travelling through the portal, he finds himself instead landing in the realm of Avalar by means of a smaller portal, built by Avalar's Professor. Ripto enters the scene and destroys the portal, objecting to how the Professor succeeded in bringing a dragon to the world of Avalar. Ripto is, however, forced to retreat when Gulp accidentally swallows Ripto's magical scepter, and Spyro is asked to help save the realm of Avalar by defeating Ripto.
Each of Avalar's homeworlds is captured by Ripto after Spyro enters them. In a dungeon area, Ripto and one of his minions wait for Spyro. The only way to access these dungeons is to collect all of the Talismans in the overworld, or in the final confrontation, to collect 40 orbs. The talismans are being held by the leaders of each homeworld. Somehow, perhaps using his magic, Ripto has convinced the citizens of the realm to turn against each other, causing outbreaks of war between worlds and races. Also, Ripto has sent his minions to terrorize citizens and stop Spyro from saving the worlds of Avalar.
The journey ultimately leads to a final showdown between Spyro and Ripto in Winter Tundra. The two battle it out using many forms of magic, and just when it seems as if the fight is destined to end in a stalemate, Ripto converts the arena into a pool of lava and attempts to escape on a metal eagle. Spyro gives chase and a dogfight ensues, in which Spyro destroys the eagle and sends Ripto plummetting into the lava to his apparent death.
The inhabitants of Avalar are grateful for Spyro's help, and as a reward, show him the portal to Dragon Shores.
[edit] Reception
The game received generally favorable reviews, and some consider it to be even greater than the widely praised first game. Many enjoyed the fact that the game emphasized humor, but was considerably deep; although its relatively short length and occasionally easy gameplay were criticized. Stewart Copeland's refurnished, atmospheric music was also well received. The game has sold nearly 3.5 million copies.
[edit] References
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