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The Legend of Spyro

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The Legend of Spyro
File:Spyro logo.png
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Developer(s)Krome Studios (2006–7)
Étranges Libellules (2008)
Publisher(s)Sierra Entertainment (2006–8)
Vivendi Games (2006–7)
Activision (2008)
Platform(s)Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox, Xbox 360
First releaseThe Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning
October 10, 2006
Latest releaseThe Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon
October 21, 2008

The Legend of Spyro is a trilogy of games that are part of the Spyro the Dragon series. It acts as a reboot to the original series.

The games use a combination of close-combat and platforming gameplay, though more oriented on combat than previous games in the Spyro series. The story revolves around Spyro, the protagonist, and his efforts to stop Malefor, The Dark Master, from destroying the world.

The games received mixed reviews; the games' controls and story received much praise, while the gameplay was often criticized as being repetitive.

Games

Title Details
The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning

2006 – PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS 		Notes:
  • Developed by Krome Studios and published by Sierra Entertainment, Universal Interactive and Vivendi Games.
The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night

2007 – PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, Wii 		Notes:
  • Developed by Krome Studios and published by Sierra Entertainment and Vivendi Games.
The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon

2008 – PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Wii 		Notes:
  • Developed by Étranges Libellules and published by Sierra Entertainment worldwide and Activision in North America. Distributed by Activision Blizzard.
  • The most recent Legend of Spyro game and the only one to be released on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Details

  • The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning marked the third title to be released on the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube and the second on the Xbox, released in Autumn 2006 and developed by Krome Studios. Portrayed as a reboot to the series, Spyro is sent on a quest to find the captured Guardian dragons so the Dark Master does not return from his prison. An evil dragoness named Cynder uses her dark minions to harness the power of the four Guardian dragons (fire, electricity, ice, and earth) in order to open the Dark Master's prison, bringing terror throughout the lands. The cast includes Elijah Wood as Spyro, David Spade as Sparx, Gary Oldman as Ignitus, and Cree Summer as Cynder. Although it was first advertised as a prequel to the first Spyro game, this game is in fact a reboot to the series, starting off from scratch and having nothing to do with the previous games. The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning has received average, but mostly decent reviews and ratings from critics, often in agreement as being a good start for the trilogy, but open for improvement on the future installments as well.
  • The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night was a sequel to A New Beginning, was released on October 2007 for the PlayStation 2 and Wii consoles and was once again developed by Krome Studios. In this game, the Ape King Gaul planned to free the Dark Master from the Well of Souls on the Night of Eternal Darkness, and Spyro—having faced several visions of the threat from the Chronicler, an ancient, wise dragon—embarked on a journey to stop him. Elijah Wood and Gary Oldman reprised their roles for the game, with Billy West taking over the role for Sparx, and Mae Whitman taking over the role for Cynder. The Eternal Night received less acclaim than its predecessor, usually in part to its difficulty, controls and usual linear setup. Regardless, its sales warranted for continuation, but also improvement of the trilogy.
  • The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon is the third and final installment in The Legend of Spyro trilogy, as well as the tenth anniversary game of the series. It was released on October 2008 for the Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 for North America, and was developed by Etranges Libellules. In the game, Spyro and Cynder awaken in the future, and set out to stop Malefor the Dark Master (the first purple dragon who turned evil), from spreading his evil across the world. Unlike previous Spyro games, this game features the ability to switch between Spyro and Cynder at any time. There is also a two player mode, with two players either playing as Spyro and Cynder simultaneously. Along with this new freedom comes "Free Flight," which allows Spyro and Cynder to fly at any time. Once again, Elijah Wood and Gary Oldman reprise their roles while Billy West is replaced as the voice of Sparx by Wayne Brady, Christina Ricci replaces Mae Whitman as the voice of Cynder, and Blair Underwood voices Hunter of Avalar. Mark Hamill does the voice for Malefor, the Dark Master.

Gameplay

The trilogy features platforming gameplay similar to the rest of the Spyro series, though with a much heavier emphasis on combat. The levels in the games are linear in nature; the player guides Spyro along a set path, battling minor villains along the way, until he reaches a boss at the end of the level. The first game also features flying levels with rail-shooter gameplay.

Spyro is capable of both close-quarter and long-range combat. Long range attacks consist of a variety of elemental breaths, specifically fire, electricity, ice, and earth breath.[1] Spyro learns these breaths at various points throughout the games. He can also expel large blasts of these elements in an attack called a "Fury."[2][3] As Spyro uses his abilities, his magic meter is depleted. He can refill his meter and his health using specially colored gems found by defeating enemies and breaking parts of the environment.[4][5] These gems can also be used to increase the strength of Spyro's attacks.[6][7]

The Eternal Night introduces an ability called "Dragon Time." This feature allows Spyro to slow down time around him, making certain platforming segments and combat in general easier.[8]

Dawn of the Dragon features a number of other alterations. Spyro is given the ability to fly at will,[9] allowing for more exploration. The game also features a two-player co-op mode, with player two controlling Spyro’s friend, Cynder. If there is no player two, then the player may switch between Spyro and Cynder during gameplay.[9]

Plot

Characters and setting

The series' protagonist is Spyro, the titular character of the series. He is the purple dragon that prophecies say will direct the fate of his era. He is young and idealistic. After being hidden in a swamp by Ignitus, he was raised by dragonflies. One of the dragonflies, his adoptive brother Sparx, follows Spyro loyally, helping Spyro find his way if he gets lost.[4]

The main antagonist of the series is Malefor, also known as The Dark Master. He is the first purple dragon who was born 1,000 years ago. He believes that the purpose of the purple dragons is to awaken a giant monster called The Destroyer, which will destroy the world.

Cynder is the main antagonist of A New Beginning. She was cursed by Malefor and became his servant. After she was defeated by Spyro, she returns to a normal size and her curse was reverted. Afterwards she becomes a good friend of Spyro, even falling in love with him as the series progresses.

Story

A New Beginning

The game begins in an temple where Ignitus, a red Guardian dragon, is watching over a purple dragon egg that contains Spyro who is prophesized to direct the fate of an era. The forces of the Dark Master, a being with whom the dragons are at war with, attack the temple to prevent the birth of the purple dragon.[10] Ignitus takes the egg to safety and sends it to the swamp, where Spyro is raised by a family of dragonflies.[11]

Years later, Spyro returns to the temple, where Ignitus tells him of Cynder, a powerful dragon who is working for the Dark Master.[12] He tells Spyro that Cynder has taken three guardian dragons;[13] and discovers that Cynder plans to use their power to release the Dark Master from his prison.[14] Spyro rescues the Guardians, but Ignitus is captured and drained of his power, breaking the seal on the Dark Master's prison.

In the Dark Master's prison world, Spyro confronts Cynder in a final showdown. With Cynder's defeat, the Dark Master's hold on her is broken, and she reverts to a normal dragon around Spyro's size.[15] They escape from the Dark Master's world before it collapses around them and return to the temple.

The Eternal Night

Cynder is distraught about her actions, and leaves before she can do further harm to Spyro.[16] After she leaves, the temple is attacked by Apes. After Spyro repels the Apes, he searches for the Chronicler, who summoned him in a vision.[17] While searching, he discovers that the Apes have erected a base on the Mountain of Malefor, and that they've taken Cynder to try to turn her to their side.[18] Once he finds the Chronicler, he tells Spyro that the Dark Master was once Malefor, a purple dragon whose power allowed him to master the elements.[19] The Apes intend to release Malefor using a lunar alignment called the Night of Eternal Darkness.[20]

At the mountain, Spyro confronts Gaul, the Ape King. During the fight, the alignment occurs; Spyro uses the power of the alignment to kill Gaul, but becomes corrupted by Malefor's power until Cynder frees him from its evil influence.[21] As the mountain crumbles around them, Spyro encases himself, Sparx and Cynder in crystal to protect them.

Dawn of the Dragon

Nearly three years later, Spyro, Cynder and Sparx are released by mysterious beasts later shown to be working for Malefor. They chain Spyro and Cynder together around their necks using dark magic and take them to a packed arena. As they are pitted against a golem, they are rescued by Hunter, a Cheetah from the Valley of Avalar. The three heroes learned that Malefor had returned after their disappearance and had shrouded the world in darkness ever since. When they return to the dragon city and defeat the golem from before, they find that Malefor has released the Destroyer, a creature meant to make a new world out of the ruins of the current world. Before Spyro and Cynder can stop him, the Destroyer initiates the end of the world, so they set off to face Malefor.

Once there Malefor is waiting and tries to convince Spyro that his destiny is to join him and destroy the world. In denial, Spyro rejects this and the battle with Malefor begins. This takes Spyro and Cynder to the center of the earth, where Malefor ultimately meets his end. Realizing what he must do, Spyro uses his power to reconstruct the breaking world, and right before he does Cynder whispers to him "I love you". It is successful, but it is unknown what happened to Spyro and Cynder until the Chronicler states that he can not find any trace of them in a book of all dead dragons. Ignitus then becomes the new Chronicler of the new age, while the old one dies. And Spyro and Cynder are then shown flying through Avalar happily.

Development

The transition from traditional controllers in A New Beginning to the Wii remote in The Eternal Night proved challenging, as the cue system developed for the traditional controllers of the PlayStation 2 and GameCube didn’t work for the Wii.[22] The ultimate solution for this problem was found by Krome Studio's lead coder, who wrote a program to simulate how any action was performed, making it possible for developers to code that action for the Wii.[22] However, the Wii Classic Controller can be used to play The Eternal Night on the Wii, since it is compatible.[citation needed]

Universe

Locations

The Dragon Temple was an ancient temple located not far from the swamp where Spyro was raised. It is used by the Guardians to train young dragons. In Dawn of the Dragon the temple was torn from the ground and suspended above the land by Malefor as a symbol of his dominance and was later destroyed by the Belt of Fire.

Items

Gems are used as powerups themselves; red are collected to fill up Spyro's health bar, green are used to power his breath attacks, purple to power his fury attacks, and blue to upgrade his abilities in the main menu. In The Eternal Night, Dragon Relics are collectibles used to upgrade Spyro's health and magic bars, while Scriber's Quills are collectible items used to unlock concept art. Dragon Armor are collectibles in Dawn of the Dragon used to give Spyro and Cynder additional abilities in combat.

Music

Rebecca Kneubuhl and Gabriel Mann, previously members of the a cappella band Spiralmouth who also composed musical pieces for Crash Twinsanity and Crash Tag Team Racing from Spyro's companion franchise Crash Bandicoot, composed many of the musical pieces for each game of The Legend of Spyro trilogy. Kneubuhl and Mann have also performed songs with lyrics which are based on the protagonist's bonds with his closest allies, such as "This Broken Soul" in The Eternal Night, and "Guide You Home (I Would Die for You)" in Dawn of the Dragon.

Proposed animated film

On October 25, 2007, it was announced that the film rights for Spyro the Dragon had been purchased by The Animation Picture Company.[23] Daniel and Steven Altiere wrote the script, which was going to be based on the recently released The Legend of Spyro trilogy. The film was going to be titled The Legend of Spyro 3D and was planned to be made from Los Angeles, California, with animation by a South Korean Animation studio, Wonderworld Studios, alongside Universal Animation Studios. The film was planned to be produced by John Davis, Dan Chuba, Mark A.Z. Dippé, Brian Manis and Ash Shah, and distributed and advertised by Velvet Octopus along with Universal Studios. Mark Dippe was going to direct the film. This film was originally planned for released in theaters on Christmas 2009 for the United States and Canada, but it was delayed to April 10, 2010 for its North American release. It was later confirmed by Daniel Altiere himself that the movie had been officially confirmed decisions made by Activision to go in this direction.[24]

Reception

Aggregate review scores
As of 1 October 2013.
Game GameRankings Metacritic
The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning (Xbox) 71.27%[25]
(NDS) 68.22%[26]
(GC) 67.17%[27]
(PS2) 64.52%[28]
(GBA) 44.67%[29] 		(Xbox) 69[30]
(NDS) 68[31]
(GC) 67[32]
(PS2) 64[33]
(GBA) 44[34]
The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night (GBA) 81.75%[35]
(Wii) 62.06%[36]
(PS2) 58.64%[37]
(NDS) 56.33%[38] 		(GBA) 80[39]
(Wii) 60[40]
(NDS) 56[41]
(PS2) 54[42]
The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon (Wii) 65.09%[43]
(X360) 63.78%[44]
(NDS) 60.60%[45]
(PS2) 59.00%[46]
(PS3) 58.10%[47] 		(Wii) 64[48]
(X360) 62[49]
(PS3) 59[50]
(NDS) 57[51]

Critical reception of the games was mixed. IGN was highly impressed by A New Beginning, citing its story, voice acting, and controls as major positives. At one point, they compared the game to God of War.[52] GameSpot, on the other hand, wasn't impressed, calling the story dull, the gameplay repetitive, and the levels uninspired.[53]

The Eternal Night was not as well received. IGN called the game "pointlessly difficult," citing an unresponsive jump button during platforming segments and "unfair" combat mechanics.[54] GameSpot also complained about the high difficulty, saying that the game's "Dragon Time" was required to simply stay alive.[55] Game Chronicles was kinder; while they did not like the game's lack of precision or its difficulty, and really did not like some of the acting, they also said that a patient player would find a lot about the game to like, particularly the production values.[56]

Dawn of the Dragon was better received then the previous two. IGN said that while the gameplay was still repetitive, the flight mechanic and other new features were welcome additions.[57] Gamezone was unimpressed by the game's graphics and multiplayer, but referred to the production values, including score and voice acting, as "epic."[58] Impulse Gamer believed that the game was targeted at a young audience, who they say will enjoy the flight mechanic over all else.[59]

References

  1. ^ The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night instruction booklet, pp. 10.
  2. ^ The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning instruction booklet, pp. 8–9.
  3. ^ The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night instruction booklet, pp. 7–9.
  4. ^ a b The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning instruction booklet, pp. 9.
  5. ^ The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night instruction booklet, pp. 9.
  6. ^ The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning instruction booklet, pp. 6–7.
  7. ^ The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night instruction booklet, pp. 7.
  8. ^ The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night instruction booklet, pp. 7–8.
  9. ^ a b The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon instruction booklet, pp. 6.
  10. ^ The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning: Volteer: Save them! The Dark Armies have come!
  11. ^ The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning: Ignitus: What emerged from the egg frightened them at first, but their fear turned to awe. It was a purple dragon, who they eventually adopted and raised as one of their own.
  12. ^ The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning: Ignitus: The other three guardians and I led our small but valiant forces into battle after battle against a ruthless, mercenary foe. Then, when we were beginning to turn the tide, Cynder came.
  13. ^ The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning: Ignitus: ...years ago, I watched as Cynder plucked the other guardians from the fields of battle, like so many ripe grapes from a vine.
  14. ^ The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning: Ignitus: What I'm saying is that Cynder is harnessing the Guardian's power to unlock a portal that must never be opened.
  15. ^ The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning: Spyro: She IS just like me!
  16. ^ The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night: Cynder: I'm leaving Spyro. I don't belong here. After all I've done, all I've put you through... I can't stay.
  17. ^ The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night: The Chronicler: You shall know me as the Chronicler. Seek me out.
  18. ^ The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night: Gaul: Nothing can prevent this. We are merely here to welcome our Master back into the realm and join him at his side. But fear not, Cynder. You've been such a faithful servant, I'm sure he'll take you back.
  19. ^ The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night: The Chronicler: In the beginning, he was encouraged, and secrets of elemental mastery were passed onto him willingly by the elders. But his power was limitless. It knew no boundary. He consumed... everything.
  20. ^ The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night: Spyro: But you said that the eclipse would only allow the spirits to escape for a short while. The Chronicler: Yes, but if there was ever a spirit powerful enough...
  21. ^ The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night: Cynder: It's okay, Spyro. You're among friends. Spyro: I'm sorry. I... I couldn't stop.
  22. ^ a b http://wii.ign.com/articles/825/825767p1.html IGN interview of Don Meadows, Producer of The Eternal Night
  23. ^ Graser, Marc (25 September 2007). "Spyro to fire up theaters". Variety. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
  24. ^ "Spyro Movie No More". darkSpyro. 11 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  25. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  26. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  27. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  28. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  29. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  30. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  31. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  32. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  33. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  34. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  35. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  36. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  37. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  38. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  39. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  40. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  41. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  42. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  43. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  44. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  45. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  46. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  47. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  48. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  49. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  50. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  51. ^ "The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  52. ^ http://ps2.ign.com/articles/740/740532p1.html IGN review of A New Beginning
  53. ^ "GameSpot review". Retrieved June 12, 2007.
  54. ^ http://ps2.ign.com/articles/830/830708p1.html IGN review of The Eternal Night
  55. ^ http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/thelegendofspyrotheeternalnight/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review GameSpot review of The Eternal Night
  56. ^ http://www.gamechronicles.com/reviews/ps2/legendspyro/eternalnight.htm Game Chronicles review of The Eternal Night
  57. ^ http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/936/936314p1.html IGN review of Dawn of the Dragon
  58. ^ http://xbox360.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r35288.htm Gamezone review of Dawn of the Dragon
  59. ^ http://www.impulsegamer.com/360spyrodawnofthedragon.html Impuse Gamer review of Dawn of the Dragon
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