Screenshot: Two decades have passed since the first game featuring Spyro the dragon was released. Graphics have improved a bit since then, but otherwise it's still the same cheeky character. — Activision/dpa
Nintendo had Mario, Sega had Sonic. And Sony? Since the first Playstation appeared more than twenty years ago it's had no real mascot. Of course, the console did have cute comic creatures such as Crash Bandicoot and the young dragon Spyro.
Although never as popular as Mario and Sonic, Spyro the cheeky reptile won some fans, mainly younger ones. Those players have long since grown up and now they can meet their childhood hero again.
The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a remake of the first three Spyro games – and not just for the the Playstation 4, but also the Xbox One. For around US$45 (RM188), fans get the charm of the original games with much better graphics and plenty of small improvements.
But these remakes won't easily go down as modern games. From today's perspective, the very first Spyro adventure is almost absurdly simple: the dragon runs and flies through colourful worlds, firing at enemies, collecting diamonds and rescuing his friends.
Parts two and three feature a slightly more sophisticated story, a few extra characters and generally more variety. However, the rebooted title is still miles away from feature-heavy modern games.
There's hardly any unlocking, no levels that can be ascended to and no in-game purchases. Spyro also can't collect new equipment along the way.
However, this doesn't really detract from the fun. Spyro is as fun to control as he was twenty years ago as he glides, sprints and rolls through the game's varied, sprawling world.
The game's graphic rejuvenation is also very successful with the simple scenes and characters barely recognisable from the original.
Remakes of successful classics are no longer a rarity in the game world but that they succeed as well as in the case of the Spyro Reignited Trilogy is more the exception than the rule.
In his new guise, the cheeky little dragon should not only make old fans happy, but also find many new friends. The game is suitable for players aged six and older. – dpa
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