In In Memoriam we regularly look back on a series that we have lost and that has left a hole in our hearts. An IP that deserved more than it got or just a series of games that left us wanting more regardless of whether it was well-rounded. This is a series from the heart, the broken heart.
Today we turn our attention to a series that enchanted an entire generation of gamers with its colorful world and charming protagonist: Spyro the Dragon. It all started in 1998, when Insomniac Games released the first Spyro game for the PlayStation.
Insomniac is of course an established name today, with games like Ratchet & Clank and Marvel’s Spider-Man. However, at that time it had only made the FPS Disruptor, with which it had already shown fragments of the talent that was at the studio. However, Spyro the Dragon would be their big break.
Spyro the Dragon was no ordinary hero. He was a small purple dragon with a big personality and an even bigger passion for adventure. The game took players to the magical worlds of the Dragon Kingdom, where they collected gems, defeated enemies, and freed friendly dragons trapped in crystals.
What really set Spyro apart was his charm and personality. The vibrant colors, cheerful music and humorous dialogues gave the series a unique look. Moreover, that purple dragon was also very cute and he really jumped off the screen in the late 90s, quickly becoming one of PlayStation’s mascots.
After the success of the first game, two more sequels made by Insomniac followed: Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! and Spyro: Year of the Dragon. Each of these games added new gameplay elements, from learning new skills to controlling other playable characters, which always kept the series feeling fresh. Both games received high scores in the reviews, just like the first part.
Unfortunately, as time went on, Spyro disappeared from view. There were still a few handheld and spin-off games, but the core of the series seemed to fade. This was also reflected in the review scores, which were considerably lower than in the early days. Spyro seemed to be heading towards a silent death.
Until in 2018, Activision, with the help of Toys for Bob, released the Spyro Reignited Trilogy. This remaster brought the original three games back to modern consoles with beautiful graphics, giving a new generation of gamers the chance to experience the magic of Spyro.
However, it turned out to be a short-lived flare-up, because since then it has become deafeningly quiet around Spyro again and a new adventure doesn’t really seem to be around the corner. However, Spyro the Dragon remains alive in our memories.
2023-12-27 11:00:00
#MEMORIAM #Spyro #Dragon
