Yet, thanks to across-the-board brilliant designs ranging from cute archaeologist dogs to creepy floating wizards, everything still looks insanely compelling.Įnvironments remain largely similar to the first Spyro – a range of location from platforming staples like volcanoes and ice caves to much more inventive zones such as Buddhist-esque temples and mechanical fortresses. Thanks to the shift to Avalar there’s now a much greater range of NPC models and these are decidedly less detailed, with things like bottom-heavy mouths and blocky hands and feet. Spyro’s character model is still the best of the bunch, featuring a great deal of detail and animation. Using the same engine as the previous game, Spyro 2 doesn’t make any major graphical leaps forward and doesn’t quite hold up to modern scrutiny – but as with its predecessor, some fantastic art design decisions mean it can still impress even today. Everything is linked in one way or another, to the extent I’ve never really seen in this genre. Moneybags is a particular highlight of these, often saying he’ll use the money you pay him to set up a burger stand in one level or buy a condo in another. My favourite example is a series of side quests in Collosus involving ice hockey, then in a later level you’re introduced to a set of characters who need your help because they’re going to be late for that same ice hockey match. You might come across one level where you help birds stockpile munitions, only to jump into another level where you help slugs defend from those same invading birds.
Yet its greatest triumph is in its world-building. This extends to the intro and outro sequences to each level, which always show a funny (if sometimes disturbing) scene. Make no mistake – Spyro 2 is a very funny game – full of quip-y one liners and hilarious quest objectives (collecting party hats from invading enemies because “it’s just not a party without hats”). This is amplified by some of the dialogue that takes place during your journey.
Each is a joy to talk to and – when combined with the inhabitants of each level – helps create the feeling of a living, breathing world. My absolute favourite among the new cast is Moneybags, a pompous bear who constantly blocks off Spyro’s progress only to charge him gems to get past. There’s Elora, a softly spoken faun who acts as the guide through Avalar Hunter the timid cheetah who helps Spyro recover orbs through his adventure and The Professor, who always seems to be losing things. The biggest change from the original title is the introduction of recurring side characters who are instantly likeable and memorable.
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