We’re always hearing about how some trend or
fashion statement from the past has come back to haunt us. The game industry
does the same thing, but in a good way: 2D gaming, once believed to be dead
after 1996, has come back around for a cornucopia of sequels – as well as the
original and highly innovative LittleBigPlanet.
Given how much fun Crash Bandicoot had in the
second dimension, Spyro thought he should leave 3D gaming behind for a new DS
adventure – The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon. There are a few 3D stages
where you’ll fly through open worlds for a flight/combat type of experience
(on-rails like Afterburner or Star Fox). But the majority of the game takes
place in a side-scrolling world where platforms are essential, jumping is a
must, and enemies are defeated with a good dose of button-mashing. It isn’t the
freshest experience, and there are a few problems that keep it from achieving a
truly legendary status. But if you like Spyro, don’t mind cheap enemies and
prefer 2D gaming, this one is worth a look.
The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions tried to
advance the series by adding the ability to take off and fly at any time.
Ultimately the mechanic failed due to weird level restrictions, none of which
are found within this 2D version. The gameplay here is more traditional – take
Spyro, throw him into an action/adventure world, make it darker, add several
platforms and eliminate the speed (Spyro is a dragon, not a hedgehog with
special running shoes) and you’ve got a pretty good idea of what to expect.
The controls are a little stiff but they’re
nothing a six-year-old can’t handle. In fact, they’re exactly what any Spyro fan
could anticipate: everything that can be done in his 3D adventures can be done
here. Gliding is an essential part of level exploration; without it, you
wouldn’t be able to reach certain platforms. Spyro can also double jump and
bounce himself off walls to go even higher. Cynder tags along and may be
controlled at any time by pressing the L button (Spyro jumps out and Cynder
dives in, immediately attacking the enemy, a la Marvel Vs. Capcom. Spyro does
the same when switching back to him).
Spyro comes to the battlefield with ice, fire,
earth and electricity powers. Cynder, once a villain of the purple dragon, has
two powers that sound a bit vague – fear and shadow – as well as the ability to
use wind (she forms a small tornado to attack the enemy) and poison. When
striking with a fear assault, Cynder unleashes a screeching sound wave. Her
shadow magic is the weirdest of the bunch – when used, it sends forward the
image of a hand. Enemies are damaged by the hand, so long as they’re not
invulnerable to that particular power. That’s a minor twist you probably didn’t
expect: enemies that are impervious to specific attacks. You’ll have to test ‘em
out to learn which enemies can or can’t be damaged. But remember that if one (or
several) powers don’t work, there is always one that does.
Spyro’s attacks are less surprising. Fire flows
through his mouth, burning enemies and wooden objects. Ice shoots through like
an icicle flying sideways. Electricity is used to cover Spyro’s body in a deadly
electrical blast, while earth power releases a rock-hard ball to damage enemies
(the mechanic is sort of like throwing a grenade that doesn’t explode on
impact).
Most enemies will be defeated the old-fashioned
way: by clawing and kicking the tar out of them. Multi-colored crystals play a
part in the experience: red restores health, green restores your elemental
powers (ice, fear, etc.), and blue provides invaluable upgrade credits that let
players strengthen their powers.
The 3D stages are pretty impressive. The gameplay
is a little slow (the view may remind you of flight/combat games but this is not
a flight/combat game) and some of the enemies’ attacks are impossible to avoid.
But with simple controls (use the D-pad to move and the touch screen to launch
accurate attacks) and an attractive 3D view that tops most DS games, these
stages are great.
Kids will enjoy their time with Dawn of the
Dragon, but there are a few things parents (or anyone wishing to play this game)
should know. First, the whole experience is one of repetition. If you or your
kid plays every new action/adventure released for the DS, this will feel like
more of the same and should be rented, not purchased.
Dawn of the Dragon’s enemies are fairly cheap.
The game isn’t challenging enough to prevent the average kid from finishing it,
but they’re bound to be annoyed when they reach the end of a level and have to
re-start because one sturdy foe got the better of them. Also, as cheap as the
enemies are, players can react just as cheaply and avoid them altogether. Aside
from the times when an enemy must be defeated, you can simply run past them and
reach the level exit.
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Gameplay: 7.0
Fun, shallow gameplay with cool 3D stages, cheap enemies and a fair amount
of repetition.
Graphics: 8.0
One of the more impressive 2D games using polygons (with full-3D on-rails
stages that look even better).
Sound: 7.9
The music is epic but the sounds are repetitive.
Difficulty: Easy
The enemies may be cheap but this is still an easy game.
Concept: 7.0
The DS version of Dawn of the Dragon is the year’s best Spyro sequel, and may very well become the
blueprint for the series, whether in 2D or 3D.
Overall: 7.0
This isn’t the must-own Spyro game, but it is definitely worth checking out.
