Spyro the Dragon: Difference between revisions

Spyro
Developer(s)	Insomniac Games
Publisher(s)	SCEA
Platform(s)	PlayStation, PlayStation Network
Release	PlayStation: September 10, 1998 October 1998 November 11, 1998 April 1, 1999 PlayStation Network: October 29, 2007 March 12, 2008
Genre(s)	Platform
Mode(s)	Single player

Spyro the Dragon is a platform game developed by Insomniac Games for the PlayStation. It stars the title character, a young purple dragon named Spyro and is the first in the series of Spyro the Dragon video games. The first game was massively popular at its initial release and would later become one of the most recognizable, popular and respected gaming icons for the PlayStation gaming console.

Before the game begins, the five Dragon families lived in their five Dragon Worlds in harmony. Their lives were happy and peaceful until the day a Gnorc broke the rules; Gnasty Gnorc was an unpleasant creature that the Dragons were never too fond of and in return. Gnasty resented the happy Dragon families. More than anything, he detested their beautiful, shiny jewels, which were not only nice to look at, but showed him reflections of his own ugly face every time he did so. Gnasty became such a problem that he was banished to the Dragon junkyard, the world that the Dragons weren’t too fond of but they didn’t see how well it would suit Gnasty. It suited Gnasty just fine. He renamed it Gnasty’s World as soon as he got there and overtook Gnorc Cove and Twilight Harbour. He also built his home there, as well as an industrial settlement, which he would later keep all of the stolen treasure. Gnasty began to fool around with magic spells there and after a while, he hit on the two he wanted: a giant spell to trap all Dragons in crystal as well as a potion to animate the radiant gems and turn them into an army of Gnorc soldiers.

On a nice sunny day, when the game begins, Gnasty cast the freeze spell he had been working on after he heard what the Dragons had been saying about him on a video documentary. They had called him “ugly” and “simple” as well as “no threat to the Dragon Kingdom. The spell trapped all the dragons in crystal halfway through the filming of their documentary. He turned all the gems he could find into his willing minions. He even began turning the Dragon Worlds into his own Gnorc Worlds and thought everything was going so well, but the one little detail he didn’t count on was Spyro the Dragon. Spyro was so small that the spell shot straight over his head. Now Spyro, the only unfrozen dragon, must travel the six worlds – including Gnasty’s deformed industrial world – releasing all the Dragons and collecting the stolen treasure. In the meantime, Gnasty’s army of minions (transformed from the Dragons’ gems) are doing their best to stop him. As Spyro releases the trapped Dragons along the way, they return a favour by giving the little Dragon hints and tips up until the final conflict – where Spyro must do battle with Gnasty Gnorc.

• Toasty is the boss who has taken over charge of The Artisans world. What appears to be a scythe wielding, pumpkin-headed scarecrow is ultimately revealed to be nothing more than a sheep on stilts. To defeat this boss, Spyro must battle against his dog guardians until he is alone with the sheep on stilts.
• Doctor Shemp is one of Gnasty Gnorc’s minions who is now in charge of The Peace Keepers world. He is a giant creature wearing sunglasses, causing a trapped Dragon to tell Spyro, “this guy think’s he’s so cool …”. Doctor Shemp carries with him a skull-topped staff which he uses to strike at Spyro. Shemp’s weak-spot is his back, as every other part of his vast body is protected with armour plating.
• Blowhard is the boss of The Magic Crafters world, and shares similar powers to the weather wizards seen frequently throughout that world. He has the upper body of a wizard and a lower body of a cyclone. He is also capable of generating thunderclouds and bolts of lightning to help defend himself, similar to the powers demonstrated by the malicious weather wizards.
• Metalhead is the robotic boss of The Beast Makers world. This large mechanical ape is impervious to all of Spyro's attacks, and is therefore defeated by shutting down his power supplies. He throws his ape minions at Spyro, and also fires an electrical stream or arcing electrical coil.
• Jacques is a sick, violent, lizard-faced jack-in-the-box and the boss who has taken over The Dream Weavers world. He resides in a nightmare landscape populated by creatures born from bad dreams and is fought by Spyro on a series of platforms levitating above a volcanic crater. His defense is the throwing of boxes at Spyro.
• Gnasty Gnorc (voiced by Michael Gough) is the main antagonist and final boss of the game. His main means of attack is firing a green light from his scepter, visually similar to the spell he cast that trapped all Dragons in crystal. He is initially out of Spyro's attacking range, so keys must be obtained from thieves nearby to lower the platform on which he stands. He is then chased by Spyro through the junkyard until he reaches a dead-end at the back of a magma-filled hallway, where Spyro defeats him.

There are six Homeworlds in the game. These act as hubs from which Spyro can travel to other levels similar in appearance via numerous portals. In each level there is a set number of gems to obtain and a small number of dragons (with the exception of flight levels). With the exception of Gnorc Gnexus (or Gnasty's World in some versions), each Homeworld contains five portals to separate levels. These are three standard levels, a boss confrontation and a flight. There are occasional thieves, including egg, key and least commonly, gem thieves that's loot can prove to be a vital resource for game completion.

Artisans. Spyro's home world. The Artisan dragons are tranquil and take a calmer approach to most problems, and are most often depicted as artists, musicians and masters of the fine arts. The Artisan World consists of pleasant countrysides and ornate castles. The Gnorcs there are cowardly and do not attack or fight back.

• Stone Hill. The first Artisan level, which is set in a green hillside by the ocean. It features a large castle next to the exit portal, which overlooks the ocean, and has a series of tunnels connecting the various areas of Stone Hill. The only enemies here are rams that try to charge Spyro, and shepherds that will whack him with their crooks if he approaches them. The common thief in the first part of the game, the egg thief, is introduced.

• Dark Hollow. As the name implies, this area is set at night, in a hollow that is lit by lamps. Spyro can light several piles of wood with his flame to light up some of the areas. There is also a small lake which can only be reached through halls guarded by Sentry Gnorcs. This area is the first area that shows the concept of Spyro's flame defeating large enemies, and his charge defeating armored enemies. Foes include the normal sized, Gnorc Knights (who can only be charged with their shields down); The giant Gnorcs that use chicken drumsticks as clubs; and lastly the giant Gnorc sentries, who simply bounce spyro out of the way (but do no harm to him). Because of their frontal armor, the Sentry Gnorcs require a flame to the rear.

• Town Square. A town area of which takes place at early evening. It has many buildings that border a lake, and a fountain in the main square of town. This area focuses on gliding, as it is required to reach the exit. Here, bulls which behave like the rams of Stone Hill will either chase after Spyro, or the Gnorc toreadors that are trying to tame them.

• Toasty. The level in which the boss is fought is set in twilight, which features a large castle that Spyro must traverse, which is set atop a cliff overlooking a lake. The shepherds return in this level, along with watchdogs that pounce Spyro if he approaches them, and take two attacks to defeat. The battle against Toasty himself takes place in the castle courtyards.

• Sunny Flight. The first flight level, which is set on an island in the middle of the ocean, and as the name suggests, it is sunny, set at morning. It features several crystals growing out of the island, and also tracks which trains carrying barrels ride upon. There is also a spire in the middle of the water which has several Gnorcs flying around it in planes, along with a tunnel and alcove holding chests. Here, Spyro must destroy the 8 barrels carried by the trains, fly through 8 green arches that are set in a circle around the island, destroy the planes, and also the 8 chests to complete the flight.

Peace Keepers. The second home world. The Peace Keeper Dragons have an "attack first, ask questions later" attitude. The Peace Keepers' home world is a dusty desert at a relatively high altitude with frequent tar pits. A number of secrets can be found via perilous flights around cliff faces, or correct use of the surrounding cannons. Gnorc soldiers run rampant throughout the area, and will either harm or flee from Spyro. The requirement to access this world is to free 10 dragons in the Artisan World.

• Dry Canyon. The first level of the Peace Keepers world. Set in a dusty, dry canyon in the middle of a rocky desert. Gnorc enemies in this level have been transformed from gems to vicious vultures. This level, which includes incomprehensible glides and dozens of more traps, can prove to be much more challenging than the first few levels in the Artisan homeland, but on the contrary is an introduction and a preparation for the much more challenging levels to come. Foes include bazooka-toting Gnorcs, larger Gnorcs armed with vultures, and vultures themselves.

• Cliff Town. A series of pueblos that are situated on a high cliff. The enemies here are the normal sized, sombrero wearing Gnorcs who wield knives. Also, there are larger, female Gnorcs who try to send Spyro over the cliff or into tar-pits with a non-lethal slap. (These females also appear at Doctor Shemp's world). There is also separate part of the level directly across from the cliff town inhabited by vicious vultures.

• Ice Cavern. A dark, icy cavern full of caves and plummeting sink-holes. The foes of these caverns are Gnorcs, both big and small. The small ones (Some of which wear skis) throw snowballs while the bigger ones use their fist (Note: Although many of the giant Gnorcs must be flamed, the metal-plated ones in this level must be charged so that they'll fall into a chasm).

• Doctor Shemp. A curvy, desert mountaintop full of the female Gnorcs, metal-plated Shaman Gnorcs which will charge at you, and large tarpits.

• Night Flight. The second flight level which is set on an island in the middle of the ocean, and as the name suggests, it is set at night.

Magic Crafters. The third world is filled with landscape that defies the laws of physics thanks to the green Druids running amok throughout the area. The Magic Crafter Dragons like to use their brain, not brawn to keep things in order. The scenery here is that of partially snowy mountain sides. It is here where supercharge ramps are first introduced to the game. These give Spyro a blisteringly fast and powerful charge, and they can be used to glide much longer distances.

• Wizard Peak. A snowy mountain run amuck by various wizards and big, club wielding Gnorcs. This is the first level where a "super" supercharge is introduced; if the player supercharges down two consecutive supercharge ramps without stopping, the smoke from Spyro's feet will turn from white to orange and his speed will increase so that the player can make very long jumps that a regular supercharge couldn't. The only other level to have a "super" supercharge is Tree Tops, in the Beast Makers' World

• High Caves. A series of caves hig up on a mountain. Enemies are various weather wizards, scenery-altering "Green Druids", and metal beetles who can only be super charged or defeated by a fairy-powered superflame. At the end of the level, fairies come to your aid should you fall off into the large, surrounding chasm.

• Alpine Ridge. A mountainous area full of weather wizards, shamans with sticks and worse: giant, yellow beasts that will bodyslam Spyro.

• Blowhard. Windy mountain top guarded by lightning wizards.

• Crystal Flight. Crystal Flight is set upon a series islands, and due to its name, features a multitude of crystals growing out of them. The islands themselves are tall, with cannals running between them. The goal here is to fly through eight rainbow-colored rings, 8 arches, flame 8 planes, and 8 chests.

Beast Makers. A dark swamp turned electrified battlefield. Beast Maker dragons send others to defend them (but don't mind getting in the battle themselves). Be careful of the native wildlife and electricity loving Gnorcs, not to mention the swamp water itself.

• Terrace Village. The Gnorcs in this grouping of village village huts and high walls all use electrical weapons, and even electrify the ground to hurt Spyro. There's a staircase near the end of the area that is camaflouged with the wall.

• Misty Bog. A large swamp covered in mist and inhabited by chickens, fierce "attack frogs" (One dragon mentions that they're "cold-blooded killers) and even indigenous plants that try to eat Spyro. Some Gnorcs have set up traps to catch chickens and will ignore you for a short time if they catch something.

• Tree Tops. Stated by some to be the hardest level in the entire Spyro series, Tree Tops is based on the top of a jungle and is filled with many twisting supercharge ramps. The main enemies are small apes that throw bananas and large apes that kick Spyro. There are also two thieves, a red one and a green one, who are difficult, but not impossible, to catch. Tree Tops is one of two levels that tests the player's ability to think ahead when they're supercharging; supercharging down the correct ramps in the correct order is the only way to catch the two thieves and free a dragon out on a ledge.

• Metalhead. This is a small fortress in a swamp with the same Gnorcs as seen in Tree Tops, only metal-plated. Most of the level involves getting into the fortress, while the boss battle takes place inside it.

• Wild Flight. This flight level is set in a series of canals with metallic buildings in the mountainsides, set into two separate areas, split between a circular canal, and a small area of metal buidings with waterfalls falling from both the cliffside and buildings. As the name suggests, the flights is more difficult than the others due to the fact that some turns are tighter than normal, and some of the targets are directly over the water, including inclines that can be difficult to ascend or descend. In this flight, Spyro must destroy 8 boats, fly through 8 arches, destroy 8 planes, and 8 chests.

Dream Weavers. A world of wonder and confusion. Dream Weaver dragons are in charge of creating dreams and catching nightmares before other dragons can dream them, making for an illusion-filled world. Keep your eye out for fairies; help them, and they will return the favor. The Dream Weavers' world has become overrun with malevolent jesters, who can turn big and small by the aide of a magic cannon. Dream Weavers consists of numerous inexplicably floating islands high in the air. Beware, because some things are not always as they seem.

• Dark Passage. A shadow-filled mountain that hovers seemingly over empty space. The main point of the level is that the enemies don't stay the same. In the light they are small dogs and metal-shelled turtles, but when they are in the shadows they become huge monsters. With fools who shade their lights, it can be difficult for Spyro to defeat some. But, attacking fools brings a temporary, but non-stop light in an area.

• Lofty Castle. An airborne castle set somewhere during dawn or dusk Spyro needs to free three caged fairies to move to each part of the level. Enemies here included large, metal-wearing Gnorcs that dangle below balloons, "Handsome devils" and bloated birds.

• Haunted Towers. A large, ornate castle-themed level called so because of the heavy suits of armor that come to life when a wizard casts a spell on it. The sky is unique due to the fact that there is a starry sky aboce the horizon, with the sun shining directly from below the castle. This is one of the only levels where Spyro can get a permanent superflame here, at least for the rest of that level. Other foes include grenade-throwing Gnorc knights and lightning wizards. The large suits of armor can only be defeated by a superflame, which means backtracking if the player wants to collect all the gems. This is the second level that tests the player's ability to think ahead when supercharging; one area of the level is only accessible by supercharging around the castle and up a ramp.

• Jacques. The boss of the Dream Weavers world. His world is full of monsters (not Gnorcs) and small, rocky islands suspended over lakes of magma. To move ahead, Spyro must attack the jesters, who raise pedestals up to the required level for a limited amount of time.

• Icy Flight. The fifth and final flight of the game, is set in an ice covered mountain at night, complete with light towers and railroad tracks. Players must light the torches, destroy the barrels, destroy the trains and defeat the Propeller Gnorcs to beat the level.

Gnorc Gnexus (or Gnasty's World in some versions). Gnasty Gnorc's industrial home world. He was banished there long ago and has now turned it into his evil empire. Each level must be unlocked by completing the previous one.

• Gnorc Cove. A shipping dock built on the sea, run by antagonistic human workers.

• Twilight Harbor. A harbor built on the water in an alcove, set at twilight. This base is inhabited by gun toting Gnorc guerrilas. Some use machetes and hand grenades.

• Gnasty Gnorc. The boss battle at the end of the game. After completing the other two worlds in Gnasty's World/Gnorc Gnexus, Gnasty Gnorc can finally be challenged.

• Gnasty's Loot. A bonus world featuring a hefty 2000 gems and an additional 20% for the completion of the game.

When the player has released all the dragons, collected all the gems and has exactly 100% as shown in the inventory, the player can enter the stage Gnasty's Loot, where the player can take back all the gems that Gnasty has stolen from the dragon kingdom. Gnasty's Loot is located in Gnorc Gnexus (or Gnasty's World in some versions). This level allows Spyro to fly for an unlimited time while in this stage only. This flying power, however, is controlled by how high Spyro can start his flight. A series of keys held by thieves must be captured in order to proceed to the highest flying peaks in this stage. This stage consists of Gems with values of 10 and 25 with a grand total of 2000. This is in reference to the opening sequence where the dragons cannot decide if there are 12,000 or 14,000 gems within the Dragon Realms. When Gnasty's Loot is completed, another 20% will be added to the games completion, making the game 120% complete. There is also a cut scene after the level is completed which hints towards the return of Gnasty Gnorc.

Stewart Copeland, the drummer of the band The Police, is credited with composing the soundtracks for the first four Spyro The Dragon games. The score for Spyro the Dragon was given high praise for its originality, portraying oriental/fantasy-like themes for the Dragon Worlds. All music was composed and performed on a keyboard inputted to a computer with software managing the recordings and compositions. Being a passionate drummer, Copeland brought the music to life with drum tracks that used actual recordings of the instrument, such as cymbals and his famous snare.

Copeland made a music track for each level in the game (except for Toasty and Gnorc Gnexus, which share the same music track), giving each level their own feel according to the natural surroundings, architecture and inhabitants of the place. For example, in the Artisans world of shepherds, sheep, medieval towers and endless green hills, the music is layered with an oriental-sounding mixture of bells and elusive percussion whereas the Beast Makers' midnight swamp has a solid rhythm layered with the melancholy calls of owls. The Spyro riff (the tune feathured in the "Opening Theme" at the start of the game) crops up in many disguises throughout the soundtrack.

None of the tracks on this game were given clear audible vocals, however, the track to Wild Flight contains obscured vocal-sounding voices layered on top of the guitar, organ and drums. Some of the tracks varied where the game was bought. In the American versions of the game, the music track to High Caves is a remixed version of the music for the Tree Tops level. In European releases of the game, High Caves is played with a much more upbeat track similar to that of one of the games general tracks (sometimes referred to as Beast Makers Alternative or Beast Makers (Reprise)).

Sounds that gave Copeland's tracks clear uniqueness were the high pitched twinkling sounds similar to those of a glockenspiel or a harpsichord. Also, the use of a vibrating rock organ in nearly all tracks make the tracks quite unique when combined with the twinkling sounds. In addition, progressions of strong electric guitar chords enhanced the excitment of some tracks and the sound of a banjo appears occasionally to support the melody. Every piece is supported by interesting percussion tracks which give it a high-energy quality which adds emensly to the character and sound of the music.

The music has been compared to that of Mutato Muzika's score of the original Naughty Dog Crash Bandicoot games. The music has never been released on CD except for one track, "Jacques" (which Copeland named "Rain" during production), on his CD which is a sample of his work over the past decade.

The game is now available for sale on the PlayStation 3's US and JP PlayStation Store. This allows you to play it on a PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable.

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