Spyro: Year of the Dragon
| Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon | |
|---|---|
| File:Spyro yotd.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Insomniac Games |
| Publisher(s) | SCEA |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
| Release |  October 11, 2000  October 25 2000  November 10, 2000 |
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon is the third game in the Spyro series. It was the last Spyro game to be released for the PlayStation, as well as the last Spyro game developed by Insomniac Games. The game was released in North America on October 11, 2000, in the United Kingdom on October 25, in the rest Europe on November 10.
Gameplay
Spyro retains his abilities gained in Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage (excluding permanent fireball) such as swimming, climbing, hover and headbash. Spyro's attacks stay the same, being a short range flame attack, and a fast charge more suitable for small armored foes. Spyro can also use vehicles, such as tanks and submarines, to find or win eggs. He can also use a skateboard to beat challenges set by Hunter. Characters other than Spyro are also playable in this game, all of whom, with the exception of Sparx, must first be freed by Spyro by paying Moneybags to free them.
Synopsis
Characters
Further information: List of Spyro the Dragon characters
As well as Spyro and Sparx, numerous other characters appear in this game. Hunter, who first appeared in Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage, appears in this game, aiding Spyro on his quest to defeat the Sorceress. Numerous new characters also appear as playable characters. Sheila is an Australian kangaroo with an exceptional jumping ability. Sgt. Byrd is a penguin and military soldier, wielding weaponry such as homing missiles and bombs. Bentley is a smart yeti with a gentle demeanor who wields a club made of ice. Agent 9 is a monkey who assisted the Professor.
Plot
The game opens with a celebration in the Dragon Realms, where they are celebrating the "Year of the Dragon", an event every twelve years where new dragon eggs are brought to the realm. During the celebration, however, a cloaked anthropomorphic rabbit girl, Bianca, invades and with an army of Rhynocs, steals all of the eggs. Spyro, along with Sparx and Hunter, are sent after the thief to recover the eggs.
Pursuing the thief, Spyro discovers a realm once inhabited by the dragons, but long abandoned and forgotten, now known only as the "Forgotten Realms", ruled by a queen called the "Sorceress", and under firm control of the Rhynocs' army.
As Spyro travels throughout each realm, acquiring aid from local inhabitants, and bartering with Moneybags for passage to new areas, Bianca abducts and imprisons Hunter. It is later revealed that the Sorceress is seeking not the baby dragons themselves, but merely their wings to concoct a spell that can grant her immortality; and at this Bianca defects to Spyro's side in order to help him challenge the Sorceress and save the rest of the eggs in the process.
Celebration resumes after the Sorceress's defeat, though Spyro is unable to locate Hunter. Searching throughout the realm, Spyro's friends are reluctant to say anything of Hunter's whereabouts; Spyro ultimately locates Hunter out on a date with Bianca, and laments about another hero "falling" for love.
However, it later turns out that the Sorceress survived her previous battle with Spyro, and is found in a secret world, waiting for Spyro on her UFO. Spyro and the Sorceress battle again, on two UFOs above some deadly magic liquid. Eventually, Spyro manages to shoot the Sorceress down, and she falls into the liquid below, (presumably) killing her.
The baby dragons are then returned to the Dragon Kingdom.
Dropped Ideas
There are either dropped or completely secretive parts of the game which need certain terms completed, "unobtainable otherwise," that include variable leftovers, such as a "lost" mini-boss in the realm "Dino Mines."
Bosses
- Buzz resembles a giant toad, with a pair of strong legs. However he's not tough enough to withstand lava.
- Spike is a tall, muscle-bound monster who can really pack a punch.
- Scorch is a giant winged beast that can produce a forcefield to protect himself. It'll take a carefully aimed missile to bring him down.
- The Sorceress is the final boss. She can conjure up some powerful magic when necessary. Pity she can't protect herself from Spyro though! There are actually two times you face her: one being getting 100 dragon eggs to show up in her lair and the other being the saucer battle for the last dragon egg (Super Bonus Round).
Worlds
The game contains numerous homeworlds that house the portals to the other levels. Sunrise Springs is the starting homeworld for Year of the Dragon. This world is set during the morning with lush green hillsides, small woods and lakes. Midday Garden is the second homeworld. Midday Garden is set during the day with a blue sky overlooking wide gardens and large towering castles. Evening Lake is the third homeworld is set during the evening inside a large lake containing parts of a submerged tudor-style castle. Midnight Mountain is the final homeworld set at night ontop of a high mountain.
Culture References
- In the level Desert Ruins has a parody of Tomb Raider. When Spyro reaches the exit a girl named Tara (parodying Lara of Lara Croft) turns up from a cave and speaks in the same language as Lara Croft.