The original Spyro enjoyed a fair amount of success, so it was only a matter
of time before Insomniac would put the purple lizard back into action for a
sequel. While Spyro was a mainstream hit, many of its cynics accused the
game of being too simple and childish. Whether you liked it or not however,
it was still the game which showed that the PSX is definitely capable of
creating huge worlds akin to those seen in Mario 64. Sure, Spyro was more
of a showpiece than anything else, but underneath all that eye candy was a
fun, charming, and solid 3d platformer. So how does the sequel stack up to
its predecessor you ask? Simply put, Spyro 2 is infinitely better
than the original while still retaining the qualities that made the first
game so enjoyable.
There's just so much to do in this game! While getting through a single
stage isn't all that difficult, it's the various side quests and mini games
that keep the game fun and fresh throughout. Everything from ice hockey and
lighting lamps, to the insanely enjoyable and challenging flying levels,
Spyro 2 doesn't lack anything in variety. You're rewarded for completing
these side quests by gaining orbs, which are essential if you want to see
everything this game has to offer. Believe me when I tell you that there's
almost never a dull moment throughout Spyro's adventure. He's definitely
grown up from the days when all he did was collect coloured gems, which is
still an important aspect of this sequel.
Visually, Insomniac has pushed the Playstation to its limits yet again.
Spyro 2 is even more stunning than the original, and creates a fantasy world
unlike any other. The characters just have so much personality, and they're
only furthered by the amazing graphics. Lighting and water effects are
nearly flawless, while your field of vision is only obstructed by the
gorgeous obstacles in front of you. You won't come across eye candy this
sweet all that often. Great job Insomniac.
Two of the things that I was most impressed with in Spyro 2 were the
brilliant music and sound effects. The overworld theme is simply magical
and makes you feel like you're truly apart of an amazing fantasy world.
Besides the overworld theme, each stage is accompanied with music that suits
the situation to a "T". Everything from chanting, mambo, to some funky
jungle beats are all packed into this inspired disc. This is still
accompanied by some of the best voice acting ever heard in a game of this
type. The characters of Elora, Hunter, and Spyro himself are all fully
realized and wonderfully voice acted. The game features some truly humorous
dialogue, and will keep you entertained throughout.
Even with all these merits, Spyro 2 still suffers some (minor) problems.
The camera, while one of the best I've come across in a 3d platformer, can
get a little weird at times. You can choose between either passive or
active camera, and the difference is very big between the two. If you're
like me and like to manipulate the camera yourself at all times, then the
passive mode is definitely for you. Another issue I had with the game were
the sometimes loose controls. While it's a non-issue after extended playing
time, Spyro's controls take a bit of time to get used to. Like I said
though, once you're comfortable with moving Spyro around, everything else is
bliss.
I couldn't have asked for a better sequel to an already enjoyable game.
With new abilities like swimming, stomping, and climbing (all of which must
be bought from the resident millionaire), Spyro 2 is leaps and bounds ahead
of its predecessor. Even if you didn't like the first game, give this one a
shot, it might actually surprise you. Spyro 2 is an excellent 3d
platformer for the PSX, and is second only to Ape Escape. Insomniac has
truly outdone themselves.
-- Alex Makar
