Spyro: Year of the Dragon

Overview

Spyro: Year of the Dragon is the third installment of series, developed by Insomniac before they sold the rights of the franchise. The story follows the adventures of Spyro the Dragon, and his dragonfly companion Sparx. The big new feature of this game is the Spyro's friends are also available as playable characters in their own special areas, each with different and useful abilities.

Plot

Every twelve years, new dragon eggs are delivered into the realm of the dragons. This time around, an evil sorceress, her army of Rynocs, and apprentice, Bianca, have stolen the eggs. Spyro and his friends are the only ones who can retrieve the eggs, and stop the Sorceress' goals. As Spyro pursues the thieves responsible, he discovers a realm, called Avalon, which was once a home for dragons, but is now the place where the Sorceress resides. Spyro visits each forgotten realm to retrieve the eggs, with the help of different playable characters (Sheila, Sgt. Byrd, Bentley, and Agent 9). It is later revealed that the Sorceress is planning to use the wings of the baby dragons to create an immortality potion. This new facet of information forces Bianca to change sides and aid Spyro in stopping her. Spyro is finally able to kill the sorceress, and deliver all the baby dragons to the Dragon Kingdom.

Homeworld and Levels

The game spans four homeworlds which act as stations to other portals. Each Homeworld contains eight portals to separate levels: four standard levels, a speedway, a freed character from Moneybags' level, a boss confrontation, and a Sparx level. The four homeworlds and levels are:

Sunrise Springs

The levels found in Sunrise Springs are as followed:

• Sunny Villa
• Cloud Spires
• Molten Crater
• Seashell Shore
• Mushroom Speedway
• Sheila's Alp
• Buzz's Dungeon
• Crawdad Farm

Midday Gardens

The levels found in Midday Garden are as followed:

• Icy Peak
• Enchanted Towers
• Spooky Swamp
• Bamboo Terrace
• Country Speedway
• Sgt. Byrd's Base
• Spike's Arena
• Spider Town

Evening Lake

The levels found in Evening Lake are as followed:

• Frozen Altars
• Lost Fleet
• Fireworks Factory
• Charmed Ridge
• Honey Speedway
• Bentley's Outpost
• Scorch's Pit
• Starfish Reef

Midnight Mountain

The levels found in Midnight Mountain are as followed:

• Crystal Islands
• Desert Ruins
• Haunted Tomb
• Dino Mines
• Harbor Speedway
• Agent 9's Lab
• Sorceress' Lair
• BugBot Factory
• Super Bonus World

Playable Characters

In a departure from the first two games, Insomniac introduced four new playable characters that can be unlocked as the player reaches each of the four worlds.

Sheila The Kangaroo

Sheila allows the player to jump to new heights. She is able to double jump and even super jump in order to reach extremely high areas. Her attacks involve kicks and a stomp which can be used following her jump.

Sgt. Byrd

Sgt. Byrd is a winged soldier able to fly and unleash rocket attacks from launchers attached to his sides.

Bentley

Bentley the yeti is armed with a massive club that he can use to crush enemies that stand in his path. He is also able to move heavy objects such as crates.

Agent 9

Agent 9 is a space monkey who is equipped with a laser weapon that he names 'Mr Laser Blaster'.

Cheat Codes

All cheat codes must be entered in the pause menu

99 Lives - R2, L2, R2, L2, Up, Up, Up, Up, Circle

Change skateboard into squid - Up, Up, Left, Left, Right, Right, Down, Down, Square, Circle, Square

2D Spyro - Left, Right, Left, Right, L1, R1, L1, R1, Square, Circle

Big Headed Spyro - Up, R1, Up, R1, Up, R1, Circle, Circle, Circle, Circle

Blue Spyro - Up, Left, Down, Right, Up, Square, R1, R2, L1, L2, Up, Right, Down, Left, Up, and X

Green Spyro - Up, Left, Down, Right, Up, Square, R1, R2, L1, L2, Up, Right, Down, Left, Up, Triangle

Red Spyro - Up, Left, Down, Right, Up, Square, R1, R2, L1, L2, Up, Right, Down, Left, Up, and Circle
Yellow Spyro - Up, Left, Down, Right, Up, Square, R1, R2, L1, L2, Up, Right, Down, Left, Up, Up

Crash Bash Demo - Hold L1, R2, and Square at the game menu

Soundtrack

• "Title and Sparx Levels"
• "Sunrise Spring Home"
• "Sunny Villa"
• "Sheila's Alp"
• "Cloud Spires"
• "Molten Crater"
• "Seashell Shore"
• "Mushroom Speedway"
• "Buzz's Dungeon"
• "Midday Garden Home"
• "Icy Peak"
• "Enchanted Towers and Sgt. Byrd Levels"
• "Spooky Swamp"
• "Bamboo Terrace"
• "Country Speedway"
• "Spike's Arena"
• "Evening Lake Home"
• "Frozen Alters"
• "Lost Fleet"
• "Fireworks Factory"
• "Charmed Ridge"
• "Honey Speedway"
• "Bentley's Outpost"
• "Scorch's Pit"
• "Midnight Mountain Home"
• "Crystal Islands"
• "Desert Ruins"
• "Haunted Tomb"
• "Dino Mines"
• "Harbor Speedway"
• "Agent 9's Lab"
• "Sorceress's Lair"
• "Super Bonus Round"
• "You Found an Egg!"
• "Ending with Voices"
• "Credits"

ESRB

The ESRB rated the game Everyone for Comic Mischief.