The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon (2008)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon is a 2008 action-adventure game developed by Étranges Libellules and published by Sierra Entertainment. It is the third and final installment in the Legend of Spyro trilogy, following The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning (2006) and The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night (2007). The game was released for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Nintendo DS.

Three years have passed since Spyro and Cynder were trapped in the crystal, and Malefor has unleashed his evil onto the world. In Dawn of the Dragon, Spyro must fulfill his destiny and face the Dark Master. As evil spreads over the world, Spyro and Cynder must discover new abilities and unlock their true powers to defeat Malefor and stop him from destroying the world.

Dawn of the Dragon introduces several new gameplay elements to the series, including the ability to fly freely through the game world. Spyro can also now use his fire breath to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. Cynder, who is now a playable character, can use her dark powers to attack enemies and manipulate objects.

The game’s story is told through a series of cutscenes and in-game dialogue. The cutscenes are fully voiced, and the voice acting is of high quality. The game’s dialogue is also well-written, and it does a good job of developing the characters and their relationships.

Dawn of the Dragon’s graphics are impressive, especially on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game’s world is large and detailed, and the character models are well-animated. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, and it features a mix of orchestral and electronic music.

Overall, The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon is a great action-adventure game that is sure to please fans of the series. The game’s story is engaging, the gameplay is fun and varied, and the graphics and sound are top-notch.

Gameplay

The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon is an action-adventure game that is played from a third-person perspective. The player controls Spyro, a young dragon who must defeat the evil Malefor. Spyro can use his fire breath to attack enemies and solve puzzles. He can also fly freely through the game world.

Cynder, who is now a playable character, can use her dark powers to attack enemies and manipulate objects. She can also fly, but she is not as fast as Spyro.

The game features a variety of different levels, each with its own unique challenges. Spyro must use his fire breath and flying abilities to overcome these challenges and progress through the game.

Story

The story of The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon takes place three years after the events of The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night. Malefor has unleashed his evil onto the world, and Spyro must fulfill his destiny and face the Dark Master.

As evil spreads over the world, Spyro and Cynder must discover new abilities and unlock their true powers to defeat Malefor and stop him from destroying the world.

Characters

  • Spyro: A young dragon who is destined to defeat Malefor. Spyro can use his fire breath to attack enemies and solve puzzles. He can also fly freely through the game world.
  • Cynder: A dark dragon who has turned to the side of good. Cynder can use her dark powers to attack enemies and manipulate objects. She can also fly, but she is not as fast as Spyro.
  • Malefor: The main antagonist of the game. Malefor is a powerful dark dragon who wants to destroy the world.
  • Ignitus: A wise old dragon who is Spyro’s mentor. Ignitus teaches Spyro about his powers and helps him to prepare for his battle with Malefor.
  • Volteer: A lightning dragon who is Cynder’s mentor. Volteer teaches Cynder about her powers and helps her to control her darkness.
  • Terrador: An earth dragon who is a member of the Guardians. Terrador helps Spyro and Cynder to find the Dragon Eggs that are needed to defeat Malefor.
  • Cyril: A wind dragon who is a member of the Guardians. Cyril helps Spyro and Cynder to navigate the treacherous Dragon Realms.

Development

The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon was developed by Étranges Libellules, a French video game development studio. The game was directed by Jean-Christophe Herz, who had previously worked on the Prince of Persia series.

Dawn of the Dragon was developed using the Unreal Engine 3. The game’s graphics were praised by critics, who noted the game’s detailed environments and character models.

Reception

The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon received generally positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its graphics, gameplay, and story. However, some critics found the game to be too easy and repetitive.

Despite the mixed reviews, Dawn of the Dragon was a commercial success. The game sold over 2 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling game in the Legend of Spyro series.

Legacy

The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon is considered to be one of the best Spyro games ever made. The game’s graphics, gameplay, and story were all praised by critics and fans alike. Dawn of the Dragon is a fitting conclusion to the Legend of Spyro trilogy, and it is a must-play for fans of the series.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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